Which Sims player has never intentionally drowned their Sim in the swimming pool? Regretted the death of a favorite Sim? Been frustrated with the limits of the ghosts’ abilities?
With To life to deathwhich releases Thursday October 31, 2024, EA introduces a macabre touch to the game for Halloween. “We wanted it to be a fun pack, not a depressing one (laughs). We sought a balance between realism and fun”explains Morgan Henry, producer of the game. After a preview test, I can tell you that All Saints’ Day fans will be in for a treat!
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Switch to the dark side of the force
Welcome to Ravenwood, a charming town where even the name of the neighborhoods provokes a few shivers: Mourningvale (the valley of mourning), Whispering Glen and Crow’s Crossing. The developers were inspired by the countryside of Romania, the birthplace of Dracula.
The places are each more sinister than the next, from the sinister swamp to the cemetery, including the crypts and the Eternity Club, popular with ghosts. It is not uncommon to cross a patch of fog between two beautiful Gothic-style buildings. To furnish these homes, moreover, we will note in particular the imposing skull fireplace, the domestic crow (you read correctly) or the coffin beds.
As in the last games, residents of the city offer fun quests to discover the world and obtain rewards. There remains one last invisible district on the map: the Beyond, the lair of the reaper.
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Reaper, a passion job
The Sims 4 have already widely explored dark forces over the course of the game’s numerous expansions. Vampires, werewolves and wizards had already joined the galaxy of so-called “occult” packs, alongside kits like Paranormal, Gothic Style, Crystal Creations or Scary Accessories . Outfits, mystical objects and powers of all kinds had already appeared in the game.
But if there’s one iconic character that deserved a little more attention, it’s the reaper. Sometimes feared, sometimes intriguing, the reaper is this hooded figure who steals the lives of our beloved Sims. And who can now become our boss.
New careers have indeed appeared in To life to deathwith the funeral directors on the one hand, and the reaper on the other. In the latter, death purely and simply becomes our hierarchical superior!
Like the active careers that appeared in The Sims 4 Get to Workit is possible to accompany your Sim to work via the reaper career. Head to the Beyond to go and mow down souls. You must then get down to preparing a soul reaping, going to the scene of a death and taking with you the last spirits of the deceased person.
A fun career (much more than that of funeral directors, all in all quite basic), which above all allows you to get up close and personal with the reaper. “Having a baby with the reaper is my favorite new thing”smiles Morgan Heny.
Let your darkness speak
A new thanatology skill allows you to deepen your funeral knowledge. The three new character traits revolve around death, obviously. “Ghoulish” Sims will have a penchant for the doom, “Death Chased” Sims will live on a thread, and “Skeptics” will doubt what they cannot see with their own eyes.
New hairstyles, makeup and outfits will transform your Sims into Wednesday Addams or Beetlejuice. Ghost outfits will also dress young and old.
Say goodbye… or not
One of the big new features of this extension concerns the end of life. Sims now have a Soul Journey, a spiritual life gauge to fill over the course of their lives. By fulfilling desires and aspirations, Sims will obtain in fine the possibility of choosing their destiny. Once their final hour arrives, will they choose death, life as a ghost or reincarnation?
“Fans of Legacy challenges or those who hate seeing their Sims die will be able to revive their Sims, by resurrecting as a new character or the same one at a different age, depending on the desire of each player”enthuses the producer of the extension.
In order to best prepare for their departure, they can also write a will including their last wishes and the conditions of their bequests. After weddings and romantic dates, funerals are now one of the events that can be organized. At the cemetery, at home or at the bar, take a moment to say goodbye to the deceased, around a bonfire, a coffin or by delivering a eulogy.
The ghosts are getting a makeover. Like vampires or werewolves, ghost progression is now offered to enrich the gameplay of ghostly Sims. Their color can also be adjusted as desired. “Ghosts are already in the base game but now it is possible to edit them in Create a Sim. We also added the powers »explains Morgan Henry.
A fairly rich pack overall, with fun gameplay that could please players who are fans of both the occult and everyday life.
