The Sims 4 came out in 2014 which was nine years ago which is the longest run for a Sims game. Sims 4 was met with quite a bit of backlash for missing features and some design aspects that players felt made the game a bit dull. It has been updated and worked on to make it more of a complete package and although I miss the open world aspect of The Sims 3, I understand a quality over quantity approach was taken for Sims 4. I, like many players, am a bit turned off by their obscene Expansion pack plans. I mean, expansion packs are cool and fun. But Sims 4 now has four variants of DLC in the form of Expansion Packs, Game Packs, Stuff Packs and Kits. I always compare these to DLC for the previous games and while in the old days Expansion packs were full of content and Stuff Packs were just a cherry on top of the cake, now however, Expansion packs are often blasted for being short on content while game packs add things that used to be part of the Expansion packs of the past (an example is that Vampires were always part of a Night Life expansion and now are separate in their own pack) Stuff Packs are okay and add extra things for sims to wear or build with but now Kits are out which are these bite size stuff packs basically, like one focusing on clothes and another on a specific theme of building styles. The way that they have broken up these packs. It all feels like cut content is being used in extra packs for more money and puts a damper on the whole game.
Though one could argue the separation could be a good thing, using Vampires again as an example, being their own Game Packs means more focus could be put on them while being part of another pack like before. Sims 4 Vampires has been considered to be quite in depth compared to previous installments.
The Sims 4 Vampires introduces new features such as a new neighborhood called Forgotten Hollow, where vampires can thrive, and new abilities such as the ability to hypnotize Sims or transform into a bat. The pack also includes a new skill tree for vampires, allowing them to improve their abilities and powers. Additionally, The Sims 4 Vampires introduces a new system for managing vampire needs, which are different from regular Sim needs.
In contrast, in The Sims 3, vampires were introduced in the “Late Night” expansion pack, which also included other elements such as new careers, clubs, and bars. Vampires in The Sims 3 had unique abilities and powers, but their gameplay was not as extensive as in The Sims 4 Vampires.
In The Sims 2, vampires were introduced in the “Nightlife” expansion pack, which also included new elements such as cars, downtown areas, and dating. Vampires in The Sims 2 had similar abilities to those in The Sims 3, but they were not as complex as in The Sims 4 Vampires.
Though yes, you are getting more in depth and focused mechanics for your buck here but in today’s economy all of this is, for the most part, unaffordable for many as there are just too many facets.
More so now than ever, Sims players have to really think hard on the DLC that they want and even then, the amount of bugs and glitches sometimes breaks the game completely (looking at you, Wedding Stories!) These packs aren’t cheap, often costing the same as a full fledged game.
But The Sims has zero competition and so players who adore the game (like me) have to put up with this abusive relationship that we have with it. It really is a love/hate relationship as I love The Sims, I always have because I grew up playing it but I don’t have much love for EA and how they’re bleeding us dry.
That’s it, that’s my rant.
