The Sims 4’s first pack debut of 2021, titled Paranormal, is a stuff pack that blows other previous stuff packs out of the water. EA has a reputation for releasing tons of DLC for base games, and The Sims 4 was another game that experienced this pattern. The Sims 4 currently has 10 expansion packs, nine game packs, and 18 stuff packs, which is a whole lot of DLC. While these packs have sometimes added incredible new gameplay and locations to the game, others have not gone over as well, with many players feeling like they weren’t getting their money’s worth.
The Sims 4: Paranormal stuff pack seems to be an attempt to correct this issue, though. Despite only being a stuff pack, it is, well, stuffed with new content for the game. The gameplay aspects are really what set this stuff pack apart from the others, with a new Haunted House lot type, new “Medium” skill, and a new freelance Paranormal Investigator career. Paranormal is only a stuff pack, but it by far exceeded expectations and may mean big things for the future of The Sims 4 DLC.
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The Paranormal stuff pack adds boho-chic style in both CAS and Build/Buy mode that easily fits in with other in-game items to make a cohesive vision. Additionally, the clothing has matching swatches, which is a big deal as The Sims 4 notoriously has a matching swatch problem. Though bohemian style isn’t for all players, the items are cute, fun, and can mix-and-match with other packs and base game content with ease. The items and clothing feel very 70s-inspired, but are modern enough that they don’t feel dated.
The Haunted House lot type definitely gives players a fright, with spot on creepy music, unknown sounds, and random encounters with cursed objects or cutesy Specters. There’s also a hand statue that lets players control how often Guidry the Ghost appears and whether or not “Heroic Mode” is activated. This mode will add an extra challenge for players, as the Sim’s home will become more haunted with each night that passes. Spending seven nights in a Haunted House will unlock a special reward for Sims who are brave enough to last. Sims must develop their “Medium” skill (which caps at 5) in order to pursue a career as a Paranormal Investigator, too.
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All the content included in The Sims 4: Paranormal stuff pack makes it feel like a game pack far more than a stuff pack. Though it’s occult-niche gameplay, all aspects of Live mode, CAS, and Build/Buy mode make this a more fleshed out pack than others that have been released previously. The well-done nature of this pack says a lot about it in comparison to the other 17 stuff packs that are available as Sims 4 DLC.
If the developer takes note of how well fans have responded to the release of Paranormal, there’s a good chance other upcoming packs will have the same polished, fleshed out feeling. Though DLC doesn’t fix the lack of gameplay many people find (or rather don’t) in the base game, it does add more in-game opportunities for players. If a stuff pack could include this much content, it opens a wide door of possibilities for the kinds of items and gameplay that future game and expansion packs could provide to players.
The Sims 4 has content planned through 2021, and if this is just the start, the rest of the year may make for some exciting DLC packs.
The Sims 4: Paranormal is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.