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strangetomatoYou know what? I honestly wouldn't have predicted that EA'd come out with an EP that I simply have no interest in, but they've managed it.
I'm not sure I can completely articulate why this repels me so much, but it has something to do with the exactness of the replicas of these world locations, and how they actually refer to them as China or France instead of some sim world analogue, like Twikkii Island. It's just not very Simlish, is it? Compare that to Veronaville, which was an obvious reference to certain European countries, but it had its own twist. It had charm. I'm not seeing the charm. Maybe things will improve from this first look, but right now it's just... lacking.
A while back I was putting together my own little review of Sims 3 (which was never posted), and I'm reminded again of my main criticism of the third installment in our beloved series: it's a departure. That's what's wrong. It's veering off into different genres, most notably point-and-click adventure, and they're falling down on the promise of the simulation side of things. This is a mistake, because that's the reason we're here. Their task should have been to build a better dollhouse, and only that. In trying to appeal to a wider audience, they're losing track of the whole point of the game. The Sims franchise was always about domesticity, and that was enough.
They did some things right, no doubt, like the increased level of customization, but they didn't go far enough, and they're changing the overall feel of the game. They haven't even improved the way the genetics work. If they did nothing else, it should have been that.
So those are my thoughts. What do you think?
I'm not sure I can completely articulate why this repels me so much, but it has something to do with the exactness of the replicas of these world locations, and how they actually refer to them as China or France instead of some sim world analogue, like Twikkii Island. It's just not very Simlish, is it? Compare that to Veronaville, which was an obvious reference to certain European countries, but it had its own twist. It had charm. I'm not seeing the charm. Maybe things will improve from this first look, but right now it's just... lacking.
A while back I was putting together my own little review of Sims 3 (which was never posted), and I'm reminded again of my main criticism of the third installment in our beloved series: it's a departure. That's what's wrong. It's veering off into different genres, most notably point-and-click adventure, and they're falling down on the promise of the simulation side of things. This is a mistake, because that's the reason we're here. Their task should have been to build a better dollhouse, and only that. In trying to appeal to a wider audience, they're losing track of the whole point of the game. The Sims franchise was always about domesticity, and that was enough.
They did some things right, no doubt, like the increased level of customization, but they didn't go far enough, and they're changing the overall feel of the game. They haven't even improved the way the genetics work. If they did nothing else, it should have been that.
So those are my thoughts. What do you think?
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Date: 2009-08-03 08:49 pm (UTC)I loved the Sims2 and it's quirkiness and yet there was so much that seemed missing to me when I played it. Things that the Sims3 delivers on (such as the open world and aging for everyone). I like how the interactions are more real, because some of the Sims2 actions were just too over the top for me. Yet I think there is much to be said for the silly style of the Sims2. So I totally understand where you and others are coming from and yet I don't really feel the same even though I feel that I should since I loved all of the same things about the Sims2 that you did.
As for the Vacatio EP being first...I have mixed feelings about that as well. It's not what I would have chosen to be first, but Uni wouldn't have been my first choice for the Sims2 either. Also I am not sure how I feel about the puzzels and adventures and all, though I will probably like them when I actually play. Just like I didn't care for the sound of opportunities, but I like them in the game. I also think the screenshots are just gorgeous.