“The Sims 4” is easily the biggest real-life simulation game on the market, and the recent announcement of Electronic Arts supporting it indefinitely proves its massive appeal.
The game’s continued approach to replicating life through gameplay has led to its domination of the gaming subgenre, with only a few newer “rivals” vying for its top spot. However, this approach is worrisome due to its lack of depth and noticeable disregard for supernatural gameplay elements.
The Sony PSP edition of “The Sims 2,” a more storyline-driven entry than its mainline edition for computers, was an exciting game with its supernatural elements and pure whimsy. “The Sims 3” elevated the fantasy by giving players at least one fantastical life stage in each expansion pack.
The inclusion of occult life states in “The Sims 4" pales in comparison to the previous two Sims installments. Of the game’s 16 released expansion packs and 12 game packs, only six allow players to create and control occult sims. When former entries in a series give players a range of playable occult options including fairies, zombies and even Bigfoot, future entries should replicate the frequency of these inclusions and improve on depth.
Game packs, which EA and Maxis specifically designed to focus on its titular gameplay, do a great job of improving occult sims where previous entries faltered. The spellcasters in “The Sims 4: Realm of Magic” and werewolves in “The Sims 4: Werewolves” feel more unique than prior games. However, not all occult sims are done justice in the fourth installment.
Despite the technical failures and numerous bugs in “The Sims 3: Island Paradise,” mermaids and their expansive aquatic abilities were a refreshing addition to the coastal expansion. In “The Sims 4,” mermaids have fewer abilities and can only unlock the ability to control the weather with ownership of the “Seasons” expansion pack.
Unfortunately, EA’s disregard for consistent portrayals of occult sims falls perfectly in line with fans’ desire for realism. In 2017, “The Sims 4” team launched its first community voting poll where fans of the game could initially decide on the theme for the game’s next stuff pack. Options included items to build playable arcades, space-saving furniture and even an opportunity to attend funerals and play as the Grim Reaper, which was my personal choice.
All of these options were widely beat out by the theme of “Eco Living Stuff,” which eventually evolved into the lackluster “Laundry Day Stuff” pack. Players did receive many items in the less popular themes through various stuff packs and kits following the first community vote. Some of these DLCs, like the latest “Life & Death” expansion, come eight years too late.
“The Sims 4” community has rallied behind getting EA to expand on existing realistic gameplay elements and introduce new elements replicating reality, after years of poorly received content since the game’s release in 2014. Although some of these changes have been positive, like more inclusivity in Create-A-Sim, others, like an improvement in toddler gameplay and the inclusion of horses, do not excite me as an occult fan.
The constant attempt to suggest more occult gameplay has become tiresome for players hoping for a steady return to the whimsy of previous “Sims” installments. For every pack that seemingly enhances supernatural life states, like ghosts in “Life & Death,” comes an unneeded pack like “Wedding Stories” or useless kits.
An expansive pack centered around cryptids would be lauded for its originality in the franchise, and a superhero-themed pack, with various powers and costumes, would tap into the current trend of super-powered media projects. Conversely, fairies would have been a great addition to “Cottage Living,” and aliens would be a great candidate for another “pack refresh,” a feature EA appears to have forgotten about.
It is a shame players have limited options for supernatural elements in “The Sims 4.” The countless packs and updated features focusing on real-life elements strip the game of any playfulness that could come from newer creatures, despite awkward attempts of replicating this whimsy. While the “Sims” community will always lean toward realistic gameplay, it would be nice if EA could support its supernatural fans more frequently.
Trey Barrett is a graduate student studying film at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Trey know by emailing him at tb222023@ohio.edu.
