The Simsfranchise has consistently faced criticism for its practices, from splitting content across packs to fundamental updates not making it to the for years after launch. Maxis is going to have to pull out all the stops to bring in fans both old and new forThe Sims 5.The Sims 4lacked staple content like pools, toddlers, and basements at launch, while the transition fromThe Sims 3’s open world to closed neighborhoods also left the community wanting. Many dropped the game for years, so there should be something flashy to bring people back in for Maxis' next entry - possibly leaning more into fantastical elements like aliens.
The Sims 4has improved in many ways with fundamental free updates that included fixes for many of the aforementioned staples. Though neighborhoods will never be open world, the map looks much better, andThe Sims 4introduced infantsas part of its many expansion packs. But, despite the updates, there are still many who argue they have to pay for a lot of content that used to be free in previous games, or pale imitations of what had been included in the past. That’s whyThe Sims 5needs a lot more new content right off the bat.
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The Sims' Alien Problem
While there are many players who don’t care for occult gameplay,supernatural elements have been present since EA’s originalThe Sims, and they tend to be one of the best parts of storytelling for many fans. One of the least explored occult types across the games that also have been underdeveloped inThe Sims 4is aliens.
Aliens inThe Simscould abduct unlucky Sims, but they began to play a larger part inThe Sims 2as playable characters (who could impregnate all Sims via abduction). They added some intriguing lore, particularly to Strangetown, and proved to be one of the most popular parts of the game. However, like PlantSims, aliens aren’t much more than cosmetic changes inThe Sims 4. Werewolves or vampires have their own skill trees, development goals, and traits, butaliens hardly do anything inThe Sims 4despite their potential.
The Sims 5has the opportunity to change rhis by adding in more alien and space content. Like withThe Sims 4: Realm of Magic’s neighborhood, there’s an opportunity for Sims to actually go into space without breaking the game’s immersion. Simmers have already gone to the future inThe Sims 3, and it’s time to expand beyond nostalgia and start pushingThe Simsinto new territory, even if that means taking the Sims to the stars.
The Sims 5 Has a Lot More to Explore in Space
Space exploration could be tied toadvancing in the Science or Astronaut careerslike in the past, or it could be separated from careers entirely and delve into alien lore as its own activity. EA has a century of incredible alien stories to draw from for inspiration, from the fun and kooky to the sinister and scary; though the more Lovecraftian aliens would be best suited as Easter eggs or references fin order to stick byThe Sims' family-friendly rating.
The Sims 4had a rough start, but the team has shown fans the potential of whatThe Sims 5could be. Sticking to basics from the get-go then using the expansion packs in creative ways that the franchise has never seen before would likely be the best path to bring fans back, especially if Maxis also tackles fan-favorite topics like thesolving Bella Goth abduction mystery inThe Sims 5.Space would be one of the coolest unexplored settings to do just that, all while making sure Sims back in Willow Creek are happy with their pools, changing seasons, basements, and toddlers.
