Recently online footage released Gameplay of Project Rene, the new version of The Sims, and fans of the series, to put it mildly, are not happy. Many compare the new product to mobile games and complain that the project is far from what the franchise is famous for.
At first everyone thought this was Project René Sims 5. However, EA has clarified that this is a standalone game in line with The Sims Online. But a complete continuation of the series is not yet on the horizon, and the developers from Maxis will continue to develop The Sims 4.
Leaked playtest screenshots have revealed some of Project Rene’s features. The game takes place in the “Parisian” area, where players get jobs and complete daily tasks for in-game money – Simoleons. This system caused concern among fans, who saw in the idea of microtransactions and high money.
Project Rene’s graphic design has also been criticized. Some users compared the style of the characters to “weird clay animation” or Instagram avatars. Yes, this is just an alpha version, but many fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the overall art direction.
The community is also particularly concerned about the possible restriction of customization in relation to paid cosmetic products. This goes against the spirit of the original series, which was known for its wide range of creativity. Some enthusiasts are even calling for a boycott of Project Rene, saying the game “goes against everything the Sims franchise stands for.”
Despite the lack of an official release date and detailed information about Project Rene, the first impressions from the leaks were far from enthusiastic.