Sims are like MMORPGs (yes, yes): the first steps are often devoted to creating an avatar. And on this specific point, things start rather well for The Sims 4 since the creation tool has gained in flexibility and accessibility. Indeed, we no longer modify the size or the position of the different parts of the body thanks to cursors, but quite simply by clicking and moving the mouse. To enlarge a nose, for example, simply grab it and lengthen it. Same principle if you want to take off the ears, thicken a neck or enlarge the depth of a neckline. To this intuitive click/drag system are added lists of different basic shapes for each element. From then on, it becomes possible to model quite simply and quickly a character that really resembles what we have in mind. However, this first contact with the game is also an opportunity to see a first salvo of regressions compared to the previous episode. Thus, it is no longer possible to precisely choose the color of each item of clothing, while certain progress made by the extensions of the third episode (hairiness, for example) again responds to absent subscribers. Very good point on the other hand for the possibility of assigning a default approach to each of our characters. There are eight of them in all (perky, pretentious, assertive, feminine, virile, crazy, slow, dynamic) and each of them is at once fluid, funny and recognizable. More generally, the work on the animations is very successful, and the graphics as a whole have a "cartoon but not too much" aspect which is rather pleasing to the eyes. We can't talk about a graphic revolution compared to the Sims 3, but this fourth episode exudes a certain elegance and benefits from good overall graphic consistency.
To rebuild, you have to know how to destroy everything
The house building tool is more intuitive than ever. We grab elements, drop them, and resize them using interactive arrows. The merging of two elements is automatic, and all this makes it easier than ever to modify an existing building. The text search also makes it easy to find a particular object. And all this is good, because the community sharing tool (called Gallery) really makes you want to download the thousands of creations made by other players. And this also concerns the characters, especially when a player has struggled to achieve the lookalike of a personality. If you want, for example, to have Barack Obama and Lady Gaga coexist in the same household, you just have to type their names in the gallery and then repatriate each of these characters. Of course, it is also very easy to make your own creations available to other players. The interface of the game itself is like that of the creation tools and the Gallery: simpler, clearer, more intuitive. Most importantly, the emotion system that underpins Sims behavior has been overhauled and enhanced. From now on, the player is clearly informed about the state of mind of the characters and its consequences. Each emotion, whether negative or positive, also unlocks particular interactions while prohibiting others. For the player, it's a small part of additional gameplay and, in the event of a problem, it is always possible to perform certain actions to make this or that emotion or state disappear. In addition, the artificial intelligence has been improved (without reaching perfection, of course) and Sims are now able to perform several actions simultaneously (for example chatting with another Sim while watching television).
Simiesque
The various new features and improvements that we have just mentioned correspond roughly to what is expected of the new episode of a major series. On the other hand, it is also expected that the component in question will automatically resume all the features and improvements that have appeared in previous episodes. And here is the drama ! First of all, the game ignores most of the new features brought by the Sims 3 extensions. It's unfortunate but, to tell the truth, we expected it a little since the same phenomenon had transition from Sims 2 to Sims 3. This time, the number of features and items shelved seems even more important, but let's move on. Because there is much worse. More absolutely, The Sims 4 regresses in many points compared to the basic version of The Sims 3. On certain points, it even does less well than The Sims 2, even than the very first episode. Since it would be tedious to detail the list of all that is missing, we will content ourselves with evoking the most embarrassing points. First of all, you can say goodbye to the open world of The Sims 3 and hello to numerous loading screens. You will suffer not only to move from one district to another, but also inside the same district, as soon as your Sim wants to go inside a building! As a result, your Sims no longer travel by car or bike. This regression is especially noticeable when sending a Sim to work. Not only does the location in question not really exist, but there isn't even a vehicle that picks up the Sim. The latter is content to teleport… as was the case in the very first episode of the series!
Additionally, both towns (Oasis Springs and Willow Creek) are small, have few places to build homes, and have a smaller maximum lot size than Sims 3. news since the ground remains desperately flat. All these regressions can partly be explained by the choice of a new game engine. But other deletions reveal the true intentions of Electronic Arts: to create the lack to force fans to obtain future expansions. Thus, it has been years that the most sadistic Sims players have fun drowning their avatars in swimming pools. Well, these are no longer available in this new episode! And even if they are, your Sims won't be able to swim at all. You can also skip dishwashers, trash compactors, basements, garage doors, restaurants, clothing stores, cemeteries, bookstores, and even changing tables. Which is ultimately quite logical since the "toddler" stage of development has also been deleted. As well as bailiffs, ghosts, babysitters, thieves or even aliens. In short, it is a huge step back that the series imposes on its fans. To find all these features, we will therefore have to wait for the release of many extensions and downloadable content. Bring a good dose of patience and a well-stocked wallet!
