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I remember when I first played The Sims back in the summer of February 2000. Sitting and staring, slack-jawed, building and customizing houses and landscapes to perfection (well, perfection to a 13-year-old anyway). The ability to control and mold a virtual character known as a Sim, and crafting their world was a new-found obsession for many people, including myself.
What started off as life simulator game turned into a mega trending platform in which the geniuses at Maxis, which later transitioned to The Sims Studio, proceeded to create not only 2, but 4 additional Sims titles with countless expansions, game packs, and free feature updates to engage their already massive fan base. Their latest installment, The Sims 4, is their most immersive and customizable title yet, featuring multiple worlds and features that reflect this day and age.
As per every Sims title, and if not every game in existence, there are hidden Easter eggs or features that reward the player something for the efforts. In this list, we will be discussing 4 amazing hidden lots that you, the player, can find with a bit of help from us at The Gamer.
Updated February 12 by Helen Ashcroft: It's been a while since we've seen secret lots added to The Sims 4 but the unique game pack Strangerville did deliver a range of never encountered before secrets. This story-driven DLC takes your sim on an adventure that will see them discover a secret lab that holds a mystery behind its closed doors.
This guide has been updated to reflect the basics of how to get started on your journey of discovery and find out just why the inhabitants of this town are acting so strangely. Don't worry, we didn't spoil the ending.
Strangerville Step 1 - Speak To The Locals In Strangerville
After entering Strangerville, the first step to solving the mystery is speaking to the locals. As you begin to chat with people they will start to give you clues about the town and what's happening.
This is the first stage of the storyline and there is a Strangerville aspiration that will guide you through the steps needed to complete it.
Strangerville Step 2 - Gather Evidence
Soon you'll be able to visit the secret lab, so secret its name is blanked out on your map. Once there you'll need to gather as much evidence as you can.
You can also speak to the curio shop owner about listening devices and chat up military personnel to find a keycard. Don't worry, the aspiration will help you with the details.
Strangerville Step 3 - Gain Entry To The Underground Chamber
Once you have a keycard you'll gain entry to a chamber, allowing you to dig deeper into the mystery and analyze the things you find.
You'll see some weird things so make sure you go back to the curio store to ensure you assemble a biohazard suit to protect you before you venture further into the depths of the lab.
Strangerville Step 4 - Check Your Surroundings
As you uncover more of the story your surroundings will change. Keep an eye on the sky, the ground and even inside the lab to see what is happening. The town won't look like this for long.
Prepare to unblock your plumbing and meet some shady looking people as you get closer to solving the mystery and saving the town.
Strangerville Step 5 - Meet Mother
Finally, your sim will come face to face with mother, the cause of the chaos. Now you must follow the instructions given in order to save the town.
Once this final task is complete the town returns to normal, with sims losing their terrifying head tilts. If you wish to play through it again you can reset the chain from the depths of the secret lab.
Sylvan Glade Step 1 - Go To Foundry Cove
Sylvan Glade is one of the secret lots that can be discovered within the breezy and fresh world of Willow Creek, one of the default worlds that come with The Sims 4.
Within Willow Creek, there lies a neighborhood named Foundry Cove. Let’s get started on how to access this magical land of wonder.
Sylvan Glade Step 2 - Visit The Crick Cabana Lot
First of all, proceed to visit the Crick Cabana Lot which is located at the end of the street.
When you get there, look for an unusual looking tree that the player can interact with. You really can't miss it as it is covered in vines and colorful mushrooms.
Sylvan Glade Step 3 - View The Tree Over And Over (Because It’s Pretty Right?)
Once you have identified the odd tree, proceed to "View" it a few times until a new interaction appears. You should be able to "Water" this tree now.
Water the tree a few times then another interaction should pop up, asking you to chat about roots or leaves. Do that a few times then a magical doorway will appear.
Sylvan Glade Step 4 - Answer Me These Questions 3 (or maybe 4...)
When the magic doorway is revealed proceed to Explore the tree. When your Sim delves into the bowels of the tree, they will be met with a series of questions they must answer.
The answers are:
- Follow the Sound
- Follow Downstream
- Enter the Mist
- Travel to the Glade
Then get ready to enter the Glade.
Sylvan Glade Step 5 - Bask In The Glade’s Amazingness!
Congratulations. You have made it to Sylvan Glade! Have fun exploring and seeking out wild and rare collectibles. It features a few special surprises such as rare fish, frogs, and plants within the surrounding area.
Keep in mind that the elusive Treefish live only here in the Glade so collecting it is a must. The glade is kept in perpetual twilight, so if your Sim is a vampire they can safely enter the glade whenever they want without turning into dust
Forgotten Grotto Step 1 - Prepare Yourself
Forgotten Grotto is another secret lot that is located within the dusty hot world of Oasis Springs, another one of The Sims 4 default worlds that are included in the base game.
To gain access, there are a few things that you as the Sim Master must perform before attempting to access this magical cave of wonder.
Forgotten Grotto Step 2 - Get to Handiness Level 10
That’s right. You are required to get your Sim up to level 10 in the handiness skill.
This can be easily achieved by either repairing broken items or, (more easily) by reading a bunch of books. Once you have achieved level 10, let's rock and roll to the Grotto!
Forgotten Grotto Step 3 - Desert Bloom Park Bound
Within Oasis Springs, proceed to explore the lot, Desert Bloom Park.
Hidden behind the buildings, there should be an abandoned mine entrance, which looks like a boarded-up doorway. With level 10 Handiness, your Sim will make short work of that boarded-up entrance.
Forgotten Grotto Step 4 - Again with the Questions (3 in total)
After entering the abandoned mine entrance, you will be met with a series of questions.
The answers are as follows:
- Take the wide path
- Climb the ladder
- Step onto the ledge
After answering the series of questions, the player is then allowed to enter the Grotto of Wonder.
Forgotten Grotto Step 5 - Shiny Forgotten Grove
Congratulations! You have made it into the Forgotten Grotto; a place of mysterious wonder, filled with unique and rare metals, minable rocks, fish, and plants. The hard to catch Batfish is a resident here (and unique to the Grotto) so, ensure that you catch one before you leave.
If you are a vampire, I have good news; the Grotto is within an interior, so it is safe to enter whenever for you undead types. As an added bonus, there is a wooden toilet located here, too, for your Sim's needs.
Deep Woods Step 1 - Enter Granite Falls
If you readers out there have The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat expansion pack, I’m happy to inform you that it has a cool secret location that you can discover quite easily!
Nestled in the luscious Granite Falls world, Deep Woods is but a short stroll away within the Granite Falls National Park neighborhood.
Deep Woods Step 2 - The Journey!
First of all, proceed to enter the Granite Falls National Park neighborhood. Zoom all the way out and proceed to position the camera as per the above photo.
Next, zoom into the marked circle until you see a small black cave with vines and brambles around it.
Deep Woods Step 3 - More Questions?!
Seriously; more questions? Yes, once your Sim has started to explore the cave you will be met with a few questions.
Proceed to answer them as below
- Step Forward
- Go Through the Web
- Sally Forth
- Travel towards the Sim
Let the Sim lead the way towards those deep woods.
Deep Woods Step 4 - Deep Woods, Here We Are!
Fantastic work! If everything went according to plan, you should be in Deep Woods, where you can go forth and do a wide range of things.
In particular, you can meet up with the Hermit (who could be a female or male), collect rare fish, and even plant life for your gardening needs. There are amenities for your Sims too if they need.
Sixam Step 1 - Get To Work
Saving the best till last as usual; the hidden location Sixam (Maxis Backwards ).
Located within the expansion, The Sims 4: Get To Work, the secret lot provides you with an out of world experience - literally! There are a couple of ways that you can blast off to space to visit this hidden world of wonder, which we will now explain.