The Sims 4Growing Together is an expansion that focuses primarily on building the gameplay experience and making Sims feels more realistic. While there are new clothing items, furniture and even a new world, it’s the gameplay that will hook you with this pack.
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Sims relationships get an overhaul, and depth is added to interactions and emotions, as well we personalities. Here we take a look at all the features of the pack, so you know what you’ll get for your money.
10A Full Infant Experience
The infant life stage has been added to the base game, so isn’t exclusive to this pack. However, the base game infant experience is lacking compared to that of the expansion experience. This is due to the inclusion of carriers and changing tables in the Growing Together pack.
Both of these items make a big difference to the realism of raising infants. Changing them on a table and putting diapers in a bin is a much better experience than throwing your child in the air, leaving the dirty diaper to land on the floor. Similarly carrying your infant in a carrier is much better than in your arms, when a Sim may keep trying to put them down.
9The Milestone System
TheMilestone systemsees Sims properly celebrate big events in their lives, from birth to death. Every lifestage has its own set of milestones that commemorate things like first steps, a wobbly tooth, l4earning to ride a bike, buying or renting a new home, or getting married.
Events both large and small are marked for Sims, helping them recall these important events. Some are also commemorated with items that can go in the new keepsake box.
8Family Dynamics
As Sims grow olderthere are now family dynamics that can effect their relationships with others. Family members may be close, supportive, or love to joke around with each other. Alternatively, the relationship could be strained or distant. Which option is chosen will affect the interactions between Sims.
Family dynamics can even shift over time, but this will take work on both Sim’s sides, especially trying to turn around a difficult relationship. Just as in real life you’ll need to overcome a few hurdles.
7Personality Changes
There are a couple of new things involving Sim’s personalities. The main one is that Sims can now have naturally good or bad chemistry with others. This will affect the interactions between Sims either positively or negatively. you’re able to select things your Sim likes and dislikes, including certain personality traits, and these will change the dynamics in relationships.
Related:The Sims 4 Growing Together: All Child Milestones And How To Get Them
Your Sim may also evolve their own personality over time, gaining an additional trait, or changing an old one. You can choose to reject these adjustments or simply embrace them.
6Visitors And Events
Get ready for visitors, because now friends and family members can come and stay with you. Bringing a suitcase, they’ll come and stay in your family home to help out, or maybe just to hinder. They may have become homeless, or want to help out with a new baby. You’ll have to decide if you want to let them come, or risk a bad reaction if you say no.
You can also throw your own new events, baby shower, family reunion, and slumber party. Now pregnant Sims can be showered with love, kids can have fun in a new way, and families can come together in love or chaos, depending on your family!
5Life Events
There are a few key life events added to the game in this pack. Sims can now go through burnout, a Midlife crisis, a random layoff or discover a work rival. These events will change your Sim as they navigate them.
Each life event affects you Sim differently. They can end up being negatively affected by a burnout or layoff, or may discover a new hobby through a Midlife crisis, or gain job from beating out a rival for promotion.
4Recreation Centers And New Activities
Recreation Centers are a new lot type in The Sims 4 and offer a place for Sims of all ages to gather and have fun together. They also come with a couple of new activities.
Related:The Sims 4: Growing Together: All New Child Aspirations And What They Mean
The game table allows your Sims to do a jigsaw or play a game together than isn’t cards or Jenga. If your Sim completes a puzzle they can also frame it. Sims can also choose to make friendship bracelets. Both of these activities are also available at home with the new items.
3The Beautiful World Of San Sequoia
San Sequoia is a family-friendly world with a beautiful bridge, riverside walks, and stunning views across the river mouth and connecting ocean. The neighbourhoods offer close-knit communities built up in different areas in the suburbs, with families socialising at the Rec Centre.
From playing the new upright piano in the street, to learning to ride a bicycle, or going on a hike with the family. There’s plenty to do here, although some areas are not quite as open as we’d like.
2Casual Clothes For All Ages
The Create a Sim options in this pack are quite varied, showing a range of items for all ages. Infants have the most, but there are several versatile pieces that help pad out a wardrobe include headscarves, onesies, casual jackets, hats, jumpers, and more.
There aren’t as many hairstyles as expansions often have, but these are more unique, allowing better versatility and making space for more clothing as well as freckles. These additions are also for all ages, so no worrying about changing skin details!
1Make Your House A Family Home
Many objects in this pack have a feature. They include rocking chairs, changing tables, keepsake boxes, sleeping bags, splash pads and water jets, swings, a toddler slide, a treehouse and an upright piano. You’ll also find the game table, an infant playmat and bracelet making kits.
While these items make up the bulk of the pack there are also a few other items to make a family home including a sofa and chairs, bed, sink, bath and shower combo, tiles, tables and some new photoframes. Bookshelves, and large windows as well as several decor items round out the set to help you build a rec centre yourself.
