The Sims™ Legacy Collection

About

The Sims™ Legacy Collection brings the classic simulation game to Windows 10/11, allowing you to create and control a neighborhood of Sims. Experience various life scenarios with packs like Livin' Large, House Party, and Makin' Magic. With open-ended gameplay, guide your Sims through careers, relationships, and more, or let chaos take over in this charming and entertaining world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

59%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,794 reviews

gameplay28 positive mentions

stability104 negative mentions

The game brings back a lot of nostalgia and is just as enjoyable as it was 25 years ago.
Runs well on modern systems, with some players reporting no crashes and smooth gameplay.
Includes all expansions, providing a complete experience for fans of the original game.

The game frequently crashes, especially when saving or switching lots, making it frustrating to play.
UI scaling issues make the interface difficult to read on modern resolutions, impacting the overall experience.
Many players have reported problems launching the game or experiencing significant performance drops, particularly on AMD hardware.

stability
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs, particularly during specific events or when switching lots. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay without issues, the overall consensus suggests that the game is currently unoptimized and requires significant troubleshooting. Players are advised to save often and anticipate ongoing glitches, especially in the early stages following its release.
- “Runs great with the latest patches.”
- “Unlike a lot of the reviews here, my experience has been completely bug-free so far.”
- “[b]tldr:[/b] runs great, graphics look great for how old it is, haven't crashed and the nostalgia runs deep.”
- “Non-stop crashing and glitches.”
- “Worse reboot ever, I wanted to play this as a way of reliving my childhood, but alas... EA has ruined that chance... game runs poorly, freezes at every turn, and the UI is stuck on being tiny... EA, either fix this and make it playable, or take it off Steam, you're wasting everyone's time with your money grubbing!”
- “Extremely buggy with numerous crashes.”
gameplay
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The gameplay of The Sims 1 is characterized by its nostalgic charm and engaging mechanics, though it suffers from dated graphics and repetitive elements. Players appreciate the challenge of managing their Sims' needs, which is more demanding than in later installments, but many report significant technical issues, including frequent crashes and UI problems. Overall, while the core gameplay remains enjoyable for long-time fans, the current state of the game raises concerns about its stability and polish.
- “The Sims 1 is an absolute gem that offers incredible value for its price, providing hours of engaging gameplay and nostalgia.”
- “Making friends, learning skills, and eventually finding a partner like Bella Goth adds a personal touch to the gameplay.”
- “So fun and joyful to return to the roots of the game we all love, and endlessly fun amount of challenging quirky gameplay.”
- “The gameplay itself isn’t anything special compared to The Sims 2, 3, or 4, as it lacks aging and every day feels the same (no days off from school or work).”
- “I'm beyond let down; I've never experienced such terrible gameplay or glitches in my life.”
- “I honestly wouldn't recommend buying it in its current state as a lot of people are having issues with crashes during launch, crashes during gameplay, and overall random issues that shouldn't exist during a re-release.”
graphics
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
75%
3%
The graphics of the game evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, with many players appreciating the original art style despite its dated appearance and low-resolution elements. While some minor graphical improvements have been noted, such as texture upscaling, the game lacks significant enhancements typical of modern remasters, leading to mixed feelings about its visual fidelity. Additionally, compatibility issues with certain graphics cards have been reported, affecting the overall experience for some users.
- “I was recently playing a couple of months ago, so when I say the graphics upgrade blew my mind, I really mean it!”
- “I love the fact that they kept the original graphics.”
- “The art style and charm this game has is unmatched.”
- “Charging 19.99 USD/29.99 CAD is diabolical when you have to fix it yourself and they include no other enhancements such as graphics or quality of life.”
- “Pretty rough to run; need to jump through so many hoops to make sure your graphics card (and other things) are compatible, and the screen is still a static mess most of the time.”
- “No quality of life updates or 'improved graphics' like other remastered games tend to promise.”
music
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic value and iconic status, with many players highlighting the memorable neighborhood tunes, thematic compositions, and sound effects that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is one of the best in gaming history, evoking strong emotional connections and fond childhood memories. However, some express disappointment over the absence of certain musical themes from DLCs and the desire for more customizable music options.
- “The soundtrack is also the best in the series, in my opinion.”
- “I realize part of that is the nostalgia and hours of gameplay sunk into this game over the years, but I truly think the soundtrack really ties together and elevates the whole experience.”
- “The sound design is amazing and the soundtrack is top notch, probably one of the best soundtracks in video game history.”
- “It feels ridiculous that I paid actual money for this when all I can do is listen to the neighborhood music and look at the barren lots and scenery.”
- “Also, it's sad that the musical main themes of the DLCs are gone; you can't hear these songs anywhere in-game.”
- “The only thing I would like to add to this version of The Sims is the ability to choose the loading screen - the complete version is sad and without music, and no one feels sentimental about it because it came out at a time when we were already sharing our Sims 2 parcels on forums.”
optimization
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
39%
29%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players experiencing crashes, performance issues, and resolution problems, particularly on modern systems. While a few users report smooth gameplay, the majority express frustration over the lack of proper optimization for Windows 10/11, leading to a disappointing experience for a re-released title. Overall, the game's performance is inconsistent, with significant lag and instability when multiple characters are on screen, prompting many to advise against purchasing until improvements are made.
- “On my system, the game runs smoothly without crashes or bugs.”
- “The application runs smoothly and without error.”
- “Set your monitor resolution to 2560 x 1440 and the game runs smoothly with everything correctly to scale.”
- “Had to mess with the game files just to get past the neighborhood screen or create a family, even though it’s supposedly 'optimized' for modern PCs. What a joke.”
- “The game won't even launch for most people, so what's the point of releasing a game that isn't even optimized for modern PCs but is advertised as such?”
- “I'll still play the game and I do enjoy playing it, but EA has horribly mismanaged a re-release that should've been awesome. The game is not optimized well for newer computers.”
monetization
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "shameless cash grab" due to its $20 price tag for what they perceive as minimal effort and functionality. Reviewers express disappointment in the lack of meaningful updates or improvements, suggesting that the game exploits nostalgia without delivering a worthwhile experience. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with calls to avoid purchasing it based on its perceived exploitative nature.
- “Charging $20 for what is essentially abandonware feels like a shameless cash grab, especially considering the game was given away for free years ago.”
- “This is clearly just a cash grab with little to no effort made in making the game appealing to the modern audience or to run functionally on their modern PCs.”
- “This is a shameless cash grab, and I cannot in good conscience recommend it.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for lacking a defined narrative, especially compared to earlier versions like Sims 1, which featured a clear storyline. While players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the freedom to create their own stories, many express disappointment that the game does not include structured story modes or the engaging narratives found in console adaptations. Overall, the absence of a compelling storyline detracts from the experience for some players.
- “This is a 25-year-old game, an iconic foundation to what we know and love from all of the Sims editions, so there will be so many fun roots of beloved in-jokes, characters, storylines, etc., to explore just for the love of the Sims as a franchise, even if you don't have nostalgia for them in this particular version.”
- “I honestly love Sims games; I love making every and any cool or silly story you can think of.”
- “Sims 1 does not have the 'get a life' storyline like the PS2 version.”
- “There is no storyline.”
- “Sims 1 does not have the 'Get a Life' storyline like the PS2 version.”
- “If only they would port story mode or the stuff they added to consoles instead of just a sandbox.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its charming balance of chaos and seriousness, with players enjoying the hilarious simlish rock music and the amusing quirks of the game. Despite some technical issues, the effort put into modernizing the game is seen as both commendable and ironically flawed, adding to its comedic appeal. Overall, the game maintains a delightful sense of humor that keeps players engaged and entertained.
- “The game just exudes that perfect balance between humor and seriousness at every turn, and that's what gives it that special charm that keeps me coming back.”
- “The charm, the humor, the chaos—it’s all still here.”
- “I love this game and its incredible sense of humor.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, primarily driven by nostalgia, which evokes feelings of sadness and joy. The sight of familiar elements, like the neighborhood screen, triggers deep memories, leading some to tears, while also acknowledging a shift in loyalty to upcoming titles. Overall, the emotional impact is significant, blending fond memories with a bittersweet farewell.
- “But... when I saw the neighborhood screen in a small square, and the rest of the screen in black, it made me want to cry.”
- “I cried because this is so nostalgic for me when this came out and I bought it instantly.”
- “The nostalgia made me a little emotional, but I was able to get back into gameplay easily.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of The Sims 2 to be tedious yet rewarding, as it emphasizes a clear path to wealth and success for their Sims. While the game allows for free-form play, progressing often requires significant effort in earning money to unlock better items and environments, making the grinding feel necessary for a more enjoyable experience.
- “Although it is free-form and sandbox in how you choose to play, there is much more focus on a clear path of wealth/success for your sims, and although there isn't an end game as such, the game gets easier when you can purchase better objects and environment (which can be done only through grinding earning money if you don't rosebud).”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players highlight the game's depth and replayability through various milestones, such as achieving high-level jobs and accumulating wealth, which encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some users express frustration with the game's playability, suggesting that technical issues may hinder the overall experience.
- “Reaching milestones like securing a high-level job, marrying Bella Goth, and accumulating over 100k in wealth without cheating is a testament to the game's depth and replayability.”