The Sims 4,over ten years into its lifespan, is chock-full of occult creatures. Vampires, zombies, werewolves, mermaids, and more have been added to the game through various expansions and game packs over the years, with fairies as the latest addition in the soon-to-be-released Enchanted By Nature expansion pack. With all these mythical options,it’s become clear that one life state is greatly inferior to the others. Mermaids, the magical creatures of the ocean, are the most overlooked mythical life state inThe Sims 4and need a massive overhaul.
Mermaids, first introduced inThe Sims 4in the Island Living expansion pack, are a fantasy creature life state that allows players to swim around the watery depths of Sulani. Unfortunately, swimming around and staying hydrated is almost entirely what mermaids do in-game. With the Enchanted By Nature expansion releasing soon this summer, the comparison between the introduction of fairies and mermaids hasmade it painfully apparent that mermaids got the short end of the mythical stick. However, sinceThe Sims 4is an ever-expanding game, Maxis and EA could always update and improve mermaids in a future update.
Sims 4 Should Do More With Mermaids
The Magical Beings Have Always Been Lackluster
Mermaids are the most disappointing magical life state inThe Sims 4. First introduced in theIsland Living expansion pack, mermaids came alongside the tropical paradise of Sulani. The main focus of the pack was clearly the island paradise and activities for normal Sims, like going snorkeling, exploring coral reefs, meeting dolphins, and learning more about local culture.Mermaids were more of an afterthought for the pack, a sort of window dressing for the beach paradise rather than a compelling new way to experienceThe Sims 4.
The main function for a mermaid inThe Sims 4is to spend time in the water, since they’re obviously aquatic creatures. To try and make this idea more interesting, the mermaid life state comes alongside a new Needs bar for hydration, which replaces the hygiene bar. Mermaids must keep their hydration levels up, though they won’t die if they’re too dry, as they need water to use any of their mermaid powers.These powers are, disappointingly, lackluster, largely serving only to alter the moods of nearby Sims and change the weather.
Beyond being able to swim faster than other Sims and having the ability to summon a special dolphin (which, beyond the fact that it’s at your beck and call, is identical to other dolphins),mermaids are exactly the same as normal Sims when not swimming. While they might need to drink more water or spend a little more time in the bath, their magical life state doesn’t impact them day to day at the same level as vampires, witches, or werewolves.
Sims 4’s Fairies Might Set A New Standard
Crafting A Pack Around A Life State Is Always Better
The newest expansion pack forThe Sims 4,Enchanted by Nature, is finally bringing fairies to the game. Unlike Island Living,Enchanted by Naturecompletely revolves around the fairy life stateand becoming one with nature. Fairies have a whole range of magical abilities that tie in with the idea of living in balance with nature, including a special affinity for plants and manipulating objects. Fairies will also be able to manipulate the emotions of other Sims in a seemingly better way than mermaids, just to add salt to the wound.
Island Living came out in June 2019 for PC and console.
The biggest difference between fairies and mermaids is the ability to be good or mischievous. Players can choose to either be a Harmonious Fairy, described in anEAblog post as “a benevolent winged helper who wants to aide[sic]other living things find health and balance”, or a Discordant Fairy, “a flying mischief-maker that enjoys stirring up a little chaos and making everyday life harder for the Sims around them”. These options alone showhow much more thought has gone into fairies versus mermaids, as fairies get to be both facets of their folklore origins: kindly helpers or mischievous beings.
Mermaids don’t get to choose between being friendly or more traditionally siren-like; they simply get a tail and a dolphin accessory. On top of these differences,Enchanted by Natureadds three new neighborhoods toThe Sims 4, each of which is perfect for a fairy to settle down in to live in harmony with nature. One of these neighborhoods is the forest of Everdew, a town set deep in the woods for fairies to dwell. Havingsuch a specific neighborhood crafted just for one mythical life statemakes the lack of a similar place for mermaids so much more disappointing.
New Areas, Conversation Options, and Lifestyles Would Be Welcome Additions
The best thing aboutThe Sims 4continuing for the foreseeable future is that past additions to the game can always be improved upon.Mermaids desperately need an update to bring them up to the same levelas other fantasy life states, especially now that fairies have set a new standard. The first thing mermaids should get is more specific life aspirations, asEnchanted by Naturehas added two aspirations, Nature Nomad and Elixir Enthusiast, that tie in directly with the traits fairies excel at.
Island Living added the Beach Life aspiration, which mostly involves laying around on the beach rather than exploring the depths of the ocean. On the note of exploring the ocean, one major addition would radically improve mermaids.Adding a hidden underwater area for mermaids to travel to, similar to the hidden worlds inRealm of Magic, would make becoming a mermaid actually worthwhile. A place that only mermaids could reach through their superior swimming skills, with special activities, townies, and even souvenirs, would make being a mermaid far more special.
The Sims 4is rated T for Teen, but if vampires are allowed to feed off of other Sims and be generally evil, thenmermaids should be able to embrace a more siren-like lifestyle. Luring in other Sims and drowning them may be taking things too far, but mermaids should be able to trick swimming Sims in some mischievous way for a laugh, or even have the option to joke about dragging swimmers into the depths during conversations. In their current state, mermaids are far too generically friendly and don’t allow for enough player imagination.
