Summary
- The Sims franchise has arguably focused too much on expanding The Sims 4, as it means a lack of new spin-off titles, leading to a stagnant feeling for fans.
- The potential release of The Sims Medieval 2 would bring back the excitement and fresh experiences that the franchise has been lacking.
- If The Sims Medieval 2 is successful, it could pave the way for more spin-off adventures in different locales and could even motivate Maxis to explore established IPs, giving the franchise a much-needed boost in terms of variety.
Ever since the release of The Sims in 2000, Maxis' life sim has dominated the industry. Millions of players have jumped in over the years to create their own families, live virtual lives, and manipulate these sandbox experiences to their liking. It is easy to see why the franchise has been so popular and profitable all this time, and there seem to be no signs of it slowing down as the studio prepares for Project Rene. However, some fans may feel like The Sims has also gotten a bit stuck in its ways these last couple of years.
There was a time when The Sims franchise not only focused on the mainline entries, but also featured a slew of unique spin-offs for players to experience. There were games like The Sims Life Stories, The Sims Castaway, and The Sims Medieval, which all brought the concept to whole new locales. On top of that, the series inspired other franchises like MySims. Yet, these past few years, it feels like Maxis has solely focused on expanding The Sims 4 - though that could all change with the hypothetical release of The Sims Medieval 2.
The Sims Franchise Should Be Filled to the Brim With Exciting Spin-Offs
The Sims Has Felt Stagnant for a Decade
Since 2014, Maxis has focused almost all of its resources on developing The Sims 4. Not even SimCity has been able to last alongside this title, mainly due to the fact the 2013 entry was extremely controversial. Instead of releasing other titles within this series, the studio has solely released different forms of DLC for the current title. Not only has The Sims 4 received the standard expansion packs, but it has also gotten several stuff packs and kits. While this has all been great for The Sims 4 fans, everyone else seems to have been left behind.
The only other Sims game that has come out since 2014 has been The Sims Mobile, which did little to excite the fan base. This is in stark contrast to the three different Sims titles that launched during The Sims 3's tenure and the four that were released after The Sims 2. All of those games helped keep the concept fresh while also giving players exciting adventures to embark on, even if none of them really compared to the mainline entries. But lately, the series has not really benefited from anything like that, which is something that could change with one simple release.
Sims Medieval 2 Has the Chance to Change All of That
While Maxis has not officially announced The Sims Medieval 2, if it comes out, it could kickstart a new era of Sims spin-off adventures. The original game was not a massive success, but it did give players a whole new way to experience The Sims franchise. Because of that change, many fans have been clamoring for a return to the concept for years. Now that Maxis is preparing to kick off a new era for the life simulator, it feels like the perfect time to finally deliver on that wish.
If The Sims Medieval 2 does come out and ends up being a huge hit, then Maxis would seemingly have no choice but to keep developing Sims spin-offs. It would not only have to expand that game with DLC packs, but it could also take the franchise to whole new locales. Maybe fans want a sci-fi adventure with The Sims, maybe they want to go to the Stone Age, or maybe it is finally time to explore a pre-established IP like Lord of the Rings. Whatever form these spin-offs take, they could be exactly what the franchise needs right now after spending a decade within the confines of one game.
It may be a little while before Maxis is ready to release another Sims spin-off title, especially because it needs to release Project Rene first. But once that game finally hits store shelves, it would make a lot of sense to capitalize on the brand once more with unique spin-offs, and one of the best games to kickstart this venture could be the long-awaited The Sims Medieval 2. If done well, that release could lead to so many exciting experiences, as long as Maxis is willing to take the risk.
The Sims 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 70 /100 Critics Rec: 26%
- Released
- September 2, 2014
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Maxis
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Cross-Platform Play
- Xbox, PlayStation, and computer versions of Sims 4 are all separate games incompatible with each other
- Cross Save
- no
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
