I know most people have already commented, but no, TS2 is not an open world. I haven't played TS4 so I can't comment on that but I can tell you differences between TS2 and TS3
The Sims 3
Sims can walk, bike, drive, etc anywhere. If you want to visit your neighbors, you can walk across the street and visit them
No loading screens
The game plays without you (See my explanation for this below)
You can follow your Sims to work, even though you can't go inside
The Sims 2
You pretty much have no neighbors unless you have Apartment Life that you can visit or can visit you
Loading screens each time you visit a lot
Can't go over to friends houses/parties
Game does not continue on without you, meaning that whatever family you play is the one that grows. For example, if you marry and move out a Sim who had a baby, the child will not grow and no one else will either unless you play them. So your active Sim could grow to be an elder and then their child they moved out will still be a baby because you're not playing it. In TS3, everyone ages with each other.
No, I see what you're talking about. The neighborhood is pretty, and more realistic than in 2 (not that the guy is noticing the neighborhood, lol).
I actually like that only one family ages until you play them. BUT, I've noticed that while Susie became a teen, her friends from school didn't, and they're all still kids. And because they're interactable NPCs, not other neighborhood families (the family I am playing is the only family in the neighborhood. Now that I have University, I need to work on that, lol) there is no home that I can go to in order to play the kids to age them up like Susie). I'm kind of sad that Susie is literally outgrowing her friends.
No, I see what you're talking about. The neighborhood is pretty, and more realistic than in 2 (not that the guy is noticing the neighborhood, lol).
I actually like that only one family ages until you play them. BUT, I've noticed that while Susie became a teen, her friends from school didn't, and they're all still kids. And because they're interactable NPCs, not other neighborhood families (the family I am playing is the only family in the neighborhood. Now that I have University, I need to work on that, lol) there is no home that I can go to in order to play the kids to age them up like Susie). I'm kind of sad that Susie is literally outgrowing her friends.
One of the EPs added the option to age up friends with your sim. And you can also select teens to go to university with your sim. So boyfriend and girlfriend / bff can go along.
---one more reason you need the UC. So many more options!
While there are loading screens like Sims 4, I would say Sims 2 is slightly more "open" then Sims 4. You can actually see your neighborhood while you are in the menu and on your lot. But that's only a slight difference and probably doesn't bother most people.
The TS4 maps bother the heck out of me. Especially because they are made to look like they are together, but when you are in a lot, you can't see the stuff the map says should be around you.
One thing I have always loved about the worlds (once TS2 enabled it and WOW! in TS3) was seeing the rest of the neighborhood while in a lot.
Wait, what? When and how? I can't see anything around me when in a lot!
If you have Apartment Life, go to options and enable neighborhoods
While there are loading screens like Sims 4, I would say Sims 2 is slightly more "open" then Sims 4. You can actually see your neighborhood while you are in the menu and on your lot. But that's only a slight difference and probably doesn't bother most people.
The TS4 maps bother the heck out of me. Especially because they are made to look like they are together, but when you are in a lot, you can't see the stuff the map says should be around you.
One thing I have always loved about the worlds (once TS2 enabled it and WOW! in TS3) was seeing the rest of the neighborhood while in a lot.
Wait, what? When and how? I can't see anything around me when in a lot!
If you have Apartment Life, go to options and enable neighborhoods
Nope, no Apartment Life. Just the base game with University Expansion pack.
@SataiDelennn Yes, I realized that. lol I just didn't think it showed enough. I'm working on a new hood project so I will most likely forget to get another pic but here is another old pic.
Comments
The Sims 3
Sims can walk, bike, drive, etc anywhere. If you want to visit your neighbors, you can walk across the street and visit them
No loading screens
The game plays without you (See my explanation for this below)
You can follow your Sims to work, even though you can't go inside
The Sims 2
You pretty much have no neighbors unless you have Apartment Life that you can visit or can visit you
Loading screens each time you visit a lot
Can't go over to friends houses/parties
Game does not continue on without you, meaning that whatever family you play is the one that grows. For example, if you marry and move out a Sim who had a baby, the child will not grow and no one else will either unless you play them. So your active Sim could grow to be an elder and then their child they moved out will still be a baby because you're not playing it. In TS3, everyone ages with each other.
I actually like that only one family ages until you play them. BUT, I've noticed that while Susie became a teen, her friends from school didn't, and they're all still kids. And because they're interactable NPCs, not other neighborhood families (the family I am playing is the only family in the neighborhood. Now that I have University, I need to work on that, lol) there is no home that I can go to in order to play the kids to age them up like Susie). I'm kind of sad that Susie is literally outgrowing her friends.
One of the EPs added the option to age up friends with your sim. And you can also select teens to go to university with your sim. So boyfriend and girlfriend / bff can go along.
---one more reason you need the UC. So many more options!
If you have Apartment Life, go to options and enable neighborhoods
Nope, no Apartment Life. Just the base game with University Expansion pack.
Dang.
I meant "dang" in a good way. I'm impressed with the picture. I think it looks nice.
That pic was taken on a residential beach lot (bon voyage expansion).
We know you want it. We just keep dangling carrots in front of you.
And I'll say to you, what I said to Sparky... :P lol