As an introductory series, major features are removed or modified from those in The Sims 2, possibly to simplify gameplay.
In addition to the open-ended freeplay mode from The Sims 2, Life Stories features two pre-defined scenarios.
In each scenario the player takes control of one of two protagonists and is tasked with accomplishing various goals in that character's life.
The game features significant use of scripted sequences to create pre-defined dramatic events and situations.
[6] IGN praised the low system requirements but criticized its inability of allowing players to make their own stories.
[23] Gamekult gave the game five out of ten, saying that the game "offers a rather unoriginal approach to the world of The Sims: the objectives to be met and the following story may innovate a little on what the series has usually offered us, [but] all of the gameplay and the actions carried out remain far too close to The Sims 2 to truly impress.
[26] Aspyr released another port of The Sims Pet Stories for macOS on December 17, 2015, to the Mac App Store.
The second story is about a successful executive chef named Stephen, whose world is turned upside down when an obnoxious cat comes to live with him.
There is a neutral town titled Arbor Falls, where the player can play in Free Mode and does not have to follow a story line.
The player must choose whether to play as David Bennett, Jessica Knight, or a customized Sim, who boards a cruise ship for singles named Solomon Queen, only to have it crash and leave them drifting on the ocean clinging to a crate.
[45] IGN said, "The Sims: Castaway Stories is the first game in the entire series that really feels different despite being based on the same engine and principles", but also said that there is little to no replayability.
PC Zone said, "By peddling this sort of single-minded crud to children EA are creating a new generation of absolute morons who won't be able to think one step ahead of themselves.