The Sims 4
TS4
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Simulation, free-to-play, sandbox, isometric view, life sim, Game Pass, EA Play, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
The fourth installment in the best-selling life simulation series – The Sims. The Sims 4 was developed by Maxis Studios, also known for SimCity and Spore. The player, once again, controls the lifes of a virtual family. Character editor lets you set not only alter the physical appearance of each Sim, but also define their personality, character, and goals.
The Sims 4 is the next instalment of the popular worldwide series of life simulators. As in previous parts of the cycle, it was developed by an American studio Maxis.
The first The Sims was released back in 2000. Its creator was Will Wright, the founder of Maxis and the author of SimCity and other related games with Sim in the title, which were the most successful in the 1990s. The Sims quickly surpassed in popularity the other games from the developer's catalogue, becoming a phenomenon and one of the most popular brands in the electronic entertainment industry.
Gameplay
The Sims 4 doesn't introduce any revolutionary changes in gameplay model. In the course of the game the player takes care of the family of virtual Sims, taking care of all their spiritual and material needs, as well as providing a place to live, designing a house and a garden.
The entire game begins with the creation of your Sims. In The Sims 4 it was decided to remodel the character creation system. This time the face modification system was extended - sliders for changing a given element were replaced with mouse movements, at the same time increasing the scope of changes. The possibility to edit the entire character body was also added. The ability to freely customise hair and clothing colours has been removed, returning to predefined sets.
The character of the Sim also plays a huge role. Players choose a few of the dozens of personality traits available, as well as the character's long-term goals. These affect the character's subsequent behaviour and are part of the improved artificial intelligence system introduced in the game. Thanks to this system, Sims behave more naturally and react in a much more varied way to situations around them. Also new are the emotions felt by the virtual heroes. They are influenced not only by the needs currently fulfilled or not, or social interactions, but also by the household equipment used or clothes worn. Experiencing specific emotions will unlock new dialogue options, among other things.
After creating the Sims, the player has to bring them into the house. He can leave it in the form prepared by the developers or completely redesign it. This is because the game offers an extensive tool, allowing you to build and furnish your own flats. Compared to previous parts, the interface of the constructor has been improved. Among other things, ready-made rooms were introduced, which can be placed with a single click.
The Sims 4 also introduces the "Gallery", which allows sharing created houses and characters with other players.
DLC and add-ons
Over the years, The Sims 4 received a lot of additional content: from micro-add-ons introducing one or two novelties and packs of clothes (usually titled Accessories), to full-fledged expansions offering story campaigns and new attractive locations, and significantly expanding the gameplay. Full list of The Sims 4 expansions can be found here.
Mods
Paid expansions are not the only option for players who want to diversify their play. The Sims 4 also supports fan modifications. List of the most interesting mods we gathered here.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: November 7, 2014
Sims 4 Guide
The guide for Sims 4 and its expansions contains tips for building houses and CAS. You will find cheats, job descriptions, career paths, information about skills, relationships and expansions tips. Check which job is best, and learn the game's secrets.
Videos and Screens
[1:50] The Sims 4 The Sims 4 - Crystal Creations Stuff Pack Reveal Trailer
[1:53] The Sims 4 Home Chef Hustle Stuff Pack trailer
VideoGamer: 8 / 10 by Jamie Trinca
The feature list is bare, but the Sims themselves are incredible.
IGN: 8 / 10 by Sarah Thwaites
The Sims 4 may be starting to feel its age a decade after its initial launch, but a strong community and frequent updates have kept it at the top of the life simulator genre.
GamesBeat: 75 / 100 by Heather Newman
The Sims 4 is a beefy update for the series. The core game feels more smooth, more powerful, and more dynamic than its predecessors, if occasionally buggy.
The main pros of the game
- Customization Options: Players appreciate the extensive character creation options and the ability to build and design homes, which allows for a high level of creativity.
- Graphics and Performance: Many users enjoy the smooth graphics and animations, highlighting that the visual quality is superior to earlier installments in the franchise.
- Fun Gameplay with Mods: The game can be entertaining, especially when enhanced with mods and custom content (CC), which provide additional features and gameplay options.
- Nostalgia and Creativity: Long-time fans find joy in the game’s concept, allowing them to create stories and experiences that reflect their imagination.
The main cons of the game
- Heavy Reliance on DLC: A significant number of users criticize the extensive and expensive DLC model, feeling that many essential features should have been included in the base game. The cumulative cost for all DLCs is perceived as exorbitant.
- Bugs and Technical Issues: Many players report frequent crashes, bugs, and performance issues, especially when using multiple DLCs or mods, leading to frustration with the game’s stability.
- Simplified Gameplay: Some users feel that the gameplay has been overly simplified compared to previous versions, making it feel less engaging over time.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Core Features from Previous Games: Players miss various gameplay mechanics and features from earlier titles, such as more complex life simulations, deeper storytelling, and better world-building options.
- Quality of DLC Content: Users express disappointment that many DLC packs do not add substantial content or improvements, often feeling like they offer only minimal enhancements.
- Base Game Limitations: Many essential elements, such as weather, family dynamics, and certain career options, are locked behind paywalls, which players believe should have been included in the base game.
- Improved Customer Support: There is a notable lack of adequate customer support for technical issues, leading to dissatisfaction among players who experience problems.
In conclusion, while The Sims™ 4 offers a creative platform for players to engage with life simulation, the overwhelming reliance on costly DLC, technical issues, and a perceived lack of depth compared to previous installments have left many users feeling frustrated and disappointed.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 6519 votes. 2850 players anticipated the game.
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11
GAMES
in The Sims Game Series
Game Series
The Sims Series
The Sims is a series of games created by Maxis studio and published by Electronics Arts since 2000. The games in the series can be described as life simulators, in which, directing the avatars we create, we act out scenes from everyday life, but also build them houses, which they can then furnish according to their own vision. The series has sold more than 200 million copies, making it one of the world's best-selling games, and has twice made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
11 video games
The Sims 4 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows September 2, 2014
PlayStation 4 November 17, 2017
Xbox One November 17, 2017
Developer: EA Maxis / Maxis Software / Blind Squirrel Entertainment (PS4) / Blind Squirrel Entertainment (XONE)
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
The Sims 4 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 128 MB GeForce 6600 / Radeon X1300 or better, 17 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/8.1/10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5 2.33 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 650 or better, 18 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/8.1/10 64-bit
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