While The Sims franchise is renowned for its life simulation, it has always incorporated elements of the supernatural. Among The Sims community, occult Sims and their gameplay hold a dedicated following, serving as compelling vehicles for storytelling. However, The Sims 4 has notably fewer occults compared to previous installments, leaving a void that Project Rene could potentially fill.
The occults featured in The Sims range from classic storytelling monsters like werewolves and vampires to original creations such as PlantSims and Servos. Referred to as life states within the game, these occults boast unique appearances, needs, desires, and special abilities that distinguish them from standard Sims.
PlantSims, originating in The Sims 2, embody elf-like Sims with a strong connection to flora. In both The Sims 2 and The Sims 3, they sport green skin and unique needs focused on Water, Sunlight, and Love, with the Energy need retained in The Sims 3. Renowned for their gardening prowess, PlantSims boast innate gardening skills, the ability to communicate with plants, and the magical ability to revive ailing flora. They reproduce either asexually or by planting a Forbidden Fruit, yielding a 50% chance of a PlantSim offspring. Despite a cameo appearance in The Sims 4 through a scenario and subsequent patch, PlantSims lack their defining characteristics and serve primarily as a cosmetic alteration.
Mermaids, introduced in The Sims 3: Island Paradise, have stirred controversy in The Sims 4 due to their limited content. Renowned for their aesthetic appeal, mythical attributes, and narrative potential, mermaids possess altered needs, including the addition of the Hydration need, which necessitates proximity to saltwater bodies for satisfaction. If incorporated into Project Rene, mermaids should receive comprehensive treatment akin to other occults, avoiding the sense of being an afterthought present in The Sims 4.
Potential Occults Absent in The Sims 4
Fairies, introduced in The Sims 3: Supernatural, remain absent in The Sims 4 despite their popularity and diverse magical abilities. Customizable wings, nature affinity, and narrative potential characterize fairies, making their return a highly anticipated prospect, potentially more suitable for Project Rene.
Unicorns, anticipated in The Sims 4: Horse Ranch, only received a superficial representation via a sparkly horn. Initially introduced in The Sims 3: Pets, unicorns possessed supernatural capabilities, bestowing blessings or curses upon Sims and rewarding those who befriended them. Given their extensive gameplay in The Sims 3, players expected a comparable level of engagement in The Sims 4, making Project Rene an opportune platform to address this void.
Genies, a staple in The Sims series, notably absent in The Sims 4, first appeared as a playable life state in The Sims 3: Showtime, boasting an array of magical abilities. With unexplored potential, Project Rene could delve into the depths of genie lore, especially considering The Sims 4’s apparent reluctance to incorporate genies.
