10 features that make The Sims 2 better than The Sims 4

With news about a possible re-release of the original Sims along with The Sims 2, it’s no wonder gamers are buzzing with excitement. The first two entries in the legendary Sims franchise are some of the most well-loved games of all time, and it’s easy to see why.

But, if you’ve never played The Sims 2, you may be wondering what makes it so special. Well, have no fear because we’re here to tell you why it’s the superior Sims game. Here are ten reasons why The Sims 4 just can’t compare to the second game.

Ten Things about The Sims 2 that make it better than The Sims 4

Staying in Hotels

Sims have always been able to enjoy vacation since the first game, but with the variety of vacation worlds only growing, you’d probably think that The Sims 4 has the best vacations in the franchise.

Well, you’d be wrong, and that’s thanks to the hotel system in The Sims 2. Unlike the fourth game, where you can only stay in rentable homes, in the second game, you’re able to check into a hotel room. Hotels are a major part of travel in the real world, so not having them in The Sims 4 is a major missed opportunity. Luckily, you can still enjoy them in the second game.

Using Drawers and Cooking Utensils

Sometimes, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. While not an active interaction, whenever Sims cook at counters in their home or on other lots, they’ll actually open the drawers on counters and pull utensils from them to use. They’re not just flat textures.

Things like this make The Sims 2 feel much more dynamic and alive than the fourth installment. Cooking in The Sims 4 doesn’t feel nearly as alive.

Creating a New World

Don’t have a premade world in-game that you think fits the town you want your Sims to live in? In The Sims 2, that’s not a problem. You can make an entirely new world from scratch, from choosing the name to what terrain you want.

Not having the ability to create a world in The Sims 4 after enjoying it in an older game is just disappointing. You’re limited on freedom, and suddenly, the premade worlds just feel so inferior.

Placing New Empty Lots 

Speaking of freedom in world-building, you know what’s not fun about The Sims 4? Running out of lots to build and live on in town. The Sims 2 triumphs over this once again by letting you place new empty lots anywhere.

These lots can be any shape and size and be placed wherever you want. Your world can be filled with houses and buildings like a true city instead of premade set dressing. 

One-sided Relationships

Something that’s remained exclusive to The Sims 2 is the unique relationship system. Instead of Sims feeling the same about each other, one-sided relationships are completely possible. 

Maybe one Sim thinks that the two are the best of friends, while the other can’t stand them. Or perhaps a Sim has a major crush on another, but their feelings simply aren’t returned. It makes for much more interesting storytelling, 

Mental Breakdowns

Also known as Aspiration Failures, following your Sims’ dreams isn’t just a suggestion in The Sims 2; it’s a necessity. If their Aspiration Bar gets too low from not fulfilling their wants, Sims quite literally have a mental breakdown and requires a shrink to come cure them. Each different Aspiration even has different warning signs that they’re close to Aspiration Failure.

This feature adds some challenge to the second game, whereas many times The Sims 4 feels frustratingly easy. It takes more than just being fed and clean to keep a real person happy, so why would Sims be any different?

Grocery Shopping

I can’t lie; it’s very convenient to walk up to your refrigerator and purchase all the ingredients you need to make your meal. But it’s not very true to life, and that’s something The Sims 2 understands. So, that’s why you can go grocery shopping.

Yes, it’s true that you can purchase from grocers at stands in the fourth game, but unfortunately, many of us don’t have access to that in real life. So, it’s much more realistic (and aesthetically pleasing) to take our Sims to a grocery store and pick up everything they need.

Burglars

Coming back to our point of The Sims 4 being too easy, The Sims 2 has another challenge: burglars. These baddies clad in stripes will break into your Sims’ home, take something valuable like the TV or something unrealistic like a bed, and make off into the night.

It adds more challenge to the game and, in my opinion, more excitement. There’s nothing like screaming at your screen to make the cops show up faster to beat up the bandit.

Cutscenes

Major life moments in The Sims 2 are much more memorable, thanks to the addition of cutscenes at certain life events. From having a baby to growing up, the second entry in the series makes those special moments all the better.

Sadly, this feature was cut in The Sims 3 and hasn’t been seen since. And no life event has felt as magical since.

Social Workers

Being a bad parent has consequences. However, it feels much more realistic in The Sims 2 than in The Sims 4. Unlike the newer game, where neglected children simply disappear in a puff of smoke, The Sims 2 has a social worker come knocking on your door to retrieve the child themselves.

Once again, this adds realism and grit to the game, something The Sims 4 is sorely lacking. Everything adds up, and all of these missing features just prove how The Sims 2 is simply better than The Sims 4.