The new generation of Sims begins with what feels like a bare-bones starter kit. It packs top-of-the-line Sims creation and house building tools, but styling options and activities are distinctly lacking.

The original Sims 4 had a lukewarm reception . It was missing features and elements that Sim fans expected to be in a Sims game. Through patching and content packs released over the past few years, the game has turned around and become closer to what fans wanted, and with Dine Out they continue in...

Makes running a restaurant fun; Building mode is simple and pleasurable; Incorporates other packs well

Its content is single-purpose; Not enough new items; A niche pack that will not appeal to everyone

Devoted fans of The Sims spend years playing each entry, continually expanding their sims' lives. Some have family lineages that span generations, and others hone their building skills to create iconic landmarks.

Earlier this month EA Maxis released the much anticipated The Sims 4. Introducing a new Emotion game mechanic and an updated Create-a-Sim and Build-Mode interface, but The Sims 4 begs the questions: are the changes enough to make it a better game than The Sims 3 In short, the answer is no.

- Build-Mode and Create-a-Sim are a good as ever; - New emotion-system and multitask abilities are nice; - Essentially the same Sims game we all know and love

- No pool; - Too many omissions (open-world; etc..; - Essentially the same Sims game we all know and love; albeit with a little less of everything

The latest stuff pack from The Sims 4 marks a first for the franchise: a stuff pack that requires you to own an expansion pack in order to unlock all the content. While there is content for those who don't have the Cats & Dogs expansion, it's clear that this stuff pack is aimed at those who do own...

Super cute new pet-themed furniture; Lots of new pet outfits; if you're into that; Adorable rodent pets

Very few clothing and hair options added for Sims; Requires Cats & Dogs expansion pack to unlock all content; Only four new pets; with only cosmetic differences

While The Sims 4 is a good first effort that will entertain goal-chasers and fan creators, it lacks much of the variety and humor that defines The Sims.

The mood; skill; and aspirations systems working together as a dynamic whole; A huge focus on fan creation; The humorous situations that you DO encounter

A lack of items and interactions compared to previous installments; Fewer fun and quirky moments; Seemingly endless pop-ups that can't be dismissed

Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy this game, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.

Sims 4 is cool because you can make your sims do new things they've never done before, and you can really customize them as individuals and tune into their varying personalities, in so much more depth than ever before!

Siobhan Keogh takes a look at The Sims 4 and discovers a game that may feature weirder stories, but also feels weirdly incomplete.

Funny and well thought-out new emotion system; Wastes less of the player's time than previous games; Great character creator

The world is no longer open; Fewer locations to visit; Feels deliberately incomplete

Control-shift-C-"motherlode." It's a series of commands that every Sims player knows, the one that infuses your bank account with precious simoleans for buying the fanciest lamps, laying the plushest carpet, and landscaping with the most impressive of shrubbery.

Colorful visuals and fantastic audio make watching your sims a joy; The core build and buy tools are both robust and accessible; Moods and multitasking lead to hilarious sim actions

Cramped structure limits personal stories and restrains multi-sim control; Far too many series features have been frustratingly pruned or removed