Sims 4 is quite self-explanatory, it’s a simulator game.

Particularly one where you create characters that you pretty much assist, or more so direct, through daily life, and with god like power, can destroy or lift as your whims so desire. This franchise had been around for a while now. Each version has had numerous expansions and additions, but Sims 4 has undoubtedly copped the worst feedback from players for simple lack of content.

There have been plenty of issues and complaints as the fourth installment has been played but I’m here to give you the low down on this game as it plays on the PlayStation 4.

Many PC games don’t always translate well to console so how did this go? Well considering The Sims is not new to console with the several sims games being released on consoles as far back as the PlayStation 2, what does this version have to give us.

I remember playing the original The Sims and Sims Bustin’ Out on PlayStation 2, and despite its age I remember these games running smoothly and being overall enjoyable, from them to The Sims 3 I feel all of these had a smooth operational interface that made you feel like you were playing a console game and not a PC game on console. Sims 4 (PS4) on the other hand seems to have gone backwards in this regard. I constantly found myself toggling between several options and icons before being able to select what it is I was actually after. Even after several hours of playing, this does not become any easier to use. So toggling through everything else was a constant pain.

Another issue with The Sims 4 (PS4) is it seems to struggle from time to time to simply keep up with the actions and / or display of what is occurring on screen. Several occasions the game stuttered and took some time to catch up. The game does seem to have some difficulty running the game on the PlayStation 4 as its seems to pause and freeze momentarily on a semi-regular basis. I found this both annoying and, considering there wasn’t actually that much occurring on screen, frustrating. The simple lack of fluidity and console friendliness is sad.

Along side this are some minor bugs, such as skill bars not disappearing or completed tasks not leaving the task list. While these aren’t exactly game breaking it is still rather annoying.

Another comparison that can be made is the PS2 version incorporated a story mode where the Sim had to accomplish certain tasks and pretty much move up in the world. While the game does have goals for Sims to achieve the modes available lack the stronger motivation that the original story modes provided. Admittedly this style of game isn’t about a story, but it would have been a nice addition.

Build mode was more so enjoyable and I found it less frustrating than the Sim mode but it still lacked considerably on options and items to choose that was known to make previous entries so enjoyable. From goth themed items to polar bear rugs that made Sim dates all the more romantic, it just lacks this. It does have new items and themed items available, but only at an extra price. I found this ridiculous since older generations simply had it all included.

There are some positives, the game looks good, the mechanics of unlocking some items through in game achievements, the level of creation available for Sims and build mode are things that contribute in a positive way but don’t quite do so enough to forgive the rest.

There are plenty of little things to complain about but at the end of the day I did still sink many hours into it. Unfortunately, either the increased amount things to do or just the lack of attention to previous console installments, the game isn’t as fluent as it could be. The Sims 4 (PS4) does deliver on the well-known and addicting (though repetitive) gameplay. The console version however is less than impressive and doesn’t do anything better than predecessors and does not by any means make the game console accessible.

In the end, if you already identify with the “PC master race” then I see no reason to break that and if you don’t identify as such then maybe to just switch sides just this once.

 

The SIMS 4 (PlayStation 4) Review
Game Details

Released: November 2017
Rating: M15+
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Genre: Simulator
Developer: EA Games
Publisher: EA Games</p

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