The Sims 4 is getting another expansion pack, the first this year, with the Lovestruck Expansion Pack.
The theme of this pack is of romance, as it adds more ways for Sims to find and express love via new mechanics, a new romantic world and various additions.
The new world, Ciudad Enamorada, has a very Spanish vibe, fitting to have the land that speaks a Romance language as its inspo. A park, a nightclub, a gym, a dive bar, penthouse apartments and a view to watch the stars together with a partner are included in this new world. There’s a new lot trait for lot builders: Singles Hangout, to create new mingling spots.
As part of this DLC, Sims can create a dating profile in a new in-game app, Cupid’s Corner. Here Sims can find a match and then plan dates. Planned dates allows players to customise the date types, picking a specific venues, set goals and activities and even inviting more Sims to join in.
Dating has some new interactions like sharing food and cuddling in a bed, a new kiss and a “sultry dance”. Plus, there are three new WooHoo spots added with the expansion.
Another interesting mechanic added with the Lovestruck expansion is Romance Dynamics. Similar to Family Dynamics in the Growing Together expansion, Romance Dynamics lets players define what sort of romantic relationship two Sims have and this includes:
- Wholesome- friend and romantic relationships of two Sims genuinely loving each other
- Steamy- bigger focus on physical intimacy
- Strained- unhappy but love each other, though interactions are usually unkind
- Unpredictable- from lovers to fighters and back at any time
Sims also have Turn-ons and Turn-offs which determine a Sim’s compatibility in terms of romance. These can be from a Sims’s traits, clothing, hairstyle and interactions. So Sims can be naturally attracted to specific Sims that matches their Turn-ons.
And there’s another layer to keeping a romantic relationship with this expansion from the Romance Satisfaction, which is an addition to the existing romantic relationship level in the base game, and interacts with it as well as the new Attraction system (the Turn-ons and Turn-offs). So Sims are more picky with what romantic relationships they prefer.
Sims can also set their Relationship Boundaries. This allows Sims to have a more open relationship (i.e. a partner not easily jealous if they are seeing others) or tighten them up.
Sims also can develop the Romance Skill which unlocks more interactions. There’s a new career Sims can enter in the form of Romance Consultants, with heart-shape rewards waiting for those that climb the ranks of promotion.
There’s new romantic aspirations, Paragon Partner and Romantic Explorer. And there’s two new traits that can define how Sims feel about love: Romantically Reserved (takes a while to build romantic relationships) and Lovebugs (comes in out and out or romantic relationships easily). There’s new Fears: the Fear Of Intimacy and Fear of Being Alone are self-explanatory.
And of course, there’s plenty of new furniture, objects and clothing options- there are some spicy costumes here including a firefighter outfit with the top exposed, a maid outfit, and a full aubergine (eggplant) costume.
The Sims 4 Lovestruck will be out on July 25 for the PS4, PS5, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, EA App), Mac (Origin), Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: The Sims