Though the Expansion and Game Packs that have been released to date for the fourth installment in the Sims series have been a bit hit or miss, the last few packs have been utterly fantastic. The last few packs brought so many new features to the game that completely changed the gameplay that is fully changed the stance many Simmers had on the Sims 4 entirely. What went from a lackluster sequel to the Sims 3 has recently become one of the most beloved installments in the series altogether.
And with the announcement of the Island Living pack, the community has never been so excited.
Each and every single piece of information that has come out about Island Living sounds amazing. This article will act as a bit of a summary/guide to all of the information we have as of June 20th 2019 for the new Island Living Sims 4 Expansion Pack.
Updated 14th April 2020 By Helen Ashcroft: At this point, players have been enjoying Island Living for several months and have been discovering more hidden secrets in the pack. As Simmers keep flocking to the game, and many more players are looking to expand their DLC selection we take a look at some other features of this expansion.
Sometimes you can't get the full feel of a pack until you've spent some time playing it. For those of you considering buying Island Living who want to more what you'll get for your money then this update is for here. As well as updating speculative information, we've also uncovered some more exciting things you can discover in Island Living.
15 Build A Beautiful Waterfront Home
The island of Sulani introduces a first for the franchise, waterfront homes. Not only that but the addition of stilt foundations even allows for builds to extend over the water, with decks, piers and beautiful views.
If you've ever wanted to live an oceanfront life then now you can, all year round. With Sulani being a residential island the sea view is permanent, meaning sims can live their best island life.
14 Sulani Is Full Of Vibrance
The Island Living pack is one of the most colorful around, from the furniture to the clothing. Drawing influences from Polynesian culture, it features a vibrant palette that extends across all aspects of the game.
The island itself is home to some bright and beautiful plants, sims will dress in vibrant colors and even the houses are decorated with multicolored railings and decor items. The trailer looks bright as always but in this case, it truly extends into every aspect of the pack itself.
13 Mua Pel'Am Has A Volcano
Sulani is split into smaller islands and the isle of Mua Pel'Am is the most natural and unspoiled. It is here that sims can find off the grid lots and a life more in harmony with nature.
However, nature comes with a downside as there is also an active volcano on the island. At random intervals, the volcano will erupt and send hot rocks onto adjacent lots. Sims need to be careful around these, although once they cool a surprise can be found inside them.
12 10. Mermaids Are Back
While the vampires and aliens have been entertaining enough to keep us busy, many fans have been waiting for EA to bring more unique types of occult Sims to the game.
Since we are returning to an island, one would expect that mermaids would follow shortly and those expectations were confirmed when the official trailers and art were revealed. Players will be able to interact with and play as mermaids in new and exciting ways.
11 9. Mermaids Might Not Be That Friendly
Sure, some of the mermaids who live in the ocean surrounding the island may be the friendliest Occult Sim one will ever meet. They may remind one of the mermaids who filled the stories that they grew up on. But like vampires, some mermaids may actually be rather amoral in nature (if the player so chooses.)
Mermaids will have the ability to use a sirens song that has an effect on the sims who hear it. These songs can be both positive and negative. As such, players can create good and amoral mermaids to customize their looks to reflect their character.
10 Find Hidden Treasures
There are two new collections added to the game in Island Living. The first and easiest to find are the selection of seashells along the shore. They can be found while beachcombing, diving and exploring the cave in Mua Pel'Am. Dolphins can also collect them for you.
The other collection is buried treasure and is found while scuba diving or freediving with certain conditions. These treasures tell the history of Sulani.
There are also new fish and a handful of new plants that produce edibles. Sims are also able to capture a series of underwater photos that can be displayed in their home.
9 8. Become A Conservationist
Players can pursue the Conservationist career and dedicate their lives to nature preservation. Some tourists may not always leave the beach in the same state that they found it in and it is up to the players to clean the island in order to protect the environment from the litterbugs of the world.
Protect the world with those fellow conservationists and make it a better place for those who come after each and every Sim.
8 7. Play With The Island Lifestyle
Ride a canoe, build a sandcastle, take a jetski around the shore, go for a swim, go scuba diving, go to a Kava Party, and immerse oneself and one's Sim into island culture.
Unlike previous island expansion packs, Island Living brings a cultural element to the game. Instead of the world existing as a sandy version of the standard neighborhood, this island paradise contains unique gatherings and interactions that create a world that truly feels real.
7 Life An Off The Grid Life
The Off The Grid lot trait allows sims to live a truly rustic lifestyle. The trait will stop all power and water to a property and issue no bills to the household. Players can still have hygiene-related items to fulfill needs but only a limited amount will function on off the grid lots.
Electronic items such as televisions, radios, and games consoles won't work and lighting options are limited to candle based solutions.
6 6. Say Hello to Dolphins
One cannot create a game entirely dedicated to the ocean, the island, and the life that exists (culturally and literally) between the two, without bringing dolphins to the mix. Note: these dolphins are not just simple NPCs that exist in the background and cannot be interacted with but rather living, breathing, and fun-loving Dolphins that human and mermaid Sims can interact with freely.
We are not sure how Vampires will fare on the island and do not recommend bringing them to such a sunny landscape.
5 5. Part-Time Jobs Are More Flexible
The Island Living Expansion Pack will give players the ability to have more freedom with part-time jobs. These have been expanded to include new professions such as lifeguard and diver, and are now available to ages teen and above.
While sims cannot take two jobs at once, they can do a part-time job alongside other non-structured jobs, like writing novels or composing songs.
4 4. The Island Responds To Players Choices
As mentioned earlier in this piece, players will be able to pursue the conservationist career in order to help clean up the island and dispose of the litter and refuse left behind by inconsiderate tourists. But what was not mentioned earlier was the fact the players will actually get to see the impact that they are having on the world around their Sim.
If they dedicate their time to cleaning up the beaches, they will be rewarded with thick vegetation, increased butterflies, greener trees, and possibly even cleaner oceans. The reverse is also true, with island's becoming duller as litter piles up, so let's keep those beaches clean for the butterflies' sake.
3 3. Island Specific Careers
One cannot create an island-specific pack without creating island-specific careers to go along with it. Aside from the conservationist career, a full-time work from home career, there are also 3 new part-time careers. These are Diver, Lifeguard, and Fisherman and are island-specific.
Players can also take on odd jobs. These are one-off tasks that reward a one-off fee. While some are rabbit-hole events, others require players to do certain tasks such as catch frogs in the waterfall.
2 2. New Aspiration
A new world and a new type of gameplay means that a new aspiration will be available for players to select for their Sims and their family members. The Beach Life aspiration has been added to the location-specific aspiration category and will focus on providing sims with the ultimate island lifestyle.
This aspiration guides players through the new features of the game and involves exploring the beaches as well as socializing with the neighbors.
1 1. Don't Forget Sunscreen
Though the big changes that this pack is expected to bring to the game are truly exciting, the more fascinating aspects come with the more subtle changes. The simple and often overlooked changes that affect everyday gameplay. The changes that a player would notice even if they live in a different neighborhood and do not choose to add a mermaid to the family.
One change is the ability to swim in the water present in every neighborhood, which many Simmers are looking forward to. And another subtle change is the fact that Sims will have to clock the time they spend in the sun for they will now be susceptible to UV rays. This means suntans and sunburns.