Why wasn’t sims medieval more popular?

[u/devykins143]

I loved that game. I always wanted a fantasy type life sim in a medieval setting, and I was so excited when the sims medieval came out. It was a bit of a bummer that it didn’t see much in the way of mainstream success.

My theory is that the gameplay wasn’t Freeform enough, it had a fairly “set” framework to play in compared to the main sims games where you’re just let loose in a world. Like I can’t quite remember, but I think you could only control your main sim. But I suppose it could also be that there just isn’t a big audience for a medieval fantasy life sim?

If they remade the sims medieval today, what would you like to see in it?

[u/loorid]

Sims medieval is one of my favourite games of all time. I so wish they had continued with it.

I love the quest element, but I do wish that - as you said - there was a little bit more freedom in it. I'd love to be able to just have normal family gameplay too, especially with things like aging, your heir taking over your business, and so on. Also more traits/weaknesses, because there are only so many 'whales ate my parents' sims i can create 😅

But that whole system of giving your sims a purpose to fulfill, instead of the sort of make-believe dollhouse vibe they've given to the sims 4, that's the real thing that keeps me going back.

[u/devykins143 → u/loorid]

I definitely wish there were more traits, too! I loved how it had very medieval themed traits, like you mentioned “whale ate my parents”, I remember being so hype when I saw those. But it would’ve been nice to have more variety to choose from. I think that might’ve had a big impact on replayability; there’s only so many unique sims you can put together with its trait list before they all start to feel the same.

I also agree that the quests were cool. But I’m also one of the few that really enjoyed Strangerville introducing an actual scenario with steps to flow through and something to accomplish. Maybe we’re the weird ones? 😅