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The Sims 4: Review of the Graphics Rules Overhaul

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TS4 x64 2021 08 02 15 01 54

When my coworker, Krista, showed me a brand new graphics rules overhaul file released by Simp4Sims, I knew I had to try it out for myself. I’m a big screenshot enthusiast and am always looking for the next big thing to make my pictures pop. I loved what I saw on Simp4Sims’ Patreon and decided to give the overhaul a whirl in my game.

The Sims 4: Review of the Graphics Rules Overhaul

After reading the install directions carefully (always read the install directions, folks!), I popped the file into my Config Override folder and booted up the game. I didn’t really know what I was expecting. I had never used an overhaul like this before so I was pretty much going in blind and ready to experience whatever I was about to experience. What I didn’t expect was to be so utterly blown away from the second I loaded into my current household.

I literally shouted WHOAH! as soon as my save loaded. My cat was concerned for me but it was a good shout. Even though it was the middle of the night in gloomy Henford-on-Bagley in my game, everything was beautiful! I’m sure there were lots and lots of tweaks in many different areas to achieve the look that impressed me so much but the number one thing I noticed was the colours! All of the colours popped in a way I used to only be able to achieve with reshade presets. Everything felt so warm and vibrant without being too much. I couldn’t believe this was just how my game looked now, no mods necessary.

The Sims 4: Review of the Graphics Rules Overhaul

I wanted to see how this new override looked at different times of the day as well. Being in Henford-on-Bagley where it’s dreary and overcast most of the time, I thought it wouldn’t make much difference but I was very wrong. Even in a grey, overcast lighting, this override made the world feel a bit warmer and cozier without completely changing the look of the weather. It was still grey and overcast but somehow the world still felt livelier than it did before in this weather.

As the day wore on and the sun rose higher in the sky, the world really came to life and that’s when I noticed how much sharper everything looked, too. I didn’t even have edge smoothing enabled because I like to use reshade presets and Simp4Sims warned that we would not see any benefit in this area if we had that disabled. Somehow, the game still looked crisper to me, anyway.

The Sims 4: Review of the Graphics Rules Overhaul

Which brings me to my final talking point. Would this override work with reshade? I am a big reshade enthusiast and simply cannot live without my favourite reshade preset for all of my stories and pictures. No matter how lovely this override made my game look, if it didn’t play nicely with my reshade preset, that would be a deal breaker for me. I’d have to remove the override immediately.

Well… not only does it work with reshade but it even improved my existing preset drastically! It’s the same reshade preset I’ve used and loved for years just with the colours, vibrancy, and sharpness fine-tuned even more perfectly than before.

A new graphics override that’s easy to install, doesn’t need constant updates, makes my default game look gorgeous with no extra mods needed and also improves my favourite reshade presets? Consider me a fan for life! I am never taking this override out of my game and neither should you!

About the author

SnarkyWitch

A cranky old lady who prefers the company of cats and Sims over people. Occasionally peeks out from her lair long enough to chuck Sims articles at innocent bystanders.

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Dipika
Dipika
3 years ago

Your game looks fantastic! Have you shared your Reshade presets or would you be willing to share them?

SnarkyWitch
SnarkyWitch
3 years ago
Reply to  Dipika

It’s the Sunflower Syrup reshade. 🙂 https://maxismatchccworld.tumblr.com/post/180867598660

SallyC
SallyC
3 years ago

I have tried the file myself but couldn’t see any difference in my game – except for some CC clothes that used to glitch without the overhaul and which were not glitching anymore with it. My taskmanager didn’t show any improvement on the technical side either (although some users tweeted that the file makes their game run smoother etc.)

Could it be that the overhaul only works with high graphic settings?

SnarkyWitch
SnarkyWitch
3 years ago
Reply to  SallyC

Yes, you need either high or ultra graphics settings to notice much of a difference. The only difference you’ll see on low settings is some glitch fixes.

SallyC
SallyC
3 years ago
Reply to  SnarkyWitch

Thank you!

Rene
Rene
3 years ago

Looking forward to trying this out. I also share the love for Reshade. I haven’t updated yet as I’m waiting for srsly mod to be updated since I use a lot of it for my grocery stores.