Over the past two decades, the The Sims franchise has proven itself as one of the most successful game series that has remarkably remained consistent over time.
Starting from its latest version, The Sims 4, which launched in 2014 and transitioned to a free-to-play model in 2022, the player base of this series continues to grow significantly. As of October 2024, recent statistics indicate that there are now over 15 million new players who have joined the immersive world of The Sims this year.
However, when EA decided to broaden the impact of this beloved franchise by reintroducing two classic Sims titles on PC with modern graphics, the reaction from players took a surprising turn.
Instead of celebrating the nostalgia, major backlash arose immediately after the release of The Sims 2 Legacy Collection. The game’s rating was considerably low, coupled with a myriad of negative comments on Steam. Most of the feedback from players revolved around the game facing frequent crashes and a host of other issues. Importantly, the criticism was not limited to new players experiencing The Sims 2 Legacy Collection, as long-time fans shared similar sentiments.
Despite the poor reviews, a bright spot for The Sims 2 Legacy Collection was the peak number of concurrent players on Steam, which reached around 5,000 on its launch day. Although this number cannot be compared to the daily player count that The Sims 4 enjoys, it is still a noteworthy achievement for a re-release of an older title. Interestingly, The Sims Legacy Collection currently holds a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam, indicating a level of appreciation despite its shortcomings compared to more recent versions.
For Sims enthusiasts, 2025 will be a significant year as it marks the 25th anniversary of this iconic franchise. The developers have good reason to prepare for this milestone, and there is a strong possibility that a massive DLC for The Sims 4 will be released this year to celebrate the occasion.
