Comparison between The Sims 2 and The Sims 3: Difference between revisions

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{{merge|Comparison between The Sims base games}}
[[The Sims 3]] is based on [[The Sims]] original game and [[The Sims 2]] original game, and contains most features of these.
''[[The Sims 3]]'' is based on ''[[The Sims]]'' original base game and ''[[The Sims 2]]'' original base game, and therefore contains many of the same features.


==Completely new features==
==Completely new features==
These features have not existed in any ''Sims'' game before:
These features in The Sims 3 base game have not existed in any game in [[The Sims series]] before:


* Seamless neighborhood
* Seamless neighborhood
** [[Bicycles]]
** [[Bicycle]]s
** Time passes on all lots on the same time - in ''The Sims 2'' it was frozen on the home lot as long as Sims visited community lots. To avoid exploitation of this, Sims could not learn skills, or sleep, in community lots. In ''The Sims 3'', Sims can do almost everything regardless of where they are.
** Universal clock synchronized in all lots—in ''The Sims 2'', time was frozen on the home lot as long as Sims visited community lots. To avoid exploitation of this, Sims weren't able to learn skills or sleep on community lots. In ''The Sims 3'', Sims can do almost everything regardless of where they are.
** Ability to visit other homes
** [[Story progression]] - non-active households evolve during gameplay (can be turned on or off)
* [[Create-A-Sim]] features:
* [[Create-A-Sim]] features:
** Continuous [[body shapes]] ([[muscularity]]/[[obesity]])
** Continuous [[body shapes]] (muscular/obese) and skin colors
** Enhanced facial customization features
** [[Footwear]]
** Completely customizable hair color, the possibility to have separate hair root, base, highlight, and tip colors
* [[Traits]]
** Independent [[footwear]] (was attached to legwear in ''The Sims 2'')
** Different voice types
* [[Trait (The Sims 3)|Traits]]
* [[Moodlets]]
* [[Moodlets]]
* [[Story progression]]
* [[Favorites]]
* [[Create A Style|Create-A-Style]]
* Ability to adjust [[lifespan]] or turn off aging
* Ability to adjust [[lifespan]]
* New skills ([[Guitar]], [[Painting]], [[Writing]]) and challenges
** Ability to turn off aging (possible through cheats in ''The Sims 2'')
** [[Upgrades]]
** All Sims, including townies and NPCs, age as the game progresses
** [[Recipes]]
* Many new and more enhanced [[skill]]s
** Music sheets
** [[Upgrade|Upgrading]] ability
** Different literary genres
** [[Cooking (The Sims 3)#Recipes|Recipes]]
* Elementary [[civic building]]s
** [[Bookstore#Sheet music|Sheet music]]
* [[Opportunities]]
** [[Skill book]]s at different levels for all skills
** Unique books and new literary genres
** Different workout abilities
** Skill achievements
* [[Rabbit hole]]s - elementary, opaque civic buildings
** [[Skill class]]es at rabbit holes
** [[Community event]]s at rabbit holes and community lots
** Maintaining controls over Sims at school or workplace
* [[Opportunity|Opportunities]]
* Enhanced [[job]] features
* Enhanced [[job]] features
** Job performance options
** Job performance options
** Dynamic performance criteria (skills, coworkers, assignments)
** Raises
** [[Career#Pay raises|Raises]]
** Branching careers
* [[Ghost]] interaction and playable ghosts.


==Sims 2 expansion features in The Sims 3==
===In The Sims 3 expansion packs===
* Basement tool ([[basement]]s were made by using [[foundation]]s and as part of feature in ''The Sims 2: Nightlife''){{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}
Many features introduced in The Sims 2 expansions appear in The Sims 3 base game, to some extent.
* [[Laundry]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}
* [[Tattoo]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}
* [[Fountain]] tool{{Vgversion|TS3:LN}}
* Breast and muscle definition slider{{Vgversion|TS3:LN}}
* Body hair{{vgversion|TS3:G}}
* Controllable [[pet]]s (possible through cheats in ''The Sims 2: Pets''){{vgversion|TS3:P}}


==The Sims 2 expansion features in The Sims 3 base game==
* [[Young adult]]s ([[University]]) - a regular life stage
Many features introduced in ''The Sims 2'' expansions appear in ''The Sims 3'' base game, to some extent.
* [[Mobile phone]]s (University) - free for each Sim

* [[Guitar]] (University) - portable acoustic guitar
* [[Young adult]]{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}: Part of the regular life state now.
* [[Treadmill]] (University)
* Treadmill{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}
* [[Car|Private cars]] ([[Nightlife]])
* [[Inventory]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}: Each Sim has personal inventory and a family inventory.
* [[Inventory|Personal inventory]] (Nightlife) - though limited to vehicles and portable objects
* [[Cemetery|Cemeteries]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}
* [[Fish tank]]s ([[Pets]]) - can be used for caught fish
* [[Gardening]] ([[Seasons]]) - expanded
* [[Gardening]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* [[Fishing]] (Seasons) - expanded
* [[Fishing]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* [[Leftover]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* Storing and eating [[leftovers]] (Seasons)
* [[Journalism]] and [[Music (career)|Music]] careers{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* [[Jewelry]] ([[Bon Voyage]]) - though many kinds of jewelry (such as face piercings) were left out
* [[Jewelry]]{{Vgversion|TS2:BV}}
* [[Walking]] between lots ([[Bon Voyage]])
* [[Walking]] between lots{{Vgversion|TS2:BV}}
* [[Activity table]] ([[Free Time]]) - though [[Toddler]]s cannot gain skills anymore
* [[Beach]]es{{Vgversion|TS2:BV}}: Ability for Sims to swim in the open sea reappears in [[The Sims 3/Patch 42|patch 1.42]], equivalent to ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''.
* [[Bug catching]] (Free Time)
* [[Bug collecting]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}{{Vgversion|TS2:FT}}
* [[Ceilings]] ([[Apartment Life]])
* [[Hiking and jogging|Jogging]]{{Vgversion|TS2FT}}: Now in the open environment, instead of off-screen.
* [[Toothbrushing]] (Apartment Life)
* [[Toothbrushing]]{{Vgversion|TS2:AL}}
* [[Playground]] structures (Apartment Life)

===Objects===
* [[Mobile phone]]s{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}: Each Sim that is a child and older now has a mobile phone fixed in their inventory.
* [[Guitar]]{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}: As many games and expansions featured a fixed electric guitar, ''The Sims 3'' has a portable acoustic guitar with a designated [[guitar skill]].
* [[Car|Ownable cars]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}
* Roof objects{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* Activity table{{Vgversion|TS2:FT}}: [[Toddler]]s no longer gain skill from using it.
* [[Jungle gym]]{{Vgversion|TS2:AL}}
* [[Ceiling]]{{Vgversion|TS2:AL}}


==Lost features==
==Lost features==
These game features were found in The Sims 2 base game but not in The Sims 3.
These game features were found in ''The Sims 2'' base game but not in ''The Sims 3''.


* [[Cleaning]] skill
* [[Cinematic]]s
* [[Aspiration (The Sims 2)|Aspiration]]: Replaced with [[lifetime happiness]].
* [[Creativity]] skill - replaced by [[Guitar skill]], [[Painting]] and [[Writing]]
* [[Aspiration]] - replaced by [[lifetime happiness]]
* [[Slacker]] career
* [[Slacker]] career
* [[Fears]]
* [[Fears]]
* [[Underwear]] styles - though underwear can be used as the [[pajamas]] style
* [[Underwear]]: Underwear clothing style is part of [[pajamas]].
* [[Private school]]
* [[Private school]]: Reappears as [[Boarding school]] in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''.
* Visible retail stores: Reappears as [[market]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}, [[consignment store]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}, and [[gallery shop]]{{Vgversion|TS3:ITF}}.
* Visible retail stores - replaced by "[[rabbit holes]]"
* [[Yoga]]
* [[Meditation]]
* [[Interests]]
* [[Interests]]
* [[Memories]]
* [[Memories]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''
* [[Alien]]s, [[alien abduction]], [[alien pregnancy]]
* [[Alien]]s, [[alien abduction]], and [[pregnancy|alien pregnancy]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''.
* Flower beds that require watering and bushes that require trimming
* [[Environment]] and [[comfort]] needs (replaced by [[moodlets]])
* [[Environment]] and [[comfort]] needs: Replaced by [[moodlets]]
* The ability to create new neighborhoods
* The ability to create new neighborhoods. Replaced by [[Create-A-World]]
* [[Illness]]
* [[Illness]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''
* [[Inheritance]]
* [[Inheritance]]: Returns as a [[Lifetime Reward]]{{Vgversion|TS3:G}}
* [[Photo album]]
* Photo album: Screenshots are uploaded to [[TheSims3.com]] where stories are created.
* The need to buy clothes
* [[Cockroaches]]. They return as a [[Bug collecting|collectible]].
* Dreaming during sleep: Re-added in patch 1.5/1.6
* [[Body Shop]]
* Crosswords in [[newspaper]]s
* [[Zodiac|Astrological signs]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Late Night]]'' and [[The Sims 3/Patch 17|patch 17]].
* Shops (Sims no longer need to buy food on commercial lots, and The Sims 3 does not have magazines and video games as an item that can be bought and used. The ability to purchase clothing is reintroduced in ''[[The Sims 3: Into the Future]]'').
* The picture-in-picture window (also present in ''[[The Sims]]'').


===Lost [[NPC]]s===
===Lost skills===
* [[Mechanical]] skill: Replaced with [[Handiness]]
* [[Cleaning]] skill
* [[Creativity (skill)|Creativity]] skill: Replaced with several relevant skills; [[Instrument skill|Guitar]], [[Painting]], and [[Writing]] in base game, and additional skills from [[expansion pack]]s and store including [[Sculpting]], Piano, Bass, Drums, Violin and Laser Rhythm-a-con skills.
* [[Secret skills#Yoga|Yoga]] secret skill
* [[Secret Skill#The Sims 2|Meditation]] secret skill: Returns in ''The Sims: World Adventures'' as an ability upon reaching level 5 of the [[Martial Arts]] skill.

===Lost NPCs===
[[NPC]]s that were in ''The Sims 2'' base game, but not in ''The Sims 3''.
* [[Exterminator]]
* [[Headmaster]]
* [[Headmaster]]
* [[Hula Zombies]]
* [[Social Bunny]]
* [[Social Bunny]]
* [[Therapist]]
* [[Therapist]]
* [[Gardener]]
* [[Nanny]]: Replaced with [[babysitter]].
* Cashier: Reappears in [[market]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}} and [[consignment store]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}.
* [[Bartender]]: Replaced with Mixologist{{Vgversion|TS3:LN}}


===Lost objects===
===Lost objects===
These objects (with unique interactions) were found in The Sims 2 but not The Sims 3:
These objects (with unique interactions) were found in ''The Sims 2'' base game but not ''The Sims 3'' base game:


* [[Aspiration rewards]] - replaced by [[Lifetime reward|lifetime happiness rewards]]
* [[Aspiration reward (The Sims 2)|Aspiration rewards]]: Replaced with [[lifetime reward]]
* [[Piano]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Late Night]]''
* [[Career reward objects]] (sandbag, hydroponic garden, obstacle course etc)
* [[Pinball Machine]]s: Returns as premium content from the Store<ref>[http://store.thesims3.com/productDetail.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:43459 Pinball machine available at the Store.]</ref>
* [[Piano]] - replaced by Guitar
* [[Diving board]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''
* [[Springboard]] - though [[pool]]s remain
* [[Hot tub]]
* [[Hot tub]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Late Night]]''
* Retail objects - cash register, shelves etc
* Retail objects (cash register, shelves): Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: World Adventures]]'' and later
* [[Magazine]]s
* [[Farstar e3]] [[Telescope]] - the simple telescope remains
* [[Wedding arch]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''
* Specialised [[weight machine]]s - the game now has only one combined weight machine.
* [[Changing table]]s: Returns as premium content from the Store
* [[Magazine]]s - though specialized [[book]]s exist

* [[Wedding arch]]
===Changes in Animations===
* [[Pregnancy]]
* [[Birthday]] parties / aging up
* [[Death]]
* [[Marriage]]
* Making out: has been toned down
* Getting in and out of a [[vehicle]]


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Comparisons between The Sims and The Sims 2]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims base games]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims and The Sims 2]]
[[Category:Sims Games]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 3 and The Sims Medieval]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 2: Bon Voyage and The Sims 3: World Adventures]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 2: Open for Business and The Sims 3: Ambitions]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 2: Nightlife and The Sims 3: Late Night]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 2: Pets and The Sims 3: Pets]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 2: Seasons and The Sims 3: Seasons]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 2: University and The Sims 3: University Life]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims 3 and The Sims 4]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Game comparisons]]

Latest revision as of 14:02, 18 July 2020

Merge
This article or section is being considered for merging with Comparison between The Sims base games. See the discussion page for details.

The Sims 3 is based on The Sims original base game and The Sims 2 original base game, and therefore contains many of the same features.

Completely new features[edit | edit source]

These features in The Sims 3 base game have not existed in any game in The Sims series before:

  • Seamless neighborhood
    • Bicycles
    • Universal clock synchronized in all lots—in The Sims 2, time was frozen on the home lot as long as Sims visited community lots. To avoid exploitation of this, Sims weren't able to learn skills or sleep on community lots. In The Sims 3, Sims can do almost everything regardless of where they are.
    • Ability to visit other homes
    • Story progression - non-active households evolve during gameplay (can be turned on or off)
  • Create-A-Sim features:
    • Continuous body shapes (muscular/obese) and skin colors
    • Enhanced facial customization features
    • Completely customizable hair color, the possibility to have separate hair root, base, highlight, and tip colors
    • Independent footwear (was attached to legwear in The Sims 2)
    • Different voice types
  • Traits
  • Moodlets
  • Favorites
  • Create-A-Style
  • Ability to adjust lifespan
    • Ability to turn off aging (possible through cheats in The Sims 2)
    • All Sims, including townies and NPCs, age as the game progresses
  • Many new and more enhanced skills
  • Rabbit holes - elementary, opaque civic buildings
  • Opportunities
  • Enhanced job features
    • Job performance options
    • Dynamic performance criteria (skills, coworkers, assignments)
    • Raises
    • Branching careers
  • Ghost interaction and playable ghosts.

In The Sims 3 expansion packs[edit | edit source]

The Sims 2 expansion features in The Sims 3 base game[edit | edit source]

Many features introduced in The Sims 2 expansions appear in The Sims 3 base game, to some extent.

Objects[edit | edit source]

Lost features[edit | edit source]

These game features were found in The Sims 2 base game but not in The Sims 3.

Lost skills[edit | edit source]

Lost NPCs[edit | edit source]

NPCs that were in The Sims 2 base game, but not in The Sims 3.

Lost objects[edit | edit source]

These objects (with unique interactions) were found in The Sims 2 base game but not The Sims 3 base game:

Changes in Animations[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Pinball machine available at the Store.
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