Whenever a novel expansion pack is released, it happens in one of two ways: the next one Sims 4 binge, or a miserable one-day trip. So when Sims 4 In Love made its debut, I was curious to see where it would fall on that spectrum.
I had my doubts about it initially, given that the previous DLCs weren’t exactly spot on. But after spending a week or so with it, any doubts I had were thrown out the door.
The moment I stepped into this novel package, I immediately noticed a change in romantic relationships. It’s refreshing Sims 4 age mechanisms and instills a much more realistic concept. Simply put, it makes the dating world extremely fun, with a bit of adult content. Sorry kids, you’ll have to let this one go.
In love the biggest selling point is of course the romance. It expands the scope of what the game already has to relationships and takes it a level higher. In the past Sims 4the romance section was a piece of cake; chat for a few hours and viola, you’re married now and have a baby on the way. But with In loveit’s a lot more complicated than that, as the add-on integrates dating, attractiveness, things that turn you on/off, and more.
Attraction and Arousal/Repulsion are intertwined, determining how Sims react to each other. In Create a Sim, you’ll see a novel section that lets you choose romantic dislikes/likes. These can be major themes, like specific career goals and different personality types. There are also a few minor things, from outfits to hair colors. So if your Sim walks past someone with, say, blue hair, don’t be surprised if they want to declare their love right away if their tastes match.
The more another Sim embraces your character’s favorite traits, the more likely they are to fall in love. But just like in real life, not everyone you meet will be compatible. I had one Sim who was completely in love with someone until they became disgusted by the other’s unemployment. It’s a brutal world (even in Sims), but I find such content completely understandable and realistic. I have heard and experienced similar events in the real world, so seeing them come to life in Sims 4 makes the game much more attractive.
The question that arises is why this vital feature is not in the base game. It’s a common question that comes up every time Sims 4 DLC drops. For In loveI would say that the Attraction level should be part of the base game. I know we can’t win them all, but at least base game users got some useful tools with the recent CAS apply all and eyelashes update.
On the other hand, I understand why these exclusive features are only available as an add-on, considering the amount of work that has gone into them. The dating activities and Cupid’s Corner, in particular, open up a whole novel world in the romance scene.
Cupid’s Corner online dating app is without a doubt the best mechanic in the world. In loveInstead of going out into the world to find the love of your virtual life, you can open your phone and go on a date with the click of a button. Those who have taken part in the 100 Baby challenge will undoubtedly see the benefits. Thanks In love dating app available, your sugar daddy’s supply will never run arid, and depending on your level of attractiveness, you may not have much of a problem with the challenge.
What makes Cupid’s Corner even better is that other players’ Sims can appear in the app. I found out about this when a Simmer-created Shrek slithered into my DMs. That’s definitely a sentence I never thought I’d write, but Sims 4 is always full of surprises.
Dating, in general, has been completely revamped, with options like Get to Know You, Romantic, and Romantic Repair Dates. Previously, dates were tailored to basic things, whether it was sitting down and chatting with a date or sharing a first kiss. Sims 4 In Love, however, expands this concept through different forms of dating.
You’ll have more control over your dates, curating interactions specifically for celebrity spotting, music, exercise, and other categories. I like having that freedom to decide how outings go, rather than relying solely on romantic interactions. Sometimes I want to keep relationships platonic, at least early on, and the novel dating features lend a hand make that happen.
Then things take a turn for the worse when In love costume collection enters the game — or should I say, foreplay? This novel pack offers some intriguing choices in Create a Sim, bringing some of the wildest outfits I’ve seen to date. To spice things up, your Sim can now dress up and dance seductively in front of their significant other. The sexual innuendos are pretty obvious, with costumes like the eggplant and peach. So why Sims 4 has never been family cordial.
Aside from the costumes, the content in CAS and Build Mode isn’t exactly plentiful. There are a few good choices here and there, but they’re less substantial than some other iterations. The same can be said for In love novel world, Ciudad Enamorada, which doesn’t have many points of interest that make it stand out. In comparison, Gather up offers 27 available plots, while In love only 10 features. Not to mention that the Beso Rapido Motel is a rabbit hole. (Please make hotel personalization a thing, Maxis Studios.)
While the customizable content available is a bit pathetic, the main draw is the gameplay. The Sims 4 In Love package. As someone who has played the title since the beginning, I noticed a huge difference from normal gameplay thanks to the unique scenarios and romantic atmosphere of EP. One of the unique features in particular is the 7 Wild Dates challenge, where you have to have seven perfect dates for a reality show. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a challenge in The Simswhich made the experience even more thrilling. And even if dating isn’t your thing, there’s a novel career as a romance consultant where you take on the role of Cupid. While it’s not as groundbreaking as Get to Work CareersI still like finding novel ways to make money.
NPCs have also become more sensitive than In love arrived. Couples often cuddle on a bench and chat with each other, making them feel more a part of the world. It’s a basic gesture that is greatly appreciated, unlike established Sims who go about their day independently.
Considering all these elements, I am amazed at how much In love pack includes. Could have just improved the romantic interactions and left it at that. But luckily this is an expansion pack I can’t play without. Plus an expansion pack with novel Woohoo locations like motels and closets in venues is always good in my book.
Despite being gone for almost a decade, The Sims 4: In Love called me again, even after all these years. It’s refreshing to see the characters become more realistic and the gameplay take a unique turn. So I guess I’ll do my Sims 4 binge. Maybe it’s time to finally do that 100 Baby challenge.
