I’ve noticed that “improved romantic relationships” isnt on the list, and i feel that we seriously need an improved romance system for the game to be considered complete.
Like, for starters, we have no first kiss interaction and we cannot officially date someone.
There’s a big difference between “mutual crush” and going official. So asking another zoi to be exclusive is one priority. That would be the natural next step after successfuly confessing love.
After becoming official, we need pre-requisite steps (such as finding views about marrige, finding out how many kids they want, ect) before popping the question to get married. Likewise, a date between 2 zois getting to know eachother would look vastly different than a date of 2 teens in love, a couple that’s been going out for several years and an old married couple on their wedding anniversary.
Speaking of which, there’s still no date option for our married zois.
And then after the zois are married, there’s a huge difference bewteen newlyweds and a couple that’s been together for years, so we need goals the couple must complete before thinking about expanding the family.
We also need unique animations for firsts. So, first kiss, first hand holding, confessing love, asking on first date… first time proposing setting the mood next to bed. Also, a more logical hirarchy for unlocked interactions. It doesnt make sense that my zois could peck at the same time they could hold hands. So, a “firsts” system of sorts could definitely be a good indicator of relationship progression and make for a realistic hirarchy. So for example, 2 zois must first hold hands for the first time before sharing a hug option is unlocked. And 2 zois must first share a first kiss before “peck on couch” becomes an option. The ideal relationship hirerchy would basically follow the followimg pattern
1.Getting to know eachother stage (so, pick up lines, looking at phone together, romantic studying together, etc.) A zoi must find out all basic requirements about zoi and confess love before the next stage.
2.Light physical intimacy stage (so hand holding, hugging, brushing hair behind ear, feeding eachother, sharing earpods, brushing hand against cheek, etc.)
A zoi must reach sweethearts level as well as first successful hug and first hang holding before stage 3 becomes available.
3.Mild physical intimacy (so, kissing, cuddling, laying on lap, etc.)
A zoi must successfuly share a first kiss. Success depends on mood, how the conversation is flowing and shared memories up to that point. There should be a formed memory amount requirement before the next stage becomes unlocked.
4.High phycial intimacy (setting the mood next to bed, making out, etc.).
The logical next step would be proppsing. However, to propose, there should be prerequisite goals that need to be achieved, finding out all likes, dislikes and traits, and a filled memory gouge full of shared positive memories for the zoi to accept the proposal.
And the next point is… the job system. The current system leaves much to be desired. Every day it’s the same exact goals with the same exact work days. We need more goal variety and unprefictability for a more enjoyabe job system as well as a sense of progression. So different responsibilies for different job ranks. As well as unique events like a karen zoi messing up the displays, a rowdy teen pulling the fridge plug, an obsessive fan causing a scene at the kpop studio. Badically, dillemas. That would definitile ecnhace the gameplay.
And finally, i’m not sure if eventually youre hoping to make all jobs non rabbit holes, but if you arent, the “work assigments” feature needs to be enchanced if the job is to remain a rabbit hole. So for example, if i assign zois to make friends, they should meet someone new. If i tell them to compete in the science fair, i should get a message for which place my zoi won, as well as a prize for first place, and if i tell my zoi to practice music, their music skill should improve.
Extra note: we might potentially also need more “job levels” as well as specific careers requiring university degrees. So a young adult could spend that lifestage flipping burgers and getting promoted to manager while working on a business degree on the side. Then, upon aging up to adult, the regional manager/corporate role becomes available to him provided he has the required degree. Then, upon aging up to middle aged, provided they successfully completed their corporate promotion ladder and had good performance, they could become a chairman. All jobs could benefit from progressions like that to make the careers much more unique and complete.
All these features should definitely make the game feel a lot more complete and i hope you’ll consider them!
P.s.: please consider hiring a romantic couple for contract work to record a bunch of romance animations. I want animations at such a level that they will make me yell “get a room!” Without breaking age rating cause the current animations feel… lukewarm. I definitily love each and every one, but so far they feel like the zois are eternally stuck in the “hopeless teens in love” stage and dont progress past that. A good example of that would be on the same level as sims 2 couch makeout animation. Also, please rework the making love animation. Obviously i understand you cant add 18+ stuff, but zois awkwardly laying in bed with a giant red heart isnt it either. Maybe they could make out on bed and then get undercovers before the giant red heart appearing? And then they could cuddle undercovers afterwards. It shouldnt be breaking any age ratings (at least, i dont think, you’d know better), but it would still provide a nice, non vulgar, satisfying visual appeal.
