List of game packs for The Sims 4

Last updated

Ten downloadable content "game packs" have been released for the 2014 life simulation video game The Sims 4 , the fourth major title in The Sims series. All game packs are developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, and only available for digital download. Game packs are intended to be smaller than full expansion packs. The first game pack, Outdoor Retreat, was released on January 13, 2015. The most recent game pack, Dream Home Decorator, was released on June 1, 2021.

Contents

Outdoor Retreat

The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat
The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat cover art.jpg
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • WW: January 13, 2015
macOS
  • WW: February 17, 2015

The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat is the first game pack for The Sims 4, released on January 13, 2015. It includes a new destination, many new objects, new outfits and new interactions. [1]

Similar to The Sims: Vacation , The Sims 2: Bon Voyage , and The Sims 3: World Adventures , Sims can go on a vacation. However, it focuses more on camping, similar to a vacation in Three Lakes in The Sims 2: Bon Voyage . [2] [3]

Development

Reception

Spa Day

The Sims 4: Spa Day
Sims 4 Spa Day Cover.jpg
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: July 14, 2015

The Sims 4: Spa Day is the second game pack for The Sims 4, released on July 14, 2015. It includes spas, where sims can go to receive massages, along with mud baths, do yoga, and more. Players can also build their own spas. [7]

Development

Reception

Dine Out

The Sims 4: Dine Out
Sims 4 Dine Out Cover.png
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: June 7, 2016

The Sims 4: Dine Out is the third game pack for The Sims 4, released on June 7, 2016. It includes a new venue type Restaurant, many new objects, new outfits, new interactions, new foods to make and a new active career; Restaurant Owner. Similar to what The Business as Usual [10] Venue added in The Sims 3, and The Sims 2: Open for Business , Sims can go Dining Out and be a restaurant owner. However, it focuses more on being a restaurant owner, similar to being a restaurant owner in The Sims 2: Open for Business .

Development

Reception

Vampires

The Sims 4: Vampires
The Sims 4 Vampires.png
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: January 24, 2017

The Sims 4: Vampires is the fourth game pack for The Sims 4, released on January 24, 2017. It includes a new life state, Vampires, many new Gothic-themed objects, new outfits, new interactions, new aspirations, new foods to make and new skills: Pipe Organ skill and Vampire Lore Skill. The pack also features a new neighborhood called Forgotten Hollow which, fitting with the vampiric theme, has longer nighttimes than other neighborhoods. It takes elements from The Sims 2: Nightlife , The Sims 3: Late Night and The Sims 3: Supernatural . [12]

Development

Reception

Parenthood

The Sims 4: Parenthood
The Sims 4 Parenthood.png
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: May 30, 2017

The Sims 4: Parenthood is the fifth game pack for The Sims 4, released on May 30, 2017. It develops the bond between parents and their children with the newly introduced Parenting skill. [16] It takes elements from The Sims 3: Generations .

Gameplay

Reception

Destructoid's Alissa McAloon considered the game pack to be "a seamless improvement" of the original game. [20]

Jungle Adventure

The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure
The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure.jpg
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: Feb 27, 2018

The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure is the sixth game pack for The Sims 4, released on February 27, 2018. [21]

Gameplay

The focus of the game pack is the new location added, Selvadorada. The location is a mixture of various South American cultures. Players can navigate through the jungle with their Sims, occasionally facing obstacles, decisions, and artifacts to be discovered. Selvadorada also includes a small village, where Sims can purchase items such as local foods or supplies for jungle exploration, which are necessary for successful adventures. Within the jungle itself, there is a temple area featuring various traps and puzzles for players to solve. [22]

In addition to the new location, the game pack adds artifacts, which can be dug up within Selvadorada. Digging for artifacts increases the new "archeology" skill, which will allow Sims to create archeological sites on their property after leveling up in the skill. The artifacts themselves can be authenticated to check for fakes and displayed at home. Occasionally, Sims will come across Relics while digging; which must be collected in parts and, when finished, cause different effects on Sims depending on their type. Relics referred to as "Balampalsoh" are blessed and will have positive effects, while Relics referred to as "Zazatotol" are cursed and will have negative effects. Cursed relics may cause the player's Sim or nearby Sims to spontaneously combust, electrocuted, or be poisoned, but there is a timer in place to allow players time to find an antidote to avoid the death of their Sims. Antidotes may cause side effects, however, such as turning Sims into skeletons (a feature from previous Sims games added once again in the game pack). [23]

Reception

Twinfinite's Yamilia Avendano gave The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure 4 out of 5 stars, stating that it was "a breath fresh air" and praised the new world, but said it was "kind of easy to get through temples and the jungle". [24]

StrangerVille

The Sims 4: StrangerVille
The Sims 4 Strangerville Cover Art.jpg
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • WW: February 26, 2019
macOS
  • WW: February 26, 2019

The Sims 4: StrangerVille is the seventh game pack for The Sims 4, released on February 26, 2019. [25] The game pack is inspired by Strangetown, a world that appeared in The Sims 2. [26]

Gameplay

Unlike The Sims 2 console editions, StrangerVille does not lock the player into a specific story, but gives a backstory as well as a narrative for the player to potentially explore. Completing the StrangerVille aspiration goals takes the player through the story, which involves scientists, military, conspiracy theorists, plants, and a secret lab. A new military career and Sims radio channel is introduced. [27] [28]

Realm of Magic

The Sims 4: Realm of Magic
The Sims 4 - Realm of Magic.png
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: September 10, 2019

The Sims 4: Realm of Magic is the eighth game pack for The Sims 4, with a focus on witchcraft and magic, released on 10 September 2019. [29]

Reception

Responses to the pack were mixed. A review on the gaming website Polygon praised the pack as 'a fantastic pack to play around in' but raised the concern that 'this power fantasy is capable of automating and trivializing much of the game'. [30] A similar website, GamesRadar+ , gave the games positives as "brand new questline", "the chance to change the whole Sims 4 world" and "spooky new pet familiars". But, included the negative that it "can make day-to-day Sim needs irrelevant". [31]

Star Wars: Journey to Batuu

The Sims 4: Star Wars: Journey to Batuu
The Sims 4- Star Wars- Journey to Batuu.jpg
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Series The Sims
Star Wars
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: September 8, 2020

The Sims 4: Star Wars: Journey to Batuu is the ninth game pack for The Sims 4, released on September 8, 2020, which allows Sims to go on adventures based on the fantasy franchise Star Wars . [32]

Controversy

Player reaction to the release of Star Wars: Journey to Batuu was largely negative, with TheGamer calling it "the most contentious DLC for The Sims 4 to date" and Yahoo! describing fans as "furious" about the release. [33] [34] Fans cited a limited appeal of the pack and a desire for the developers to focus on other things, such as hotels, school life, and new worlds. [35] [36] An independent poll was hosted before the release of the pack asking players what themes they would like to see in future The Sims 4 packs; Star Wars came in last out of twenty-one possible choices. [33] [35] Game Rant wrote that the release "frustrated fans considerably." [37]

Lyndsay Pearson, executive producer and general manager of The Sims 4, addressed the criticism in a series of tweets on September 1, taking responsibility for approving of the Star Wars pack. She also stated that the development team were continuing to work on different projects for the game at the same time and assured players that they were not ignoring their feedback. [38]

Reception

Star Wars: Journey to Batuu received "mixed or average reviews" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [39] A CNN review described the pack in a positive light, commenting "It delivers a ton of content for the value, with three lands and a full storyline with three routers. There's plenty of fun to be had in the Sims version of Batuu." [40] Air Entertainment gave the expansion a score of 90%, applauding the amount of content in the pack and stating "The most outstanding feature is the inclusion of factions and new missions, which really drives the story element of the sci-fi DLC." [41]

A review on Darkstation gave it four out of five stars, summarizing "it absolutely nails everything that makes Galaxy's Edge one of the most unique theme park attractions today." [42] Other reviews were more critical, praising the game's visuals but criticizing the gameplay. Screen Rant called the gameplay "repetitive" and wrote that the pack "neglects the very nature of the game and the reason it has such a dedicated fanbase: the sandbox element." [43] Digital Spy shared a similar sentiment, writing that the pack is "let down by a weak narrative, dull missions, and a self-contained experience that fails to play to the franchise's strengths." [44]

Dream Home Decorator

The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator
The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator.jpg
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: June 1, 2021

The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator is the tenth game pack for The Sims 4, released on June 1, 2021. The pack adds interior design to the game as an occupation, as well as several new types of furniture. [45]

Reception

A article in the gaming website GamesRader described the expansion as 'For those of us who love building,... a dream.' which had 'kicked up a ton of excitement in the Sims community'. [46] A review in the entertainment magazine Digital Spy gave the pack 3.5 out of 5 stars concluding that it 'isn't for everyone, but those who enjoy renovating homes will be impressed by a generous variety of items and an engaging new career, even if the amount of new gameplay is on the slight side. It's a shame that the pack has launched with a troubling amount of bugs, and anyone considering making the purchase at this moment in time should keep that in mind.' [47]

Gaming website Techraptor gave the pack a rating of 9/10 summarising that 'A renewed focus on gameplay sets Dream Home Decorator apart as some of the best downloadable content that The Sims 4 has seen in years.' [48]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat Game Pack Announced
  2. ↑ The Sims 4 gets new add-on content with the Outdoor Retreat game pack Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Sims 4 Game Pack ‘Outdoor Retreat’ Available Today 2015-01-13
  4. ↑ "Download Sims 4 Woohoo Mods 2019". Sims 4 Mods. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
  5. ↑ "The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat". GameRankings . Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  6. ↑ "The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat". Metacritic . Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  7. ↑ "7 Things You Need to Know About The Sims 4 Spa Day Game Pack". The Sims. 7 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Sims 4: Spa Day". GameRankings . Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  9. ↑ "The Sims 4: Spa Day". Metacritic . Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  10. ↑ The Business as Usual Bistro store page
  11. ↑ "The Sims 4: Dine Out". GameRankings . Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  12. ↑ "Carl's Sims 4 Guide for Vampires Pack". Carl's Sims 4 Guide. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ Brody, Catherine (January 13, 2017). "The Sims 4: Vampires Brings Lot Traits & Create-A-Sim Features". DVS Gaming. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ "The Sims 4: Vampires". GameRankings . CBS Interactive . Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  15. ↑ Holden, Abigail (January 23, 2017). "Review: The Sims 4 Vampires (PC)". SA Gamer. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Become a Better Sim Parent with The Sims 4 Parenthood Game Pack!". The Sims. Electronic Arts. 16 May 2017.
  17. 1 2 "The Sims 4 Parenthood Game Pack Guide to DLC Additions and Gameplay Features". Carl's Sims 4 Guide.
  18. ↑ "The Sims 4 Parenthood: Character Value System – Reward and Flaw Traits". Carl's Sims 4 Guide.
  19. 1 2 "The Sims 4 Parenthood Game Pack is Out Now!". The Sims. Electronic Arts. 30 May 2017.
  20. 1 2 McAloon, Alissa (2017-06-26). "Review: The Sims 4: Parenthood". Destructoid. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  21. ↑ "The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure is Here". The Sims. Electronic Arts. 27 February 2017.
  22. ↑ Thier, Dave. "'The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure,' Build Mode Review". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  23. ↑ Plays, Everybody. "The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure Guide - How To Explore The Jungle (Selvadorada) | Everybody Plays". Everybody Plays. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  24. 1 2 Avendano, Yamilia (February 27, 2018). "The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure Review – Should You Buy It?". Twinfinte.
  25. ↑ The Sims (2019-02-20), The Sims 4: StrangerVille Official Reveal Trailer , retrieved 2019-02-21
  26. ↑ "The Sims 4's StrangerVille DLC gets weird next week". Shacknews. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  27. ↑ "The Sims 4: StrangerVille is rich with potential, but ultimately feels empty". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  28. ↑ "EA Strangerville Walkthrough". EA. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  29. ↑ Lee, Jess (2019-08-20). "Sims 4: Realm of Magic officially unveiled with trailer and release date". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  30. ↑ Marshall, Cass (2019-09-09). "The Sims 4's Realm of Magic expansion gets a little too powerful". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  31. ↑ Weber, Rachel (2019-09-10). "The Sims 4 Realm of Magic review: "It's cast a spell on me"". gamesradar. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  32. ↑ September 2020, Elizabeth Howell 06. "'Sims 4' brings the Force of 'Star Wars' with 'Journey to Batuu' expansion". Space.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  33. 1 2 "Fans furious over feature added to popular video game series: 'So pathetic'". Yahoo. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  34. ↑ Ashcroft, Helen (September 8, 2020). "The Sims 4: Journey To Batuu Review: "Your Focus Determines Your Reality"". TheGamer. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  35. 1 2 Lee, Jess (January 2, 2020). "Sims 4 poll - what packs would you like to see in 2020?". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  36. ↑ Ashcroft, Helen (August 28, 2020). "The Sims 4: Journey To Batuu Star Wars Game Pack Is Exactly What The Game Needs". TheGamer. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  37. ↑ Carreau, Glenn (August 29, 2020). "Sims 4 Players Unhappy About Star Wars Expansion". Game Rant. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  38. ↑ https://twitter.com/SimGuruLyndsay/status/1300847436160663552
  39. ↑ "The Sims 4: Star Wars: Journey to Batuu". Metacritic . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  40. ↑ Krol, Jacob (2020-09-10). "The Sims 4 Journey to Batuu review". CNN Underscored. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  41. ↑ "The Sims 4 Star Wars Journey to Batuu Review". AIR Entertainment. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  42. ↑ "The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu Review". DarkStation. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  43. ↑ Meluso, Maria (September 11, 2020). "The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu Review". ScreenRant. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  44. ↑ Lee, Jess (September 15, 2020). "Sims 4 Star Wars Journey to Batuu review - a dull crossover". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  45. ↑ Arts, Electronic (2021-05-20). "Make Dreams Come True with a New The Sims™ 4 Pack". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  46. ↑ Mercante, Alyssa (4 June 2021). "The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator is like playing through a reality TV series that hates my taste". gamesradar. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  47. ↑ Lee, Jess (2021-06-15). "The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  48. ↑ Wood, Daniell (7 June 2021). "The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Review". TechRaptor. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
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