The Sims™ 4
" Engaging casual life simulation with creative building and modding, but costly DLCs frustrate "
The Sims™ 4 Review
The Sims™ 4 is a classic life simulation game that has captivated players for years with its creative building tools and engaging gameplay. Players enjoy the freedom to craft unique stories, manage their Sims' lives, and explore endless scenarios. The base game is free, making it accessible, but many players feel the full experience heavily depends on purchasing numerous DLCs, which can be prohibitively expensive, sometimes totaling over $1,000. Mods and custom content are widely used to enhance gameplay and add variety, often considered essential by the community.
Despite its charm and creativity, the game faces criticism for frequent bugs, crashes, and technical issues. Many players express frustration with EA's monetization strategy, citing excessive DLC costs and content that arguably should be included in the base game. However, the game remains highly addictive and enjoyable, especially for those who embrace its modding community and diverse gameplay options.
Highlights
Players praise The Sims™ 4 for its intuitive building mode, creative freedom, and engaging life simulation mechanics. The graphics are considered visually appealing and improved over previous installments. The game offers a rich sandbox experience where players can craft unique stories and explore diverse social interactions. The modding community is highly valued for enhancing gameplay and extending the game's longevity. The base game, now free, still provides many hours of entertainment, especially for creative players who enjoy designing characters and homes.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's reliance on numerous paid DLCs, which many find overpriced and necessary for a fuller experience. Players frequently report bugs, crashes, and technical instability, even on updated hardware. The absence of an auto-save feature and occasional lag add to frustrations. EA's aggressive monetization and perceived neglect of core game improvements lead to dissatisfaction. Some players feel the game lacks the soul and zaniness of earlier series entries, and there is concern about the game's future given the focus on incremental content rather than major updates or sequels.
Pros
- • Intuitive and improved building mode enhances creative freedom and gameplay experience.
- • Visually appealing graphics with charming character and environment designs.
- • Engaging life simulation mechanics with fluid social interactions.
- • Extensive modding community adds valuable content and customization options.
- • Free base game offers many hours of entertainment for casual players.
- • Ability to create unique stories and scenarios for endless replayability.
- • Regular updates keep the game evolving and fresh for players.
Cons
- • Excessive number of paid DLCs makes full experience costly and frustrating.
- • Frequent bugs, crashes, and technical issues disrupt gameplay enjoyment.
- • Lack of auto-save feature leads to loss of progress and player frustration.
- • Some DLC content feels like filler and should be included in base game.
- • Aggressive monetization strategy alienates parts of the player base.
- • Game can feel soulless compared to earlier Sims titles.
- • Performance issues and lag reported even on modern hardware.
Rating Criteria
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.