With rumors and leaks still circulating in The Sims community regarding the release of a next-generation game, now is the perfect time to speculate on what is to come in The Sims 5. More importantly, what elements should the possible newest installment of the franchise use to advance in gameplay and stories. Here are six things The Sims 5 needs to succeed.
A Linear Story Mode Option
The Sims 5 needs to have a linear Story Mode option along with the chance to still allow players to use Freeplay. The Sims Bustin’ Out is a great example of why this is the case.
The Sims Bustin’ Out is an underrated game that follows the story of a Sim going house to house as they advance further in life and their career. Every house you live in has its own goals to complete and unlocks new social interactions and objects, making the experience fulfilling and exciting.
When you play this game and others, like The Sims 2 (PS2), there is this sense of mystery that makes you wonder what kind of place you’ll end up in next and which characters you will meet there. The non-narrative open control in The Sims 4 sometimes becomes tedious when there isn’t much of an end goal, and that’s why the next generation game should include an option of a story for players to complete.
The Sims Bustin’ Out has something similar to this by having a cutscene display when you reach the game’s end, making the journey satisfying by the time it’s done. If The Sims 5 goes this route, high re-playability may be a factor and push for a better overall gaming experience.
Goals & Side Characters
Bella Goth, Malcolm Landgraab, and even the burglar are memorable characters in The Sims franchise. What once was prominent beings within the game is now barely mentioned unless you physically make your Sim go to their house, or you can play as them as well (The burglar is not included in The Sims 4).
The Sims 5 should have goals involving side characters to succeed since there aren’t as many interactions with them as there used to be. With
the New Neighborhood Stories Update, there is some hope for this to happen with its use of creating scenarios for the neighbors around your Sim.
The next generation in the series can take a step further with neighbors by accomplishing goals with them as they did in previous games. Maxis Studios could also have an opportunity to emphasize notable characters in the past and, at the same time, assemble new ones to produce an unforgettable game.
Bringing the Color Wheel Back to Build Mode
Build Mode in The Sims is a way to bring out the inner architect in all of us, and it is a staple for creating magnificent-looking houses and apartments. One issue with this mode in The Sims 4, however, is its limitations, such as placements of certain objects or a specific color of an item.
Sims 5 needs to bring back the color wheel for gamers to have more control over what they envision and will cause less frustration, specifically when the items in the house don’t match together.
Cheats and mods are useful for customization, but the base game should have these options already available to players, especially when there was a solution for colors in the past. The Sims 3 previously tackled the feat by including a color wheel that is in-depth enough to paint particular parts of the object.
Unfortunately, The Sims 4 does not have a system like this and restricts dye options to various furniture, prohibiting some players’ ability to capture the look they want.
Basic Items and Actions Should Be Included
The Sims packs create additional content to the game and are one of the key components for maintaining its success by bringing in new stuff, themes, and gameplay. Although updated features are wonderful, simple items and actions should be set in the base game in the next generation of The Sims. For example, a gaming console is an item solely obtainable through the City Living pack but not in the base game itself.
Players of the game are wondering why basic items are exclusively in certain packs when they should be included from the beginning. Providing all the simple commodities, such as bicycles and swing sets, in The Sims 5, it advances the opportunity to have more creative objects and fashion selections for future packs.