Summary
While the series was fundamentally conceived as a semi-realistic simulation of the modern American human condition (with a more utopian depiction than anything found in reality), manySimsfans are drawn to the series for its supernatural streaks.There have been plenty ofSimsexpansions over the years(especially with the fourth entry) that appeal to just about anyone. But what about fans of magic and the mystic?
From ways to make sims immortal via vampirism and learning convenient chore-busting magic spells to the simple pleasures of building a Gothic estate, the series' supernatural packs tend to stand out in a “love it or hate it” kind of way. But which has the best witches, where are the best werewolves, and what cult makes the cut when it comes to spookifying the virtual doll house?
TheParanormal Stuff Packcomes with a haunted house lot, a new skill that lets players commune with the dead and a few pesky ghosts. With the exception of a few new hairstyles, bohemian-themed outfits (none of which particularly capture the spirit of the paranormal realm), and Romanian-style furniture pieces, there isn’t all too much to enthrall the seekers of the unseen.
There is a new Ouija board for sims to use, a new Medium skill for them to master, and a new freelance career track: the paranormal investigator. The Medium skill and Ouija board allow players tocommune with the spirits, ask them about their fates, or just tell them to cut out their poltergeist shenanigans and hit the road. Although this pack sees the return of the skeletal maid, the pack as a whole doesn’t exactly raise Hell.
While this pack doesn’t sound like the most magical of Sim expansions, there’s a surprising number of magical manifestations thanks to the addition of the witch or warlock life state. Sims can take on magical aspects by befriending a high witch. Depending on the alignment of spells sims choose to learn, they can become good, neutral, or evil warlocks or witches.
There are some useful spells to be had, including broom riding, teleportation, summoning a spectral helper, and creating an enchanted throne to replenish a magical sim’s mood. Good witches are garbed in white pointy hats and robes, while wicked witches turn sludgy green and don the classic bent hat and ragged dress of magical evildoers.
6The Sims 2 - Nightlife & Pets
The True Origin Of Simpires And Simwolves
NightlifeandPetsare closely tied for being the packs that fully implemented vampires and werewolves into the series for the first time, respectively. Werewolves were seen in the originalSims, but their appearance was the result of a magical charm and had no effect on gameplay, whereasThe Sims 2’s “Pets” gives werewolves a whole set of savage behaviors.
The late-night city-themed pack gave vampires some nifty abilities, including shapeshifting into a bat, teleportation (if trapped), and immortality.Petsgranted sims the ability to transform into a simwolf after gaining enough affinity with a wolf pack leader, causing them to rampage around the neighborhood, leaving their “scent,” and getting into fights, which is particularly useful when a burglar attempts a break-in.
5The Sims 4 - Vampires
A Full-Blooded Gothic Offering
TheSims 4base game has a cheery, light aesthetic, making the construction of ominous grand designs tricky. However, the “Vampires” pack makes building an ominous abode for dark n' broody sims a cinch. Eternal youth and new supernatural influences over non-vampire sims are all enticing new features, to be sure. Vampires come with their own drawbacks and weaknesses to balance out their new powers and offer a welcome challenge.
Vampire sims don’t just get access to all their powers right off the bat (pun intended). Players will have to guide them through their research into vampire lore and debut into the society of vampires, mostly by making sure they don’t get too much of a tan while the sun is out.While there’s a lot to suck on with this pack, it falls short of previous expansions of the supernatural variety that offer a more complete paranormal package for players to sink their teeth into.
4The Sims 4 - Realm Of Magic
Enchantingly Unbalanced Game-Breaking Fun
Wizard duels, mystic sages, and lost tomes of arcane lore. ForSimsfans looking to have fun with game-breaking powers(and watching as it all goes horribly wrong),Realm of Magicmight be the right pack. Magical sims feel truly powerful, and the selection of spells on offer is certainly enchanting.
Curses, the result of backfire incantations, offer interesting curveballs for sims on the path to becoming the most powerful magic user in town. While the titular realm of magic itself is gorgeous to look at, there isn’t much to do, as many of the objects saddled on the floating void islands are static and non-interactable (although fans should probably just be grateful that the magic portal leading to the realm wasn’t just a rabbit hole).
3The Sims 4 - Werewolves
Tailless But Not Toothless
TheWerewolvespack comes with excellent options for players to customize the lustrous lycanthrope of their dreams. That being said, EA seems to have somewhat forgotten what wolves look like, given how catlike or fox-like the werewolves look, not to mention the fact that they forgot to give them tails. Despite their anurous aesthetic,werewolf sims are truly savage characters. Once their “Fury Meter” is filled, the teeth and claws come out, and too much anger will send them into an uncontrollable frenzy.
Having to deal with an unruly wolf helps spice up the usual jejuneSims 4gameplay, but their flaws are offset by a skill tree, which allows werewolves to sharpen their senses and full-moon prowess. Speaking of which, a sense of grunge permeates everything in the pack (in the best possible way). The new outfits, items, and even the pack’s town, Moonwood Mill, oozes with wild urban decay grunge with its rusty, rundown factories, trash-ridden streets, and pine wood vistas; the perfect vibes for sims of a primal nature. All in all, great for werewolf fans, but a little piecemeal for masters of monsters and magic.
This pack is the stuff of legend amongThe Simsfan community, and for good reason. As the last and largest pack for the originalSimsgame that started the series, it came packed full of new items, a new neighborhood (Magic Town), spellcasting mechanics, and other occult stuff.The memorable soundtrack stands out even from the rest of the series' stellar collectionand evokes memories of quaint harvest fairs in Tuscan towns and rustic carousels from the old country.
Magic Town isn’t simply a place for sims to learn spells but an enchanting character in itself, containing a community of colorful magic folk. The supernatural elements blend in perfectly with the rest ofThe Simsand its expansions, unlike later supernatural editions, which feel like they turn the world ofThe Simsinto a totally different game.
This pack has to land in the top spot for its sheer denseness of occult, supernatural goodness.Supernaturalintroduces five new life states (or an update to the vampire life state fromLate Night), including the fairy, witch, zombie, and werewolf. There’s also a robust magic system to master, which witches and fairies can freely faff around with. Alchemy is also available to everyone, although witches do it best.
With over 80 outfits included, a plethora of new traits, tattoos, and hairstyles, and a new suitably spooky neighborhood, Midnight Falls, there’s a lot to fall in love with. The only drawback to this pack is that once a vampire gains the immortal life reward, they sparkle in the sun instead of burning to a crisp. Boo. Or rather, “bleh.”
