Unlike most previous expansions, The Sims 3: Seasons doesn't feature any new towns for our Sims to roam around in. However, there has been one developed specifically to accommodate the content of this new additional. It's called Sunlit Tides, comes in standard and gold versions, features a seaside town center but is only available on the Sims Store. IThere is definitely no small profit for the series, which does not hesitate to openly bleed its fans. Moreover, before the release of The Sims 3, some overly optimistic players hoped that the game would immediately contain the features discovered in The Sims 2: Through the Seasons. And we understand them because, after all, there is no real reason for the weather cycle to be a paid option even though the day/night cycle is self-evident. But the economic imperatives (or rather the desiderata) are such that it is therefore necessary to obtain an extension to be able to take advantage of the four seasons. In game, each of them lasts seven days, but the player retains the possibility of modifying this value as he sees fit. He can even remove this or that season altogether if the heart tells him to, as well as activate or deactivate hail, rain, snow and fog precisely. Pleasing to the eye, all these effects reinforce the credibility of the world of Sims, which suddenly seems more alive than ever. The changes brought by the game are of course not only cosmetic, since each season brings its share of particular events, most of which are grouped together in the seasonal festivals.
A four season, please!
Thus, the spring festival celebrates the renewal of the feeling of love by facilitating meetings between Sims, including by the most modern means such as dating sites. Balls and other dance competitions are still relevant. The egg hunt is inspired by Easter, and it is possible to obtain spring culinary specialties. Finally, spring being the rainy and allergy season, we will not hesitate to jump in puddles or go to the hospital to get vaccinated. Then comes the summer season, which favors sunny atmospheres and relaxation. While it may be tempting to sit on an inflatable mattress to test out the new tanning function, don't forget to bring a parasol. Otherwise, we quickly end up with a sunburn, or even die by spontaneous combustion! The summer festival provides an opportunity to play football, make ice cream, watch fireworks and even participate in the contest for the biggest hot dog eater. In the fall, the leaves turn orange and then fall from the trees and can be raked into heaps for Sims to frolic in. Pumpkins are making their appearance, both as a culinary ingredient and as a decorative object. Fall Festival is inspired by Halloween and features a haunted house capable of scaring Sims. The biggest pie eater contest and the floating apple game to catch with the mouth will help them recover from their emotions. But of all the seasons, it is of course winter that makes the strongest impression since it brings snow. The sets of the game then gradually cover their white coat. When the powder layer is deep enough, Sims can make snowmen, angel shapes, snowball fights, and even igloos. As you can imagine, the winter festival is a derivative of the Christmas celebrations, with all that entails of light decorations and the exchange of gifts.
Out of season
Quite logically, The Sims 3: Seasons also introduces the concept of temperature. It varies not only with the seasons, but also during each day. Sensitive to hot and cold, Sims should dress accordingly. Too much neglect in this area can cause them to die. We have already talked about spontaneous combustion in summer, but we can also mention freezing to death in winter. The rain is not deadly, but taking out an umbrella still increases the risk of being struck by lightning. All of these weather effects go hand in hand with a new line of clothing, costumes, hairstyles, hats, furniture and accessories. Players who have both The Sims 3: Supernatural expansion and The Sims 3: Seasons are even entitled to the Weather Stone. Similar to a totem, this mysterious object triggers different events depending on the type of Sim interacting with it. Wizards can cast a greenish rain, which doesn't really wet Sims but makes them dance uncontrollably. Vampires create a fog that lowers the global temperature and helps them find victims. The fairies master a sympathetic rain, capable of instantly reblooming all the gardens in the city. The werewolves trigger a magical storm, which multiplies the presence of objects to collect. And since we are in the supernatural, it should be noted that, oddly, the extension dedicated to the seasons introduces extraterrestrial creatures, which we rarely encounter but which have the ability to kidnap Sims in their UFOs. This novelty is still relatively anecdotal in relation to weather conditions, which have the merit of significantly impacting the daily lives of our Sims. It is just unfortunate to have to go through the checkout again to have the right to take advantage of it.
