The Sims 4 has captivated players with its humorous and addictive simulation of everyday life since its release in September 2014. In the years since that launch, The Sims 4 has seen numerous expansion packs, each adding extra depth and new experiences to the Sims’ lives. One expansion pack that stands out is The Sims 4: Seasons, which dropped in 2018.
This expansion introduced many new features and gameplay mechanics, such as dynamic weather, seasonal changes, and unique activities that add some new variety to the virtual world of The Sims. If you’re an avid Sims player wondering if The Sims 4: Seasons is worth a purchase, read on. We’ll take a look at Seasons and explore all of the new features it brings to the game.
The Sims 4: Seasons Premise
True to its name, The Sims 4: Seasons creates an ever-changing world for your Sims by introducing the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each brings unique events, activities, holidays, and climates. The aim of Seasons is to simulate the cyclical nature of time and weather, adding some realism and a layer of unpredictability to The Sims 4.
New Features in The Sims 4: Seasons
The main focus of The Sims 4: Seasons is, as you probably surmised, the addition of the yearly seasonal cycle. However, this involves more than just changing temperature and dates on the calendar. Here’s a full run-down of the most notable additions that Seasons brings to The Sims 4:
Dynamic Weather Patterns
One of the most significant additions in The Sims 4: Seasons is the introduction of dynamic weather. Sims will now experience everything from spring rains to summer thunderstorms, colorful autumn leaves, and snowy winter landscapes. Weather not only affects the environment but also impacts your Sims’ moods and activities. A rainy day might make your Sims feel gloomy, while a bright sunny day can perk them up a bit. There are some new weather-related ways for your Sims to die, too (watch out for lightning!).
Seasonal Activities
With each season comes a host of new activities for your Sims to do, just as in real life. For example, Sims can try their hand at gardening and beekeeping in the spring. Summer offers the chance to swim, throw water balloons, and host backyard barbeques with friends. Autumn brings the coziness of harvest festivals, while winter lets your Sims go ice skating, build snowmen, and engage in snowball fights. These activities provide entertainment and can help your Sims improve their skills and relationships.
Seasonal Festivals
The Sims 4: Seasons also introduces unique festivals throughout the year. From the love-focused romance festival in the spring to the spooky mischief night in the fall, each season has its own goings-on for your Sims to enjoy. These festivals are a chance to bring your Sims together and offer opportunities for socializing, competitions, and scoring some in-game collectibles.
Custom Holidays
In addition to the regular festivals, The Sims 4: Seasons allows players to make their own holidays. You can create holidays that align with your Sims’ (and your own) interests, values, or traditions. Whether it’s a family reunion, a religious holiday, or a day dedicated to a certain activity you and your Sims enjoy, the addition of custom holidays lets you make the world your own.
Calendar and Weather Forecasts
The Seasons expansion introduces a calendar to help you plan your Sims’ lives and daily routines. This makes organizing and keeping track of upcoming events, holidays, and special occasions easy, so you and your Sims don’t miss anything (unless they want to). The new weather forecast TV channel also makes sure you can prepare your Sims’ activities accordingly.
New Careers and Skills
The expansion pack introduces a few new careers and skills that are – you guessed it – seasonally themed. Your Sim can become a botanist and master the art of gardening, for instance, or they can sharpen up their flower arrangement skills by crafting beautiful floral designs for holidays. This can tie into seasonal events, and there are some new in-game items related to these activities as well.
New Build and Buy Items
The Sims 4: Seasons brings a plethora of new items to fit each season’s theme, letting you further customize and decorate your Sims’ homes. Some of these include seasonal clothing, a beekeeper’s box, Christmas trees, collectible house plants, kiddie pools, and even a weather-controlling machine (yes, really). There’s something for every time of the year, from cozy fall and winter decor to outdoor furniture for backyard get-togethers.
The Sims 4: Seasons is a sizeable expansion pack that introduces quite a few new features to the world of The Sims and brings some much-needed seasonal flavor and variety to your Sims’ daily routines. Whether your Sims are basking in the warmth of summer or cozying up by the fireplace in winter, Seasons offers a lot of fresh content to explore in this ever-changing virtual world. In our opinion, if you’re an avid fan of The Sims 4, this add-on is a worthy addition.