Review, The Sims 1 Legacy Collection, Is It Good or Just Full of Bug?

In celebration of The Sims franchise’s 25th anniversary, EA has re-released The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 as part of the Legacy Collection. This Review dives into whether this collection lives up to its legacy or is just a buggy mess.

What’s New in The Sims 1 Legacy Collection?

Released for $20, The Sims 1 Legacy Collection brings a nostalgic experience with updated features, such as support for modern hardware and higher resolutions. This version eliminates the need for complex modding and patching, providing a smoother experience than the original. But does it actually deliver on the promise of convenience and stability?

The key appeal is that the games now run using the Vulkan API, which allows for GPU acceleration—meaning the game benefits from better performance and visuals. EA claims these games will run effortlessly on modern systems without the usual hassle of fan-made fixes or mods. While that’s mostly true, the games remain faithful to their original form, and that can be both a strength and a weakness.

Performance Issues: Highs and Lows

Though the new version of The Sims 1 offers support for higher resolutions, it’s not without its problems. If you’re hoping for flawless performance, be warned: it struggles on high resolutions like 4K. On 4K settings, the game becomes sluggish and stutters. While this issue can be fixed by lowering the resolution to something like 1080p or 1440p, doing so can also lead to frustrating UI scaling problems.

For the most stable and visually pleasing experience, 1440p seems to be the sweet spot, though it requires some trial and error to find the right settings. Unfortunately, The Sims 1 doesn’t have many customization options, and trying to adjust things like windowed modes or resolution within the game itself is nearly impossible.

Bugs and Crashes: Are They Deal Breakers?

Unfortunately, The Sims 1 Legacy Collection is far from bug-free. In fact, the longer you play, the more unstable it seems to become. Crashes are common, especially when transitioning between neighborhoods or entering special areas in the expansions.

This can make the experience frustrating, as you may find yourself losing progress due to unexpected crashes. Despite this, the game does work for shorter sessions, and it is a nostalgia trip for those who fondly remember the original.

Is The Sims 1 Legacy Collection Worth It?

The answer really depends on your expectations. If you’re a long-time fan of The Sims series and are looking for an easy way to relive the classics, this re-release offers convenience without the hassle of installing numerous patches and mods. You’ll get a fully functional, if not always stable, experience with the added benefit of being able to run the game on modern hardware.

However, if you’re hoping for a flawless, bug-free experience, you might be disappointed. The games are still prone to crashes and performance hiccups, especially when played for extended periods or at high resolutions. The UI scaling and resolution issues can also be a letdown.

Overall, The Sims 1 Legacy Collection is a great way to get back into the series, but it comes with its share of issues that make it less than perfect for new players or those expecting a modern remaster. If you’re okay with some technical quirks and occasional crashes, it’s definitely worth picking up, especially at the bundled price. Just don’t expect a perfectly smooth, bug-free experience.