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

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{{merge|Comparison between The Sims base games}}
<!--This article should mainly compare The Sims 2 base game to The Sims 3 base game. The differences between expansion packs are too broad to cover in a single article.-->

''[[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]]
* [[Favorites]]
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* 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
** Different workout abilities
** Skill achievements
** Skill achievements
* "[[Rabbit holes]]" - elementary, opaque civic buildings
* [[Rabbit hole]]s - elementary, opaque civic buildings
** [[Skill class]]es at rabbit holes
* [[Opportunities]]
** [[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}}
* [[Tattoo]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}
* New [[Skills|Skills:]] ([[Martial arts]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}, [[Nectar making]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}} [[photography]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}, [[inventing]]{{Vgversion|The Sims 3: Ambitions|}} and [[sculpting]]{{Vgversion|The Sims 3: Ambitions|}})
* [[Laundry|&nbsp;Laundry]] {{Vgversion|The Sims 3: Ambitions|}}
* [[Fountain]] tool{{Vgversion|TS3:LN}}
* Breast Slider in CAS. {{Vgversion|The Sims 3: Late Night|}}
* Breast and muscle definition slider{{Vgversion|TS3:LN}}
* Body hair{{vgversion|TS3:G}}
* Fountain Tool (adds ability to create custom fountains) {{Vgversion|The Sims 3: Late Night|}}
* 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==
==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]]''.
* [[Journalism]] and [[Music (career)|Music]] careers (Seasons)
* [[Bug collecting]]{{Vgversion|TS2:S}}{{Vgversion|TS2:FT}}
* [[Jewelry]] ([[Bon Voyage]]) - though many kinds of jewelry (such as face piercings) are left out without the addition of custom content
* [[Hiking and jogging|Jogging]]{{Vgversion|TS2FT}}: Now in the open environment, instead of off-screen.
* [[Walking]] between lots ([[Bon Voyage]])
* [[Toothbrushing]]{{Vgversion|TS2:AL}}
* Activity table ([[Free Time]]): [[Toddler]]s no longer gain regular skills, but certain activities can give skills as they grow up.

* [[Bug catching]] (Free Time): See [[collecting]].
===Objects===
* [[Ceilings]] ([[Apartment Life]])
* [[Mobile phone]]s{{Vgversion|TS2:U}}: Each Sim that is a child and older now has a mobile phone fixed in their inventory.
* [[Toothbrushing]] (Apartment Life): As it was featured in ''The Sims'' base game.
* [[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]].
* [[Playground]] structures (Apartment Life)
* [[Car|Ownable cars]]{{Vgversion|TS2:NL}}
* [[Influence]] - combined with [[Charisma]] skill
* Roof Objects
* 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==
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* [[Cinematic]]s
* [[Cinematic]]s
* [[Aspiration]] - replaced by [[lifetime happiness]]
* [[Aspiration (The Sims 2)|Aspiration]]: Replaced with [[lifetime happiness]].
* [[Slacker]] career - replaced by part-time jobs
* [[Slacker]] career
* [[Fears]]
* [[Fears]] - much because of the coward and brave Sim [[traits]], and negative moodlets
* [[Underwear]] styles - though underwear can be used as the [[pajamas]] style or added in custom content
* [[Underwear]]: Underwear clothing style is part of [[pajamas]].
* [[Private school]], there is only one School which is public.
* [[Private school]]: Reappears as [[Boarding school]] in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''.
* Visible retail stores - replaced by "[[rabbit hole]]s". Retail stores reappeared in [[The Sims 3: World Adventures]]
* Visible retail stores: Reappears as [[market]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}}, [[consignment store]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}, and [[gallery shop]]{{Vgversion|TS3:ITF}}.
* [[Interests]]- only favourites now
* [[Interests]]
* [[Memories]] (although moodlets act as temporary memories)
* [[Memories]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''
* [[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.
* [[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. replaced by [http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Create-A-World ''Create-A-World'']
* The ability to create new neighborhoods. Replaced by [[Create-A-World]]
* [[Illness]]
* [[Illness]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''
* [[inheritance|Inheritance]]
* [[Inheritance]]: Returns as a [[Lifetime Reward]]{{Vgversion|TS3:G}}
* Photo album - Screenshots are uploaded to [[TheSims3.com]] where stories are created.
* Photo album: Screenshots are uploaded to [[TheSims3.com]] where stories are created.
* The need to buy clothes - your Sims already have everything.
* The need to buy clothes
* Cockroaches - Although they can be collected. See [[collecting]].
* [[Cockroaches]]. They return as a [[Bug collecting|collectible]].
* Dreaming during sleep (re-added in patch 1.5/1.6)
* Dreaming during sleep: Re-added in patch 1.5/1.6
* [[Body Shop]]
* [[Body Shop]]
* Crosswords in [[newspaper]]s
* Crosswords in [[newspaper]]s
* [[Zodiac|Astrological signs]] (re-added in ''The Sims 3 Late Night'') [http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=pl&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsimy.focus.pl%2Findex.php%3Fsubaction%3Dshowcomments%26id%3D1284719224]
* [[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]]'').
* [[Influence]] (re-added in The Sims 3 Late Night) [http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.simfans.de/specials/sims3_late_night_event/english.php&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhgKKirfkxHdEA6IhTTEbQHZAGRAbg]
* The picture-in-picture window (also present in ''[[The Sims]]'').


===Lost [[skills]]===
===Lost skills===
* [[Mechanical]] skill - replaced by [[Handiness]]
* [[Mechanical]] skill: Replaced with [[Handiness]]
* [[Cleaning]] skill - much because of the neat and slob Sim [[traits]]
* [[Cleaning]] skill
* [[Creativity]] skill - replaced by several other skills: [[Guitar skill|Guitar]], [[Painting]] and [[Writing]] in TS3 base game, and [[Inventing]], [[Sculpting]], [[Piano]], [[Bass]] and [[Drums]] skills in expansion packs.
* [[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.
* [[Yoga]]
* [[Secret skills#Yoga|Yoga]] secret skill
* [[Meditation]] - re-added in [[The Sims 3: World Adventures]] as a special ability that a sim will recieve upon reaching level 5 of the [[Martial Arts]] 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]])
* [[Nanny]]: Replaced with [[babysitter]].
* Cashier: Reappears in [[market]]{{Vgversion|TS3:WA}} and [[consignment store]]{{Vgversion|TS3:A}}.
* Shop assistant: Re-added in World Adventures at the markets and in Ambitions at the Consignment Shop.
* [[Bartender]] (Re-added with Sims 3 Late Night but now called Mixologist)[http://www.simfans.de/sims3/erweiterungspack/late-night/screenshots/058.jpg]
* [[Bartender]]: Replaced with Mixologist{{Vgversion|TS3:LN}}


===Lost objects===
===Lost objects===
These objects (with unique interactions) were found in ''The Sims 2'' base game but not ''The Sims 3'' base game:
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 but returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Late Night]]''
* [[Diving board]]/[[water slide]] - though [[swimming pool]]s remain
* [[Diving board]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons]]''
* [[Hot tub]] - Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Late Night]]''
* [[Hot tub]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Late Night]]''
* Retail objects (cash register, shelves): Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: World Adventures]]'' and later

* [[Magazine]]s
* Retail objects - cash register, shelves, etc.: Cash registers are added in WA for markets and stores:Shelves are added in Ambitions for the cosignment store (but they are only for decoration).
* [[Wedding arch]]: Returns in ''[[The Sims 3: Generations]]''
* [[Farstar e3]] [[Telescope]] - the simple telescope remains
* [[Changing table]]s: Returns as premium content from the Store
* Specialised [[weight machine]]s - the game now has only one combined weight machine.
* [[Magazine]]s to change interests - though there are non-interactive "decor" magazines.
* Wedding arch


===Changes in Animations===
===Changes in Animations===
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* [[Death]]
* [[Death]]
* [[Marriage]]
* [[Marriage]]
* Make Out (Has been toned down, possibly for younger audiences)
* Making out: has been toned down
* 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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