The Sims 4
Something Justin and I both have in common is our love for video games. One game we both grew up playing was Sims 4. Justin brought up to me one day that the cooking in Sims 4 is mainly bland. There is no spunk. According to Wikipedia, “The Sims 4 is a social simulation game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts.” (Wikipedia) Though Justin and I can both agree that we don’t feel stimulated when it comes to cooking in the Sims 4
The Sims 4, is a popular game that gives players the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including cooking. While the game aims to simulate the complexities of daily life, the cooking aspect falls short of delivering an engaging and dynamic experience. The primary reason for the lackluster cooking in The Sims 4 is the absence of complexity and depth in the culinary system.
One of the major drawbacks is the oversimplified cooking mechanics. In the game, cooking is reduced to a routine of selecting a dish, clicking on a stove, and waiting for the Sims to complete the task. The absence of interactive cooking processes, such as chopping, seasoning, and experimenting with ingredients, robs players of the enjoyable experience that a more detailed system would provide. One player off Reddit says “I do miss the Sims 3 animations. Where cooking was a lot more than mixing random stuff in a bowl. I get it’s supposed to be silly but it would be more funny if it was based on traits or it happened only sometimes.” (koithrowin) Unlike other simulation games that incorporate intricate cooking mechanisms, The Sims 4’s approach is disappointingly simple.
Furthermore, the limited variety of recipes and cooking options contributes even more to the monotony. The game lacks a diverse range of cuisines, cooking techniques, and unique dishes that could add excitement and challenge to the culinary aspect. Players quickly find themselves stuck in a repetitive cycle of preparing the same few meals, ruining the sense of creativity and exploration that could be associated with cooking in a simulation game.
Additionally, there are no consequences for poorly made meals and the absence of a skill progression system for cooking further, ruins the overall appeal. In reality, cooking involves a learning curve, experimentation, and sometimes failure, but The Sims 4 oversimplifies this aspect, which results in a lack of depth and player engagement.
The Sims 4’s cooking mechanics fall short of delivering an engaging and immersive experience due to oversimplified processes, limited variety, and a lack of consequences or skill progression. Enhancing the cooking system with more interactive elements, diverse recipes, and a skill development aspect would elevate the gaming experience and make the culinary aspect of the game more compelling for players.
