While the base game forThe Sims 4is now free, it’s way more fun as you add more packs. The Life & Death expansion released on Halloween 2024 is a great one if you’re trying to add a little more life to your Sims, even if that’s theafterlife.
With funerals, cemeteries, expanded playable ghosts, and more, there’s already plenty to love about The Sims 4: Life & Death, but if you’re looking to get the most of your storytelling and gameplay, here are a few ideas for good packs to pair with the Life & Death expansion pack.
Focus
Building the Fitness Skill
With both new careers added in the Life & Death expansion pack requiringa decent amount of Fitness skillfrom your Sims, you’ve got options at the various gyms around the different worlds or with buying treadmills and bench presses at home. But for the most athletic among your Sims, consider the Fitness Stuff pack.
Withthe Climbing Wallincluded in the Fitness Stuff pack, your Sims have an interesting new kind of treadmill to experiment with. They’ll be able to watch workout videos at home to keep building their Fitness skill away from heavy equipment, and you’ll even receive plenty of free pairs of earbuds to keep them musically motivated as they work out.
Family Pets
If you’re an animal lover, then you’ve probably already got the Cats & Dogs expansion pack for The Sims 4, which addsall your favorite furry friendsinto the game. But like Sims, your pets’ lives are finite, andeven with the best veterinary carein the world, you’ll need to say goodbye to them at some point.
And if your Sims are particularly attached, you can bet you’ll feel more extreme moodlets while playing Life & Death. You could even hold a funeral for your dearly departed dogs and cats to allow your friends and family to come say farewell before potentiallygetting the family a new petin time.
Group Social Events
The second expansion pack for The Sims 4 was all about bringing the Sims in your life around the same table and enjoying time together, and that friend group gameplay aspect is sure to play nicely with Life & Death. With the changes made to the grieving system, your Sims now experience different levels of sadness when another Sim dies.
Andif your Sim is in a Clubwith other Sims they’re close to, their next group gathering will likely be a much more somber one. Nobody wants to call the Club to a gathering for a funeral, but the pack offers plenty of ways to bond with other Sims and be there for one another in your most trying of times.
Deepening Romantic Connections
For the most romantic Sims, sometimes, they just want to find “The One,” but what happens when they finally do and their One passes away? With the rich romantic relationship tapestry added with the Lovestruck expansion, your Sim will feel more deeply when their significant other passes away. Or, maybe your Sims havefallen in love with the Grim Reaperhimself - we don’t judge.
Whoever their special someone, hopefully they built a little bit of their Romance skill with their dearly beloved before death did them part, butif they’re looking to remarry, it’s never been easier to get back on the market with theCupid’s Corner dating app. We bet Olive Specter will get some good use of the new, convenient online dating scene, givenher record with her husbands passing away…
Creepy decor, new Spooky Party, clothing
With the Life & Death expansion launching on Halloween 2024 to emphasize the spooky nature of the content within, players looking for a little extra fright in their fun should consider the Spooky Stuff pack, especially if you’re looking to entertain the Sims left alive. They look especially thematic when held in Ravenwood betweenall the festivals the town holds, too!
With the Ghastly Party, you’ve got all kinds of creepy fun for your Sims and their pals. There are Halloween costumes to keep the theme alive, as well asa pumpkin carving station for making jack-o’-lanternsand a neat candy bowl that might reach back at your Sim with a trick when they reach in for a treat.
Clothing, hiring a butler, decor
If you’re into the Life & Death pack’s Build/Buy additions, then the Vintage Glamour stuff is a must-get.With the high walls and old-fashioned buildings prominent in Ravenwood, why not add a splash of lux to an otherwise dreary world as you’re fixing up the houses added in the pack?
Not only is therea wealth of art deco decoron the menu, but for those looking to look fab even at a funeral,the CAS additionsin Vintage Glamour are gorgeous, offering flowing gowns that are sure to stun. You can even choose to hire a butler to help your family tend to their oversized Ravenwood estates!
Haunted House lot type, Paranormal Investigator profession
Our first taste of playing more with the afterlife in The Sims 4 was with the Paranormal Stuff Pack, bringing a wealth of spooky spoils into the game. Brave players may want to experiment withthe Haunted House lot type, which is an intriguingly scary pairing with Life & Death’sOn Hallowed Grounds lot type.
Between the two, your Sims will experience no shortage of horrifying happenings on their home lots. Those Sims who don’t feel the calling ofbecoming a Reaperor preparing the dead for their afterlifeas an Undertakercould check outthe Paranormal Investigator profession, becoming licensed and taking on gig work getting rid of specters.
Spellcasting, Potion Brewing, and Magic
Everything about the Life & Death expansion pack feels dark and spooky, and if you’re interesting in dabbling in the dark arts with your Sim, thenthe Realm of Magic game packis for you.The Spellcaster life statewould make for an interesting pairing with the Reaper career, with its added touch of magic!
Your Sim will be able to master all things magical in the titular Magic Realm,with magical Sagesaround to help train them, other Sims to duel, plenty of tomes to find, shops to visit, and more. If you’re interested in all things Macabre, this might be the extra gameplay your supernatural Sims are craving.
Weather Changes, Holidays
The world of Ravenwood is a gorgeous one, but it’s much more intriguing to both look at and play in if you’ve got the Seasons expansion installed tobring dynamic weatherinto your game.Certain Sims feel bestwhen its raining, gaining Inspired moodlets from the dreary weather common across the three Ravenwood neighborhoods.
Additionally, in the Seasons expansion, you’ll havea wealth of proper holidaysto celebrate like Harvestfest, the game’s Thanksgiving equivalent, and Winterfest, Christmas by any other name. The seasonal activities and holidays you’re able to experience with your Sims help build fond memories, and besides, who can resist the storytelling allure of someone passing away suddenly on an otherwise fun holiday?
Deepening Familial Connections
Oftentimes for story-based Simmers, family is everything. Between generational challenges, legend families we’ve played throughout the years, your Sims are bound to have loved ones they’re close to throughout their lives. So man, is it going to be extra sad now when they have to say goodbye someday.
With the various elements added in the Growing Together pack to strengthen your Sims’ family lives – varying social dynamics and exploring family ties and the drama that may ensue, for instance – they’ll be closer to their families than ever before, but it’s always hard to say goodbye to the ones we love. The milestone system plays nicely withthe Bucket Lists feature, but hopefully your Simshave prepared their willahead of time toleave family Heirloomsfor the next generations and decide what happens after they pass on.
