The Sims 4 Vampires 😈 Video Game Review

         

Written by Tia

Happy Almost-Halloween to all the simmers out there! A spooky Sims 4 expansion pack is currently on sale for $15 (usually $20). If you're asking yourself, "Should I buy The Sims 4: Vampires?", this post is for you.

Unlike some of the Sims games in the past (The Sims: Makin' Magic and The Sims 3: Supernatural), where magic-related packs meant getting lots of different creatures, this one only gives you vampires. It's sort of like The Sims 2: Nightlife, minus the nightlife additions and just the vampires. So, in a lot of ways, it disappoints. But in an odd, very Vampire Diaries-esque manner, it's also interesting and fun. I'm torn.

Recent disappointments in the Sims games you should already know about

Maxis and EA have been notably disappointing with the Sims 4, leaving many fans sticking with Sims 3, or complaining and buying all the Sims 4 packs anyway. It seems like the games and packs are always rushed, always too simple for the price tag, and never worth buying until Origin has one of its rare, but wonderful, dramatic sales.

Plus, they didn't even have toddlers or pools when the game first came out, and that meant going from a worm baby to a child in one stupid step, and no summer fun! They've since added them, but everyone's still bitter about it.

So, what's up with The Sims 4: Vampires? 

This brings us to The Sims 4: Vampires. Fans of the games know to go in with a feeling of dread and a complete lack of hope. In this case, these low expectations will work in your favor, as The Sims 4: Vampires is a surprisingly fun addition to the game. That said, I do think it acts almost like a very different and strangely specific mini-game, but it's still fun in that regard.

If you choose, you don't have to make any of your sims vampires. Sometimes you'll run into vampires in the night, prowling around outside, or even run into one in the day, most likely in their human form. It's not really a secret who is a vampire, but for some reason there's an option to "reveal your vampire secret" to others so... I guess you can really just create any kind of story you want.

Should you buy it?

Unless you're obsessed with vampires, want to make a machinima of Twilight, or just have cash to throw around, I don't recommend getting it. (I'll admit I am big vampire/supernatural creature fan, so I caved to it and enjoy it a bit. But if you aren't OBSESSED with vampires and the supernatural, I imagine you'll probably be pretty disappointed.) It doesn't add a lot to the Sims 4 game overall, which still feels like it's missing basic features. The vampires are implemented very much to the side, and while it is fun to play as one for a bit, much like the rest of the game, it can become repetitive and less interesting over time.

I don't think this is a particular fault of the expansion (Vampires), but rather the source material (The Sims 4). However, knowing that the Sims 4 game isn't that great, I don't think it's worth getting your hopes up that the Vampires expansion will make the game a ton more exciting. It adds some fun elements for those who really deeply love vampires and want to play as one, but if you're just a general expansion collector, looking to have the most complete version of the game possible, you may not find yourself that in love with this particular expansion.

It feels a bit like The Sims: Medieval in that it's fun in its own right, but doesn't feel like it's completely integrated into the rest of the Sims world, especially since you can just ignore the vampires completely and essentially play a vanilla game. Alternatively, if you do play as a vampire, you will find it fun for a bit, but ultimately unnecessary. The vampirism just exchanges a few needs for your character and allows you to play some tricks on people, but doesn't do a lot to the gameplay as a whole.

I think if there were more supernatural creatures in this pack, it would make me love it and drop an easy five hearts on my review, but with just vampires alone, it'll stick at a solid three. Of course, I think it's fun for vampire-lovers with low expectations, and I just hope you know what you're getting into before jumping hastily into a purchase.


The Sims 4: Vampires can be purchased on Origin for $14.99 (currently 25% off) as of October 15.