Occults are one of the most popular parts ofThe Sims 4, and have been a staple of the series sinceThe Sims 2. Occult Sims are Sims with supernatural talents or a different species entirely, such as Werewolves, Vampires, Spellcasters, Mermaids, Aliens, and Ghosts. AsThe Simshas had occults sinceThe Sims 2, many players have been expecting certain occult types from previous games to reappear inThe Sims 4. This has happened for the most part, but a glaring omission is Fairies, which first appeared inThe Sims 3: Supernatural.
Fairies may finally have their day inThe Sims 4, as leaks and a recent official teaser video indicate thatFairies will be making a return inThe Sims 4’s next expansion pack. However, there are some reasons to temper expectations based on previous releases, and it remains to be seen if the next pack breaks an established pattern.
The Sims 4 Fairies Should Have Been a Game Pack
Vampires, Werewolves, and Spellcasters were all released in their own, dedicated game packs. Game packs are smaller than expansion packs, but are more specialized around implementing a new type of gameplay. The game packs themed around a certain occult type tend to give occults that have more depth, personality, and gameplay compared to occults that appear in an expansion pack.
Game Packs vs Expansion Packs
Comparing occults from expansion packs and occults from game packs shows a massive difference in depth and quality of implementation.Werewolves, Vampires, and Spellcasters inThe Sims 4all have their own skill trees, themed Build and Buy Mode items, extensive Create-a-Sim items, and extensive gameplay and socialization options. Mermaids, Aliens, Servos, and Unicorns were included in expansion packs, and either have very limited socialization options or, like Unicorns, are even just aesthetic changes with no real change from their ordinary counterparts, and very limited compared to theirThe Sims 3counterparts.
Fairies have been requested byThe Sims 4communityfor several years now, and were one of the most popular occults inThe Sims 3. While Fairies have a great deal of potential, that they’re being included in an expansion pack, rather than getting a dedicated game pack, is worrying.
The Sims 4’s Expansion Pack Life States are Controversial
In an ideal world, an expansion pack that includes Fairies would be ideal, as buying anature-themedThe Sims 4expansion packand an additional fairy game pack is incredibly expensive. However,The Sims 4’s occults from expansion packs have always been shallow and received complaints from the community, and getting Fairies as a separate game pack would ultimately mean a better life state.
Fairies are the Perfect Occult for a Nature Pack
The leaks suggest that the next expansion pack will be all about gathering plants and herbs to create potions, and venturing into nature to discover new and magical secrets. This would make Fairies the perfect addition to this expansion pack. Unfortunately,The Sims 4’s history of releasing shallow occultswithin an expansion pack means that expectations should be tempered, as the other occults from expansion packs also had potential, but felt more like an afterthought than anything meaningful.
Fairiescould break the pattern by being more integrated into the expansion pack. To succeed,FairiesinThe Sims 4should, at the least, have the same levels of gameplay and socialization as they had inThe Sims 3. This includes having a special connection with plants, being able to fly or float in the air, customizable wings, special CAS items, a small fairy house, the ability to change size, play special pranks, grant ordinary Sims temporary magic, and projecting different auras.
