Summary
Stuff packs are truly back after a years-long hiatus, first withThe Sims 4: Home Chef Hustle.The Sims 4: Crystal Creations Stuff Packlaunches on February 29th and promises to let players create jewelry with 1,000 different variations, using crystals and metals found acrossThe Sims 4. Jewelry that uses crystals will have different effects across Sims' lives, from their relationships and careers to skill building.
The Sims 4: Crystal Creations' Features
Creating Jewelry
Sims will now be able to cut gems and create jewelry thanks to the new Gemology skill. Creating a piece of jewelry requires a Gemology Table, a crystal, and some metal. Jewelry can be created to be gifted to friends and loved ones, worn as fashionable statement pieces, or used for their various effects. A great gameplay addition is the ability to create engagement rings, which should become a beautiful memento and possibly a family heirloom using aKeepsake Box fromThe Sims 4: Growing Together.
The Power of the Moon
Those who believe that crystals contain special energies often charge their crystals under the moonlight, especially the full moon. Charging crystal jewelry under the moonlight inThe Sims 4: Crystal Creationsgrants different crystals and gems different effects depending on the type of crystal.
Confirmed effects include:
Some of the effects do fade with time and will need to be recharged under the moon again to reach their full power.
New Uses For Crystals
The trailer forThe Sims 4: Crystal Creationsfeatured crystals in three main ways: as jewelry, cut into decorative shapes, and grown as a tree. Growing a crystal tree appears to produce random crystals instead of fruit, saving the effort of having to go out and find them. Sims can also sell their crystal creations for simoleons, earning more cash with higher skill and higher quality output. There are now27 crystals across allThe Sims 4packs, including 3 new ones introduced inThe Sims 4: Crystal Creations: Moonstone, Jade, and Amber.
Create-a-Sim and Build/Buy Mode Additions
Along with the new Gemology skill, there’s some new furniture and clutter that includes jewelry stands to showcase creations. Clutter objects may seem simple, but they go a long way in making a Sim’s home appear lived-in and complete. While there isn’t as much furniture as a stuff pack may warrant, there are some nice wallpapers and decorative items that matchThe Sims 4: Realm of Magic’s aesthetic and color scheme. There are also new Create-a-Sim hairstyles and outfits, all appropriately bejeweled and on theme.
Reimagining Older Features in The Sims 4
Crystals and the Moon
Maxis has adopted a new game design strategy withThe Sims 4: Crystal Creationsby utilizing existing in-game elements: crystals and the moon cycle. Crystals have existed inThe Sims 4since the base game launched in 2014 but, until now, they haven’t had any purpose beyond being collectibles and are often ignored by players or sold for simoleons. The lunar cycle is also used inThe Sims 4: Werewolvesgame pack, but it’s used here to charge crystals. Taking an underutilized game asset and reimagining it is a creative use for a stuff pack, though there will be those who argue that players shouldn’t have to pay to use items that should have had gameplay functionality at launch.
Hidden Worlds
The Sims 4: Crystal Creationsdoesn’t have a new world, but as thehidden world from Oasis Springswas featured in the trailer, it can be assumed that the hidden worlds will play a role in searching for crystals. Using these hidden worlds, which have also been underutilized in the years since launch, is also a great way to improve overall gameplay and functionality.
The Sims 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
