As far as video game simulators go, none are as popular as the Sims series, barring the Civilization series, of course. However, they belong to different categories in the world of simulators, immediately giving them different grading systems.
However, when you have a simulator such as Second Life, it can easily be compared to the Sims franchise. How are they similar and how different are they? Is there any difference between the two?
The Similarities Between the Two
Both games are, well, simulators, even though Second Life doesn’t want people to think of it as a game, but something higher. For most people though, it is a video game that you play and which simulates life. While it doesn’t have an explicit objective, well, neither do the Sims. You have to live and survive, and that’s about it. The passage of time is much more lenient in Second Life, as your avatar doesn’t really age that quickly.
Both games have building modes and in both games, your avatars or sims, can engage in socialization and have relationships and of course, have jobs.
The Differences Between the Two
Second Life is much more relaxed in a sense, even though it has a more serious tone than it would appear. A game with more serious graphics which seems like it takes itself seriously, Second Life appears more like a simulator and less a place where you would go to chill.
The Sims on the other hand, appear very cute and easy to play, but can have various challenges if you leave your sims unattended. Cooking and then setting the place on fire and dying in the said fire is not uncommon in the sims, at all. Your sims can lose their lives in many ways, including after having WooHoo if they are elderly.
One is much harder to play even though it looks more cheerful, while the other you don’t really play as much as enjoy, though it depends on your own personal goals.
Second Life is All About the Socialization
At the moment, Second Life is a simulator where you can relax with other people’s avatars, having fun, watching movies or doing literally nothing at all. That being said, you don’t have to do that, there is no pressure to do anything. Most people play Second Life because they can socialize and because the grounds are relatively safe and free from verbal abuse or any other kind of abuse.
This is appealing to people with social anxiety and others who have trouble communicating with people in real life.
The Sims Are Fun and Challenging
Depending on where you use the console to give yourself money, the Sims can be easy or extremely hard. If you purchase a huge property and are left penniless, then your sim can be in heaps of trouble. They need to have a job, to earn money, but to get a job, they need skills. This is where you have to organize your sim’s life. Sounds familiar?
But, there is no set in stone way to play the Sims, so you can do as you please.
There are some obvious differences between Second Life and the Sims, but most of them are blurry. Now you know about both of the games/simulators, so you can take your pick or play both, even.
