The Key Area Where The Sims 5 Should Embrace The Sims 3 Over The Sims 4

Highlights

The Sims 5, also known as Project Rene, is speculated to have a release date next year and fans are eagerly anticipating its improvements over The Sims 4.

The pet customization and variety in The Sims 4 was not as impressive as that of The Sims 3, with limited options and the removal of unique wishes and goals for pets. While The Sims 4 did introduce the vet clinic career, the absence of playable pets and the removal of special abilities for unicorns were letdowns.

The Sims set the standard for life simulator gameplay long before other games could even compete. With four main releases and countless DLCs, game packs, and kits since 2000, The Sims continues to dominate the gaming world. As we approach almost a decade since the release of The Sims 4, fans are eagerly awaiting what's next for the franchise, and it seems the wait may soon be over.

At the Behind the Sims Summit in 2022, The Sims 5, codenamed Project Rene, was briefly revealed. While little is known about the game, it is rumored to have a potential release date next year. Fans are excited to see the new opportunities and improvements that The Sims 5 will bring compared to its predecessor. However, there is one area that The Sims 4 struggled with, and The Sims 5 could take inspiration from the beloved thirteen-year-old game, The Sims 3, to improve this specific feature.

The Sims 4 Has a Pet Problem

When The Sims 4 announced the Cats & Dogs expansion pack, it brought back pets to the world of The Sims, leading to initial excitement. Although The Sims 4 had already improved upon various aspects compared to its predecessor, such as a more immersive world and extensive customization options for houses, fans found some changes restrictive in comparison to the Pets expansion pack in The Sims 3.

Both versions offered amazing customization, allowing players to personalize pet furs with unique patterns for various breeds. In addition, The Sims 4 introduced the option to adopt foxes and raccoons, which added excitement. However, the limited ability to own only cats, dogs, foxes, or raccoons in The Sims 4 was seen as a drawback compared to The Sims 3, which allowed players to house a wider range of pets, including cats, dogs, horses, lizards, birds, rodents, and turtles. While the smaller animals were confined to cages, players had control over horses, dogs, and cats, helping them fulfill their own desires and goals, which was another feature removed in The Sims 4. The Sims 4 later introduced more small animals, but as an additional purchase through a Sims stuff pack.

In The Sims 3, players had the opportunity to encounter wild unicorns during nighttime. These magical creatures possessed extraordinary powers, such as the ability to bless plants, people, and pets, as well as teleport and extinguish fires. However, when unicorns were reintroduced in The Sims 4 through a later expansion pack, these unique abilities were no longer available.

On the other hand, The Sims 4: Cats and Dogs introduced a new feature in the form of a veterinary clinic career. Although playable pets, like in The Sims 3, were not included, it is still important for players to take care of their Sims' pets. However, in The Sims 4, players must now rely on guesswork to understand their pets' needs. Should a pet fall ill, players have the option to bring them to the veterinary clinic, where they can also take charge of running the business and managing employees to ensure the clinic's success.

The Sims 5 is currently in development.