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Replies: 13 (Who?), Viewed: 3638 times.
#1
5th Aug 2019 at 2:04 PM
Last edited by matrix54 : 20th Aug 2019 at 2:34 PM.
Posts: 9,515
Thanks: 3060 in 4 Posts
Matrix54 Explores The Sims 4
I got the Sims 4 a while ago while it was offered for free. Per EA's expectation, I decided to purchase a few packs while they were on sale and some bundles. I can see them rubbing their hands together now. Previously, I hadn't really played the game much, just here and there. Now that I actually own it... my opinion hasn't really changed much. I've decided to actually do some mini reviews for pieces of content since I now own the game. This will be similar to my TISHRA threads. I never really liked the Sims 4, so I've never been excited about a release. I'm more of a builder and I approach the Sims 4 with that mindset - what can I build for my Sims?
However, I do like complaining and being overly meticulous, so that should be fun!
This post is only an introduction and I'll try to do these often.
Reviews & Intermissions (Click Spoiler To Read):
Base Game - Create-A-Sim (Review)
Get To Work - Retail - Meet Heather (Intermission)
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#2
5th Aug 2019 at 2:15 PM
Posts: 4,776
Thanks: 1 in 1 Posts
I am already anxiously awaiting your first entry!
The Receptacle still lives!
The Receptacle still lives!
Instructor
#3
5th Aug 2019 at 3:45 PM
Posts: 509
Quote: Originally posted by matrix54
I got the Sims 4 a while ago while it was offered for free. Per EA's expectation, I decided to purchase a few packs while they were on sale and some bundles. I can see them rubbing their hands together now. Previously, I hadn't really played the game much, just here and there. Now that I actually own it... my opinion hasn't really changed much. I've decided to actually do some mini reviews for pieces of content since I now own the game. This will be similar to my TISHRA threads. I never really liked the Sims 4, so I've never been excited about a release. I'm more of a builder and I approach the Sims 4 with that mindset - what can I build for my Sims? However, I do like complaining and being overly meticulous, so that should be fun! This post is only an introduction and I'll try to do these often. I'll separate the introduction from the reviews and begin below. |
Have a look at the Gallery and Forum builds first. The game seems to be adding build items per pack and terrain tools are still in development as far as I can see. It's still a work in process but some people have made fantastic builds from it. I couldn't compete.
#4
5th Aug 2019 at 4:20 PM
Posts: 5,219
Thanks. It will be reading through than listening cheerleaders.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
#5
5th Aug 2019 at 5:32 PM
Last edited by matrix54 : 5th Aug 2019 at 8:38 PM.
Posts: 9,515
Thanks: 3060 in 4 Posts
Base Game - Create-A-Sim
This is the first review, so it's important to make note of me approaching the game as a builder. That said, I will touch on gameplay. Positively. 100%. However, expect lots of critique about chairs. God I love a good chairs.
Let's start with CAS, since this is the first introduction to the game (which is so stupid). As I'm late to the game, I'm immediately greeted by "Hi! WoUlD yOu LiKe To CrEaTe My StOry?" No. Absolutely not. I will say that I like that stories give Sims the opportunity to have certain perks, like stating with more cash, a new career, or a bump in skills, as opposed to creating a millionaire in game for your own story, putting them on a lot, and rosebud!;!;!;!;ing your way to early retirement. I wish these options were already present and the results of the personality test helped to make the selection rather than the options not existing at all.
I honestly just want to make cute starter homes, go away
Next is our beloved Aspirations. Previously, there were a few basic aspirations: Family, Fortune, Knowledge, Popularity, and Romance, with Pleasure being added later (as well as Grilled Cheese as a reward for failure). Creativity was console exclusive, but relevant to this discussion. The developers threw all of that out in TS3 and made everything overly specific to make the gameplay goal oriented and they never went back. I'm sure everyone's getting PSD from the Interior Designer Aspiration in Ambitions. Aspirations can definitely be condensed, for the sake of brevity.
For example: Food is an aspiration category. Upon clicking on it, it's split between being a Master Chef, or a Master Mixologist. Then, you have Creativity right about it, which is for music, writing, and painting. Can we not just condense these into one Creativity aspiration and give Sims buffs for creative pursuits? Keep it simple.
It's bloated, but better than The Sims 3's tower of terror.
Why have one aspiration there? Just make it clickable...
Then, we have traits. I like traits, but I've often felt like traits should be in support of Qualities from previous games, as Qualities were based on the Big 5 Personality Traits. Being a vegetarian isn't a trait. I only have 3 trait slots - I need this space, dammit. A human being's personality isn't any more or less of something by not wanting to eat meat. I can have a sim who is messy, outgoing, lazy, playful, mean - AND a vegetarian. It makes sense to me. Qualities bear certain characteristics that were all removed and replaced by traits. Serious Sims enjoy reading, but a variety of other things. Now, we just have bookworm as a replacement for enjoying gardening and not wanting to spend too much time enjoying other hobbies. Outgoing Sims enjoy a variety of other activities and are open to experiences like jogging or nightclubbing. Now, we just have a charismatic trait.
Traits make an assumption that all Sims are the same - with slight changes. You can make a Sims who's evil, mean, and hates children. They're an asshole, but that tells me nothing more about them as a person. A mean score of 1 would suffice for all 3 of them. Perhaps a better alternative would be to have more trait slots reserved for certain types of traits, or flaws.
If I want to be a snob, I have to stop being mean, evil, or disliking children.
Such is life...
Now on to actual CAS, which is absolutely love. Enlarging a woman's breasts by pulling them is a bit weird, but it's great otherwise. I like the clay like quality of moving Sims's bodies into place. I like that I can make Sims cis or transgendered without too much hassle, or just be agender. However, it's more than being able to put a man in a skirt - I can wear whatever I want, which has always been a big issue because some items just look great on other Sims - especially hair. Remove the filter and wear WHATEVER. Sims can finally wear their boyfriend's sweaters.
If I can pose any kind of complaint, it would be clothing options. While clothing has doubled (with the inclusion of being trans), color selection is limited. Create-A-Style opened the flood gates for creators and that's gone now. Clothing options are fine, but color selection is abysmal. There isn't even a plain yellow shirt. How is there not a single basic t-shirt with all color of the basic options?
Also, while I'll miss the underwear category, because underwear and sleepwear aren't the same, I'm more than happy to have an option for warm weather and parties!
Except For The boots, this is all men's clothing and there is 0 compromise to her femininity.
We've covered adults... now, for children. I really dislike that children have fewer traits than adults. It makes no real world sense to me as children are still complex individuals (personality wise), though I guess this is to encourage players to actually develop their children.
Toddler's have no aspiration (which is fine) and a limited selection of traits. As toddler traits are generalized (and not specialized like adults), the behavior is intended to be more pronounced. However, this means you can only have 8 toddlers as toddlers don't have more than one trait slot. They've spent a lot of time on toddlers in game, but CAS is a quick in an out due to how limited they are.
Awww... tiny virtual humans!
Children, or beta-toddlers (We haven't forgotten EA ), are a little more complex. They still have ONE trait slot (which means your blessed child can be a vegetarian, and nothing more than a vegetarian), and so few aspirations it's sad. Granted, having more than "Grow Up" is better, but not by a lot. Toddlers have exclusive traits to show that some love was put into them. There was an attempt at uniqueness. Children have unique aspirations, but share traits with adults. Your toddlers will be pretty interesting, but your children will be pretty boing.
"Do you have some time to talk about our lord and savior, broccoli?"
Next we have teens, EA had to put a label in game to tell you that they weren't adults, which is a testament to their horridness. Correction, teens are adults. Everything is exactly the same, except they're a little thinner. A little. Slightly. They have one fewer trait slot than adults, just incase they were a vegetarian AND a foodie. Sims are such diverse people.
I bet you had to check his traits to verify his age.
So far, the "game" is alright. CAS has some very note worthy improvements, like molding sims like clay, preassembled styled clothing that's NOT garbage, and being able to tailor what gets randomized, filtering clothing, wearing whatever, sorting by color/material/style, etc. It's honestly great, but the Sims themselves are the true problem. Despite the limited selection of colors, the actual clothing options are great, and they stretch and morph to fit other clothing options. CAS is honestly fun and engaging, but could be a little better. The process of creating Sims isn't the actual problem, the Sims themselves are.
Let's start with CAS, since this is the first introduction to the game (which is so stupid). As I'm late to the game, I'm immediately greeted by "Hi! WoUlD yOu LiKe To CrEaTe My StOry?" No. Absolutely not. I will say that I like that stories give Sims the opportunity to have certain perks, like stating with more cash, a new career, or a bump in skills, as opposed to creating a millionaire in game for your own story, putting them on a lot, and rosebud!;!;!;!;ing your way to early retirement. I wish these options were already present and the results of the personality test helped to make the selection rather than the options not existing at all.
I honestly just want to make cute starter homes, go away
Next is our beloved Aspirations. Previously, there were a few basic aspirations: Family, Fortune, Knowledge, Popularity, and Romance, with Pleasure being added later (as well as Grilled Cheese as a reward for failure). Creativity was console exclusive, but relevant to this discussion. The developers threw all of that out in TS3 and made everything overly specific to make the gameplay goal oriented and they never went back. I'm sure everyone's getting PSD from the Interior Designer Aspiration in Ambitions. Aspirations can definitely be condensed, for the sake of brevity.
For example: Food is an aspiration category. Upon clicking on it, it's split between being a Master Chef, or a Master Mixologist. Then, you have Creativity right about it, which is for music, writing, and painting. Can we not just condense these into one Creativity aspiration and give Sims buffs for creative pursuits? Keep it simple.
It's bloated, but better than The Sims 3's tower of terror.
Why have one aspiration there? Just make it clickable...
Then, we have traits. I like traits, but I've often felt like traits should be in support of Qualities from previous games, as Qualities were based on the Big 5 Personality Traits. Being a vegetarian isn't a trait. I only have 3 trait slots - I need this space, dammit. A human being's personality isn't any more or less of something by not wanting to eat meat. I can have a sim who is messy, outgoing, lazy, playful, mean - AND a vegetarian. It makes sense to me. Qualities bear certain characteristics that were all removed and replaced by traits. Serious Sims enjoy reading, but a variety of other things. Now, we just have bookworm as a replacement for enjoying gardening and not wanting to spend too much time enjoying other hobbies. Outgoing Sims enjoy a variety of other activities and are open to experiences like jogging or nightclubbing. Now, we just have a charismatic trait.
Traits make an assumption that all Sims are the same - with slight changes. You can make a Sims who's evil, mean, and hates children. They're an asshole, but that tells me nothing more about them as a person. A mean score of 1 would suffice for all 3 of them. Perhaps a better alternative would be to have more trait slots reserved for certain types of traits, or flaws.
If I want to be a snob, I have to stop being mean, evil, or disliking children.
Such is life...
Now on to actual CAS, which is absolutely love. Enlarging a woman's breasts by pulling them is a bit weird, but it's great otherwise. I like the clay like quality of moving Sims's bodies into place. I like that I can make Sims cis or transgendered without too much hassle, or just be agender. However, it's more than being able to put a man in a skirt - I can wear whatever I want, which has always been a big issue because some items just look great on other Sims - especially hair. Remove the filter and wear WHATEVER. Sims can finally wear their boyfriend's sweaters.
If I can pose any kind of complaint, it would be clothing options. While clothing has doubled (with the inclusion of being trans), color selection is limited. Create-A-Style opened the flood gates for creators and that's gone now. Clothing options are fine, but color selection is abysmal. There isn't even a plain yellow shirt. How is there not a single basic t-shirt with all color of the basic options?
Also, while I'll miss the underwear category, because underwear and sleepwear aren't the same, I'm more than happy to have an option for warm weather and parties!
Except For The boots, this is all men's clothing and there is 0 compromise to her femininity.
We've covered adults... now, for children. I really dislike that children have fewer traits than adults. It makes no real world sense to me as children are still complex individuals (personality wise), though I guess this is to encourage players to actually develop their children.
Toddler's have no aspiration (which is fine) and a limited selection of traits. As toddler traits are generalized (and not specialized like adults), the behavior is intended to be more pronounced. However, this means you can only have 8 toddlers as toddlers don't have more than one trait slot. They've spent a lot of time on toddlers in game, but CAS is a quick in an out due to how limited they are.
Awww... tiny virtual humans!
Children, or beta-toddlers (We haven't forgotten EA ), are a little more complex. They still have ONE trait slot (which means your blessed child can be a vegetarian, and nothing more than a vegetarian), and so few aspirations it's sad. Granted, having more than "Grow Up" is better, but not by a lot. Toddlers have exclusive traits to show that some love was put into them. There was an attempt at uniqueness. Children have unique aspirations, but share traits with adults. Your toddlers will be pretty interesting, but your children will be pretty boing.
"Do you have some time to talk about our lord and savior, broccoli?"
Next we have teens, EA had to put a label in game to tell you that they weren't adults, which is a testament to their horridness. Correction, teens are adults. Everything is exactly the same, except they're a little thinner. A little. Slightly. They have one fewer trait slot than adults, just incase they were a vegetarian AND a foodie. Sims are such diverse people.
I bet you had to check his traits to verify his age.
So far, the "game" is alright. CAS has some very note worthy improvements, like molding sims like clay, preassembled styled clothing that's NOT garbage, and being able to tailor what gets randomized, filtering clothing, wearing whatever, sorting by color/material/style, etc. It's honestly great, but the Sims themselves are the true problem. Despite the limited selection of colors, the actual clothing options are great, and they stretch and morph to fit other clothing options. CAS is honestly fun and engaging, but could be a little better. The process of creating Sims isn't the actual problem, the Sims themselves are.
Create A Sim Gets a solid 8/10.
->> Check Out Checkout: Journey To Employee Of The Month! <<-
~ Just a click a day is nothing short of helpful! ~
#6
5th Aug 2019 at 8:15 PM
Posts: 5,219
Populiarity* Wealth is fortune.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
#7
20th Aug 2019 at 2:30 PM
Last edited by matrix54 : 20th Aug 2019 at 2:59 PM.
Posts: 9,515
Thanks: 3060 in 4 Posts
Get To Work - Retail - Meet Heather (Intermission)
Meet Heather Diamond! Heather seeks to be fabulously wealthy. She's outgoing, self assured, and cheerful.
We're going to ruin Heather's life!
The look of complete naivety.
For the sake of storytelling, Heather is fresh out of one of the many Universities the Sims 4 doesn't have and she's ready to start her own business with all of that hard earned money she's saved from not buying textbooks and using the internet. Smart girl. She's now living the Millennial dream of owning a home!
This would be at least §500k in San Myshuno!
Since Heather only has §500, we need to find a way to make some money. Instead of getting a job, Heather starts by investing 60% of her savings into a sales table. The table is probably more than she'll ever actually make. As she can't afford to purchase things to sell, she goes fishing.
This is life university prepared her for. Fishing in high heels. A true warrior.
Unable to actually catch any fish, she returns home, only to be greeted by the Welcome Wagon. Being only a tent, She should be happy the woman didn't call the police. They ironically discusses properly values and fishing, and she tries to butter her up for the gourmet fruit cate she was supposed to get as a gift, but the woman kept it instead. Heather's doing so well today.
A completely normal conversation between friends.[/IMG]
As Heather doesn't have food, she's forced to wander about the neighborhood looking for collectibles to sell. She eventually finds quite a lot of crap lying around and she stumbles upon an outdoor area to spend even more money to cook some hot hogs. Strangely, she can't pick flowers, but she can collect a dead fish and obscure gemstones placed haphazardly around the map, as mother nature intended.
As you can see, collecting is her one true passions.
After much struggle, she's finally found enough crap to sell. This is finally Heather's big break into entrepreneurship! They say you have to spend money to make money. We're still not sure if they meant all of it, but come what may. That doesn't matter because she's marked everything up 300%. She'll be rolling in cash in no time!
The smell of success and that dead fish from the side of the road.
At the 300% mark up, Sims bought damn near everything without complaint. "$200 for a frog we found about 20 meters from here in a broken pump? 16k For hot dogs made on a public grill? A dead fish? What a steal!" She made a very easy 1.1k, so she's already doing better than how she started.
Sims are so stupid...
It's been a long day for Heather, so she decides to head to the gym to shower as she had a complete bladder failure earlier. Despite the failure, she still kept selling. The kid's got tenacity. Soon, she'll be able to run and afford her very own business!
But first... she must rest...
Style. Grace. Poise. Class.
We're going to ruin Heather's life!
The look of complete naivety.
For the sake of storytelling, Heather is fresh out of one of the many Universities the Sims 4 doesn't have and she's ready to start her own business with all of that hard earned money she's saved from not buying textbooks and using the internet. Smart girl. She's now living the Millennial dream of owning a home!
This would be at least §500k in San Myshuno!
Since Heather only has §500, we need to find a way to make some money. Instead of getting a job, Heather starts by investing 60% of her savings into a sales table. The table is probably more than she'll ever actually make. As she can't afford to purchase things to sell, she goes fishing.
This is life university prepared her for. Fishing in high heels. A true warrior.
Unable to actually catch any fish, she returns home, only to be greeted by the Welcome Wagon. Being only a tent, She should be happy the woman didn't call the police. They ironically discusses properly values and fishing, and she tries to butter her up for the gourmet fruit cate she was supposed to get as a gift, but the woman kept it instead. Heather's doing so well today.
A completely normal conversation between friends.[/IMG]
As Heather doesn't have food, she's forced to wander about the neighborhood looking for collectibles to sell. She eventually finds quite a lot of crap lying around and she stumbles upon an outdoor area to spend even more money to cook some hot hogs. Strangely, she can't pick flowers, but she can collect a dead fish and obscure gemstones placed haphazardly around the map, as mother nature intended.
As you can see, collecting is her one true passions.
After much struggle, she's finally found enough crap to sell. This is finally Heather's big break into entrepreneurship! They say you have to spend money to make money. We're still not sure if they meant all of it, but come what may. That doesn't matter because she's marked everything up 300%. She'll be rolling in cash in no time!
The smell of success and that dead fish from the side of the road.
At the 300% mark up, Sims bought damn near everything without complaint. "$200 for a frog we found about 20 meters from here in a broken pump? 16k For hot dogs made on a public grill? A dead fish? What a steal!" She made a very easy 1.1k, so she's already doing better than how she started.
Sims are so stupid...
It's been a long day for Heather, so she decides to head to the gym to shower as she had a complete bladder failure earlier. Despite the failure, she still kept selling. The kid's got tenacity. Soon, she'll be able to run and afford her very own business!
But first... she must rest...
Style. Grace. Poise. Class.
->> Check Out Checkout: Journey To Employee Of The Month! <<-
~ Just a click a day is nothing short of helpful! ~
#8
20th Aug 2019 at 10:56 PM
Quote: Originally posted by matrix54
But first... she must rest... Style. Grace. Poise. Class. |
I put beds and showers on my community lots so my sims's don't have to go home if they don't want to. It's like a free vacation.
#9
20th Aug 2019 at 11:25 PM
Posts: 9,515
Thanks: 3060 in 4 Posts
Quote: Originally posted by crocobaura
I put beds and showers on my community lots so my sims's don't have to go home if they don't want to. It's like a free vacation. |
I probably should have, but it was a new save. Had I been paying attention to her energy, I'd have at least put her on a bench or something.
->> Check Out Checkout: Journey To Employee Of The Month! <<-
~ Just a click a day is nothing short of helpful! ~
#10
28th Sep 2019 at 3:27 PM
Posts: 5,219
When I explored, I got a bit annoyed how Sims don't really tend to their needs immediately.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
#11
28th Sep 2019 at 3:52 PM
Posts: 9,515
Thanks: 3060 in 4 Posts
Quote: Originally posted by SneakyWingPhoenix
When I explored, I got a bit annoyed how Sims don't really tend to their needs immediately. |
I expect as much from that game. I don’t really have high expectations, and everything is pretty easy,
Also, I’m sorry for the delay in posts. Vacation and project planning.
->> Check Out Checkout: Journey To Employee Of The Month! <<-
~ Just a click a day is nothing short of helpful! ~
#12
28th Sep 2019 at 4:05 PM
Posts: 5,219
Yeah. I got bored playing a particular household, so I wonder what things I could try out that would make fun to play. Any suggestion for a challenge or playstyle?
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
P.S. Sorry for my bad english.
#13
28th Sep 2019 at 6:21 PM
Posts: 982
Thanks: 2391 in 16 Posts
Quote: Originally posted by matrix54
At the 300% mark up, Sims bought damn near everything without complaint. "$200 for a frog we found about 20 meters from here in a broken pump? 16k For hot dogs made on a public grill? A dead fish? What a steal!" She made a very easy 1.1k, so she's already doing better than how she started. |
And to think selling stuff was such an in-depth skill in The Sims 2. Now you don't even have to try.
#14
17th Feb 2020 at 1:22 PM
Posts: 9,515
Thanks: 3060 in 4 Posts
Wow... I haven't posted anything in a long time (that says a lot). I was going to go about remaking the base game TS1 lots. I don't quite remember why I stopped. Here's Goth Manor, looking like an actual Victorian home.
I should probably continue.
->> Check Out Checkout: Journey To Employee Of The Month! <<-
~ Just a click a day is nothing short of helpful! ~
I should probably continue.
->> Check Out Checkout: Journey To Employee Of The Month! <<-
~ Just a click a day is nothing short of helpful! ~
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