Why I'm going back to The Sims 2

[Meverix]

The Sims 3 was great and everything but I'm absolutely sick of it now. I don't mean to be completely negative, but I'm beyond bored.

There was something quaint and charming about the Sims 2 that the third instalment just doesn't live up to. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I can get close.

For starters, I don't like how much was stripped away from the game compared to the previous with all it's expansions. Yes, I appreciate that this is only the base game, but a series does not get better by making sequels inferior to its predecessors. People say we'll get those features back in later expansion, but I already paid for them once, why do I have to pay for them again?

The Sims 3, for me, puts its focus on being a "better game" than its predecessor and not on being a step for progress.

For example: The Sims 3 set out to make Sims more individual, more unique, "like a snowflake". Why, then, did they drop interests and personal goals and just about everything from the Free Time expansion? Sims don't have personal interests, just favourite foods and music which only affect what they're more likely to eat or listen to, not something they'd actively pursue. For example, if I made a Sims who wanted to become a Movie Mogul, I should be able to make that his goal, and make films and photography an interest, and then when I unleash him into the world, he should begin pursuing that interest all on his own. Instead, he may only prefer a hamburger, and eat it more often than other foods. That's as far as the snowflake deal affects gameplay, aside from specialised interactions that come with traits which, more or less, also do little more than affect socialisation with other sims.

So, in my eyes, the creators fumbled on one of their most critical goals. My sims do not feel unique or different from each other, no matter what extremes I go to to have them absolutely contrast their peers.

And I'm worried where the developers are taking it. All the little things that made the individual neighborhood alive - businesses, pets, all that other expansion-related gear - are not their first priority. Instead of focusing on making the society thrive, they're choosing to move away from it entirely and transport our sims to other countries to have adventures. All well and good for people who want their sims lives to be big, Indiana Jones-type deals, but I just want my sims to have the option to lead relatively simple, yet interesting lives, you know, like real-life, the thing the game tries to emulate?

Yes, we do want to keep things interesting, and The Sims allows itself to bring wonder and excitement to ordinary "people"'s lives, but at the same time, what if I have a sim aching to set up their own shop? Or something even simple like play piano?

It just burns me up that they've abandoned relatively simple things for seemingly no other reason than to save it for expansions and thus make money. And yes, that's how they keep in business but funnily enough, their excuse was different. I do believe in an interview, one of the developers said something along the lines that they are putting in everything they can possibly think of into the base game before shipping it. What? Did Pets - the most popular expansion of the lot - just happen to slip their minds? If we could at least be honest about the money-making giant, we could know where we both stand.

But even smaller things: Hot tubs, for example. Where did they go? Why?

So that, and a few more reasons, are why I'm putting the Sims 3 down and going back to Sims 2. Its richer, it grants far more diverse ranges of gameplay and I don't feel like I'm playing the same sim with a different skin. I'll wait for expansions and hope that it gets better because The Sims 3 is built on a better engine for sure, but it's still feels very stifling.

End rant.

[CharmedKelly]

First of all, I will say that I do still like the Sims 3. But I do see your point of view, and in some ways I agree with you.
I was playing the sims 3 the other day whilst listening to my music on itunes when I got the idea to make a video for a song I was listening to. I wanted to make it similar to the actual music video. I couldn't do that with The Sims 3. Why? Because they only have a guitar, and I needed that, plus a bass, plus drums and a microphone. All things The Sims 2 (with expansions) had. Now I had unistalled The Sims 2 upon getting TS3, but I reinstalled it to have a go at making the video. And... I loved it. I didn't realise how much I missed it. It was less laggy, and the sims actually seemed MORE intelligent. In that they didn't just stand around for sim hours doing nothing when I had free will turned on. Overall, TS2 just has a better feel to it for me, and it's not just because of the expansions.

But again I do have to say that I do like TS3. The main thing I like about it is that everybody ages together. If that had been added to TS2 it would have been the perfect game in my opinion. They are both great games, and I'm not going to stop playing either, but TS2 just seems to have a better feel to it I think.

Just my opinions on the matter.

[Mangaeyes]

Originally Posted by Meverix

For starters, I don't like how much was stripped away from the game compared to the previous with all it's expansions. Yes, I appreciate that this is only the base game, but a series does not get better by making sequels inferior to its predecessors. People say we'll get those features back in later expansion, but I already paid for them once, why do I have to pay for them again?

I see what you mean but I think TS2 was so fresh because it was a giant leap from TS1. TS2 had all of TS1's simple features and added more because it was so much more advanced. The leap from TS2 to TS3 however was smaller and I don't think this was unavoidable.

Originally Posted by Meverix

For example: The Sims 3 set out to make Sims more individual, more unique, "like a snowflake". Why, then, did they drop interests and personal goals and just about everything from the Free Time expansion? Sims don't have personal interests, just favourite foods and music which only affect what they're more likely to eat or listen to, not something they'd actively pursue. For example, if I made a Sims who wanted to become a Movie Mogul, I should be able to make that his goal, and make films and photography an interest, and then when I unleash him into the world, he should begin pursuing that interest all on his own. Instead, he may only prefer a hamburger, and eat it more often than other foods. That's as far as the snowflake deal affects gameplay, aside from specialised interactions that come with traits which, more or less, also do little more than affect socialisation with other sims.

I agree. On paper, the idea of having a favourite colour or favourite food seems so cool and unique but in actual reality, it is a very small part of the game. I hope that in the future these personal futures are brought into the light a little more...does anybody even know what favourite colour does?

Originally Posted by Meverix

And I'm worried where the developers are taking it. All the little things that made the individual neighborhood alive - businesses, pets, all that other expansion-related gear - are not their first priority. Instead of focusing on making the society thrive, they're choosing to move away from it entirely and transport our sims to other countries to have adventures. All well and good for people who want their sims lives to be big, Indiana Jones-type deals, but I just want my sims to have the option to lead relatively simple, yet interesting lives, you know, like real-life, the thing the game tries to emulate?

Okay I agree with this. For me, all I need as a minimum to my base game is Pets and Seasons. Pets and Seasons just completes it for me and make the game a realistic (but not too realistic) and fun game. If I wanted to go off on some adventure then I would play an adventure game...not an RPG!

Originally Posted by Meverix

It just burns me up that they've abandoned relatively simple things for seemingly no other reason than to save it for expansions and thus make money. And yes, that's how they keep in business but funnily enough, their excuse was different. I do believe in an interview, one of the developers said something along the lines that they are putting in everything they can possibly think of into the base game before shipping it. What? Did Pets - the most popular expansion of the lot - just happen to slip their minds? If we could at least be honest about the money-making giant, we could know where we both stand.

To be fair, only one EP has been confirmed. Just wait a little and I'm sure you'll get these features. I do agree however that in recently EA have become all about the money (which is understandable at this time) but a feeling of care would be nice.

Originally Posted by Meverix

So that, and a few more reasons, are why I'm putting the Sims 3 down and going back to Sims 2. Its richer, it grants far more diverse ranges of gameplay and I don't feel like I'm playing the same sim with a different skin. I'll wait for expansions and hope that it gets better because The Sims 3 is built on a better engine for sure, but it's still feels very stifling.

Well fair enough. I'm quite happy playing TS3 because overall I do think it is/will be better than The Sims 2. Its something I looked foward to for a long, long time and I happily play it.

[Meverix]

Originally Posted by CharmedKelly

But again I do have to say that I do like TS3. The main thing I like about it is that everybody ages together. If that had been added to TS2 it would have been the perfect game in my opinion. They are both great games, and I'm not going to stop playing either, but TS2 just seems to have a better feel to it I think.

I did consider that when I thought about going back to the Sims 2. But see...

My way around that in The Sims 2 was to age my "main" family normally, then pay a visit to all their friends who I cared about and age them too (mainly kids) with the cheat console. Sounds long winded but...

In the Sims 3, all the sims age together automatically. However, the game tends to give the Sims, in their new life-stage, ridiculous outfits and haircuts. So I find myself paying them a visit just to change their clothes.

What's the difference?

And you know what I miss? Clothes shopping. Ordering groceries.

Originally Posted by Mangaeyes

I see what you mean but I think TS2 was so fresh because it was a giant leap from TS1. TS2 had all of TS1's simple features and added more because it was so much more advanced. The leap from TS2 to TS3 however was smaller and I don't think this was unavoidable.

However, it wasn't unforeseeable. Yes, the 3D thing was a huge leap from TS1 and the team can even now be commended for embracing the move but I think the TS3 team could easily have seen the same effect could not be achieved the same way.

Seamless neighbourhood would have made up for it if it weren't cheap - They age together, yes, thankfully, but events happen completely randomly. Sims moving house for example, for absolutely no reason. We all remember the mess players had when The Sims 3 first came out.

It's an attractive game, The Sims 3, but so much of it is executed so badly. Not terribly, but the quantity of the mess-ups really puts me off.

[sims3chris]

I know exactly where you are coming from!! I am still playing it, i really miss the sims 2 but will never go back to it!

[soveriegn_Talon]

i'm playing sims 3 and sims 2 at the mo but i reckon i might go back to the sims 2 if my computer eventually can't handle both. I prefer sims 2 because it has stuff that i'd like in the sims 3 which evidently aren't in the base game.

[xaimeexsims2x]

i agree completley, dont get me wrong i love the sims 3, and there are things about the sims 3 that are way better than the sims 2, yet its missing all the things from the sims 2 that made it special. my sims all feel alike too, even in looks they just feel similar, the traits are a good idea compared to the points system, but my sims are still missing things like intrests, what they find attrative in other sims etc.
what i really miss is the spark things between sims, and how two sims will never get along because they're complete opposites, now in the sims 3 you can just pick a sim and make them love each other regardless of traits which is just stupid.
also the world adventures EP is not a good idea AT ALL.
i haven't pre-ordered nor will i be buying it straight away, i'll buy it when i feel my sims are ready for holidays, which will probarly be in a year or so.
what i really wanted was something like UNI, or something based around the neighbourhood, something that would open up the rabbit holes, or add to the neighbourhood we already had.
they didnt release the holiday ep's in the sims 1 & 2 till they'd added the more important stuff, and they should of kept it that way.
what i really miss is things like memories, the way families felt unique, hot tubs and especially the stories of the sims 2, i just feel like the sims 3 has no storyline in the neighbourhood, all the sims are like zombies and all act the same..
what EA have done is make what could of been a great game but they left out all the small things that matter.
i really hope they're listening to what we're saying.

saying that i'm trying to use my imagination and be more creative to make the game more enjoyable, but i just feel like i didnt have to try so hard with the sims 2, the stories just came more easily.

[Maddi]

Okay, I agree that Sims 3 doesn't have the same feel to it as the Sims 2, But I think people should give it a chance to get a feel of its own.

It's a fantastic, well crafted game that is, really... well awesome.

I like sims 2... and I always will (as well as sims 1) but I guess it time to move on, and change. Because I'm sure there will be a stage where sims 3 will have its own feel and we would have grown to love it.

I guess it takes time to sink in, but we'll always have our little favorites.

[Meverix]

Originally Posted by Maddi

Okay, I agree that Sims 3 doesn't have the same feel to it as the Sims 2, But I think people should give it a chance to get a feel of its own.

It's a fantastic, well crafted game that is, really... well awesome.

I like sims 2... and I always will (as well as sims 1) but I guess it time to move on, and change. Because I'm sure there will be a stage where sims 3 will have its own feel and we would have grown to love it.

I guess it takes time to sink in, but we'll always have our little favorites.

With all due respect, I've been playing since the game was released. I think I've given it enough of a chance.

[Simsluver_92]

Originally Posted by Meverix

With all due respect, I've been playing since the game was released. I think I've given it enough of a chance.

The Sims 2 was released in September 2004, we just got the Sims 3 in june this year. It hasnt even been 6 months, ppl are expecting too much too early. It takes time for a game such as this to mature. Rome wasnt built in a day.

[Meverix]

The Sims 2 was released in September 2004, we just got the Sims 3 in june this year. It hasnt even been 6 months, ppl are expecting too much too early. It takes time for a game such as this to mature. Rome wasnt built in a day.

Or maybe it only proves my point? That in less than six months, The Sims 3 has already run its course with some players? I've been playing it since June and now I absolutely hate it. The Sims 2 however, is looking very attractive.

I mean there are some users happily playing it still and good for them, they've got their money's worth but I'm still not satisfied.

[Simsluver_92]

Thats sad to hear, perhaps later when EA releases Expansion packs like Pets and OFB ull want to play TS3 again.

[KickFlip360]

I have to agree. While I love the Sims 3, so far, it's not as good as the Sims 2. The majory complain I have aginest the Sims 3 is that you can't copy and paste lots in the same way aws you could in the Sims 2.

[conquerd_lvrs]

I love the Sims 3 but I do agree.
My sims feel less personal, less individual too, and I can't quite put my finger on why. I find that traits really don't have that much of an impact on my sims at all. An evil sim is barely different to a good sim.
I think one of the biggest loses that makes them less individual is memories. In Sims 3, when you play on a Sim it doesnt actually matter what happens to them because they "forget" it. Also, you have no way of finding out what other sims have been up to if you havent played on them.
Im disappointed that World Adventures is the first expansion and I wont be getting it.
If I wanted an action game, I'd play one. I want businesses and seasons and the things that make the sims more like real life.

I do really love the Sims but theres something lacking in it.
Maybe, the fact that they can "live" without your control means that anything you input into their lives is really superfluous. Maybe thats what makes them feel less individual, because ultimately its a computer dictating their lives and not you, and only you can really give them that individuality.

[xaimeexsims2x]

Originally Posted by conquerd_lvrs

I do really love the Sims but theres something lacking in it.
Maybe, the fact that they can "live" without your control means that anything you input into their lives is really superfluous. Maybe thats what makes them feel less individual, because ultimately its a computer dictating their lives and not you, and only you can really give them that individuality.

exactly, my sims feel so zombie like and computer controlled.

[Simlish3]

I do miss the sims 2 yes, but to be honest, I've really grown to love the sims 3.
I've had a couple of families who I really enjoy playing, and when trying to make a new family, I've ended up going back to a family I love!
I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to playing sims, and there are certain things I really dislike about sims, but I see it as everyone is different.
The only thing I miss is the maxmotives cheat!
With that, I would be more than happy.
I don't think I could ever go back to the sims 2. Sims 3 has grown so much, and only time will tell as to what exciting EPs they bring out for us next.

If you don't like certain things on the sims 3, then point it out on here, and on the american site. The EA people do read this kind of stuff! How else do you think we got half the stuff we love! We are the players, we buy the game!

[sims3chris]

I'm getting sick of all these negative comments, but i totally agree! at first, the game was amazing, but now i am getting sick of the zombieness of my sims!!! i wish their was still memeries and i hope that ea bring out a new ep which includes new personality features and brings back the GOD DAMN MEMERIES!!! its hard to get a feel of each families story because their is no memery of what they have done in the past which is totally bonkers! and i think that the traits should be expressed more! ea say that they tried to fit in as much as they can but this is bull C.Rap and if they keep bringing expansion packs that doesnt include new personality features then i might actually go back to the sims 2!, or even maybe the sims one, i think it is since maxis left, that the sims has changed!!!

[Blubbergate]

Although I think that TS3 is amazing in pretty much any way, I don't see why EA didn't include features from TS2 expansions (Like apartments) in sims 3. In fact, the only plausible reason I can see is that EA are out of ideas and are just going to repeat the same expansion packs EVERY TIME! Is it that hard to include hobbies in the base game?

[taylor197878]

i have went back to sims 2 as well played sims 3 since it came out and didnt take to it unstalled it and been playing sims 2 today and god how i have missed it it is so much better and more to it.

i have kept the game just incase but now im happy with sims 2.

[soveriegn_Talon]

Yh what about the memories your sims past is as important as thier future they should bring them back as well as the rest of the things they didn't include from sims 2

[sims3chris]

I still think that their wants go down too fast and too much!!!

[Recludere]

The Sims 3 is the next in the series which goes: The Sims, The Sims 2, The Sims 3.

Not The Sims + LL, HP, HD, V, U, SS, MM. The Sims 2 + U, NL, OfB, P, S, BV, FT, AL + Stuff Packs... and then very unfairly - The Sims 3. For overall content and longevity TS1 has more to offer than TS3. Given a this-gen facelift TS1 + EPs would rock. As would TS2 plus this-gen lose the grid technology. Heh. You simply can't compare a game plus several years worth of expansion packs to a new game waiting for expansion packs. I guess it's the nature of the Sims franchise. It doesn't have to be, but it is.

It's a base game. Playing The Sims 2 base game was like playing a 3D version of The Sims with the new features of DNA and aging, Wants, Fears, and Aspirations. But without pets, themed party options, mad NPC's, dates, stardom, magic. In five years time The Sims 3 will be so fleshed out and bulging with content it'll stand proud next to TS1 and TS2.

My main gripe with TS3 is the Sims themselves. They look, odd. They feel odd. Where TS2 seemed to put flesh on what you imagined your TS1 Sims being if they ever could be seen in 3D, TS3 has kinda veered away from what makes Sims so weirdly Simmy, and made them just... weird. Not like cartoon parodies of humans as with TS2, but like freaky almost-realistic parodies of Sims. They're not quite Sims and they're not quite humans ala Singles. They're just pretty damned odd. lol

[fluffytiger12345]

i prefer ts3 because i can minimise the screen and use my onscreen typewriter up

[callumw1986]

I've reinstalled the game and a lot of the issues have gone - although I still have problems if I spend too long in CAS (be it creating or changing hair or clothes).

My main issue is that the build tools have stood still or stepped backwards in places - little things like the staging which enabled us to build staircases with turns in them - the natural step forward would to be for us to be able to do that in the base game, possibly adding multiple twists. We've also lost the half walls.

We should also be able to build garages underneath houses without 'cheating.'

I also wonder why they introduced apartments so late in The Sims 2 only to remove them in The Sims 3 as well as the picture placement.

The only positive steps are the smaller squares, custom design and room expander.

Furniture wise, we've lost such basic things that have been in the game since The Sims (1) such as the piano and the hot tub.

As for gameplay, I quite like it - apart from the disappearing families, the changes to build & buy mode. One downside is that neighbours don't seem to call around as much.

Also - does anyone know how you can get doors to stay open? In the Sims 1 & 2 I would just place a light in the same square which would keep it open, but that doesn't work now.

[Oxiegrog]

I seem to spend to much time designing now than playing.. Which I dont think is the point of the Sims.
I love being able to control sims.. but like I said I spend waaay to long designing how they look and what their houses look like.
Still prefer the Sims 2.