Mod The Sims - The Sims 2 vs. The Sims 3 (not a hate thread!) your thoughts?

stygia2002

21st Jun 2009, 4:24 AM

I love the whole seamless neighbourhood thing, but I like TS2 more because of all my CC and my expansion packs.

Does anyone else kind of miss TS2? I'm gonna play it tomorrow when I get to my mom's house. :/

Post why you like TS2 better here. ;D

I really like TS3, but I miss my pets and my ability to be a Witch. I also miss my CC, especially stuff like eyes. I really hate the eyes in the vanilla base games and had some really awesome CC to make gorgeous sims. That being said, I'm glad I only have the base TS3 without a bunch of extra content and capabilities to worry about and learn. The EPs and CC will become available, it just takes time...TS2 was no different. I still have my TS1 and 2 installed and once I'm done being totally obsessed and preoccupied with my new toy, I'll go back and play them now and then because I'm kind of attached to the little buggers. :D

mangaroo

21st Jun 2009, 4:48 AM

I like TS2 better because it doesn't have the terribly borked Story Progression concept weighing it down. Yes, I have to rotate through all the playable lots and randomly kill off townies to keep a TS2 neighborhood synced, but I prefer that to mysterious clone babies passed out on the floor because their households have no cribs and whole families randomly moving in together.

Also, I find the gameplay camera in TS3 significantly less smooth than TS2's. I find it nearly impossible to use the mouse to center and zoom in on my Sims. Perhaps the keys and/or UI buttons provide better navigation, but since I don't use them...

Ghost sdoj

21st Jun 2009, 5:08 AM

I can't run TS3, so I prefer the one that actually plays on my computer right now.

Maranatah

21st Jun 2009, 12:08 PM

I love TS2, and I think that TS3 will never take that place. I have played TS3 and after 5 minutes so many things in it makes me want to rip my hair out... Like the camera! I got that game because I'm such a huge fan of Sims generally, but I won't be playing it unless I get REALLY bored with Sims 2. And even then I'm going to play Sims 1 instead ;)

mayakii

21st Jun 2009, 12:57 PM

I really like TS3, but I miss my pets and my ability to be a Witch. I also miss my CC, especially stuff like eyes. I really hate the eyes in the vanilla base games and had some really awesome CC to make gorgeous sims. That being said, I'm glad I only have the base TS3 without a bunch of extra content and capabilities to worry about and learn. The EPs and CC will become available, it just takes time...TS2 was no different. I still have my TS1 and 2 installed and once I'm done being totally obsessed and preoccupied with my new toy, I'll go back and play them now and then because I'm kind of attached to the little buggers. :D

I TOTALLY miss my CC and EPs. My sims looked almost like really, really pixelated photographs because I'd just SMOTHER them in the most realistic CC I could find. They were all gorgeous. ;D

I always felt really attached to my sims, too. When my favourite sim died, I kind of felt horrible inside. I just like, counted the sim days until she died. It was really sad because she was probably the most fun sim I ever had. She was the first sim I made after Seasons came out.

I swear, my TS2 sims are to me what my Tamagotchis were to me when I was 8. (I had a glitchy one and I cried when my Tamagotchi randomly reset in class :wtf: )

I wish that TS2 had had seamless neighbourhoods and personality traits in the first place. Those are my favourite things about TS3.

Conspiracey

21st Jun 2009, 3:31 PM

I'm in two minds. I haven't got The Sims 3. I really like some of the steps it has made but it looks nothing like the huge leap that was The Sims to The Sims 2. Also, i got very behind on The Sims 2, with a slow PC and no EP's i am waiting for an Ultimate Collection to come out with all of the EP's and Stuff packs built in to one game. Although, looking at how long it took for the package with all the EP's to come out for the original game...i'm in for a very long wait :(

I could really do a lot that i want to with The Sims 3 though and there is a little bit of me that really desires it still.

pinkeyedskeleton

21st Jun 2009, 3:39 PM

I haven't played the sims 3 yet, but I would rather play sims 2 than 3, mostly because after the big leap of greatness from sims 1 to sims 2, all you can really do is expand from that, and that's all sims 3 kinda is.

woodenbear

21st Jun 2009, 4:38 PM

Big TS2 fan here, I find TS3 very boring and have stopped playing it untill it gets better.

joninmobile

21st Jun 2009, 5:09 PM

As a creator I like the sims 2 better, because there is more you can do. Custom CAS screens, hair and makeup with texture, Custom Careers, and so much more. Right now the tools for modding the sims 3 are still in their infancy, and it's not something that's very user friendly the tools that are out now.

leenetje

21st Jun 2009, 5:38 PM

I can't seem to get attached to my sims 3 sims. well i knoow it sounds weird and yeah it's a weird reason, but i get easily attached to my sims 2 sims and can very easily make up stories and stuff. But somehow i can't do the same thing with the my sims 3 sims. and to be honest, yeah i have no idea why it is that way.

joninmobile

21st Jun 2009, 6:19 PM

No pointy ears in the sims 3 lol. :p

dandello

21st Jun 2009, 6:46 PM

I went back to Sims2 and started a new hood. I had never installed FT or AL as I got burnt out. So to me it's like a whole new game and I'm loving it!
I got Sims3 and the graphics gave me a headache, even with them turned up. It's too cartoonish to me? RCT3 gave me a headaches for same reason.
So back to Sims2 with my 18K downloads lol

dsl302g

22nd Jun 2009, 11:48 AM

I like TS2 much better. I love having my own business, having pets, going on holidays, weather, aliens, werewolves, vampires etc, more building options, much more content (i really miss the spa, memories, environment meter because your enviroment effects your mood and should of been in TS3, car's actually have animations, sims look much better the list goes on and on.

The only thing I like about TS3 is the laptop an how you can carry it around, mobile phone and traits. Put those in TS2 and call it a day.

Tom Duhamel

23rd Jun 2009, 12:28 AM

Funny that this question is being asked in TS2 section. Those answering are those that at least still play TS2, or play only that.

I haven't and will probably not buy TS3. I do love my game and still and will play it at least once a week for another few years. You know, I was still playing TS1 just 2 years ago, before I bought TS2 :)

Ghost001

23rd Jun 2009, 11:04 AM

i like sims 3 more, but you can do more stuff in sims 2, but soon enough there will be expansion packs coming out for TS3

minus.

23rd Jun 2009, 4:10 PM

I do, since I don't have TS3.

coltraz

23rd Jun 2009, 4:19 PM

For me, Sims 2 allows much more creation because of all the world of CC. Sims look better, also thanks to CC. Rooms and houses look better and the possibilities are endless.

But I don't find Sims 2 particularly immersive gameplay wise. It can be. But I think 3 takes the cake on that aspect. At least so far it has. Maybe that's just because it's new and unpredictable.

blackdaisies

23rd Jun 2009, 4:48 PM

There are so many elements of TS3 that I really love, but at the same time there's a lot of things that I miss in TS2, small things that most probably don't care about but actually kind of bother me. Like memories (it would have been nice to have a memory for who the mystery parent of random babies are, for example), custom neighbourhoods and animations for getting into cars. And I love the idea of neighbourhood progression, but I don't want my Sims to move away and disappear. I also miss the expansion packs too. The freetime hobbies, the seasons, even the annoying supernatural Sims. I'm also too attached to my current sims right now, I don't feel like I can stop playing them just yet.

I might play Ts3 again when there's an expansion pack or when my current generation dies off. I'll probably enjoy it too. Right now, I'm still liking my Ts2 game.

MagicMarker

24th Jun 2009, 12:00 AM

I don't have TS3 but my friend does. I've played her game for a little while. I like the new traits & personalities (I wish we had those in TS2). But I have to say I really hate the way the sims' faces look in that game. In my opinion, they all look like they've had really bad plastic surgery and to tell the truth most of the custom skins I've seen don't look any better (btw for the people that say all maxis skins look crappy: the CC skin I use in TS2 is a maxis match skin that has extra features added, like nipples & the eyes and shoulders are more defined, etc).

Like memories (it would have been nice to have a memory for who the mystery parent of random babies are, for example), custom neighbourhoods and animations for getting into cars. And I love the idea of neighbourhood progression, but I don't want my Sims to move away and disappear.

I agree with everything here. I'd miss all these features from TS2 too. The story progression is a major turn off for me. I don't intend to buy the game at the moment because the things I don't like about the game outweight the things I do like.

Nalia

24th Jun 2009, 8:03 AM

I played TS3 for half an hour over at my friend's house (I used him as my guinea pig really) and got really bored. Although the seamless neighbourhood is not bad and traits are really nice, I don't like the rest of it, gameplay-wise. I hate Sims moving out on their own or get pregnant out of the blue. No, no, no. *I* am the one who should make these decisions, not you, stupid game. In short, I am not buying it.

I'm sticking with TS2 and keep enjoying it as ever.

pennysims

25th Jun 2009, 1:40 PM

I do.

If I tried to explain why, it would take forever. I just like TS2 better and I actually love it even more now that I've tried to play TS3.

summersong86

26th Jun 2009, 8:09 PM

I have both and I adore both in different ways. But if I could keep only one on my machine, it would have to be Sims2 because it is a completed work and Sims3 is just a beginning. Fortunately I am able to keep both on my machine.

I have plenty of complaints about Sims2 but overall I find it to be really fun and most of all I relish the ability to customize almost every aspect of it. And I suppose even a lot of my complaints can by now be solved by hacks and mods.

I really hate not being able to design my own neighborhood in Sims2. I want rivers AND a beach and not have to choose between the two just because I have only Sunnywhatever and Riverwhatever maps to pick between.

I LOVE my celebrity sims--both the ones I make and the ones I download from my friends here. I have seen a few very good Sims3 celebrities and have thus far made one decent celebrity of my own that I will eventually get around to uploading. The sculpting tools for Sims3 aren't as bad as I first thought but the layout is poor and toggling through the screens to get at the sliders I want is more work than it is in Bodyshop. In the absence of a Bodyshop type of sculpting tool, Sims3 doesn't let you be quite as focused on your little peeps as you'd like. With Sims3 it really does seem to be more about the scenery. Even this one gorgeous Zachary Quinto sim that I downloaded looks kind of "meh" in the game. He is really cute in the Create A Sim preview screen though. I can tell the artist who made him did an amazing job. If I could afford a top-of-the line graphics card then mabye he'd look as good in-game as he does in the creation screen. But that's the thing--on my existing card Sims2 celebs look awesome already and probably exactly as their creators intended them to look.

I am worried that once EPs do come out for Sims3 that it will not run as well as a fully fleshed out Sims2 setup runs. And even with loading screens and all the stutters that accompany my version of Sims2 set with most graphics options maxed out by default, it DOES run. I'm not entirely sure Sims3 can be expanded to the same extent and run smoothly. Already I can not run all the graphics options set to max by default.

I could be completely offbase in my concerns and so I'm going to research the forums and see what the experts think.

Anyway I'm glad to see players and CC creators are still enjoying and creating for Sims2. It's worth it to keep it going a year or two more AT LEAST. Some of us have only just reached the peak of our CC making or game-playing skills and have a lot more we can contribute to the game. I'm still seeing jaw-dropping CC uploaded for S2 every day and seeing more concepts of how to play the game.

What I DO enjoy Sims3 for is the console-like gameplay experience but being a pc game, it does give you more control over your characters' looks and environment than a console-only experience does.

cloffee

26th Jun 2009, 11:49 PM

Right now I'm going back between the two. I played the sims 3 for about a week when it came out, but it just made me miss The Sims 2 and all my CC!

So as of now I'm playing Sims 2, but I'm starting to miss Sims 3. I mean the open neighborhood, traits, and Create-A-Style are just AWESOME! I love them so much that I'll put up with the fugly sims and broken gameplay.

I don't think I'll make a COMPLETE switch over till more CC comes out. I know the great modders out there can make it happen! And I'll be so greatful!

But until then, I'm diggin' Sims 2 more.

summersong86

27th Jun 2009, 7:22 AM

In Sims3 I actually finally managed to get some cute sims. Some were ones I downloaded and tweaked, some I downloaded and enjoyed as-is, and a couple I just made out of the pre-made sims. With a bit of practice on the sliders they aren't that bad looking. At least there is not as huge a difference between townies and custom sims in 3 that it feels freakish to let your sims date or befriend a townie. In my Sims, I tend to avoid the townies because they look like entirely different species from my pretty little custom sims.

I wish we could just somehow get all the best minds together to come up with a totally different Sims game altogether, that takes the best of 2 and combines it with the slight but meaningful advances of Sims3. I do think the modders are doing their darnedest to make something really cool out of 3. But it sounds like a real uphill slog. That's probably a good thing. Knowing some of those modders' personalities, they would be bored and not interested if it were not challenging.

stygia2002

27th Jun 2009, 8:25 AM

I'm still trying to get my bearings with CAS in Sims 3. In Sims 2 I had messed with CAS enough that I could make anyone and it really looked like them (but it usually took a couple of hours to get it just right). Sims 3 is taking some getting used to. I just made an Orlando Bloom sim in TS3. It looks like him, but he looks soooo much better in Sims 2.

aibiki

27th Jun 2009, 8:27 AM

Because TS2 is the only one that will run without crashing my computer, Yes, I like it more than TS3.

Misty_2004

27th Jun 2009, 8:32 AM

I saw this thread on the entry board so had to come read it. I think in all fairness this should also be asked in the TS3 board. I think it's great that so many people are still in love with TS2 and are still enjoying it. After spending the last nearly a month with TS3 I'm having a hard time convincing myself that I ever want to play TS2 again.

There are a lot of reasons for that. First off, I'm in pioneer land. Instead of sitting around whining that I don't have CC for TS3 I'm among the first to be creating it. Since the process is new there are many obstacles and challenges, but much of those obstacles and challenges are fun. Granted, there are times I want to pull my hair out, but when I finally get something done I'm thinking, "Wow! I did it!"

As for the graphics and various aspects of TS3, it's rather odd, really. It's almost to me as if both TS2 and TS3 were actually sequels to TS1, rather than TS3 being a sequel to TS2. Yes, story progression is borked and the game isn't without its problems. However, I've done the very same thing I did for my TS2 game under the same circumstances, which is round up third-party modifications to fix the major problems. Single male Sims don't have babies in my game. Families aren't moving in on top of other families in my game either. Instead of having to switch between houses in edit town mode, I can ctrl-click on a house to get control of that from the town view. Pretty sweet, huh?

TS3 is much different from TS2 in many ways and there is a learning curve to playing it and I am also immensely enjoying that. Although it's still a Sims game, things are so different! I love the personality traits and the moodlets. It's totally awesome having a Sim completely over the moon because they just got married without them actually having to roll the want to get married, and it's so cute how they get a moodlet for a few days after they're married just by being near their spouse! In fact, the moodlet system gives so much more depth to play because in TS3 it's no longer all about fulfilling wants to keep Sims happy. When a Sim has fun they get a moodlet which increases their mood. If they've eaten a well-made meal, they get a moodlet. They get moodlets for taking showers and getting a good night's rest. Their overall mood is a result of everything that happens in their lives, not just getting their wants fulfilled. In fact, helping them to fulfill wishes is a fairly small part of TS3.

The open neighborhood is the bomb! It's great to have a Sim running all over the neighborhood going about their business. I also love it that there are enough things in the base game to do that a Sim never has to get a real job to earn a decent living unless that's what you or they really want to do. Say you have a TS2 Sim you want to become an author. It takes a good amount of time for them to build the skills to become a good writer so they earn hardly anything the whole time they're building those skills. Say you have a TS3 Sim who wants to become a writer. They're going to spend probably a bit more time building those skills unless they go to the library which gives a boost to reading and writing, but while they're devoting most of their day to writing, they can still earn themselves several hundreds simoleans a day just by gathering a few items and selling them, then devote most of their time to their real work.

There are just so many things that a Sim can do in a day it's unreal. Sure, by the time I got a bunch of expansion packs for TS2 my Sims had plenty to do. They sure didn't start out like that, though.

It isn't that I don't have any complaints about TS3. I do. Overall, though, I really love it.

addict12

27th Jun 2009, 2:31 PM

Personally, I prefer TS2 over TS3. Sure, the custom designing of clothing/objects/build and increased sim detail is great, but what peeves me is the buggy and annoying gameplay. After doing everything, I’m not having fun with the game. The gameplay is just…boring. If I can’t have fun playing with my sims as I did designing their whole home, personality, etc, then there’s not point in continuing to play TS3. It wasn't week past when I decided to stop playing it and put it under my collection of videogames. Now, I feel as if I wasted my money on that game. Too bad I can’t get a refund.

The thing about TS2, although you don’t have the freelance (no bounties) gameplay, overall: TS2 is more fun. With or without CC. In TS3, sure you can go to work with your sim, but you can’t go into the building with them. Even when your sim go shopping, you can’t explore the inner wonders of the place. The neat thing about it, is simply visiting other sim homes. In TS2, you can’t go to work with your sim, but you can go many community lots and watch them move about inside. Plus, if you're lazy like me, your sims can invite over their friends and family or bother a passing townie. (In my Sims 3 game, it's like a ghost town, It's hard to find people and her friends are annoying.)

Maybe with more expansion packs TS3 will get a bit better.

cloffee

27th Jun 2009, 5:35 PM

In TS3, sure you can go to work with your sim, but you can’t go into the building with them. Even when your sim go shopping, you can’t explore the inner wonders of the place.

I understand rabbit holes for work, but I was seriously SHOCKED when I realized the Bookstore, Grocery Store, Theater, even the restaurants (!!) were rabbit holes! I was sure the Graveyard was going to be a rabbit hole too, and the Library! But THANK GOD EA spared us there. :|

At least in TS2, even if it takes time to load, you can actually GO INSIDE a bookstore, grocery store, even a basic restaurant If you wanted too. And I love that.

Laurensimslikemad

27th Jun 2009, 6:37 PM

I prefer ts2. Its mostly because of the ability to make new neighborhoods, and (suprised it hasn't been mentioned) not being able to make brand new lots.

stuffstuff

27th Jun 2009, 11:29 PM

I like TS2 way better.

I dont own TS3 but i have played it and even though it has a seamless neighborhood and pointless create a style for me(i dont really care THAT much about decorations and can deal with just 10 colors for an object)

Also i think the sims in the sims 3 are weird and all have a fat face (I MOVED THE SLIDER ALL THE WAY TO SKINNY AND IT STILL LOOKED FAT!!!!)

But i think the thing that is missing and not good the most is the story your sim has TS2 have better ones and can be easily created unlike TS3. Its quite hard to explain but i think its easier to be like
John hanton wanted to have a fun life after being bullied by an older sister and having no fun with his family,being in private school and having no toys.He started his life in an apartment and woohoed with every girl he could find but decided to settle down with Michelle and have David who grew up blah blah blah new generation in TS2

EDIT: I TOTALLY agree with Cloffee

addict12

28th Jun 2009, 4:55 PM

I understand rabbit holes for work, but I was seriously SHOCKED when I realized the Bookstore, Grocery Store, Theater, even the restaurants (!!) were rabbit holes! I was sure the Graveyard was going to be a rabbit hole too, and the Library! But THANK GOD EA spared us there.

The only place I bothered to visit is the Library. It is the ONLY way my sim was able to meet people. Luckily, the graveyards (as you mentioned) and parks aren't just dumb empty spaces.

isa_love_anime

29th Jun 2009, 7:37 PM

psivampyr

29th Jun 2009, 7:49 PM

I been playing TS3 since release date and I honestly miss TS2 sometimes when I am looking for something I thought I had, or the option to Smustle. It's NOT the sims if they are not Smustling atleast once a day. I miss my pets, weather and CC (tho I really need to clean out my folders as I have so many dead files) I never removed TS2 from my computer so I been debating on playing it just for a change of pace. As a whole, to answer your question- do I prefer TS2 over TS3- I have to say they are equally fun to me in my book- but TS2 has alot more for a sim to do on a daily basis.

stygia2002

30th Jun 2009, 2:01 AM

iLollipop

30th Jun 2009, 3:27 AM

Yes.

I have yet to get Sims 3. My reasons:

A) I don't have the money. 50 bucks for the first game of the "third generation of Sims?" That's really good, EAxis. Make it twenty bucks cheaper and I'll buy the game.
B) The Sims just aren't the same. I love my Sims 2 pixels <3. Plus, they kind of look... well, has anyone noticed that TS3 sims have a little rounder faces?
C) My computer won't run it as it lacks the requirements for the RAM. It would probably fry it.
D) I'm waiting until EA releases an EP for TS3. Just to see what they can do.

I have a lot more, but I don't feel like being really furious. xDD

e-r-i-c-k

30th Jun 2009, 3:43 AM

I still love Sims2 a lot, and I like the sims3 very much so far, but disappointed in a lot of things that are missing. I was hoping that it would contain EVERYTHING from Sims2..and build from there into a lot of new stuff for 3...but of course that was a lot to hope for i know lol. 3 is growing on me more and more the longer I play it. And, who knows...maybe there will be some mind-blowing expansions in the near future :)

Sparrow

30th Jun 2009, 9:10 AM

I just got the sims 3 today and I like the neighborhood and the sim customization features. But I'm not really blown away by the sims 3. I don't like how the characters look they are too cartoony for my tastes and I got bored with the game quickly. I'll probably end up playing the sims 2 more than this one or at least til further developments.

HCAC

1st Jul 2009, 11:48 AM

I reinstalled 2 last night. Just the base game for now.

I thought it might be a fun for my son to play. I got all WOW over so many nice ways to make your sims look gorgeous (Sims 3 look too fake to me). So I began downloading again (I dumped everything a few weeks ago).

I will play both...(again, I doubt I will load up every EP).

Sims 3 is nice and of course has new options but downloading is not as easy and we have so many CC choices in 2..

CatMuto

1st Jul 2009, 12:23 PM

I prefer Sims 2, because Sims 3 actually looks like a copy from Sims 2, just that it costs more, has a few more options (Like telling about Pregnancy) and more interactivity.

In Sims 2, I'm more familiar with the commands and all - I can make successfull families without getting into a rage because something happened that shouldn't. (Which is bound to happen to my Sims 3 Files ..)
Also the CC is nice - not all, but I really prefer CC over Basegame stuff, it looks too boring.

C-A

twerplina

3rd Jul 2009, 1:17 AM

I'm happy to see that Sims 2 is still loved by those who have played Sims 3. I feel like I'm in a time warp as I just installed Pets! (My old system could only handle OFB and even then it groaned. I got (built!) a new system and then went on a downloading spree.) I'm planning on installing Seasons soon and wondered whether to move on from there. Sims 3 still beckons...

amyandmia

3rd Jul 2009, 1:42 AM

i still like the sims2 because it has all my old families on it, but i have a question, i know im in the wrong place but i don't know where else to put it, in my game a lot of things are showing up white instead of their natural color, like, the whirlwind when they change clothes, the thought bubbles, a few outfits, one pair of shoes, and the tiles outside the foundation in build mode, does anyone know what causes this or how to fix it?? :cry:

Edit: all those things are naturally white, but i mean the color is gone and there is just a blotch that looks like somebody took an eraser to my screen and got rid of them

cloffee

3rd Jul 2009, 1:54 AM

YEAH, I am not the only one with these opinions! Seriously, TS3 will NEVER be as good as TS2. EVER. And it has nothing to do with Custom Content, or Expansion Packs. We can have a lot of fun on TS2 even without that stuff (although EVERYONE likes CC, I can't deny it xD Including me), and... Well, I can't explain, but you can't feel the same way on TS3. And I didn't even played it D:

Personally, I think it'll take some time. TS1 has SUCH a different feeling for me than TS2. Both are good in different ways.

After more CC for ts3 gets made and a couple EPs you'll never look at TS2 the same way again.

summersong86

4th Jul 2009, 3:33 AM

:cry: I had intended to just put Sims3 back on the shelf, figuratively speaking, for awhile and play my Sims2 town more fully. I mean the last EP/SP's were out for it not THAT long ago so I still had so much more yet to do in Sims2.

And so I go to click on the game and NOTHING happens. I have not been able to get it to run for a couple of days now. Nothing unusual happened the last time I played it. No crashes or glitches. It does not crash to desktop. It simply does not load though the initial launch screen thingy does come up. I'm not here to ask for help--my husband will get to it as soon as he can. I'm just saying that is one thing I always did have to deal with--Sims2 instability. Sims3 is still running fine...for now.

I have ALL of the EP's and SP's and lots of CC but not added any recently. Still, that's enough to make the game weak at the seams, I think.

gwynne

5th Jul 2009, 3:35 PM

ToroSonyCat

5th Jul 2009, 3:38 PM

Me.

Sims 2 is sooo much better

stygia2002

5th Jul 2009, 3:58 PM

I really disliked Sims 3 for a number of reasons, but figured eventually most of the issues would get ironed out and that the 3rd-party community would bring the aesthetics into line a bit better. It's been, what, a month now? I checked the Downloads section for TS3, realized that the Sims 3 Sims still all had pudding faces (except for the males with carefully sculpted facial hair), and gave up. Uninstalled Sims 3, now wondering if there's a central clearinghouse or thread for creator sites that are still producing Sims 2 content. :)

Sims 2 CC is still very popular for the very reason you mention...our artists are still pretty limited in what they can do with Sims 3 (Sims 2 took awhile to get whipped into shape too :lol: ). A couple of our artists have released replacement skin textures to get rid of the pudding effect. Maybe that will help. Personally, I don't think the sims in Sims 3 look as bad as alot of people have said (I think it's just a matter of personal perspective), but I always hate the base game eyes (hoping for CC in that realm at some point)...in Sims 2, once I downloaded custom eyes I never use the original dull, stepford eyes...ever! But I'm lucky enough to be able to have all of my Sims games on my computer. If I had to choose just one, I'd put my TS3 on the back burner for awhile and keep my Sims 2 installed. Sims 3 has alot of potential, but now that I'm familiar with its features and gameplay, it needs some pizazz. :Pint:

simsaddickt

5th Jul 2009, 11:42 PM

I was obsessed with Sims when it first came out, had every expansion pack, and played for hours upon hours. My computer crapped out about 2 years ago, so I lost everything and just was so upset about the whole thing, that I didn't play. THEN I got the Sims2 Deluxe edition when we finally got a new computer, tried installing it....yeahh, little did I know our new computer had a crap graphics card, so I couldn't play.

Recently got a new new computer, with a great graphics card and lots of RAM so when Sims3 came out, I went nuts. (Completely forgetting about the Sims2 disk I had) I got it and played it for a while, but was kind of annoyed. I think it's because there was just SO much to it. I don't really know how to explain it, I didn't like it all that much. Not to mention, there's no expansion packs out yet and barely any custom content. :rolleyes:

I uninstalled it and then found my Sims2 disk, because I figured, hey...I never tried Sims2, so why not? I finally got it downloaded and WOOWWW I was hooked. The graphics are beautiful and so are the textures. I can't get enough of it. I'm so incredibly happy and can't wait to collect the expansion packs. (:

Overall, I was more impressed with the Sims2 game play than the Sims3.

I'll stick with Sims2.

Lena:][:

5th Jul 2009, 11:59 PM

TS2. TS3 is soo slow. :l
it's annoying, it goes one minutes in like 3 minutes.
grr. i spent 50$ on crap.

simsaddickt

6th Jul 2009, 12:27 AM

[:']TS2. TS3 is soo slow. :l
it's annoying, it goes one minutes in like 3 minutes.
grr. i spent 50$ on crap.

I forgot about that!!! The speeds are so slow compared to TS2!

sopye

6th Jul 2009, 4:43 AM

I still find a lot of fun in Sims2, but I do periodically play Sims3. One of the things I dislike the most in Sims3, and I am surprised noone else has said this, is the baby thing. I actually think the babies in 2 are cute, at least they look like a baby. In Sims3 they look like they are holding a doll head in a papoose, or something. And while I don't miss the dirty diapers and bottles lying all over, I do miss the action of bathing the babies and toddlers. In real life you don't just wait till they are children to bathe them

exxotic92

6th Jul 2009, 5:29 AM

I have both games installed on my computer, and I get joy in playing both of them. Well, honestly, I just like making the people in the Sims 3 only because I can pick exactly how they look since I don't have any CC when it comes to the sims 2. But I actually like playing the Sims 2 more. Everything is less complicating. It's easy to make friends. It's easy for them to fall in love. And like sopye said, the babies are actually cute. In the Sims 3, all of the babies have the same exact eye color. Did anyone else notice that? Also, they look retarded being swaddled up in those darn blankets all the time. I like the Sims 3, a lot, but I adore the Sims 2.

Also, I LOVE the Sims 2 because I know Cheat Codes. I don't know any Cheat Codes for the Sims 3. The ones I got off of this website didn't even work. The only one that did work was motherlode. So if anyone knows any cheat codes for the Sims 3, please, PM me. I'd great appreciate it.

schitzwa

6th Jul 2009, 5:44 AM

Today I am going back to Sims2 at least until story progression is fixed and perhaps another expansion pack is released although that wont fix some of my gripes. I have tried so hard to enjoy Sims3 but I just cannot attach myself to it. I miss my legacy family, my sims who I brought up from being little babies who I have KEPT. I hate the way Sims3 sims look and ugh, they walk stupid! I love the seamless neighbourhood, traits and patterns thought. Its just not enough right now. :)

exxotic92

6th Jul 2009, 5:52 AM

Ahaha. You're right, they do walk stupid. I usually get A.D.D. after playing that game for like ten minutes. The only time I stay on more than an hour is if I'm building a house. I went back to the Sims 2 about a week ago. I still switch out. But I spend most of my time trying to make a legacy, without cheating, on the Sims 2.

xemptybrkneyesx

6th Jul 2009, 6:28 AM

Personally, I'm waiting to buy the Sims 3.

I like the idea of getting the first edition of the game, but not enough to want to pay fifty bucks for it.

I'm not going to bash it, since I don't own it and haven't seen the new Sims in person, but they do look funny in the pictures. They have roundish faces even with skinny bodies, like people have said before me.[it may be only me, but their beards look like when a little boy tries to rub charcoal or something on his face to make him look like a grown-up. Not realistic at all.] I've seen plenty of screenshots, and the scenery is gorgeous, yes, but again, not worth so much money just to walk around looking at the water and mountains. The seemless neighborhood idea is nice, but I've heard from people and seen pictures that show the community "lots" as just places the sims can go and you can't interact with them. I never noticed the loading screens being long, my game takes a minute or two tops to load a lot, and I've never been one to want to visit random places, since all the townies you need seem to walk past your house anyways. I only recently got into the custom content situation, so I've been playing the sims without it for awhile. That's not the reason I'm not buying it, I would be happy with only the base game objects. I just think I'll wait it out and see if the game shows anything special in the future, for now I'm sticking with the families I've played for awhile. :)

Prosthetics

6th Jul 2009, 9:41 AM

It appears to me that the Sims 3 didn't present itself with a large leap, either graphics or program-wise, that the Sims 2 presented in the transition from the Sims. Therefore, I have decided not to purchase said game in hopes that it is discontinued. (Besides the fact that I have played it on a friends computer, I have no other reason to bitch...but it just seems...weird, and as she said...the developers took a step backward. Why muss up a good thing?)

Besides, it appears that the game is still in it's infantile stages and has many, many bugs to it. Good job fixing it up before releasing it, Maxis. :]

Clearly the game won't be discontinued because of one nay-sayer, but I still think I'll wait until Maxis' next big break in technological design.

Aunt_Tilly

6th Jul 2009, 10:36 AM

I 've got both on PC, but like Sims2 much more than Sims3. Sims3's not made for Builders and Decorators, I guess. It's more for "players". And there are no good deco, nothing to "clutter" with in Sims3- and without cluttering it makes no sense for me. :)

tizerist

6th Jul 2009, 1:29 PM

It appears to me that the Sims 3 didn't present itself with a large leap, either graphics or program-wise, that the Sims 2 presented in the transition from the Sims.
I think TS3 is a massive jump program wise. In TS2 with all expansions, going to a community lot was a long loading screen, a little bit of playing, and a long loading screen again.
In TS3, you can click on somewhere two miles away, and your sim will instantly drive, run, walk or cycle there, however you want.
Thats an improvement.
If your someone who only used bodyshop to create TS2 sims, it meant exiting the game, loading up bodyshop, then loading the game again. On my TS2, that would have been at least 10 minutes of loading. In TS3, it takes about 10 seconds to enter CAS. Improvement.

Graphics wise, meh, its about the same. TS3 gives improved surroundings. The virtual town is pure eye candy, but TS2 gives finer details. Much better animations for walking (especially on stairs) and entering vehicles, but sims look better I feel in TS2, although the difference is not earth shattering like some would have you beleive, they are slightly inferior in TS3

cloffee

7th Jul 2009, 1:59 AM

I think TS3 is a massive jump program wise. In TS2 with all expansions, going to a community lot was a long loading screen, a little bit of playing, and a long loading screen again.
In TS3, you can click on somewhere two miles away, and your sim will instantly drive, run, walk or cycle there, however you want.
Thats an improvement.
If your someone who only used bodyshop to create TS2 sims, it meant exiting the game, loading up bodyshop, then loading the game again. On my TS2, that would have been at least 10 minutes of loading. In TS3, it takes about 10 seconds to enter CAS. Improvement.

Graphics wise, meh, its about the same. TS3 gives improved surroundings. The virtual town is pure eye candy, but TS2 gives finer details. Much better animations for walking (especially on stairs) and entering vehicles, but sims look better I feel in TS2, although the difference is not earth shattering like some would have you beleive, they are slightly inferior in TS3

It takes 10 seconds to load CAS right NOW. Just wait after a couple of EPs and a few hundred MBs of CC. I can see clothes being a big problem when you start getting outfits in the hundreds. Since the game likes to load tops, bottoms, outfits, accessories, shoes, etc. at once it could take a while for everything to load up in a couple seconds. You'd have to wait a while for that top you're looking for to actually have it's picture load up so you could click on it and use it when the proper CC comes out, hell even when the next couple of EPs add clothes.

I don't think the open neighborhood is that much of an improvement. It seems more like a well executed gimmick. It is VERY nice but definitely not leaps and bounds ahead of TS2. I wonder what they're going to do for the EPs and how adding new neighborhoods will affect the streamlined neighborhood.

TBH, I think the problem is that there was a HUGE difference between TS1 and TS2. After all the improvements and enhancements there isn't much they can do anymore in the series. I mean, they brought The Sims into 3D, added aging, along with countless of EPs that added some great (some not so great) features in TS2 that it's going to be hard to add freshness to TS3. That's why a lot of people say TS3 is just a prettier version of TS2.

So yeah the no-loading screens are an improvement, but a great one? Is TS3 that much different than TS2? It has it's bells and whistles, but when comparing TS2 with it's predecessor you can tell that it was not only graphically but fundamentally better.

I feel that they've done so much and used so much of their ideas on TS2 that it's going to be really hard to keep the game 'new' for TS3.

candyapplegirl

9th Jul 2009, 4:02 AM

Yes, and I ended up uninstalling TS3 and reinstalling TS2 two days ago, because I missed my pretty Sims and all the decorating "stuff". I love the seamless neighborhood and the personality traits on TS3, but the Sims aren't very aesthetically pleasing (IMHO), and there isn't enough "stuff" to decorate with yet. I absolutely hate the CAS feature in TS3, because the Sims always end up with fat necks and boxy looking heads. There aren't enough hairstyles that look decent, though I do like the fact that you can color everything exactly the way you want it. I just don't think the sliders give enough control over the shape and positioning of the facial features. Though it is a pain in the butt to have to exit the game and go into Body Shop, I liked the controls much better, and I like the fact that you can upload your own facial and skin meshes.

I gave TS3 one month to grow on me, and even though I absolutely LOVED some of the graphics (like the water and sunrise/sunset), I just couldn't get into it yet. One of my biggest pet peeves from TS3 is the outdoor flowers. they are HORRIBLE looking. Once you get close to them, they look like cardboard cutouts, and they are completely flat. I mean, come ON. Surely, with all the minds at Maxis, they could come up with something better than cardboard cut-out flowers. Then again, I am one of those detail oriented people who enjoys decorating and creating Sims more than actually playing the "game" anyway. I'm sure I'll like it more once they get more things for me to play around with.

Blooper Reel

9th Jul 2009, 11:45 AM

I prefer TS2, at least you can actually see your sims in a community lot

Rabbit holes are a disgrace to the sims universe. They should be stacked up on eachother on a bonfire, and then set alight.

stygia2002

9th Jul 2009, 3:27 PM

At the moment I'm addicted to my Sims 2...I reinstalled my EPs after my little experiment of playing just the base game before I got Sims 3 (to be fair to Sims 3)...so it's like a new game for me again. The only CC I've installed are some custom eyes and a custom sim. Eventually I'll install Insiminator again, but for now I'm having fun without alot of CC. Eventually I'll get around to installing my CC though. ;)

TamaPATCHI

9th Jul 2009, 5:15 PM

Saying that TS3 won't work on my computer, I like TS2 better.
However, it looks like TS2 is more realistic and TS3 is more cartooney. I like the traits and everything for the CAS in TS3, but I personally prefer TS2 at the moment.

coltraz

9th Jul 2009, 5:51 PM

TS2 has a certain... lure, immersiveness, sense of humour even?... that TS3 lacks.

JazzRaquel

9th Jul 2009, 6:01 PM

In the sims 2,you can make gorgus sims...in the sims 3...not so mutch...They tryed to make it look like the sims could be real people and that NEVER goes well!Like Cris Crocker,he's a very butiful person!("Leave Britny Alone Guy")But if they made a doll like him,it would be a thin Ken doll with long hair and a distorted face!I'm just SAYING!

schitzwa

9th Jul 2009, 6:03 PM

TS2 has a certain... lure, immersiveness, sense of humour even?... that TS3 lacks.

Totally agree. I remember when I got Sims 2 I couldn't put it down and it still has me now. I am somewhat attached to my sims and the gameplay.

The only reason I play Sims 3 is because I really want to like it. I was so looking forward to it. Its alright saying "oh but just wait until there are some ep's" but a lot of what is wrong is not going to be fixed with an ep. They will always be puddings!

HCAC

9th Jul 2009, 6:28 PM

I'm slowly reloading Sims 2 and the eps. My son has expressed an interest so I let him have his own family/neighborhood while I make sure I only download the top quality stuff now (not any old junk).

I like having the option of both and appreciate all the CC for Sims 2. Meanwhile, 3 is fun (new options) and new situations.

I agree that Sims 2 was a major, jawdropping difference from Sims 1. Sims 3, alas, is not. But it's still okay.

stygia2002

10th Jul 2009, 6:31 AM

I just spent *all day* playing Sims 2. :blink: I think it's Sims 3's turn tomorrow...maybe. :Pint:

JazzRaquel

10th Jul 2009, 6:39 AM

Totally agree. I remember when I got Sims 2 I couldn't put it down and it still has me now. I am somewhat attached to my sims and the gameplay.

The only reason I play Sims 3 is because I really want to like it. I was so looking forward to it. Its alright saying "oh but just wait until there are some ep's" but a lot of what is wrong is not going to be fixed with an ep. They will always be puddings! Yah!And I hear there are no minny-movies!I mean,COME ON!GOD!I like the IDIA of the game, but they should have KEEPT stuff... :cry: I am sad... :(

ZachCharge

10th Jul 2009, 2:01 PM

I like TS2 but there is one thing that makes my urges to play it again subdue in favour for TS3....Dang performance issues...

I mean on TS3 I run everything on max settings with only a minute of loading on highest resolution with NO LAG. TS2 I run a family with 6 sims after about 4-5 minutes loading on near lowest setting (everything except the option that makes your Sims hands from looking normal to really blocky) on 800x600 and the thing lags like crazy...I guess after getting TS3, the lag in TS2 really stands out...(I got a fairly new PC and a GTX260+ btw). TS2 simply lags way to much for me to enjoy it. I miss a lot of stuff in it, but it is just unbearable to play (well...I guess I had no problem with the lag before but...I guess thats what happens when your spoilt lol). I really miss apartments and tiny lots from TS2 though, empty lots in TS3 are way to big to imitate real suburbia lol.

Bdogg96

10th Jul 2009, 2:41 PM

The sims 3 graphics are good and all that stuff,but the sims 2 is way more interesting.Like theres vampire's,werewolfs etc.I prefere the sims 2 :)

sephiroth1

10th Jul 2009, 6:49 PM

I like Sims2 better.
TS3 is boring. I made some gaming character but they are UGLY.
The eye balls are scary.

L Lawliet_SC

10th Jul 2009, 6:58 PM

I pefer Sims 2, there's so much out there for them as far as custom content. Plus I'm REALLY attached to alot of my sims and I wouldn't be able to make them in Sims 3. I don't like how the sims are all pudgey looking in Sims 3 either. And the fact there's no cut scenes snd the story progression thing is annoying. I don't have Sims 3 to be honest and I don't plan on getting it soon either.

LoversEnd

11th Jul 2009, 10:31 AM

I have it, I uninstalled it. I don't think it's anywhere as fun as TS2 is. I like it, though. It just doesn't have that shiny appeal that TS2 has. D:

aeval99

15th Jul 2009, 9:08 PM

Odekai

15th Jul 2009, 9:19 PM

stygia2002

15th Jul 2009, 11:02 PM

I'm addicted to Sims 3 now. I'd actually love to play Sims 2 again, but recently had a meltdown, and hadn't backed my game up to an external drive since December of 08. I stare at the 8 EPs and 4 SPs sitting on my desk and just can't bring myself to spend all that time reinstalling (not to mention all the CC I would need to find and/or update).

It's too bad since I'd barely scratched the surface of FT or AL. Hell, I'd still never even had a plant person! Maybe when the newness of Sims 3 wears off, I'll put my nose to the grindstone and reinstall and update everything. :turtle:

I had a similar issue with my old computer. It got to the point where it could barely run Sims 2 and then after I installed Freetime, the game wouldn't load at all. So I bought Apartment Life and Mansion and Garden Stuff, and saved up for the computer I have now (affectionately named 'Roidzilla :D ). Fortunately I can have Sim 1-3 installed, but it's just a matter of biting the bullet and doing the installs. After playing Sims 3 for awhile, I got the urge to play Sims 2 again. So I installed my EPs (took a day to do it between work and the rest of real life). It's like a new game because I haven't gotten to play any of the last few EPs. I found it to be alot of fun, even without CC. However, I keep my CC backed up on a USB stick, so I don't have to go searching for it. I have about 6 gigs of CC and I'm in the middle of reinstalling it to my game (I'm weeding a bit of it out though) and that's taking me a couple of days. :Pint:

aeval99

15th Jul 2009, 11:34 PM

D:
Dang.
I don't have the money to get Sims 3 yet. IMHO, I think that the Sims 3 sims look...uglier than the Sims 2 ones. xD;;
In any case, I'm extremely jealous of you. I only have 4 of the EP's, and no stuff packs yet. I would pretty much kill for all the stuff you have, Aeval. xP
I know I'm gonna buy Sims 3 eventually because I'm a sucker, but I'm not sure if I'll like it more than Sims 2...I think it will just be -different-, and that I'll still play Sims 2 more. =3
Look on the bright side, you'll probably be able to buy it for a fraction of what I paid when it was new. :) Thankfully my birthday is in February and always seemed to coincide with a new EP, that my husband thoughtfully provided for me. I knew there was a damn good reason I married him. :D The fall EP always somehow managed to slip in with my early X-mas shopping.

Really though, if you have NL, Seasons, OFB and either FT or AL you are pretty much good to go. I'd just keep an eye out in the bargain bin. As those Sims 3 expansions come out, stores will be clearing out space for Sims product. I bought my stuff packs from Target when they were discounted to below 10 bucks.

On a different tangent, I'm finding the Sims in Sims 3 to be better looking, especially now that I have a custom skin tone and some good eye replacements. You can't make Sims that look as photo-realistic or stunningly beautiful as with Sims 2 and all that CC, but as a whole they are a much better looking bunch to begin with. I don't feel the need to kill off most of my townies before I even start playing because I can't stand the sight of them for one second more. Heh, maybe I'm just getting used to them.

Death to all Goopy's! :jest:

simsaddickt

20th Jul 2009, 7:38 PM

I just re-downloaded Sims3 recently, just to see how if I still wanted it. Gameplay was almost agonizing after playing Sims2 for a few weeks. I think it's just because I'm hooked on the custom content.

I guess I'll wait a couple more months to play Sims3 again... >.>

FranH

20th Jul 2009, 8:40 PM

"Really though, if you have NL, Seasons, OFB and either FT or AL you are pretty much good to go. I'd just keep an eye out in the bargain bin. As those Sims 3 expansions come out, stores will be clearing out space for Sims product. I bought my stuff packs from Target when they were discounted to below 10 bucks."

That's true-I picked up Uni at the local WallyWorld for $20, and I'm certain the other EP's were about the same price. I'm looking to buy perhaps one more and it's done for me on Sims 2. I don't want to mess with my computer on the Securom issue after Seasons.
As for Sims 3, I'm looking to perhaps buying in in a couple of years-it will take that long to develop the game, all the mods will have been developed fully and the hacks will be improved. Perhaps even the game itself will be improved by EA, though I think they're really getting lazy and greedy.
But I'm still playing Sims 2.

DrowningFishy

21st Jul 2009, 3:38 AM

It seems almost unfair at this time to judge Sims 2 and 3 at this time. After all Sims 2 has been out for awhile. However as you begin to play Sims 3 you realize the fun drains quickly out of it. Without mods really what is the point of playing. The game (sims 3) is to innocent. I have found no way to screw up my game for the worse. Well, except one case of brother and sister love that resulted in a kid after I left to play a second generation character. In matter fact I have learned that even if you clear a town the other unwanted sims return. Boo! Also if you have to many large families you can outgrow your town in only 4 generations (only 3 have died). Now I can't find anyone to marry because they are all related to me (okay I found my great great aunt/neice to marry). Apparently you cannot hit on families that already married into yours. The Duggars would not survive in a Sims game.

Did anyone else notice how all the Sims characters in 3 look alike even after you change their appearance?

cloffee

21st Jul 2009, 8:21 AM

Did anyone else notice how all the Sims characters in 3 look alike even after you change their appearance?

It's hard to make TS3 sims look unique and different without the Body Slider Hack. Without it, the sims tend to look very similar and boring :(

Vintage_Eve

21st Jul 2009, 9:24 AM

i have TS3 and just played for a week...i love the seamless neighborhood, but it turned me off because when my two sims went out for a date... my other sim wont let him ride in the car to be able to drive back home...geez...and the beach so useless you can only do fishing, ...im expecting TS3 to have a swimmable beach and sunbathe anywhere in the beach..

Pillywiggen

21st Jul 2009, 4:18 PM

I got TS3 the day it came out, and played for two weeks straight. That amount of play-time was enough to make me decide I didn't like it all that much. I'll admit, TS3 has lots of bells and whistles, but it's missing that...feel, y'know? I mean, there was even less emphasis on grilled cheese and llamas! I really missed how ridiculous TS2 could get. I've always liked a sense of realism in my game, but maybe TS3 had too much?

Here's something else: The day before I decided to switch back to playing TS2, my hard drive blew up :rolleyes: I guess it could only handle TS3 for two weeks. So, even if I wanted to keep playing it, I couldn't. I'll be getting a new hard drive soon, though. I'll also be buying Seasons, Freetime and Apartment Life for TS2, like I've always wanted!

Vintage_Eve

21st Jul 2009, 5:43 PM

Yah..."bein realistic" ..is what i want too..like pillywiggen... that beach thinggy in TS3 really sucks to me..and though it has seamless neighborhoods still has a lot of lackings...

hey!..apartment life is cool!... dont miss to get on that expansion..

Ponderosa

22nd Jul 2009, 4:14 AM

My friend and I don't like the way Sims 3 sims look. There's something about their faces that just turns us off. While the personality traits and infinite customization seem like a dream come true, I was so enchanted by all the new features when I switched over from Sims 1, and there are just so many things about the Sims 2 that make it the perfect game for me, that I would miss every detail that was different so much it just wouldn't be worth it.

I love my Sims 2 and plan to stick to it!

aeval99

23rd Jul 2009, 5:19 AM

That's true-I picked up Uni at the local WallyWorld for $20, and I'm certain the other EP's were about the same price. I'm looking to buy perhaps one more and it's done for me on Sims 2. I don't want to mess with my computer on the Securom issue after Seasons.

As for Sims 3, I'm looking to perhaps buying in in a couple of years-it will take that long to develop the game, all the mods will have been developed fully and the hacks will be improved. Perhaps even the game itself will be improved by EA, though I think they're really getting lazy and greedy.
But I'm still playing Sims 2.
Heh, EA has always been lazy and greedy. Maxis was pretty good, but they've been gone since the Sims 1 days. It's not just the Sims games either, EA's sports games are a mess of half-assed features and needless bugs.

Although I do dislike it on principle, I've never had any problems with Securom. I wouldn't miss out on FT or AL over something that is very, very unlikely to cause you problems.

I'm still too lazy to re-install my games, so I gave them all to my best friend. She is having a blast with them. The day after I gave them to her she was supposed to be coming over to my house at 4:30. At 5:45 I called her from my cell to beg her forgiveness because I was still out shopping. LOL. She hadn't even noticed because she was still in her pajamas playing the Sims (from 9 am)!

Somewhere down the road, I will play again. I just can't be bothered to do all the work that I need to do, to play. (I always have to clean out everything EA before I play. Sims and houses and townies and then download and install or make all new ones. And then I have all those hacks to update and downloads to prune...and so on). One of my favourite things about Sims 3 is that I can just stick the disc in and play without doing anything but updating Awesomemod.

I got TS3 the day it came out, and played for two weeks straight. That amount of play-time was enough to make me decide I didn't like it all that much. I'll admit, TS3 has lots of bells and whistles, but it's missing that...feel, y'know? I mean, there was even less emphasis on grilled cheese and llamas! I really missed how ridiculous TS2 could get. I've always liked a sense of realism in my game, but maybe TS3 had too much?
I know exactly what you mean. I always had the same feeling about the end of the first Sims series. There was just something about the atmosphere of the original game that was never quite the same again for me. LOL...back in the olden days, when I walked 4 miles to school, in the snow, barefoot, uphill both ways. :p

michelllllle

23rd Jul 2009, 6:45 AM

i don't like TS3 at all. in fact, i uninstalled it from my computer yesterday. am i the only one who thinks that the graphics are terrible? i mean, the scenery looks nice, but all the sims look like play-dough. and it can also be pretty cool that you can see the whole town from your playable sims house, rather than one lot, but that's about as far as it goes with me. i don't like what they did to the goth mansion, or the fact that they're both YOUNGER now. i don't like how CC is more limited than it is in TS2. i don't like the feel of the game in general - when i bought the sims 2 when it first came out, i knew right then that it was something special; even without all the EP's and SP's. but as soon as i played TS3 .... well, i was just super dissapointed! it was a waste of money, in my honest opinion.

Da-V-Man

23rd Jul 2009, 7:05 AM

I haven't played the third game (my sis won't let me) but from what she says she prefers the Sims 2.

Blaise Parker

23rd Jul 2009, 8:05 AM

Seeing as how I uninstalled TS3 and just finished playing TS2 all day (and it's after midnight) then yeah, I'd say I like TS2 better than TS3.

FranH

23rd Jul 2009, 9:46 AM

"Although I do dislike it on principle, I've never had any problems with Securom. I wouldn't miss out on FT or AL over something that is very, very unlikely to cause you problems."

Oh, I don't like Securom at all-on principle or in reality. You see, I'm a mod at Prism, the forum for ReclaimYourGame, which is a site dedicated to informing people about DRM.
I think the fact that EA dropped Securom from Sims 3 is due in part to the efforts we've made in making it an issue for consumers.
That being said, I will probably get FT in the long run because it is one of the few EP's beyond Seasons that gives good content.

But as for Sims 3, the level of general glitchiness and bugginess is rather unacceptable to me personally until EA makes better efforts to improve customer relations and the game itself. That will probably take about 2 years to work out.

gwynne

23rd Jul 2009, 6:32 PM

I uninstalled TS3 a few weeks ago (after not having played it much beyond the first week after release), and haven't looked back. Dove back into TS2--it's such a relief being back in TS2 which has SUCH a superior look & feel, and is so much more 'charming'.

Plus in TS2 I've made a Discworld/Elizabethan hood with all the medieval and fantasy CC available, which won't be possible in TS3 for a few years, I'm sure. I'm sure it's possible EA will release some amazing xpac that makes me consider reinstalling TS3 again, but I'm not counting on it.

The only thing I miss from TS3 is Create A Style, which (as I've said before) I would have paid $50 for them to just cram into TS2 instead.

lazzybum

24th Jul 2009, 9:15 PM

The first week of playing sims 3, i was hooked! it was so addicting and I thought to myself I wouldnt go back to sims 2, just like how I went from sims 1 to sims 2. Well after that I started to play less and less and by the 3rd week, I was pretty bored of it. Im currently playing sims 2 most of the time now.

Although I hope people would make hacks for the sims 2 that are based on the sims 3 o_o. For example, using ingredients to cook would be awesome in sims 2.

gialuan

25th Jul 2009, 3:11 AM

To me, Sims 2 will always reign supreme. I have all my CC and my sims don't look like clay models. I dunno what it is about the sims in Sims 3, but they don't look appealing or "attractive". And for some reason, I seem to get bored once I have babies in Sims 3. It's just a pain to raise the babies and it feels like forever. Viva la Sims 2!

Momare

25th Jul 2009, 3:49 AM

@FankH on the SecuROM thing: The amount of stink that was raised on the official Spore forums were a pretty strong force as well. It's nice to see that EA went for total avoidance rather than still sticking with the removal tool ("Don't worry, you can get rid of it. I mean, you won't be able to play your game, but that's what you wanted, right?")

Now, back to our scheduled topic.

I do feel it's entirely unfair to compare 2 and 3, at least in terms of content. We've come off of 8 expansion packs, x number of Stuff packs, and years of people warping and shaping code, meshes, everything into their likings. The gameplay is pretty solid, and it still retains the "What do you mean I've been playing for twelve hours!?" quality of its pappy and grandpappy. I generally bitch about expansion packs, but I think with one a lot of good can be done. I do share the complaints of certain locations having no use, and especially the total lack of wackiness in the game. And the towns feel claustrophobic after the first day. And body-changes reset after you switch households. And the lifetime happiness reward objects are pretty lousy. And...Ok, so there's a lot of crap wrong with the game. But the way I see it, if you go and play the original Sims 2, no expansions, no mods, nothing, it'd be a much more painful experience that the Sims 3. Once Maxis, and far more importantly, you slathering, psychotic geniuses out there, can get a handle on what the game can do and where it should be taken, I dare say that this game shall be pimpolicious.

coolsimsgal

25th Jul 2009, 4:10 AM

Me, because sims 3 faces look ugly in my opinion. Yet I really want to try it since better graphics and whole nieghborhood spying on other families etc. They should have worked longer on ts3, its just bad bad. I don't mind sticking to ts2 in the meantime, especially after using ccleaner my game runs way smooth. :cool:

KittyKuba

25th Jul 2009, 4:19 AM

stygia2002

25th Jul 2009, 4:20 AM

what's ccleaner?

Prosthetics

25th Jul 2009, 5:17 AM

I recently played the Sims 2 with NO CC on my other computer and it was fun. It was refreshing.

But yeah, it's totally wrong to compare the two at this stage.
And most of the stuff people are saying about TS3 are what people were saying about TS2 waaaay back when and most of them came to love TS2 after it got fleshed out. It'll just take some time.

I've barely explored TS2 like i should have so I'm waiting on TS3. I played TS1 until 2006 when I got a new computer.

From screen shots I've seen TS3 sims do look like playdoh. :rofl:

My first impression of the Sims 2, was amazing. I loved this game from the time I first began playing it (which, much like you, only happened in 2007)

I still love the Sims 1, but I do not think I will ever be able to even like TS3, at least not right away.

I don't think I'm going to actually play again until the price drops. Drastically. I didn't buy TS2 until it was $20.

KittyKuba

25th Jul 2009, 5:30 AM

My first impression of the Sims 2, was amazing. I loved this game from the time I first began playing it (which, much like you, only happened in 2007)

I still love the Sims 1, but I do not think I will ever be able to even like TS3, at least not right away.

I don't think I'm going to actually play again until the price drops. Drastically. I didn't buy TS2 until it was $20.

lol, man I bought it in 2006 for around $30.. ..and it didn't come with 2 or 3 expansions like it does now. Bad timing on my part.

I loved TS2 immediately too. Ever since I heard it had a genetics system my little heart was on fire for it. :bunny:

I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to TS1- the weird blocky shapes in old AKI wrestling games freak me out compared to the new THQ life like games so I can image playing TS1 would be like A Haunting for me.

Prosthetics

25th Jul 2009, 7:56 AM

It's not to say that I plan on picking up TS1 again anytime soon. I gave the complete collection pack to my little sister, and she loves it.

I enjoy genetics, and toddlers, and apartments waaaay to much.

arinabean

25th Jul 2009, 9:42 AM

I don't understand saying that it's "unfair" to compare TS2 and TS3. They are both attempting to compete for my attention right now, not in 4 or 5 years when the content and EPs will be similar. Perhaps I'd have a different view if TS3 had been sold with the content and gameplay of Pets and Seasons. The first Sims 2 EPs were all on multiple CDs, so this could be on multiple DVDs. Then they could plan a "city" expansion pack, with things from NL, OFB and AL. But, instead there'll be another billion overpriced EPs. Buying everything for TS2 after I'd bought it for TS1 was a bit annoying, but at least I was upgrading to real 3D and genetics. Now I'd be buying real 3D - no change, some fancy lighting effects - upgrade, and rubbish genetics - serious downgrade.

kasmar45

25th Jul 2009, 6:28 PM

cloffee

25th Jul 2009, 7:13 PM

gwynne

26th Jul 2009, 2:34 AM

I don't think 'fair' has much to do with it. I believe people who love The Sims 2 for its overall look & feel are able to determine, without or without expansion packs, whether they like the look & feel of The Sims 3. They shouldn't have to wait five years for their opinion to be considered valid.

As it stands, it's hard for me to imagine an expansion pack that causes me to love TS3 as much as TS2. TS3 feels wooden and lifeless, and I feel like I'm forced to play a certain way. Unless they completely overhaul/replace a whole lot of core gameplay (the horrible relationship 'trees', the clunky nightmare that is changing the active family, the rabbitholes...I could go on), I don't know what an expansion pack is really going to do for me. Being able to take my wooden, unaffectionate, puddingface sims on vacation or buy them a dog isn't going to help that much.

Prudensch

26th Jul 2009, 3:05 AM

stygia2002

26th Jul 2009, 4:18 AM

I find many features in TS3 cumbersome when it comes to playing my neighborhood, but overall, I like the game...it completely depends on what kind of mood I'm in as to which game I like better...sometimes Sims 2, sometimes Sims 3, sometimes even Sims 1. HP has a thread about creating unique looking sims in Sims 3, so I've been playing with that a bit. But mostly at the moment I'm goofing around with Sims 1.

severe_009

26th Jul 2009, 4:22 AM

Don't worry all of the expansions of TS2, the TS3 will also have, believe me in just 2 yrs. there will be i think 4 expansions hahahaha

xemptybrkneyesx

26th Jul 2009, 4:52 AM

Maranatah

26th Jul 2009, 11:33 AM

Well... I have installed and then uninstalled Sims 3 about 3 times now. Every time I install it, I say to myself that I have to give it a try, because I have loved so much TS1 and TS2. But everytime I uninstall it, I think that it's never going to be so great game to me, that it's worth of taking so much space on my PC. I mean, come on! the basegame (TS3) ALONE is almost 6 Gb's! I don't even want to think about, how much space it would take with all expansions. I have everything except M&G installed for Sims 2, and I really think that it's really worth of that 20 Gb's or so. I installed TS3 yesterday again, lets see how long it will last this time. I'm guessing about two or three playing sessions. It's really is a clear cut for me, I don't like the way sims look in it, and even with graphics turned maximum, inside houses is still dark and the camera is a huge pain in the *ss. And when I go back to my Sims 2, it's like I'm home again. No need to stress anymore, how everything works etc. And I really have so much new things to try in Sims 2, because I have been playing it only about ½ years now.
I also am annoyed because TS3 is so similar to Ts1 in many ways, they walk almost as strange and they stop before doing something the same way. Those moving eyes are just...creepy! I do like however (as perhaps all of you) that open neighborhood, but it's really not that great when you can't even see them in community lots (like stores).

I think Ts3 is going to be just one piece of my Sims-collection, as I have them all now. But I am, and will be TS2-fan always :)

KittyKuba

26th Jul 2009, 12:03 PM

I agree completely. I have no idea why so many people are defending their game by saying, "In a year or so you'll take back what you said when the Expansion Packs fix the game's problems." The thing is I doubt they'll want to fix the issues, they'll just want to add things that they think will take consumer's minds off the core problems with the game.

We're not actually defending it. Don't know if you noticed but the poster I quoted (Prosthetics) HATES THE SIMS 3 AND PREFERS 2 and from what I've seen/heard I'm in no rush to get TS3 AT ALL- so, we're not "defending" it, we're just saying some people are jumping the gun and some of these same people will be playing TS3 again when everything levels out.
That's not defending, that's try to type rationally. :D

xemptybrkneyesx

26th Jul 2009, 12:20 PM

KittyKuba

27th Jul 2009, 4:00 AM

:) I guess I shouldn't have said completely, then. I do think that people are possibly thinking that new expansions will solve the problems everyone seems to be having with the game when I believe the creators will be more focused on adding new objects and features to it than doing so. I guess we'll all see when they do release the first expansion pack. :p

I think the same thing too, like instead of fixing the emptyness factor and play doh jaws they'll be like look "a new fancy toliet!".

It seems to me, like the creators of TS3 are attempting to cripple CC and hacks.

Maranatah

27th Jul 2009, 5:48 PM

I think the same thing too, like instead of fixing the emptyness factor and play doh jaws they'll be like look "a new fancy toliet!".

It seems to me, like the creators of TS3 are attempting to cripple CC and hacks.

I agree with you! That's what I have been thinking since I saw how TS3 look like at the first place... because cc's won't bring money to their table, unless those are in their official stuff packs. I'm positive that the game in itself doesn't change from what it is now, they just sell new stuff. :(

Nalia

27th Jul 2009, 7:20 PM

The problem with TS3 is not the lack of custom content and expansion packs, which sooner or later will be out, but its gameplay. It feels as if all the liberty we were given with TS2 had been taken away from us now. Should TS3 had been like TS2, adding the seamless neighbourhood and the character traits, we would had been talking about the game of the year.

Diamond123Girl

27th Jul 2009, 7:23 PM

=3 yes theres some of us left in the world who haven't fallen for the sims 3. Well i actually was pulled in i know i know the guilt ruins me lol. I bought for one reason i like snapped my sims 2 disc without realising and tried to re install it which almost crashed my pc .... so i bought the sims 3 :alarm: was i drunk no i was actually exicted at first :Pint:

But then i played it and it was soooo slow :cry: and laggy. I personally miss my sims 2 now i want to buy it back and get deluxe so i can have nightlife ^^
:( it was the best sims game ever i mean come on sims 3 may have a seamless neighbourhood which is cool yet the house windows are black until you go in them which looks odd and besides the seamless neighbourhood theres not much i love about it. I mean yeah it was ok ... great stuff that i'd never had before.

But i won't miss it ... i just love the sims 2 since i could have more than 1000 downloads and the game would not lag so my computer ran fast which was just epic. Yet sims 3 i installed it and :turtle: it was so AHH slowwwwww!!!

Personally i loved the graphics of sims 2 more aswell some of my sims were more realistic than that of the sims 3 and you could make skinny sims and you had more variety to make any sim you wanted.

:!: and may i say thats just the start of it i can't say everything without swearing :blink: :!:

Stop me if you think im going insane :bunny: but to me even the sims 1 was more fun+better than sims 3 .... =P eh hehhe lol

It's not as bad as i make it out to be im just being dramatic but eh it kills to miss the sims 2 =[ its burning a hole in my heart for the sims. I MISS SIMS 2

Sure some people will love the sims 3 so we all have our own opinions let's leave that at that
:deal:

WayBack

27th Jul 2009, 7:45 PM

I tried to play Sims 2 last night and I exited the game after 10 minutes, I was completely bored. There's no turning back for me.

rebgirl79

27th Jul 2009, 8:16 PM

I took TS3 off my computer until there are some decent EPs, hacks, mods, and CC. I love the idea, but it needs those things to be fun for me. Too, I hate not being able to go inside community buildings! Does that bug anyone else?? I think it has the potential to be awesome, but it's not there yet. :blink:

Diamond123Girl

27th Jul 2009, 8:19 PM

Yeah i had high hopes i thought community lots restaurants??? *excited by now* since i had only ever had sims 2 original which only had the groccery store/clothes store. But then i find out you can't go in them what a let down. Hopefully they will do something about this in future. But for me it's just going to be sims 2 the best darn sims game money can buy lol ^^ im going to get sims 2 deluxe

Maranatah

27th Jul 2009, 8:38 PM

Diamond123Girl

27th Jul 2009, 8:45 PM

D= yup i do like the part were you can make your sims work hard,slack ect but what i would have also loved something ive always wanted is to watch your sims at work or at school. Ive always wanted that lol i don't know why. But i do like how the school bus actually goes to the school yeah i followed it i thought it would just dissapear of the screen like on sims 2. Yet it would have been better with some more pupils inside the bus rather than just your sims and the occasional friend

jaydock

2nd Aug 2009, 4:57 AM

Every night I am faced with a choice: Sims 2 or 3?
So far TS2 is winning 40:2.
The only times I have played TS3 are out of a sense of guilt that I paid $100 for it so I should at least give it a go...but then as soon as I'm confronted by those Neolithic, round-shouldered, moon-faced goons I'm hitting the eject button.

I agree with you 100%. This has definitely been my experience so far. I only play TS3 because I feel like I should since I shelled out so much money for it.

I thought I would love the seamless neighborhood and storyline, but it all just feels too massive to me. I had one of my sims dating a sim pre-made in the game, and they were my favorite couple. When her girlfriend came over one day, though, she was suddenly an elder! I HATED that. I really like being able to control when my sims age and how they do.

Also, I really don't like not being able to go inside community lots. There are no dance clubs or anything in TS3 and I don't like that.

TS2 is what made me love The Sims, and it will stay that way.

iArtiket

4th Aug 2009, 5:31 AM

I played "The Sims 3" and I enjoyed it. I like the features such as the Create-A-Style mode, which finally allowed me to customize everything to my own style and the traits which make things feel realistic, since my sims now have benefits and makes them more unique in my mind, I also like the fact that they made it more realistic by adding stuff such as going to the stadium watching a movie and taking a tour, the side jobs where you have to go somewhere before a set date and also the fact that you can follow your sims everywhere, there are also some options that your sims have that definately makes it more realistic. I also like that everything is more streamiled and the fact that you can now go to Jail, that there's now a curfew in effect and that Sims can go to other lots without you telling them to go there.

What I hate about the game is that you cannot go into the resturants, book store, theather, city hall, basically any building that's not a home, pool, park, library, gym or art museum. You can only watch as you imagine what your sims might be doing in there. I also dislike the fact that they included even fewer objects then before. I mean I like the Create-A-Style mode but give me a break, they should of given us more objects for us to play with. Also something feels missing from this game, mainly some stuff are gone, such as diving boards, hot tubs, etc... I don't know what's missing exactly but it definately makes the game feel half-done inside. How can you have a sim game if you can't have all of the things that you want. Also for a builder, there's even less things that you can build. That's why I love The Sims 2, there are so many things that you can build, it's like letting your wild imagination go wild.

Emma,

6th Aug 2009, 7:33 AM

I absolutely HATE TS3. It is horrible, the graphics are bad and it runs so slow it's unbelievable. I also hate it that you can't see in the community lots. I spent $80 on that crap so I sold it the day after I got it.

freeasabird

6th Aug 2009, 12:20 PM

I prefer the Sims 2 the main reason is the time line in Sims3 is tragic. I played it for 3 straight days, loved the sea fishing and after I got used to it clicking the neighbourhood and a few other bits and pieces, but I was so frustrated at the fact I could not really play more than one household due to the fact other sims were aging, getting fired etc, so frustrating! I also get a bit attached the little guys and found this game just too constrictive, yet it is advertised as “opening the door” for Sims. I found it more like closing it. I think what said it all was after I had returned to the Sims2 a friend came over and grinned and said “Well that’s a first you usually spend weeks playing a new Sim expack, how bad is this new game?”

Nahishooka

6th Aug 2009, 12:34 PM

Does anyone like TS2 better than TS3?

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Although that their appearance is probably more realistic, i think in the sims 3 the sims are much 'Robot-like'. it's very difficult for me to become attached to them, i mean, they looks much less human to me, and it's a bummer.
The game is sloowwwww at the community areas so it takes out the fun from playing.
The genetic system is poor, why the hell when i 'merge' a redheadish and a blondish, the baby turns up as a black with grey stripes headed?! :faceslap:
There is no memories :(.
I dont like how the game system.. you know, that you cant just put 20 families in different houses and just play normal :P

enough complaining! :lol:
i got to say, beside the 'embrace' action (i was addicted to it XD), and mayyybe the designing system with the patterns, i prefer the sims 2 in a huge lead. :cool:

about the traits system, i think it's very nice, but i haven't got the feeling that in the sims 2 they have no personality; i think that the aspirations and the personality components really do the works. in the sims 2 - i have a family related/Charismatic/Childish/Commitment Issues(et cetera..) sims that you have to be blind in order to not to see it XD.

WOW, i really wrote too much O___O.

freeasabird

6th Aug 2009, 1:00 PM

gwynne

6th Aug 2009, 2:55 PM

I was checking out the 'baby & toddler' screenshot threads for Sims 2 vs Sims 3, and I had forgotten how non-cute kids are in TS3.

Sims 2:

http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=341863&goto=lastpost

Sims 3:

http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=345814&goto=lastpost

stygia2002

6th Aug 2009, 8:22 PM

:lol: That first kid in the Sims 3 shots is a bad example...the non-demon possessed kids are okay, but you're right, the Sims 2 kids are cuter.

gwynne

6th Aug 2009, 8:26 PM

Oops, that wasn't intentional, I just linked to the last page of each. :)

Yikes. Chucky.

stygia2002

6th Aug 2009, 11:43 PM

I think he makes Chucky look cuddly....eep! :)

DancingSimmer

7th Aug 2009, 12:44 AM

Personally, I prefer The Sims 2. I am not sure why exactly, but I do.

2112mon

7th Aug 2009, 3:03 AM

I can't run TS3, so I prefer the one that actually plays on my computer right now. The same kind of thing is with me. :blink:

ani_

7th Aug 2009, 7:34 AM

I was addicted to sims 2 for years and it will always be a kick ass game, but I'm more addicted to sims 3 now. I got it the day it came out, and I can't get enough of it.

I do admit that story progression and town agin is not my thing. I actually play it with awsomemod and have TS2 aging on, so only the house I play will age. I like playing all my families, instead of just seeing them live their own life without me.

I think what prooves the best that in my world the sims 3 is superior is that in sims 2, i never reached the fourth generation in a family (once I might have had a fourth generation born, but never got them past baby, and before switching to sims 3 I had one of my sims pregnant with the fourth generation), usually I either got bored and un-installed, or just restarted. In sims 3, base game only, my fourth generation girl just had her kid birthday.

tim and dan

7th Aug 2009, 7:25 PM

I've never cared about graphics or anything. I haven't got TS3 'cos my computer has very little memory and I am NOT deleting all my hard work on TS2! Please make more TS2 expansion packs EA!

kennyinbmore

7th Aug 2009, 7:27 PM

Nellabella126

9th Aug 2009, 10:51 PM

I do.

If I tried to explain why, it would take forever. I just like TS2 better and I actually love it even more now that I've tried to play TS3.

This is me. I don't like hardly anything about TS3. It actually made me miss TS2!!! Good thing I still have TS2 installed.

The rabbitholes :blink: what were they thinking.

gwynne

9th Aug 2009, 11:07 PM

Nothing personal but it sounds like you have a crappy computer

To be fair, when a lot of people refer to the 'bad graphics' of TS3 I think they're referring to the overall aesthetic. I don't think I've seen anyone try to argue that TS3 is terribly amazing-looking. I guess this is partially due to the lighting but I also can't stand the TS3 aesthetics (see: puddingfaces).

'Slowness' could be due to an older system, yeah, but a lot of people seem to still be having problems with the speed controls.

ashy555

11th Aug 2009, 1:30 PM

I bought the sims 3 after buying a new video card and more ram for my computer and it still runs like absolute cr@p. I have to have the settings on the lowest for it to even run a bit smoother, so i gave up after a few days. Wasted like 500 dollars but whatever. So now i bought the rest of the sims 2 expansion packs because they are so cheap and i still play it all the time. The sims are waaaay more attractive =P. But i kind of wish i could play the sims 3 still :(

Vanito

11th Aug 2009, 1:32 PM

To be fair, when a lot of people refer to the 'bad graphics' of TS3 I think they're referring to the overall aesthetic. I don't think I've seen anyone try to argue that TS3 is terribly amazing-looking. I guess this is partially due to the lighting but I also can't stand the TS3 aesthetics (see: puddingfaces).

'Slowness' could be due to an older system, yeah, but a lot of people seem to still be having problems with the speed controls.

Without custom skins and hacks the sims 3 sims are dang fugly.

Vanito

11th Aug 2009, 1:32 PM

The rabbitholes :blink: what were they thinking.

They were thinking CASH... expansion pack.

PennyTheCorgi

11th Aug 2009, 1:34 PM

Meh. TS3 is ok but TS2 will always be my fav. Its pretty hard for EAxis to outdo themselves after TS2. I personally have had a hard time getting use to how different everything is in TS3. Not to mention the horrible clay skins, ugh.

MatthewHodkinson24

11th Aug 2009, 2:57 PM

I prefer Sims 2, because there is more to do, and you cant get bored :)

stygia2002

11th Aug 2009, 3:56 PM

TS3 has alot of potential, but I'm preferring TS2 right now...but then again I preferred TS1 last week. Just depends on my mood. Next week I'll be back to wanting to play TS3.

Prosthetics

11th Aug 2009, 4:12 PM

I envy you and your ability to have all 3 on your system.

HaphazardSim

11th Aug 2009, 4:59 PM

I'm going to buy a new EP for Sims2...I might have to redownload my CC though :(

stygia2002

11th Aug 2009, 6:01 PM

I envy you and your ability to have all 3 on your system.

:D Well, I was due for a new system since my old one wouldn't even load Sims 2 after I installed Freetime...so I asked for a new computer that can play all of my games (especially Sims 3) for Christmas last year. I've never had my own brand new computer before...my husband buys himself a nice computer every few years and then gives me his old out of date computer, complete with all of his old files to fill up the disk space (that is, if it still works). I'm hoping this computer will last awhile because I won't be getting a replacement anytime soon. :lol:

Prosthetics

11th Aug 2009, 6:03 PM

My computer itself is brand new, but it's a laptop...hardly a gaming computer, but handy!

And it was a nice surprise since my desktop will not read TS2's discs.

BrilliantJ

12th Aug 2009, 4:21 PM

I'm still convinced TS2 is superior to TS3. I feel like TS3 took a couple baby steps forward, and everything else went slightly backwards. Or sideways. Or just weird.

stygia2002

12th Aug 2009, 7:07 PM

My computer itself is brand new, but it's a laptop...hardly a gaming computer, but handy!

And it was a nice surprise since my desktop will not read TS2's discs.

Any idea why your desktop won't read your TS2 disks? That's so weird.

Laptops are nice though...I'd like to have one just to take with me on trips.

Prosthetics

13th Aug 2009, 12:53 AM

I have no idea, the people at EA tried to tell me that it wasn't reading the disc fast enough..but it reads discs at 14x, so I don't know what they're talking about (since the Sims only needs 8x to run.)

It's nice on days that are filled with building, because at least then I don't need to sit in the same spot the whole time (otherwise I'd be really sore XD)

VladCrau

13th Aug 2009, 10:21 AM

I don't have TS3, but I played it for about half an hour on somebody's computer. All I can say is that I prefer TS2. Sure, TS3 has it's good parts, like the trait system, the ability to color pretty much anything and the seamless neighborhood. But TS2 feels... complete.
Why, in the name of Belladona Cove, didn't EA just make more EP's for TS2?

kennyinbmore

13th Aug 2009, 3:19 PM

Why, in the name of Belladona Cove, didn't EA just make more EP's for TS2?

Progress

gwynne

13th Aug 2009, 5:33 PM

Progress: Ur Doin' it Wrong

I'm getting to the point of seriously feeling that ceasing expansion packs for TS2 when they did was a mistake. Of course, they really can't do it now, as it would be tantamount to admitting that a lot of the fanbase is not happy with TS3. I'm sure they'll keep trying to 'fix' TS3, or at least keep trying to convince us that we should play the franchise the way they want us to play it now, as an RPG/quest game.

dicey

14th Aug 2009, 4:00 PM

I like the sound of the traits but there's literally nothing else about Sims 3 that excites me. I don't like the way they look and I haven't since they showed the first screenshots, they just look weird and ugly to me. There's no justification for the rabbit hole thing, that's at most a couple of weeks more work for them to put it in. There's no justification for the absence of pets either. I dislike the idea of being asked to pay for an incomplete game AND buying a cardigan with real money from their store. It seems geared up to squeezing more and more cash out of the franchise in a way that's just not reasonable.

They're holding out on us basically. If there was at least a full game there then I'd feel the expansion packs would improve the game instead of just filling in the bits they deliberately left out. I think I'll stick with Sims 2 at least until there's a base game + 2 expansion pack deal or something.

I could be wrong but I think Sims 3 will get less expansion packs than previous games and Sims 4 will be out sooner than you think.

KittyKuba

15th Aug 2009, 6:23 AM

Oh I forgot the traits thing, I noticed that the neighbourhood was populated with social outcasts, I mean they were all bonkers? Who would want to make a Sim and have him/her get together with one of the EAxis nutters? LOL

I would lol, I like outcasts. I've made whole neighborhoods of them in TS2.
But I am also nuts. :rofl:

Diamond123Girl

16th Aug 2009, 2:43 PM

Im waiting for someone to buy my sims 3 off amazon so i can buy back sims 2 and get nightlife. The sims 3 wasn't all that bad it's just to slow for my computer and if they had kept the graphics fo sims 2 i'd of loved it a sims 2 with seamless neighbourhood. Ts2 ftw! :rolleyes: :D

diaantje61

29th Aug 2009, 7:05 AM

I quit playing ts3 a week ago and went back to Sims 2.It is sooooo much more fun !! Sims move quickly here and are much more alive with their cheeky interactions.One of my Sims is pregnant now and I'm longing for that baby,so they can bathe it and turn in to this qute toddler that sreams it's head off when it just wakes up.It's much more real life! With Sims 3 I missed all of the fun-interactions like making out on the couch,sqeezing the buttocks,being annoyed by a boring conversation,the toddler interactions.Okay,I have loading-sreens again,but that I will take for granted,my sims can still go places and ofcourse cc,I've downloaded about a 1000 items and enjoying great kitchens and bathrooms again.EA has taken so much of the humour out of the game>In my opinion they should have just opened up the neighbourhood,enhanced the graphics,put create a style in and should have left the simmies the way they were,that would have been plenty for me.

1ove

29th Aug 2009, 7:24 AM

I've, uh, actually not purchased TS3 yet. I'm undecided, as I've heard both good and bad of it. I'm afraid of not being able to survive without the TS2 items and a couple EPs, but on the other hand I'm so curious.

Astaroth600

30th Aug 2009, 1:33 AM

I think I've only played the sims3 for about 5 days and I already miss the sims2. Don't get me wrong, the whole seamless world was a great idea though I do miss making neighbourhoods. I mean, it's the exact same neighborhood over and over again as well as the fact that there isn't much flexibility in creating new empty lots.

stygia2002

30th Aug 2009, 2:39 AM

I've found that Sims 3 is fun (it's like combining Sims 2 with WOW, especially in light of the new EP coming out), but I get bored after awhile, and I'm much more drawn to Sims 2, for many reasons...and I can play for several hours without being bored.

rmrm

30th Aug 2009, 3:04 AM

I played The Sims 3 nonstop since release till about this week. I REALLY wanted to play 2 for some reason, but I couldn't find my disc ANYWHERE. I ended up having to buy Double Deluxe, but at least I still had all my EPs and SPs. :D

Anyway, I really think I prefer 2. The custom content is awesome. I have no idea why they didn't let you have more skintones other than default replacements, because the skintones in 3 were awful, and even if you download a replacement, the game makes them extremely pixelly and ugly, even at high settings.

I do miss some things about 3 though, like traits. They are infinitely better than the personality system. I like 3's camera better, too, but I haven't gotten around to DLing a camera mod for 2 yet.

I think I'll periodically keep switching between 2 and 3, but for now I'm going to be playing 2.

joninmobile

30th Aug 2009, 3:35 AM

Sims 2 is a lot funner to play than the sims 3 in my opinion. When I first bought the sims 3, I was uber excited about it. I loved it, and couldn't rave enough about it. But after actually playing it for quite a while it kind of lost it's appeal to me. Now I do have the sims 3 on my computer, but I never play it. I really enjoy the sims 2 and all there is to offer in that game. Sims 3 lacks something special the awe that sims 2 had. I totally have more fun with 2 than with 3, I don't think I ever really want to go back to 3.

Essa

30th Aug 2009, 3:40 AM

Although that their appearance is probably more realistic, i think in the sims 3 the sims are much 'Robot-like'. it's very difficult for me to become attached to them, i mean, they looks much less human to me, and it's a bummer.

The genetic system is poor, why the hell when i 'merge' a redheadish and a blondish, the baby turns up as a black with grey stripes headed?! :faceslap:

There is no memories :(.

I dont like how the game system.. you know, that you cant just put 20 families in different houses and just play normal :P

I just spent several hours playing TS2 and I'm still discovering things.
I can't stand the idea of firing up TS3. I just hate that game.

Marcalyn

31st Aug 2009, 12:13 AM

I bought Sims 3, but my computer wouldn't run it too good. The graphics board couldn't run it well enough. Actually it could barely run sims 2 and now I can't play it at all because the hard drive crashed. When I get things going again, I'll play both. I could never leave Sims 2 because my favorite family is there and I'd miss them. It's too bad you couldn't put them in Sims 3...or could you? I got to like making custom hoods for sims 2 with sc4 and I don't know what you can do with sims 3. I only got i n that game once, then the graphics messed up. It looks like you could really make a sim look more like you want with all the extra places to adjust the face that sims 2 didn't have.

Nalia

31st Aug 2009, 1:18 AM

No matter how much you adjust the sliders to make it, the Sim's face will still be fat, pudding-shaped. And then you will need lot of make up to make it look somewhat... normal. *shivers*

PhantasyGurl

31st Aug 2009, 1:49 AM

I like TS3 much better for many reasons. I will admit there are quite a bit issues with TS3 but I can deal with it. There is no way I can go back to the old loading screens and love CAS toooo much. :) I will admit there are many things I do miss in TS2! :D

Miss Simpleton

31st Aug 2009, 2:17 AM

Well I dont have Sims 3 yet. If I do get it I want to make sure they got the bugs out. But from what I see, it has good and bad points. For me a huge bad is the look of the Sims. They just seem like fat dolls to me no matter who makes them. I like the idea of no loading time since mine takes 45 min to load.
But the thing is, I am involved in the life of my Sims 2 so not like I can just abandon them. So i dont know yet.

Bunnylips

31st Aug 2009, 2:43 AM

I have both Sims2 and Sims3 on my computer. I've tried so hard to like Sims3 but I just don't. I feel it's a huge step backward in so many ways...as OPs have said in endless posts. I've gone back to Sims2 with a huge sigh of relief. EA has committed the really stupid blunder of abandoning a charming Sims2 and developing a poorly crafted game in which ugly Sims lumber grimly through their lives boring the disappointed Sims3 player to death.

stygia2002

31st Aug 2009, 4:13 AM

I like the idea of no loading time since mine takes 45 min to load.
.

45 minutes?! What kind of system are you playing on (how much RAM?) and how much CC do you have? That seems like an excessive load time.

gwynne

31st Aug 2009, 12:22 PM

45 minutes does sound pretty amazing. I can't say the loading screens ever bothered me much (either before or after TS3), but my game loads from the start button in about five minutes, and between lots in about 30 seconds. As such, I guess I was never in a good position to appreciate the TS3 'open neighborhood' anyway--it just made it feel flat and cheap, and the tricks they had to do to make it happen (like dynamically spawning service drones and whatever) were too easy for me to spot.

45 minutes though, how does that happen?

crocobaura

31st Aug 2009, 12:35 PM

45 minutes though, how does that happen?

Probably lots and lots of custom content. Or a really old computer.

joninmobile

31st Aug 2009, 12:36 PM

maybe they were exaggerating. :P

crocobaura

31st Aug 2009, 12:40 PM

Not really.On my old computer (that is about 3 computers ago), when I had just basegame I used to have lots of cc, like 6 or 7 Gb. It took about 40 minutes to load the game, from desktop to inside the lot. :rofl:

joninmobile

31st Aug 2009, 12:45 PM

Wowie! 6 or 7 Gigs of CC? That's way too much, I only have like 110 mb of cc. But then most of my packages are only 1 kb in size.

I_Love_Simming

31st Aug 2009, 12:50 PM

I prefer sims 2. There are alot of things in sims 3 that are great, but theres alot of stuff missing. Its all so different. Plus i had to install the sims 3 on my dads computer in the living room, which makes it awkward to play because he doesn't like me playing it while he's there :/. And i carn't get CC to work in the sims 3. Its just not showing up at all and ive tryed everything...so that kind of puts me of. The sims 2 just seems easier and more fun to me. I do like sims 3 but 2 will always be top of my list.

gwynne

31st Aug 2009, 12:51 PM

Wow, 45 min loading time would make me pretty crazy. I usually end up unloading and reloading my game 2 or 3 times in a given session, to tweak custom content or otherwise edit stuff outside of the game.

To get mildly back on-topic, I'm still really enjoying this phase of TS2 in my life. Like a lot of people, I think, I go in on-again, off-again spurts. This time, however, my theme neighborhood is one of the biggest projects I've taken on in the game, and there's always something to do or further customize, so it's kept my attention longer than usual.

I still watch the TS3 threads and articles, and nothing is making me want to reinstall it--especially not the new expansion pack, which frankly sounds terrible.

Titanslayer

31st Aug 2009, 7:25 PM

I'll stick to TS3, if only for the Create-A-Style Tool. I don't think I'd be able to live without it. No more downloading 30 recolors of one item just to get a room to match. I can now have it look exactly the way I want :)

The traits system, open neighborhood, and choice of shoes and accessories is a nice addition too :)

Elven Moon

31st Aug 2009, 11:28 PM

I only just got Sims 3 a few days ago, as I was waiting to both have the money for it AND get a new computer that can handle it.

So far I can't really enjoy the game because I *hate* the camera. It slides by too fast and I can't focus on one specific thing or angle I'd like to take a picture of. I don't know if the wonky way the sims look will grow on me, I guess only time will tell. And I'm frustrated by lack of custom content (although I realize it'll be a few years before we have a satisfying stock of that like we did with Sims 2).

For now, I'm mostly sticking with Sims 2. It's what I know, it does what I want and there's years worth of stuff to download for it :)

catvonpaxton

31st Aug 2009, 11:45 PM

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....i play only TS3 at the moment...But i know how you guys feel...
Specially in the beginning i could not stand all the limited content and biulding options...also hobbies etc. but was anyway playing sims 3 to see what it has....
After that, really disappointed, i wanted to go back to my TS2....welcome CC, welcome all my gorgeous Sims---but nope, it wasn't possible....It seemed now to repetetive to me, no traits, no nothing...

I'm playing TS3 now...and like to digg for new CC, that comes out each day, surch the forums for new amazing pictures of facial expressions or new skins...and specailly have this small surprises each time i play!!!

Also nice: the stuff i want to have, the houses i want to live in, the make up i want to wear do not exist at the moment in TS3, so i am forced to create something amazing by myself! Challanging as hell! :cool:

MaryseDynasty121

1st Sep 2009, 9:04 AM

I like The Sims 2 Better Because it has WAY MORE SIM CREATION STUFF.... i like the view better, Neighborhoods, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE UNLIMITED SAVED GAMES!!! While TS3 Only gives you 4 OR 5!

MaryseDynasty121

1st Sep 2009, 9:09 AM

Oh and Instead of TS3, Maxis Could have made a EP that Would have given TS2 the Abilities of TS3! That Would be AWSOME!

kleoscanti

1st Sep 2009, 9:24 AM

I love TS2 much more than TS3. Especially since TS3 started to crash unsystematically every single time I try playing it. The only thing that was improved is Painting. The open village becomes boring after a couple of weeks as there is nothing to do in it. The same goes to the "almighty" CAS. TS3 is playable, but is not even half as great as TS2.

gwynne

1st Sep 2009, 12:44 PM

Oh and Instead of TS3, Maxis Could have made a EP that Would have given TS2 the Abilities of TS3! That Would be AWSOME!

Since it's been a few weeks since I've said this: I'd pay the $50 just to get Create-A-Style into TS2, because that's the *only* thing I found myself missing when I uninstalled TS3.

Won't happen, but I would.

kennyinbmore

1st Sep 2009, 3:19 PM

I like The Sims 2 Better Because it has WAY MORE SIM CREATION STUFF.... i like the view better, Neighborhoods, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE UNLIMITED SAVED GAMES!!! While TS3 Only gives you 4 OR 5!

I currently have 6 saves in my TS3, so I'm not sure you know what you're talking about

gwynne

1st Sep 2009, 3:52 PM

Yup. Out of the various reasons to dislike TS3, the 'limited saves' thing is just a misunderstanding.

diaantje61

2nd Sep 2009, 9:23 AM

I,ve been playing sims2 again and what I noticed now is that simmies here are so much more energetic and happy.Kids in sims 3 always look so serious ( and they look alike ).When they own a coffee-maker,they can have coffee together and chat,they dance better and have more fun doing so-the making out on the couch is a lot of fun to watch-you actually see them get into their cars....There is just so much going on in sim's lives ( even without a lot of cc).I don't see myself going back to sims3 with it's crappy gameplay.I've been playing Sims since 2001 and never got bored with it,but Sims 3 is in its gameplay very disappointing to me.Now,I've been downloading again and found a lot of cc that's even more gorgeous than the ones I used to have.I can create my own neighbourhood again and have have great-looking Simmies.With Sims 3 I used so many hacks to make the game somewhat enjoyable as in Sims 2 I never had to use any....No,I'm fed up with Sims3

Aelase

2nd Sep 2009, 8:55 PM

I've hardly played TS2 since I got TS3, but Im missing it terribly. While some things in TS3 are really great, like CAST and the traits, the sims themselves... I just dislike them. I don't get attatched to the Sims 3 sims like I did in TS2. I want the features of TS3 and the look of TS2.
If only Will Wright had been involved in TS3, maybe it wouldnt have lost the magic...

gwynne

2nd Sep 2009, 10:31 PM

If only Will Wright had been involved in TS3, maybe it wouldnt have lost the magic...

I'd love to see him return to the Sims and/or SimCity franchises--I might even give EA more of my money at that point. But I get the sense he's really moved on and I somehow doubt he's hurting for cash.

supersimoholic

3rd Sep 2009, 5:56 PM

i dunno, i did enjoy the sims 3.
but i do like sims 2 better - not for all the CC and expansions, becasue my comp was so rubbish i could only just about play with the base game alone.
the seamless naibourhood is awsome and the whole create-a-style-mix-your-own-colour thing is epic, but to be honest, not much else is, and 2 things is not enough to make a great game...
i think the toddlers and children all look too much aline no matter what there parents genes are and there REALLY ugly. and i hate the baby swaddle!! atleast the kids in sims 2 were cute!

so, yeah, i think the base game of sims 2 alone is better than sims 3.

happymintchocolate

3rd Sep 2009, 6:19 PM

i like the gameplay of sims2 and the shape of people and stuff but i like the graphics on sims3 so i they did sims2 with sims3 graphics that would be good otherwise i prefer sims 2 to sims 3

Prosthetics

3rd Sep 2009, 10:54 PM

Sims 3 distributes the idea that it might be slightly more enjoyable, but only for the few things it adds. Sim design? A few steps backward. Customization of your sims and furniture? A few steps forward. Release of a vacation EP first? A couple hundred steps back (Has EA learned nothing?) Seamless neighborhoods may seem attractive, as does story mode (in it's own way) but I've heard that the 1 am freezes where the babies are adopted, had, etc are close to unbearable.

summersong86

5th Sep 2009, 5:42 AM

I always enjoy reading topics like these, reading other people's viewpoints. I'm still playing both. I'm playing Sims2 for enjoyment and go into Sims3 just to wrap up a couple of characters and put them in limbo until the next EP comes out. Basically I'm marrying off 2 girls my daughter and I have been playing because frankly we ran out of things for them to do. Autumn has built up her gardening, fishing and cooking skills so she's marrying a male roommate who's working on his gardening skills. They'll settle down on a farm and I'll turn Story Progression loose on them and see what happens. I gave them a couple of cribs so I won't see babies on the floor when I visit with another character. Emma reached the top of the career ladder and is boring me and my daughter to tears now. There's nothing left to do with her but marry her off to another male roommate who is a successful author. Let them have larva, let them raise their teenaged roommate. Whatever. Yawn. zzzzzzz.

In contrast, Sims2 I've got a whole town of characters I can easily control at any time without any cumbersome worries about losing inventories when I switch houses. I've got good witches, evil witches, farmers, celebrities (living non-celebrity lives but at least they have swanky clubs to hang out in). I have businesses to try my hand at running, and pets to train. And all this in a beautiful setting that I completely control. I can change it to suit any whim. I can easily build an entirely different looking town with a different topography and feel.

My Sims2 game is complete. I will be playing and exploring all the facets of Sims2 for a long time to come. And best of all, it's all paid for.

The thing that worries me about Sims3 is that it took about $40 worth of additional purchases from the EA Store (thanks to gift cards I got for my birthday) to flesh out the build and buy objects and wardrobe to make the game feel less constrained. That is a hell of a lot of money on top of the base game purchase to buy a really incomplete, claustrophobic game play experience.

I keep hearing how it's not fair to compare this to the fully fleshed out Sims2 experience, but really, you'd think with the next generation game we would not have had to go all the way back to square one. We lost half-walls, spiral stairs--really very basic build objects. We also lost swimmable oceans. We lost so many items that made public venues enjoyable and realistic--like bowling alleys, pool tables, to name a couple.

When I've taken a Sims3 sim into a park to take advantage of what little is there, I've found just odd inexplicable behavior, like townies throwing newly grilled food onto the ground and walking off. What the heck is THAT about? I don't know if it's a bug but it's happened several times to me and I've had to have my sim clean up the mess. And we've already talked elsewhere about the horrid issue with abandoned babies littering the landscape. Going to visit a neighbor was supposed to be fun but when you go visit one of your own created sims and see an unexpected larva baby dropped unceremoniously on the ground, and realize what a huge pain in the tail it would be to switch households just to give that family a crib and baby accessories...you really want to run screaming from the game. And I do.

At this point I play Sims3 because I feel obliged to. After getting gift cards for my birthday I don't want my family or I to feel they wasted their money so I play. I'm setting up some characters to be ready to go on World Adventure...eventually. It is too expensive and I don't think I'll get it very soon after it comes out.

EDIT: I forgot to mention I have come to appreciate the way Sims3 sims look. I actually prefer the look of Sims3 sims only because the townies and my own created sims are not so different as to look like completely different species. Since I don't use default replacement skintones in Sims2, it is jarring to see townies interacting with my own custom characters. THAT is something in Sims2 I'm not liking. But at least it's fixable, if I'd make the effort at some point.

Prosthetics

5th Sep 2009, 5:55 AM

I think all the different faces and whatnot in TS2 is part of the appeal, for me. (It seems as though a lot of TS3 sims I have seen are very similar...not identical, but eerily similar.)

Granted, I didn't enjoy when my sims fell for terrible looking townies, and then produced such ugly offspring that I deleted them. But that was part of the mystery. You never really knew what kind of sim you would get.

Hushpuppygirl

5th Sep 2009, 9:20 AM

I get so attached to my Sims. I have to refrain from taking pictures of every moment of their life as to not blow up my computer. In Sims3 not only do I have to leave behind all my CC and Sims, but its just plain... Whats the word? I don't know, annoying? It seems like every bit of CC has an extra sense of danger. Because of how complicated creating and using CC can be it just makes me want to stay away from it. My Sim picture addiction is even worse on Sims3 because they don't have memories. I cannot play more than one family on a neighborhood either, as I don't want to miss my Sims life. I enjoy "babysitting, or parenting" my Sims way more than being "god".

In a way you are "God" to your Sims in Sims3. Your job is to keep them happy. They ask for something and if you don't give it to them they freak out. "Parenting" your Sims gives you great opportunities to "raise" your Sims. In the Sims3 your Sims think for them self way to much. (What if they run away? :P Wait they can...)

I don't know this is a great place to rant. I need to get this out >_< My family has no clue what I am talking about when I do get on a role about this. I don't even know if what I said makes any since. I am not going back over it that's for sure >_< :P

The open neighborhood was awesome when I first installed Sims3. However, now that I just recently got the chance to reinstall Sims2 onto my new laptop it does not seem all that awesome anymore. Sims2 runs quite smoothly on my new laptop even with my 795MB of downloads. That's quiet small for me, as I have just gotten the game running. However that would have slowed the game down quite miserably on my older computer.

parrot999

5th Sep 2009, 11:39 AM

Yes, I very much like it better than 3.

gwynne

5th Sep 2009, 2:09 PM

I keep hearing how it's not fair to compare this to the fully fleshed out Sims2 experience, but really, you'd think with the next generation game we would not have had to go all the way back to square one.

See, this particular argument annoys me in a few significant ways. (I mean the 'you must compare base game to base game' argument, not your post.)

1) It implies that we (anyone who doesn't like Sims 3) lack critical thinking skills.

2) The average member of the buying public doesn't care about "fair". All they know is it's a newer, shinier installation of their favorite series. They expect a better game. Now, not five years from now.

This is like when newer MMOs have rough launches. Which most of them do. Server problems and whatever. There are always people who will post "well, World of Warcraft had major problems at launch too!". It doesn't matter--people are going to compare new MMOs to the way World of Warcraft is NOW, not to the way it was at launch--five years ago.

3) Ignoring the above, if I do perform the mental exercise of being sure I'm only comparing base game sims 3 to base game sims 2, there are still many places we're not only 'back to square one', we've stepped off the board entirely. Particularly with regards to relationships and storytelling elements. (Memories, special event cutscenes, social interactions, etc.)

4) Expansion packs won't cure ugly. :)

summersong86

5th Sep 2009, 3:02 PM

... there are still many places we're not only 'back to square one', we've stepped off the board entirely. Particularly with regards to relationships and storytelling elements. (Memories, special event cutscenes, social interactions, etc.)

4) Expansion packs won't cure ugly. :) :rofl: No, Expansion Packs won't cure ugly, that's for sure. I'm kind of worried, actually, that after spending the $50 or whatever on the new EP, I'll find out that my sim still won't be able to swim in the ocean and sunbathe or generally make the beach experience feel like a real beach experience. The Sims3 beaches and rivers are gorgeous. But taking a sim there is a very sterile experience--there's no digging for beach glass or shells. No building of sand castles. It's such a shame because it's a very serene realistic setting in Sims3. Don't get me wrong, I so appreciate being able to fish in any body of water in Sims3. I just question why we had to LOSE other interactions with the water that we were used to having.

It's so funny, my daugther was born in 2004, and is a month away from her 5th birthday. She's literally grown up watching me play and make CC for sims, so she's come to know the family-friendly aspects of Sims2 and now Sims3 fairly well. I asked her to compare the two games for me and tell me which one she liked better.

"Well mama, the load screens (of S2) are a bummer. And I like having Hello Kitty everything in Sims3, but Sims2 is much more fun and I like my restaurant (the one I custom built for her). The kitties are too funny." (She'd just watched some stray cats who followed my witches into the community rec center destroy the seats at my bowling alley.)

She also likes the cooking contests and has commented on the odd rabbit holes in Sims3. She says "What are we waiting for, mama?" Indeed!

Sometimes the rabbit holes are a useful device to occupy one sim while managing others. But if you are trying to play one sim, it's as bad as a load screen, even if you speed the game up.

And that's another thing--Sims2 was a more laid back experience even when managing a large household. If you took one Sim away to go into town to experience fully everything that town offers, you could be assured of coming back home to find your other sims unchanged in status and you don't feel compelled to check in on them every few seconds to see if you've missed something.

In Sims3 I feel like I'm really juggling. If I take my Autumn out to fish, Emma will still be active somewhere else experiencing things I definitely would want to see. Or I'd have to jump back and micro-manage her, even on full free will, to make sure I come back home to a Sim that's not got her needs crashed or has incurred some other disaster. I suppose some people would find that more realistic and prefer that to the way time stands still for non-active sims in Sims2. I just find it less stressful.

Gwynne, I am totally with you on missing the event cut scenes. So many of life's big moments are now so bland without them. I feel so much like I'm playing a souped up version of Sims1. In fact I would have thought Sims3 seems more to follow Sims1, and Sims2 is the more advanced version.

I don't want anyone to think I'm mercilessly bashing Sims3 and that I'll never play it or enjoy it on its own merits. I will. It's just that the longer I've been playing it, the more it hits me about what's inexplicably absent or glitchy about it.

tralaladida

6th Sep 2009, 11:11 PM

I never uninstalled Sims 2, fully expecting to play both games. However, I've been playing nothing but Sims 2 after having started building a new custom hood. I've tried to go back to Sims 3, but every time I load it up, I find myself thinking, "meh."

I enjoyed parts of Sims 3. I really love CAST and build mode. The neighborhood scenery is breath-taking and the ability to roam around the entire neighborhood without hitting a loading screen is fun as well. However, that sums up the upgrades from Sims 2 and its all downhill from there, at least for me.

Going back to Sims 2 is a huge relief and so much more fun! I giggle insanely when my sims do the silly things they do. I am delighted by my sims' interactions with one another all on their own and without any prompting from me. I love how the papergirl/boy or the mailmen/women will greet my sims every morning and how my sim kids will hug and kiss their parents when they return from work. I love how my sims tuck their kids into bed, and how sim couples will go off and cuddle or dance together. I love the memories and true genetics. Oh yeah, and I love the hot tub!

I've read about the upcoming EP for Sims 3 and I am not impressed. It sounds as if there will be more quests, and this time, you must do them if you want to take part in the new content. I won't be buying it, and while I might keep Sims 3 on my system, I don't see myself playing much unless I hear of huge improvements in subsequent EPs.

hioute

6th Sep 2009, 11:37 PM

I, personally, still prefer The Sims 2.

I was very excited about The Sims 3, and I pre-ordered the collector's edition. It cost me about $70. Was it worth it? I don't think so. I feel like I wasted my money, to be honest.

I like the new social features, like the traits (insane is my favourite), but... not much else. Sure, wow, you can run around town! I don't really care anymore. I prefer the loading screens and having the locations based on only the locations. I don't know why, but I do.

But the big thing (the big shallow thing) is the looks of the Sims. They're all the fugliest things I've ever seen. They all have the same face, and if they don't, they just look awful. The hair is also the worst - the only decent hair is in the store, and you've got to pay for that. It's like some big money scam. I'm unimpressed.
I'm a sucker for dress up games, and I like to think that I know what's good. Yay, you can colour the clothes any colour you want! Too bad there are only about 2 okay looking pieces of clothing. It really angers me. One of my favourite parts of the game is creating Sims, and TS3 does not even come close to my expectations.

Maybe once some true custom content comes out - oh wait. All the Sims are ugly no matter what they wear.

I'm probably not going to play TS3 at all. I really really was not happy with my purchase. Seeing as TS2 already has loads of CC, and the Sims weren't absolutely ugly without any CC, TS2 is still my favourite.

TS3 didn't offer much more than TS2. It basically uglified the Sims and made me get my hopes up. I'll only be playing TS2 from now on, and maybe TS1. I prefer them both over 3.

summersong86

7th Sep 2009, 12:50 AM

With my graphics card adjusted so that it picks quality over performance in its settings, and then with my game graphics settings set as high as they can go, on a NVIVDID GeForce 8500 GT, and using custom skintones...I can say that I've come to really like the looks of my Sims 3 sims. Considering I have a lot of experience making Sims2 sims, though, I find myself badly handicapped at sculpting Sims3 sims and rely heavily on downloading the sims made by other people and using those as bases for making new sims to my taste.

But yeah, the sims as you get them straight out of the box are ugly. And the game lighting does them no favors whatsoever. They look blotchy. Sims2 games straight out of the box are ugly too but at least their skins don't look diseased.

Ghost sdoj

7th Sep 2009, 2:44 PM

I just got sims 3. I like them both about the same. (although I miss being able to use the pointy ears face template. :( )

diaantje61

7th Sep 2009, 4:07 PM

Any idea why your desktop won't read your TS2 disks? That's so weird.

Laptops are nice though...I'd like to have one just to take with me on trips.
I,ve had the same problem on my pc and it's been solved by changing the video-card settings to basic settings.Maybe you should try it,I hope it works for you too....good luck !

Prosthetics

7th Sep 2009, 4:31 PM

That wasn't the problem. And it doesn't matter because I got a laptop.

mac

7th Sep 2009, 9:55 PM

I have both Sims 2 and Sims 3 on my computer... I play Sims 2, Sims 3 just sits there, taking up disk space until I decide to remove it. The Sims 3 Collector's edition is just one very expensive thumb drive!

Why is this? Primarily the look and feel. The Sims 3 sims look like pudding-faced tele-tubbies. I really can't stand looking at them, much less playing with them. It is interesting that Will Wright (inspiration of all of the Sim Cities and Sims 1 and 2) had nothing to do with Sims 3.

Maybe someone can come out with a whole new set of skins for Sims 3 that look halfway decent. Until then I'll stick with Sims 2!

crocobaura

7th Sep 2009, 11:07 PM

I currently have Sim1, Sims2 and Sims3 installed on my computer. Don't ask why. :rofl: Was playing the other day Sims1 and it was so relaxing just listening to the sounds they made. Back then they used to whistle and sing while they were watering the flowers. Now, they don't even water them anymore...actually the plants don't even die anymore. Anyway, I've decided to just enjoy each and everyone for what they offer.

RingzTerritory

7th Sep 2009, 11:24 PM

I do ^^the sims 3 has alot of decent features I guess...but I prefer the sims 2 with zero CC even, than the sims 3 and all its new features and crap.

bluefairy

8th Sep 2009, 3:12 PM

I just can't love the sims in sims 3, and I got bored of playing the sims 3 really quickly. Sims 2 for the win for many reasons.

AlexNN

8th Sep 2009, 5:15 PM

I don't know, but I have TS3 on shelf and playing TS2 :lol:

Chrissytina81686

8th Sep 2009, 5:30 PM

I miss some feture of TS2, such as building ease, downloading CC with ease ( CC for TS3 still confuses me). Its kinda nice to have clean game with no CC however, because I would like to create houses for the site and etc..but with TS 2 i used so much CC without realizing it i never uploaded anything because of the task of crediting it all.

The fact that pregnant sims cannot choose their attire bothers me.

I used to like to see my sims dining out, creating community lots and such, now they just go inside and disappear..there is nothing to watch..

The customizing feature sounded like a good idea however, i feel it is too complicated to get your colors just right. I usually decorate my houses with every detail, with TS2 that took me maybe an hour to get a house jut right, or 3-4 for a large mansion ...now it takes me 3-4 hours for a simple nice looking house.

Plus the lot sizes are smaller, and i can't control where they go...or what my neighborhood looks like, but in Ts1 we couldn't either this isn't my biggest complaint i would just like more variety.

I love the new traits, personalities and the extra lifespan. i think the graphics are great even though i had to buy a new graphics card, i too have the geforce 8500 and it works great! oh, and i LOVE the fact that garages no longer have to face front....that used to drive me nuts,but... we dont get to see the sims get into their car and roll down their driveway either.... :cry:

Oh and i know weather didn';t come with ts2 but i really miss the change of seasons, especially fall. and spiral staircases...

Esmeralda

8th Sep 2009, 5:50 PM

I definitely prefer TS2, no question about it. I absolutely LOVE TS2. The only thing I like at all about TS3 is the new traits, as they do add a bit of fun, and maybe the seamless neighbourhood without loading screens, though I suspect that the way it was possible for EA to accomplish the seamless neighbourhood was to make nearly all of the community lots 'rabbit holes', hence there's nothing much to load.

But there's too much I strongly dislike. I hate the poor quality animations - they look so crude, even amateurish: the weird distorted and ugly facial expressions as opposed to the amazingly realistic and lifelike facial expressions in TS2 that were so cute, the way they carry things stuck to the backs of their hands sideways rather than carrying them correctly like they do in TS2, and how stilted their movements look - they spend large amounts of time just standing and staring. TS2 'flowed' so well and going back to play it after playing TS3, the animations are just so strikingly superior. And don't even get me started on how ugly the default Sims are unless you have a slider hack and do a LOT of tweaking work! I really don't enjoy playing TS3 - I spend most of my time creating custom content to upload, rather than actually playing it!

QDog

8th Sep 2009, 6:33 PM

I never thought I'd say this...but I think I actually do prefer TS2 over TS3.

The only thing holding me back from going back to TS2 was that I liked the idea of Universal Aging...but I'm not even sure I like that anymore. I like to control 5 or 6 families at the same time, and with the seamless neighborhood it's almost impossible: you miss out on important events in your sims lives while your playing other families, they die and their headstone just disappears, they get absurdly fat etc.
Besides, I just can't get attached to these sims, they are so lifeless, like mere dummies.

I also found myself missing things I took for granted in the sims 2: outings, dates, even college (as tediously long as it was)!
So I said to myself: wait, the game will get better as they release Expansion packs...but after that World Adventures was announced. And they lost me. I can see where they're going with this, and I don't like it. The Sims 2 is full of possibilities, and The sims 3 seems to be more limited in every way, and it doesn't seem likely that they will fix that. So, why should I be playing a game that I clearly don't enjoy just because it's newer?

Chrissytina81686

8th Sep 2009, 8:47 PM

yes, it will get better after expansion packs or so i thought, i hated TS2 when it came out too..i thought it was so bare boned and boring, although the graphics were better then TS1 i thought that too wsas complicated and everything seemed to be in the wrong place from what i was used to. but the expansion pack is again limited, the "vacation spots" will be premade, and i think they are kinda childish and stupid...this is starting to remind me of rollercoaster tycoon, it went from being really cool at #2 to childish looking, although i love the game, they are missing the over 12 crowd here

Prosthetics

8th Sep 2009, 10:09 PM

I enjoyed the Sims 2 base game very much, without expansions ^_^

such an improvement over TS1, however...

TS3 takes away from the progress.

1ove

8th Sep 2009, 11:51 PM

I enjoyed the Sims 2 base game very much, without expansions ^_^

such an improvement over TS1, however...

TS3 takes away from the progress.

Prosthetics, I remember reading in another post that you have Double Deluxe right now (which is the base game bundled with Nightlife and Celebration SP).

Did you ever play just the base game?

As for TS3, I don't think I'll be upgrading. I'm not that curious anymore. Considering all the money I washed away with TS2 (it doesn't seem like much, but rack up a few EPs and you've already lost $100 USD).

kennyinbmore

9th Sep 2009, 12:42 AM

I just saw my 6 year old playing TS2 on his computer(my old one) in my living room. I was reminded why it was uninstalled from my computer when I bought TS3 as I watched his downtown loading screen

QDog

9th Sep 2009, 12:48 AM

I just saw my 6 year old playing TS2 on his computer(my old one) in my living room. I was reminded why it was uninstalled from my computer when I bought TS3 as I watched his downtown loading screen

LOL maybe you should have waited 30 more seconds, then you would have seen your son take his sims to a restaurant/nightclub/clothing store and you would have been reminded why the sims 2 has loading screens (because there's actually something to load, instead of just an empty rabbit-hole).

Anyway, I prefer to have loading screens (it doesn't take that long to load anyway) and have something interesting for sims to do apart from wandering around on the beach, having hot-dogs at the park or going to the library.

bubbajoe62

9th Sep 2009, 12:59 AM

You go, QDog! Anyway, if it weren't for the load times, I'd probably never get any chores done. :rofl: I don't think I will ever play 3, even though I might enjoy a different style of play from time to time because I just can't stomach the way they look.

I like to hang out at SimsUrbania (http://simsurbania.com/site/). Check out the moderator's sig and you'll know why. The forum's been open since the first of the year and there's only been one post in the Sims 3 topics. :lol:

Prosthetics

9th Sep 2009, 2:07 AM

Did you ever play just the base game?

Yep.

I used to have just the base game. I got it when it came out, but then my mom moved and I lost a lot of my stuff (I seem to lose stuff every time she moves.) It was a gift.

I lost the game, and I was out of luck. So I ended up playing the Sims until 2006 until I got the game again for $20. But now it only comes bundled with Nightlife (I kind of wish I could find it again without Nightlife.)

Sorry if I rambled :P

gwynne

9th Sep 2009, 2:53 AM

woodenbear

9th Sep 2009, 8:04 AM

My Sims 3 is sitting in my cubboard along side Battlefield 2, and "yes" sims 2 is a Great game...

DrMrSims

9th Sep 2009, 8:11 AM

Sims 2 w/ all expansion packs > Sims 3 Base > Sims 2 Base

1ove

9th Sep 2009, 6:55 PM

I don't know, the load screens never really bothered me, but 15-20 seconds is pretty trivial.

I can't even really add "no loading screens" to my (very short) list of positive attributes for TS3 because you can see how they decimated everything else to give you that so-called 'open neighborhood'. And I like playing one lot at a time, it gives you a more neighborly feel. If I want to play a whole city, I'll go ahead and load SimCity.

Same here, but it is killer on older computers. When I played just the base game on my dad's old 256 MB Sony (this was like, the 2000 or 2001 model), it took me about five to ten minutes for ONE loading screen. No, I did not read the box.

TBH, I was surprised they even released a Sims 3. I totally did not see that coming (we know, we know, your Sims can play it as a buyable game). Considering how much technical difficulty players had with their machines upon the release of TS2, what makes TS3 better (and why is this sequel needed)?

I pray to God we never have a Sims 4. For almost all products (ex. movies and books), the first one is the best, the second is like, "Eh...", and the third is just crap. For us, somehow the second was the best, but now they're going downhill again.

QDog

9th Sep 2009, 7:18 PM

girlgeek19

9th Sep 2009, 8:07 PM

I pray to God we never have a Sims 4. For almost all products (ex. movies and books), the first one is the best, the second is like, "Eh...", and the third is just crap. For us, somehow the second was the best, but now they're going downhill again.

Video games series tend to improve with sequels as technology gets better for the most part. (Especially open ended ones.) Well, with the exception of Sim City. Sim City Societies or whatever pretty much sucked. :) And maybe with the exception of games that started 2D and tried to go 3D. (eg. Sonic and such.)

/geekramble

I think we've just been spoiled by all the content Sims 2 had. It'll probably be a lot more enjoyable once more expansion packs come out. (Because let's face it, no one sticks with the base game for the most part.) I would much rather play Sims 3 base than Sims 2 base.

Meh. I guess that's why I have all three series on my computer still. XD My poor, poor hard drive.

1ove

9th Sep 2009, 8:11 PM

Video games series tend to improve with sequels as technology gets better for the most part. (Especially open ended ones.) Well, with the exception of Sim City. Sim City Societies or whatever pretty much sucked. :) And maybe with the exception of games that started 2D and tried to go 3D. (eg. Sonic and such.)

/geekramble

I think we've just been spoiled by all the content Sims 2 had. It'll probably be a lot more enjoyable once more expansion packs come out. (Because let's face it, no one sticks with the base game for the most part.) I would much rather play Sims 3 base than Sims 2 base.

Meh. I guess that's why I have all three series on my computer still. XD My poor, poor hard drive.

True that. I was surprised that everyone was bashing it for the lack of content; I mean, we only have one game out! Hush!

But I think what really drove people is that TS1 did not focus so much on graphics, just the game itself. When the graphic improvements came out with TS2, everyone cheered! When it got to TS3, everyone was like, "Whatever, we love the 3D now. Give us our shit back." :lol:

gwynne

9th Sep 2009, 8:14 PM

Judging by the information we got on the new expansion pack they're going downhill without brakes. I think with the sims 3 and World Adventures they are trying to appeal to a wider audience ("man who is too greedy can never be satisfied"), but somehow in the process they have managed to alienate many old sim fans.

I was just having this conversation with my SO the other day. It's like they already had a huge chunk of the gaming audience, and they were desperate to continue to expand further. And what's another big PC game market? RPGs/MMORPGs. So instead of trying to make their current audience even happier, they tried to take a bite of a different market entirely. I'm not usually a person to claim I have any idea what goes on behind closed doors at a company I don't work for, but I can pretty much envision exactly how this meeting went down.

"World of Warcraft has 12 million subscribers! Those players like skilling, gathering, fishing, and questing! Let's try that!"

"But what about keeping the Maxis-style charm, humor and sense of aesthetics for our existing customers?"

"Eff that."

Edited to add: As I've said about a million times: no we're not all just talking about the lack of content. It's okay to have an opinion on a game before there are expansion packs. This does not make the opinion invalid. If you actually read people's posts you'll see many of the complaints will not be fixed by EA selling us another sofa and four more hairstyles. To some of us, Sims 3 is the equivalent of SimCity Societies. But if you enjoy Sims 3, the fact that other people don't should not affect your opinion.

girlgeek19

9th Sep 2009, 8:23 PM

But I think what really drove people is that TS1 did not focus so much on graphics, just the game itself.

I actually think that's what made the first Sim series so great. The "feel" of the game or whatever definitely shifted from 1 to 2 and now from 2 to 3. If I could have the feel of Sims 1 with the content of Sims 2 with the open world and graphics of Sims 3, I'd be a happy camper. :)

When the graphic improvements came out with TS2, everyone cheered! When it got to TS3, everyone was like, "Whatever, we love the 3D now. Give us our shit back." :lol:

Yeah. I didn't notice the graphic improvement at all when I first played Sims 3, but now when I compare screenshots between the two, the Sims from 3 may be pudding faced, but some of the Sims from 2 just look...plasticy and weird. And the animations are 10x better. I think what drives me crazy the most between the two now though is the sky. If you look at the sky in Sims 2 (even with all sliders maxed) it's pretty much just solid blue. And the grass between lots looks fake. :)

But damnit, I still want short and tall Sims without having to use a cheat code.

Edited to add: As I've said about a million times: no we're not all just talking about the lack of content. It's okay to have an opinion on a game before there are expansion packs. This does not make the opinion invalid. If you actually read people's posts you'll see many of the complaints will not be fixed by EA selling us another sofa and four more hairstyles. To some of us, Sims 3 is the equivalent of SimCity Societies. But if you enjoy Sims 3, the fact that other people don't should not affect your opinion.

Little defensive, aren't we?

I'm not talking "another sofa and four more hairstyles." Expansion packs add more than just furniture and CAS parts, you know. And you can bash the game before it has expansion packs all you want. I, however, am going to reserve judgment. And I have read the posts. I just don't comment because I think it's pointless to join a rant that's been going on since the game's release that never really says anything different. The best way to get through to the company is to stop giving them your money.

And believe me, people bashing it doesn't affect my opinion. :) Like I said, I still play all three. I just think those of you that bash it so much are making too big of a deal out of it. Stick with Sims 2 then. I hated Sim City Societies (and SC4...and SC3...) so I still play SC2000 every once in a while.

Unfortunately, big companies don't see games as art - they're moneymakers. So from a business sense, it makes perfect sense to try to draw in a bigger audience however much we may not like it. If you want a company that really cares about the audience, go indie. :)

1ove

9th Sep 2009, 8:29 PM

Edited to add: As I've said about a million times: no we're not all just talking about the lack of content. It's okay to have an opinion on a game before there are expansion packs. This does not make the opinion invalid. If you actually read people's posts you'll see many of the complaints will not be fixed by EA selling us another sofa and four more hairstyles. To some of us, Sims 3 is the equivalent of SimCity Societies. But if you enjoy Sims 3, the fact that other people don't should not affect your opinion.

I'm addressing the ones who were; sorry, I should of made that more clear. TS2 was pretty, blah, when the new novelty wore off, until Nightlife, OfB, and the rest all rode in.

And some people just aren't going to waste actual money to buy a few more virtual couches and haircuts. Haha, I wouldn't (as I've already stated).

girlgeek19

9th Sep 2009, 8:35 PM

And some people just aren't going to waste actual money to buy a few more virtual couches and haircuts. Haha, I wouldn't (as I've already stated).

Me either. Yay for MTS! :D

gwynne

10th Sep 2009, 1:23 AM

Little defensive, aren't we?

If by defensive you mean 'have spent months seeing people with negative opinions dismissed as merely being spoiled by expansion packs and CC', then yes.

I just think those of you that bash it so much are making too big of a deal out of it.

And I think this statement is insulting to people who have been fans of the franchise for almost a decade. I may have strong opinions on the topic, but I don't try to find easy reasons to dismiss or belittle the opinions of people who disagree with me. For example: "People who think the Sims 3 is great are just kidding themselves because they're brainwashed by EA." That would be easy, but lame.

Prosthetics

10th Sep 2009, 1:32 AM

aw yeah gwynne.

1ove

10th Sep 2009, 3:21 AM

I just don't comment because I think it's pointless to join a rant that's been going on since the game's release that never really says anything different. The best way to get through to the company is to stop giving them your money.

And believe me, people bashing it doesn't affect my opinion. :) Like I said, I still play all three. I just think those of you that bash it so much are making too big of a deal out of it. Stick with Sims 2 then. I hated Sim City Societies (and SC4...and SC3...) so I still play SC2000 every once in a while.

Unfortunately, big companies don't see games as art - they're moneymakers. So from a business sense, it makes perfect sense to try to draw in a bigger audience however much we may not like it. If you want a company that really cares about the audience, go indie. :)

BRAVO! I don't know why people always complain and never step up. I told my sister this, and she's all, "Well, people DO know." That's not really the question or problem, then. It's more of, how come people never seem to be able to help themselves? ;)

And I love how people who have been playing for like, a couple years think they're all that now, compared to the REAL HARDCORE people who bought and painstakingly collected every EP and SP that came out, not these deluxe bargain deals, yet they won't shut up and have said the same something that resembles what the cat just drug in over and over. It's almost like, well, after I saved all this money, I don't know what is the next thing but I'm not even going to try it and just diss. (Before everyone gets all, "WELL I DID AND IT STILL SUCKS WAH WAH!", I'm referring to certain people here.)

We know it sucks. We know you love it. We know everything now. It's been, what, ten pages? I'm surprised mods haven't stepped in and cut us all off by now. This is really starting to remind me of the guy who lamented, "There's too many houses for download on MTS and not much else!"

mangaroo

10th Sep 2009, 4:04 AM

I would ask how this is anything like the "no more houses" thread, but complaining about the thread's topic is off topic so we're not going to pursue that. "I like TS2/TS3 better than TS3/TS2" is on topic. People not interested in the topic -- clearly expressed in the subject line -- can spare themselves by not reading the thread.

1ove

10th Sep 2009, 4:16 AM

TiffyGiggles8908

10th Sep 2009, 4:22 AM

I still play Sims 2. I haven't played Sims 3 for about 3 weeks. I just think the sims of Sims 2 have better interactions, even though they have a tendency to be dangerously stupid, I still like the look of them and their cute facial expressions. Sims 3 is alright, but I miss the simplicity of Sims 2 when I'm playing adn the ability to have a larger amount of kids in a family. Maybe in a year from now, I'll like Sims 3 better, but for now, I am still playing Sims 2. They just have a sweet look about them, not creepy like the Sims 3 sims. They just look too chalky for me.

girlgeek19

10th Sep 2009, 4:48 AM

And I think this statement is insulting to people who have been fans of the franchise for almost a decade. I may have strong opinions on the topic, but I don't try to find easy reasons to dismiss or belittle the opinions of people who disagree with me. For example: "People who think the Sims 3 is great are just kidding themselves because they're brainwashed by EA." That would be easy, but lame.

Uh. Didn't belittle your opinion. I told you - I've played ever since Sims 1. (So I guess I'm insulting myself then.) And Sims 2 + XPs is definitely better than Sims 3 base. All I'm doing is being open-minded. Who knows what features will be added later on...

But anyway.

I still play Sims 1 and Sims 2 and don't plan on giving them up completely. But I like Sims 3 for its own quirks and annoyances.

summersong86

10th Sep 2009, 6:02 AM

What's drawing me back in deeply into Sims2 is how beautiful a scene can look with the right CC. Some of the screenshots I get look like cover art for novels, albums, other video games, etc.

Let me see if I can attach an example. Okay I think I have one. This is the view of a witch mixing reagents. I've got the camera outside of the house peering through the window. I just loved the atmosphere of this shot. The view inside was of course crystal clear and really cool and eerie, but there was something about the view through the window that really grabbed me. I'd been re-reading some horror anthologies in E-reader format on my Iphone and some of the cover art that went with the stories looked like this shot.

I've also recently built up my steampunk themed collection and built out a lot of buildings with Adele's custom furniture and walls and floors. Oh my gosh, I wish I had some screen shots to share with you guys. The textures just reach through the screen and grab you! I have not yet come across anything like Adele's creations for Sims3 and even if I did I am not sure the lighting in Sims3 or my graphics card could do them justice.

So I'm kind of torn about the graphics between Sims2 and Sims3. I do think the sky and ocean and the whole view of the town in Sims3 is breathtaking. But for the smaller vignettes, Sims2 is the winner, so far, at least on my computer. Also, camera control is a lot better for me in Sims2 so that I can even see my sim and center her in the first place. Sims3 it's hit or miss, mostly miss.

harmonee_el

10th Sep 2009, 6:33 AM

I like TS2 better!TS3 don't play so good on my computer.

CrazyVivian

10th Sep 2009, 7:34 AM

Would the Sims3 take up a lot of space? Because on my computer, the sims2 takes up enough memory as it is. I personally prefer the Sims2. I also heard that the Sims3 has glitches similar to the sims2. But I haven't played it myself, so I guess I can't talk. I still think Sims 2 is better though. :)

kennyinbmore

10th Sep 2009, 12:33 PM

LOL maybe you should have waited 30 more seconds, then you would have seen your son take his sims to a restaurant/nightclub/clothing store and you would have been reminded why the sims 2 has loading screens (because there's actually something to load, instead of just an empty rabbit-hole).

I hardly ever did those things, I guess that's why I don't miss it

FranH

10th Sep 2009, 1:19 PM

Vivian, here are the requirements for the game-(and these are minimum)

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR PC:
————————

FOR WINDOWS XP (Service Pack 2)

* Pentium IV 2.0 GHz / Athlon XP 2000+ or equivalent
* 1GB RAM of Memory
* At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content
* 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0
* The latest version of DirectX 9.0c

FOR WINDOWS VISTA (Service Pack 1)

* Pentium IV 2.4 GHz / Athlon XP 2400+ or equivalent
* 1.5 GB RAM of Memory
* At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content
* 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0
* The latest version of DirectX 9.0c

FOR COMPUTERS USING BUILT-IN GRAPHICS CHIPSETS, THE GAME REQUIRES AT LEAST

* Intel Integrated Chipset, GMA X3000 or above (GMA 3-series or higher).
* 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent
* 1.5 GB RAM (XP), 2 GB RAM (Vista)

Brattiness73

13th Sep 2009, 8:36 AM

It is kind of a moot point for me, ever since the new patch came out Sims 3 won't even get past the movie for me. Worked alright before then. I didn't really like it to begin with so it really wasn't too much of a loss for me. I will just leave it installed on the spare computer...to collect dust until the geniuses over at EA finally create a patch that doesn't kill the game on my computer.

gazania

14th Sep 2009, 1:04 AM

It's been over three months now since Sims 3 came out. When it first came out, I was rather underwhelmed. The Sims just looked creepy to me, and I didn't like what features the new game DIDN'T have that Sims 2 did, even from the start.

The seamless neighborhood was one of the few things that intrigued me (that and the long list of personality traits), but then I thought ... that would mean no "specialty" neighborhoods. No neighborhoods with intriguing roads, or inlets, or even just plain flat terrain.

My screens take a little while to load (albeit NOT 45 minutes! Eek!), but I've learned to simply busy myself and do something else while they do: get a drink, freshen up in the bathroom, etc. It's just second nature to me now, and I think nothing of the loading times.

People have written that Sims 3 is still a base game, and Sims 2 wasn't that playable when it first came out. I played Sims 1 on console, and read a lot about Sims 2 before buying it for the PC. I found out about CC a few months after I bought the game, but never got tired of playing it until then. And I really, really wanted Sims 2, and actually researched whether the new computer I needed to buy (not solely for games ... my old one died) could play this game.

I simply don't have this urge for Sims 3. Free creators have done so very much to improve this game, and if I do buy it (probably next year if I do), I owe them a debt of gratitude. But I don't have this NEED for it. I'll get it when I get it, if I get it. It's not the same feeling I got with Sims 2 at all.

I think that the consistent lukewarm rating on Amazon and the considerably lower prices on EBay tell an interesting story. You might be able to explain the large amount of negative Amazon reviews at first, but it HAS been three months now, and the percentages of one- and two-star ratings are still fairly consistent ... and still linger over 40%, And If you're patient, you can get a sealed new game from a reputable seller on EBay for around $30 US, and a used game in the 20s, the last time I checked.

EA is congratulating themselves over their Sims 3 sales, and perhaps that is rightly so. The game did help them out of their financial doldrums. But will it be as endearing, as fascinating, as Sims 2 was to much of the Sims public? I guess we'll find out in a year or so.

By the way, I thought that perhaps the Securom nonsense, or the lack of interesting content in PC games overall, made me "jaded". Perhaps I was turned off to PC games in general? Not so. I just bought a PC game recently, really wanted this game, and was not disappointed. So yes, I can still get excited over a fascinating, well-created PC game.

It's just that Sims 3 doesn't seem to be one of those games for me and many others who enjoy playing The Sims. Not yet, anyway.

Blaise Parker

14th Sep 2009, 5:21 AM

Gazania, excellent post. Wondering. What was the PC game you bought that did not disappoint? I am looking for new games to play.

UkiTheMaid

15th Sep 2009, 6:46 PM

I simply love TS2, but, for some reason, I have the feeling that it feels 'heavier' on my PC than 3 (don't ask why O.o").

I mean, it's not even because of the custom content. It's kinda heavy in any way *giggles*

But, what gets me all fired up about 2 is the truckload of CC =D Although, I like the fact that you can expand the life of your sims in 3, so, argh! I'm confused!!!!If I could just 'fuse' both games...

EAMaster

18th Sep 2009, 1:37 AM

I love TS2 because in the TS3 there was some TS2 channel in the TS3 TV, I freaked out in this game

girlgeek19

18th Sep 2009, 1:45 AM

I love TS2 because in the TS3 there was some TS2 channel in the TS3 TV, I freaked out in this game

I noticed that too. :) Thought it was kinda weird.

smorbie1

18th Sep 2009, 8:12 PM

You know the real problem of Sims 3 for me? Once we get past the fact that the graphics look more like Sims 1 than Sims 2 (other than the neighborhood shots and the sky which is amazing), and the fact that the sims themselves seem dumber than sims 2, we are left with the fact that the theme of the game itself seems altered. Remember when it was a game that was just open ended? Maxis didn't know or care what you did. Tell stories, create theme neighborhoods, whatever you wanted. Now the game play is more directed. For example, you decide that today (in sim time) is the day your sim is going to try to make romance with a lady he's befriended. He's off work today and the time is ripe. (I REALLY miss the lightning bolts that tell you which sims are compatible). But the game keeps rolling wants for him that he wants to weed his garden, or deliver papers to corporate, or buy a new book. Before you know it the day (and soon his life) is gone because he's too busy looking for things to satisfy his needs to live his life. I've adopted more children in this game than I did the whole time I played Sims 2 because my sims don't have time to marry or mate and produce their own offspring :Pint: . My sims don't have time to live their lives. And I know that's part of the challenge, but the game is too EA directed for me. I keep saying it feels more like a scavenger hunt than the sims game. I could see this was the directed in which EA was headed with the Bon Voyage expansion. But I just ignored most of the "find a map (or whatever)" directives and did what I wanted. I can't seem to do that in this game because the success of their lives depend on whether they can find this or that seed or catch this fish.
I also don't like how difficult EA has made it for modders. I know they are getting around the issues (yea!), but it bothers me that EA has decided what we should do with our games once we have bought it from them. It seems they are not only telling us how to play but what we can put in the game. Just ruins the whole theme for me.