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 base game and ''[[The Sims 2]]'' original base game, and therefore contains many of the same features.
''[[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.


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* Seamless neighborhood
* Seamless neighborhood
** [[Bicycle]]s
** [[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
** Ability to visit other homes
** [[Story progression]] - non-active households evolve during gameplay (can turn on or off)
** [[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]]) and skin colors
** Continuous [[body shapes]] (muscular/obese) and skin colors
** Enhanced facial customisation features
** 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'')
** Independent [[footwear]] (was attached to legwear in ''The Sims 2'')
** Different voice types
* [[Traits]]
* [[Trait (The Sims 3)|Traits]]
* [[Moodlets]]
* [[Moodlets]]
* [[Favorites]]
* [[Create A Style|Create-A-Style]]
* [[Create A Style|Create-A-Style]]
* Ability to adjust [[lifespan]]
* Ability to adjust [[lifespan]]
* Ability to turn off aging (possible through cheats in ''The Sims 2'')
** Ability to turn off aging (possible through cheats in ''The Sims 2'')
** All Sims, including townies and NPCs, age as the game progresses
* New skills ([[Guitar]], [[Painting]] and [[Writing]])
* Many new and more enhanced [[skill]]s
* New music
** [[Upgrade|Upgrading]] ability
* Skill challenges
** New [[Upgrade]]s
** [[Cooking (The Sims 3)#Recipes|Recipes]]
** [[Cooking (The Sims 3)#Recipes|Recipes]]
** Sheet music
** [[Bookstore#Sheet music|Sheet music]]
** [[Skill book]]s at different levels for all skills
** New literary genres
** Unique books and new literary genres
* "[[Rabbit holes]]" - elementary, opaque civic buildings
** Different workout abilities
* [[Opportunities]]
** 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, co-workers, assignments)
** Dynamic performance criteria (skills, coworkers, assignments)
** Raises
** [[Career#Pay raises|Raises]]
** Branching careers
* [[Ghost]] interaction and playable ghosts.


===In expansion packs===
===In The Sims 3 expansion packs===
* Basement tool ([[Basement]]s were made by using [[foundation]]s in ''The Sims 2'') {{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}
* Basement tool ([[basement]]s were made by using [[foundation]]s and as part of feature in ''The Sims 2: Nightlife''){{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}
* Being able to sing songs from other countries {{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}
* [[Laundry]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}
* [[Martial arts]], [[Nectar making]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}} and [[photography]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}
* [[Tattoo]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}
* [[Laundry]] {{Vgversion|The Sims 3: Ambitions|}}
* [[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==
==The Sims 2 expansion features in The Sims 3 base game==
Many features introduced in ''The Sims 2'' expansions appear in ''The Sims 3'' base game, to some extent.
Many features introduced in ''The Sims 2'' expansions appear in ''The Sims 3'' base game, to some extent.


* [[Young adult]]s ([[University]]): This life stage was for college years. Now it is a regular life stage.
* [[Young adult]]{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}: Part of the regular life state now.
* Treadmill{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}
* [[Mobile phone]]s (University): Each Sim that is a child and older now has a mobile phone fixed in their inventory.
* [[Inventory]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}: Each Sim has personal inventory and a family inventory.
* [[Guitar]]: As many games and expansions featured a fixed electric guitar, ''The Sims 3'' has a portable acoustic guitar with a designated [[guitar skill]].
* [[Cemetery|Cemeteries]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}
* Treadmill (University)
* [[Gardening]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* [[Car|Private cars]] ([[Nightlife]])
* [[Fishing]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* [[Inventory|Personal inventory]] (Nightlife) - now limited to vehicles and portable objects
* [[Leftover]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* Fish tanks/bowls ([[Pets]]) - can be used for caught fish
* [[Journalism]] and [[Music (career)|Music]] careers{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
* [[Gardening]] ([[Seasons]]) - expanded
* [[Jewelry]]{{Vgversion|TS2:BV}}
* [[Fishing]] (Seasons) - expanded
* [[Walking]] between lots{{Vgversion|TS2:BV}}
* Storing and eating [[leftovers]] (Seasons)
* [[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]]''.
* [[Jewelry]] ([[Bon Voyage]]) - though many kinds of jewelry (such as face piercings) are left out without the addition of custom content
* [[Bug collecting]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}{{Vgversion|TS2:FT}}
* [[Walking]] between lots ([[Bon Voyage]])
* [[Hiking and jogging|Jogging]]{{Vgversion|TS2FT}}: Now in the open environment, instead of off-screen.
* Activity table ([[Free Time]]): [[Toddler]]s no longer gain regular skills, but certain activities can give skills as they grow up.
* [[Toothbrushing]]{{Vgversion|TS2:AL}}
* [[Bug catching]] (Free Time): See [[collecting]].

* [[Ceilings]] ([[Apartment Life]])
===Objects===
* [[Toothbrushing]] (Apartment Life): As it was featured in ''The Sims'' base game.
* [[Mobile phone]]s{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}: Each Sim that is a child and older now has a mobile phone fixed in their inventory.
* [[Playground]] structures (Apartment Life)
* [[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]].
* [[Influence]] - combined with [[Charisma]] skill
* [[Car|Ownable cars]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}
* Roof Objects
* Roof objects{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}
*[[Meditation]] - re-added with [[The Sims 3: World Adventures]]
* 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 (or it's expansion packs) but not in ''The Sims 3''.
These game features were found in ''The Sims 2'' base game but not in ''The Sims 3''.


* [[Cinematic]]s
* [[Cinematic]]s
* [[Aspiration (The Sims 2)|Aspiration]]: Replaced with [[lifetime happiness]].
* [[Mechanical]] skill - replaced by [[Handiness]]
* [[Slacker]] career
* [[Cleaning]] skill - much because of the neat and slob Sim [[traits]]
* [[Fears]]
* [[Creativity]] skill - replaced by the [[Guitar skill|Guitar]], [[Painting]], [[Writing]], [[Inventing]] and [[Sculpting]] [[skills]].
* [[Underwear]]: Underwear clothing style is part of [[pajamas]].
* [[Aspiration]] - replaced by [[lifetime happiness]]
* [[Private school]]: Reappears as [[Boarding school]] in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''.
* [[Slacker]] career - replaced by part-time jobs
* Visible retail stores: Reappears as [[market]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}, [[consignment store]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}, and [[gallery shop]]{{Vgversion|TS3:ITF}}.
* [[Fears]] - much because of the coward and brave Sim [[traits]]
* [[Interests]]
* [[Underwear]] styles - though underwear can be used as the [[pajamas]] style or added in custom content
* [[Memories]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''
* [[Private school]]
* Visible retail stores - replaced by "[[rabbit hole]]s". Retail stores reappeared in [[The Sims 3: World Adventures]]
* [[Alien]]s, [[alien abduction]], and [[pregnancy|alien pregnancy]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''.
* Flower beds that require watering and bushes that require trimming
* [[Yoga]]
* [[Environment]] and [[comfort]] needs: Replaced by [[moodlets]]
* [[Interests]]- only favourites now
* The ability to create new neighborhoods. Replaced by [[Create-A-World]]
* [[Memories]] (although moodlets act as temporary memories)
* [[Illness]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''
* [[Alien]]s, [[alien abduction]], [[pregnancy|alien pregnancy]]. In CAS there is a green skin tone that can be adjusted to the yellowish green that the Aliens from TS2 had. This along with changing the shape and color of the eyes, nose and ears allows the user to create a sim that looks very close to an alien.
* [[Inheritance]]: Returns as a [[Lifetime Reward]]{{Vgversion|TS3:G}}
* [[Environment]] and [[comfort]] needs (replaced by [[moodlets]])
* Photo album: Screenshots are uploaded to [[TheSims3.com]] where stories are created.
* The ability to create new neighborhoods. replaced by [http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Create-A-World ''Create-A-World'']
* The need to buy clothes
* [[Illness]]
* [[Cockroaches]]. They return as a [[Bug collecting|collectible]].
* [[inheritance|Inheritance]]
* Dreaming during sleep: Re-added in patch 1.5/1.6
* Photo album - Screenshots are uploaded to [[TheSims3.com]] where stories are created.
* The need to buy clothes - your Sims already have everything.
* Cockroaches - Although they can be collected. See [[collecting]].
* Dreaming during sleep (re-added in patch 1.5/1.6)
* [[Body Shop]]
* [[Body Shop]]
* Crosswords in [[newspaper]]s
* [[Weather]] (re-introduced in The Sims 3 for Console)
* [[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 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===
===Lost NPCs===
[[NPC]]s that were in ''The Sims 2'' base game, but not in ''The Sims 3''.
[[NPC]]s that were in ''The Sims 2'' base game, but not in ''The Sims 3''.

* [[Exterminator]]
* [[Exterminator]]
* [[Headmaster]]
* [[Headmaster]]
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* [[Therapist]]
* [[Therapist]]
* [[Gardener]]
* [[Gardener]]
* [[Nanny]]: Replaced with [[babysitter]].
* Shop assistant: Re-added in World Adventures at the markets and in Ambitions at the Consignment Shop.
* 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/water slide - though [[swimming pool]]s remain
* [[Diving board]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''
* [[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 machines - the game now has only one combined weight machine.
* [[Changing table]]s: Returns as premium content from the Store
* [[Magazine]]s to change interests
* Wedding arch


===Changes in Animations===
===Changes in Animations===
* [[Pregnancy]]
* [[Pregnancy]]
* Birthday parties / aging up
* [[Birthday]] parties / aging up
* [[Death]]
* [[Death]]
* [[Marriage]]
* [[Marriage]]
* Making out: has been toned down
* Make Out
* Getting in and out of a [[vehicle]] (Sims now spawn in and out of vehicles).
* 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]]
[[Category:Games| Comparison]]
* [[Comparison between The Sims and The Sims 2]]
* [[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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