An Honest Review of the New Expansion Pack with Exciting Features and Fashionable Outfits
The Sims 4 High School Years is the latest expansion pack for the popular life simulation game The Sims 4. The pack allows players to experience the high school years of their Sims, from attending classes and participating in extracurricular activities to going to prom and graduating.
The High School Years expansion pack includes a number of new features, including:
New Copperdale high school, which is home to a variety of new buildings and locations, such as the high school itself, the library, the mall, and the park.
A new social hierarchy system, which allows Sims to make lifelong friends, enemies, and rivals (ideal for recreating high school life).
A new reputation system, which tracks how Sims are perceived by other Sims.
A new aspiration system, which allows Sims to pursue a variety of different goals.
A new set of skills, such as academics, athletics, and popularity.
A new set of objects, such as school uniforms, lockers, cheerleading mat and prom decorations.
Create-A-Sim: New Fashion and Collaborations
The Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack has teamed up with Depop, and they’re bringing you trendy outfits and hairstyles just perfect for high schoolers! This pack’s got a cracking variety of styles, from preppy to modern, making sure there’s something for everyone. The accessories, shoes, and makeup are bang on-trend, and they’ll make your teen sim look proper smart. Plan outfits you’ll wear to attend classes as you chase the dream of becoming prom royalty.
I will add, even though for the Sims it should go without saying, this is a very American experience. If you didn’t grow up in the States, it does add a bit to the fun as you feel like you’re playing in a movie.
Gameplay: All the Ups (and Downs) of High School Experience
The real star of this pack is the active high school experience, with loads of classes and objectives for your Sims to get sucked into. Keeping a balance between school work and social life is dead important for a well-rounded experience, don’t you think? These are some of the most treasured moments for teens, and these school years are no different for your teen Sims. Getting involved in school events like prom and school spirit day brings stacks of fun and excitement to your Sims’ high school years.
New Part-Time Job and Skill
Sims 4 High School years added a new part-time job at a fast-food restaurant (because teenage life, am I right?), letting teens earn a bit of extra Simoleons and do something other than attend school. Plus, the new robotics skill let’s Sims build and program robots, and they can even learn it in school too!
New World: Britechester
Now, the new world of Britechester is mainly designed as a university town, but it’s got a few activities for teen Sims. The dorm lot type isn’t really useful for high school Sims, and the design of the world is a bit too quaint, if you ask me. The new bubble tea store is a fun touch.
New Lot Types and School Gameplay: A Must-See!
This expansion pack has new lot types like the carnival, thrifting, bubble tea store, and, most importantly, the high school. These new lots are a breath of fresh air, offering loads of interactions and events for your Sims to get sucked into.
The School Experience: Centre Stage
The school lot really steals the show in this expansion pack, and it’s such a fun new feature. Sims can attend classes, try the science fair, pick up skills, and join in after-school activities. Basically live life pursing your teenage dreams. But, there’s a wee catch – the school lot is locked to a specific location in the game world, which might be a bummer for some players.
The auditorium, a separate lot for the graduation ceremony and attending prom, is also locked to a certain spot. While you can customise both the school building and the auditorium to your liking, you can’t plonk them outside their designated lots.
After-School Fun
Your Sims can join football, cheerleading, or programming for some after-school shenanigans. However, these activities happens outside the school lot, and the football field at the school isn’t usable. The gameplay for these activities is mostly inactive, so your teen Sims won’t be doing them during school hours.
Build/Buy Mode and Playtime Objects
This expansion pack chucks in new objects and items for Build/Buy mode, all about high school-related stuff. There’s a roaring 20s vibe going on, adding a unique twist to the game. Plus, new gameplay objects like the thrifting rack, football, and cheerleader mat make an appearance, giving your Sims even more chances to interact with their world.
Football Events and Cheer Competitions: Hit or Miss?
While these events happen on the football field, they’re a bit meh. The cheerleading competition is more fun, with routines and even a judge on hand. But, the football event is a bit of a letdown, missing even a goal post.
Puberty, Crushes, and Moodlets: Teen Angst Galore
Teen Sims in this expansion pack go through puberty, complete with acne and crushes. Moodlets related to these experiences are included, adding depth to the teenage experience.
Social Bunny App: The New Social Media on the Block
Social Bunny is a modern social media app that lets teenage Sims post updates and send pre-selected messages to their mates. It adds a new dimension to the Sims’ social lives but exists separately from the in-game Instagram, requiring separate follower grinding. Rather than add to the fun, with a unique Sim twist on social media, Social Bunny can feel a bit like a chore. I’m not sure why they kept both.
Thrifting & Fashion: A Fun New Adventure!
Sims 4 High School Years adds a cool new thrifting feature where your Sims can hit up thrift shops, find some nifty clothes, and manage their own stock to create and earn money selling outfits. This whole experience could lead them to a fashion influencer career, complete with rising and falling trends, and other Sims copying your stylish looks.
Missing Teachers: A Bummer
It’s a bit of a letdown, but even though the focus is on high school, the expansion pack doesn’t offer a teacher role. It leaves us players wanting a little more depth in the school environment.
Final Thoughts on Sims 4: High School Years
Being honest, the Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack has some great moments, but it kind of falls short when it comes to depth and replay value. There’s a few hiccups, like the locked school lot and less-active after-school activities, that might leave some players wanting a bit more.
The new features add excitement, sure, but the overall high school experience isn’t quite there. If you’re looking for a truly immersive school-themed gameplay, you might find yourself having more fun with the thrifting aspect rather than the actual high school stuff.
Although the new world could use a bit of a touch-up, the overall experience is delightful and worth a go for Sims 4 fans who would enjoy this type of gameplay. If you think that’s you, you can pick it up in the Steam store.
