The Sims 4has been a leading life simulation game for the past decade, nearly unrivaled in its genre space since its release in 2014. While all eyes are on the successor toThe Sims 4, which has yet to be revealed at the time of writing, the game has morphed into something radically different from its launch state thanks to steady support from EA.
Though it first dropped in September 2014,The Sims 4has been gradually expanded with DLC content, which can range from smaller, microtransaction-esque bundles of cosmetics and home goods, all the way up to themed overhauls that make for a wildly different gaming experience. These expansions have sustainedThe Sims 4for several years, especially since the base game went free-to-play in 2022, and the result is a sort of life-sim hub title that attempts to entice players to flesh out their product with new content, making it rich for analysis and dissection.
There have beenrumors thatThe Sims 5has actually been canceled, suggesting that EA might stick to the free-to-play framework, following the model of other successful live-service games likeFortnite.
The Sims 4 in the Modern Age
The Sims 4 Has Received Copious Amounts of Post-Launch Content
Spanning two console generations,The Sims 4naturally runs the risk of feeling outdated. Combating this sense of staleness is the game’s aforementioned DLC packs, the most significant of which include:
The most common feature across these expansions is the respective hauls of new decor and cosmetics for Sims, which often adhere to certain themes. For instance, theCottage Livingpack includes rustic household furnishings and accents alongside cozy apparel with a decidedly countryside flair. But these expansions can also include more in-depth features and worlds to explore. For example, theGet to WorkDLC offers new gameplay opportunities, allowing players to control their Sims in the workplace, deepening the overall immersion and interactivity of the game.
As is to be expected, the most substantial new content comes in the form of paid DLC, butThe Sims 4receives a good bit of free updatesas well. Like with the paid DLC, these updates can range from minor tweaks, like adding quality-of-life features or new cosmetics, to more meaningful changes, likethe new relationship preferences that arrived alongside theLovestruckexpansion. All of these new expansions, both paid and free, combine to makeThe Sims 4a remarkably distinct experience in 2024, at least when comparing it to its state in 2014.
PC players can also enjoyThe Sims 4’s active modding community, which further fleshes out the game.
The New Sims 4 Content Will Be Great for Some, but Disappointing for Others
The Sims 4is different now than it was in 2014, but whether this makes the game ‘worth playing’ in 2024 is a matter of opinion. Of course, those who love the base game will find plenty to enjoy with these new content drops and DLCs, but they are, in effect, more of the same. In other words, if someone is looking for a significant iteration ofThe Simsformula, these expansions and updates may come up a bit short. They’re perfect for people who are already sold onThe Sims 4, but they probably won’t have non-fans hopping the fence.
It would seem thatThe Sims 4has gone all-in on the games-as-a-service model, which not every player is going to love. If someone is looking for a more experimental or inventive take on the life-sim formula, they may be better offwaiting for a properSimscompetitor.
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
