The Sims 4 is a life simulation and functions as a sandbox game, allowing you to tell your own stories with minimal guidance. While there are aspirations to achieve and careers to explore there are no specific goals in the game, aside from the ones you set for yourself. However, what if you'd like some structure and rules to focus your gameplay? This is where challenges come in.
Over the years, Sims players have created a huge amount of challenges, covering a range of difficulties and requiring a range of DLC. For newcomers, in particular, this can feel overwhelming. If you've only got the base game it may also feel like challenges are out of the question. Today we debunk this myth to bring you a range of challenges for The Sims 4 that require nothing but the base game.
Updated January 14th, 2020, by Helen Ashcroft: As The Sims 4 continues to grow with more and more new DLC packs it can feel more overwhelming than ever for new players. While the base game is cheap to acquire and even free on some services, there is a school of thought that you need to catch up. This list has been updated to show you that the base game still has plenty to offer.
If you're bored of figuring out your own stories and want to try something new we've found more challenges that only need the base game. These offer new ways to play and give you goals to strive for. Take a look and see which one fits your playstyle.
15 The Hired Help Challenge
The Hired Help Challenge by MissChevus sees you helping out different households with different tasks over a 30-day in-game period. The tasks and households change every three to four days but all can be done just with the base game.
At the end of the 30 days, you'll gain points for any skills you acquired and the tasks you completed. It's a great way to build a good range of skills for your Sim in a unique way.
14 Devoted Grandmother Challenge
If you want to make elders the center of your story then the devoted grandmother challenge by Venay is a great choice. It involves you playing mainly as an elder who steps into the role of caregiver for your grandchildren.
The challenge has rules based on time spent with the grandchildren, your relationship with their parents, and the time you can control them. You must raise them to be independent adults while sticking to the challenge's limitations.
13 Bad Blood Challenge
The Bad Blood Challenge by Arin is based on Taylor Swift's song of the same name. It requires you to create a character, befriend them, and then turn them into an enemy. You'll also need to assemble a squad to help you take them down.
This unique idea is a little fun and a great way to mix art with The Sims 4. You can use regular Sims or try to mimic the video's characters. Either way, it's a fun and short challenge that tells a story.
12 Mooch Off Your Neighbor
In the mooch off your neighbor challenge by Terrylin, you need to acquire enough money to fulfill the mansion baron aspiration by using and abusing the kindness of strangers. Flit from house to house befriending the neighbors so you can sleep on their sofa and eat their food.
There are some limits around how you earn simoleons but the basic idea is to use other people's hospitality to sustain yourself while you learn and use skills to build up your personal wealth.
11 The Serial Killer Challenge
If you want to turn to the dark side in your game then the serial killer challenge by Liliths may be what you're looking for. This simple but effective challenge is short but satisfying for those who want to explore the many deaths in the game.
The basic idea is to lure people into your house and kill them. There is a scoring system and some additional twists but you could also add your own, such as never killing sims the same way more than once.
10 Astronaut Legend Challenge
The Astronaut Legend Challenge by Amazingamphy is about an aspiring astronaut trying to prove themselves. There are three different difficulty levels, all with slightly different goals and rules, but the premise is the same.
You'll need to build up your rocket science skill, climb the career ladder as an astronaut and build yourself a great home to come back to. It's a nicely structured way to explore this base game career.
9 100 Baby Challenge
This is a classic challenge, originally put together by Snarky Witch. It requires you to create a young adult who will found your huge family. You then need to start the process of having 100 babies. After your founding sim ages up to an elder their youngest daughter takes over and the cycle continues.
There are various rules about who you can have children with and when you can age them up and move them out. The challenge includes a few extra clarifications for specific packs but the core rules are very base game friendly. Read the full details over on Snarky Witch's blog.
8 100 Heartbreak Challenge
If the thought of 100 babies makes you want to run away screaming, then breaking 100 hearts may be more appropriate for you. The rules for the 100 heartbreak challenge by pc_geek115 are as simple as they sound, break 100 other sims hearts.
There are a few simple rules about marriage, traits, and traveling but the concept is easy, evil, and utterly possible with only the base game.
7 Asylum Challenge
Some people have objected to the concept of this challenge but it can be reworked since it doesn't have to be an 'asylum'. The basic premise is that eight sims are living together in a place that hasn't got enough furniture to meet their needs. You can only control one sim and they need to complete their lifetime aspiration in order to move out.
Autonomous sims always create chaos and the rules of this challenge by Rinnyroo use the sparse essentials and the erratic trait, previously known as the insane trait, to increase it, hence the name. The concept is still great fun and can be easily done using just the base game.
6 Bachelor/Bachelorette Challenge
Urban Sims has put together a challenge based on the TV show that sees singles compete for a bachelor/bachelorette's affection. You'll have an eight sim household to begin with then sims will be eliminated every three days.
The rules are quite flexible but there are different things you can do each day if you wish. All activities are easily adjustable to base game players. You can find the full details on Urban Sims website.
5 Black Widow Challenge
For those who want a shorter challenge with an added edge of evil, the Black Widow challenge is here to fulfill your needs. It requires you to find, marry, and kill ten different partners across your lifespan.
There are a couple of extra rules and even a points system if you want to get truly competitive. Nothing in this challenge requires anything but the base game so make sure you check out the details.
4 Rags To Riches
Many players know the rags to riches challenge from James Turner, who has frequently used the theme as a focus for his YouTube videos. However, he tends to make up the rules as he goes along and tailor them for new packs.
For those who want a structured version, SimishGamer has created one. There are goals to hit, conditions to meet, and even some enhanced rules to add more complexity. All challenges and goals can be met just with the base game. Take a look at the details over on modthesims.
3 Runaway Teen Challenge
The aim of this challenge is to live off what you can scavenge as you make a new life for yourself after being left alone. It's a great challenge to hang a backstory off as you think about why your teen ended up in this situation.
You need to scavage and sell, scraping together enough money to buy everything you need. The full rules are on StormyDayz blog. If you want an extra challenge the Big Sister challenge by poballa is very similar, except you have a younger sibling to care for as well.
2 Three Little Sims
This challenge was adapted by Cefthy and requires you to have a setup of three homes on one lot. After the first day of setup, you'll then control each one in rotation, swapping every night.
Sims can have jobs and the idea is just to see how well they can all do when only controlled for a third of their lives. There are goals you can aim for but this is more about the fun of seeing what happens than anything else.
1 Truman Show Challenge
This challenge by Hurley Gamer is based on The Truman Show movie starring Jim Carrey. You basically create Truman and then influence his life using only the sims around him. He has to meet some of the milestones we see in the movie and fulfill his dream of "going to Fiji" as well as earning a set amount of money.
The challenge is harder than it first appears as you need to make sure that relationships thrive while only being in control of one party. None of the goals require extra DLC packs and the full rules are over on The Sims forum.