Romance is in the air withThe Sims 4: Lovestruck. The sixteenth expansion pack inThe Sims 4,Lovestruckbrings a new focus to dating, romance, and other adult-focused activities from love’s first flutterings to rekindling romance after years in a relationship. After ten years of added content, updates, and expansion packs, it may feel like there isn’t much else to add toThe Sims 4, but players looking for new gameplay when it comes to romance and dating could find some options here.
The new world that comes withThe Sims 4: Lovestruckis Ciudad Enamorada, a world inspired by Mexico City. The world comes with 3 neighborhoods and 13 lots, including 4 community lots and 8 residential lots. This is animprovement onThe Sims 4: For Rent’s world of Tomarang, which had 2 neighborhoods and 9 lots. Ciudad Enamorada comes with a love hotel, which is a new community lot type, but also just functions as a rabbit hole where Sims can sleep overnight or Woohoo with a partner.
New Interactions in The Sims 4: Lovestruck
The Sims 4: Lovestruckhas more gameplay elements than Build/Buy and Create-a-Sim options, and so the additions the pack brings may not be obvious at a first glance. The biggest change the pack brings toThe Sims 4is the overhaul of the dating system.The Sims 4base game’s dating system can be a challenge to navigate, with a successful date requiring the completion of repetitive tasks that are out of the control of the player.
The Sims 4: Lovestruckchanges datingby putting control back into the hands of the player through a new customizable date system. Players are now able to choose a type of date, the date’s goal, and the date’s activities. UnlikeThe Sims 4: My Wedding Stories, where players were unable to choose between the base game weddings and the new customizable wedding types, players will be able to choose between custom dates and base game dates.
One of the new date types is aimed at rekindling romances that may have lost their flame, such as when Sims have been together for years and have been neglecting their relationship. This is a great new mechanic that can be included inLegacy Challenges that take place over multiple generations.
Beyond Dates in The Sims 4: Lovestruck
The Sims 4: Lovestruckcomes with 3 new WooHoo spots– the Closet, the Blanket, and the Love Hotel – and 2 new Death types, Death by Broken Heart and Death By Choking. Sims now have Turn Ons and Turn Offs and can be Romantically Attracted to certain types of Sims, which can be edited in Create-a-Sim. When Sims are in a romantic relationship, each Sim in the relationship will have a Romantic Satisfaction level that needs to be fulfilled based on their personality and what they enjoy in a relationship. In addition to Turn Ons and Turn Offs, there are two new traits, two new Lifetime Aspirations, and a new career.
New items include the costume chest for couple costumes, a return of the heart-shaped bed from previous games inThe Sims, a new card game, and a box of chocolate for couples to share. Sims in romantic relationships can now have different relationship dynamics much like therelationship dynamics between family members inThe Sims 4: Growing Together, with the dynamics being Wholesome, Steamy, Strained, and Unpredictable. As inGrowing Together, these are set on their behavior towards each other.
The Sims 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
