Half a game: Review of The Sims 4

By Jenna Brown

This review was originally published on 2014-09-06. It was updated on 2022-05-27 for clarity and to provide additional information, as well as to revise the grade from C+ after further consideration of the base game’s content.

I'm not sure whether I'm flirting with a teenager or a senior, but at least I look good doing it.

The Sims 4 features a more complex balance of emotions and needs, but is missing too many other elements that were established in The Sims 3 for me to feel comfortable encouraging anyone to buy it. For example, people who are teenagers or older are all the same height, and there are only a handful of lots to visit in each world map. Above all, it is missing the Create a Style function!

Complete customization of characters and the environment was one of the most creative aspects of TS3 and, while I enjoy the fun updates to clothing and hairstyles, I miss designing the textile, pattern, and color of every outfit or object. Apparently, the engine in which TS4 was built was not capable of supporting Create a Style. How much consideration was given when deciding to eliminate this compelling and popular feature?

Additionally, there are fewer than 25 home lots in a world, all of which have completely flat and unchangeable terrain. TS4 does not have an open world, so each lot requires a loading screen to get to ‒ no more walking, driving, or cycling between places. In fact, there are no cars or bikes at all. Your Sim just walks off the lot, and you enter a loading screen. Also missing is the option to choose your Sim’s quality of performance or area of focus while working: instead, your Sim's career status and promotion rate are determined by completing assigned tasks outside of work hours. This is beginning to get a little too close to reality…

Unfortunately, the game is lacking too many features considered standard from TS3 for The Sims 4 to be a true sequel. Rather, you might play it and its predecessor alternately for different experiences, if you play The Sims 4 yet at all. It's as though it's half of a game, albeit an interestingly novel half wrought with mixed feelings and more of the usual wild reactions.

I give The Sims 4 a grade of B-.

The Sims 4 was released Sept. 2. For a laundry list of everything missing from TS4, check out this mega-post by Sims4News, a fan-owned and operated website devoted to discussion of the game.