Enchanted by Nature is a Timely Reminder for One of its Strengths

Despite being more than a decade old, The Sims 4 continues to dominate the life simulation genre. This is largely thanks to its polished and established gameplay, as well as its continuous updates. There’s also the fact that The Sims was the only game franchise of its kind for decades. While newer life sims like InZoi and the upcoming Paralives may have caught the attention of some players, The Sims 4‘s latest update, Enchanted by Nature, may pull them right back. This is because it heavily features one classic gameplay element that reminds fans why this series of games is so fun.

As the title suggests, The Sims 4’s Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack is all about plants and embracing natural living for one’s Sims. It features a town called Innisgreen, a tranquil area filled with lush greenery, meticulously landscaped courtyards, a beautiful seaside village, and a bustling market district just outside the town. The game also takes “Enchanted” literally, as it incorporates chaotic and whimsical elements that can impact every facet of a character’s life. It’s this type of expansion that truly shows how The Sims franchise is a cut above the rest in one area – the supernatural – with even the latest titles being unable to compete.

10 Sims 4 Expansions That Let You Live Your Best Cozy Gaming Life

Players who love cozy gaming experiences will love what the following Sims 4 expansions bring to the table.

The Sims 4’s Enchanted By Nature Reminds Players of the Game’s Supernatural Strengths

Enchanted By Nature Gives Players a Magical Playthrough

This Sims 4 expansion lets fans experience the following supernatural situations:

Turn into a Fairy: Players can turn their characters into fairies with the help of Mother Nature. They then have the choice to be a mischief-making Discordant Fairy or a kind and helpful Harmonious Fairy. In this state, players can access abilities like changing the emotions of other characters.
Get Chaotic Ailments: Enchanted by Nature also has a balance mechanic, which encourages players to give their characters stable lives, lest they fall ill with a supernatural ailment that buffs a skill at the expense of negative effects.
Create a Cure from their Apothecary: Players can grow magical plants and harvest ingredients from them to create elixirs for curing possible ailments.

This expansion also emphasizes gardening and other tasks that showcase a Sim’s self-reliance. Players can have their Sim live off the land by foraging for ingredients and catching fish for food. The Enchanted by Nature DLC provides the option to grow houseplants indoors as well. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in-game and in real life, this expansion could be appealing.

How The Sims 4’s Whimsical Elements Set It Apart from the Rest

Part of the appeal of life simulation games is their ability to allow players to virtually experience realistic situations like dating, having a 9-to-5, and raising a family without actual repercussions. However, just like real life, routines can get boring. As such, it’s refreshing when The Sims 4 and its predecessors provide some weird, whimsical, and paranormal experiences in the base game and expansions. Players can turn their characters into Vampires or Werewolves, plead with the grim reaper to keep their recently deceased Sims alive, and deal with families with weird, supernatural backstories.

These paranormal situations are largely absent in other life sims games like InZOI. Perhaps the most supernatural elements it has are ghosts and Psycat. Many players who have played The Sims and moved onto other titles sorely miss the former’s wacky features. This is why the release of Enchanted by Nature is wonderfully timed. It showcases what players are sorely missing from the other newer life simulation titles with its fairies, alchemy, and other fantastical hijinks. Perhaps The Sims‘ success doesn’t necessarily come from its ability to simulate real life, but its capacity to take it in jest.

The Sims 4’s Enchanted by Nature Expansion pack will be available on July 10, 2025, for US$39.99 and will come with bonus content for early birds who purchase the DLC on or before August 21st.