We are getting closer to July 25th and the release of the Lovestruck Expansion Pack! On July 18th, a Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream previewed this upcoming Expansion Pack. We saw new Create A Sim content, gameplay features, the new world, and build/buy content. So let’s break this down and look at all of this information that was released in the Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream!
THIS BLOG CONTAINS Official Preview Information RELEASED IN THE LOVESTRUCK EXPANSION DEV STREAM. IF YOU WISH TO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PACK BEFORE YOU GET IT PLEASE STOP HERE.
Create A Sim
The one thing about a new Expansion Pack that we can count on is that it will have a little bit of everything in it. We are talking Create a Sim, Gameplay, and Build/Buy content. So with that being said just looking at the Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream… There is a LOT of Create A Sim items. So let’s take a look!
Clothes
For an Expansion Pack, there seems to be a variety of styles. With two themes for this expansion pack; flirty/romance and looks that fit the new world. I will say so far I am more impressed with the feminine styles than the masculine ones. The feminine styles as they seem to have a bit more detail and flair to them. But I may change my mind as we will see everything when the Expansion Pack releases.
Costumes
There have always been costumes in the Sims 4, however, this pack seems to take these costumes to a whole new level. The costumes in this pack add a bit of fun spice and I was most definitely amused. But I have so many questions about the catfish costume.
Tattoo
This new tattoo looks super cute! I thought I heard one of the EA staff on the stream state that butterflies will be a big part of this pack. Butterflies, hearts, axolotls, and flowers… I am here for this!
Accessories
There will be no doubt new accessories in the Love Struck Expansion pack… However… there is something a bit bigger in the accessories than just new content…
Eyelashes
That is right you read it! NEW EYELASHES in the base game update. It would appear as if there are four different lengths or styles and I plan on checking them out on my live stream on July 26th. As much as I am excited they are included, I don’t think I will use them, but we will see when I see them in my game. The ones I took a screenshot of look quite clumpy, but this is a big feature that many Simmers wanted and I have to think about the potential for CC to be used in another slot aside from glasses.
Accessory settings
There is a new feature coming in Create A Sim that allows you to set accessories across outfit types. I cannot wait to try this out with CC installed! The thought of being able to set makeup (hoping for makeup too) and piercings throughout all looks is just… well for someone like me who uses over forty CC items per Sim… just a time-saving feature!
Romance Settings and Traits
So being that this entire Expansion revolves around Relationships and dating there is an overhaul of the Create A Sim relationship settings. There are also some new aspirations and traits that will play into your romantic adventures, giving you more tools to create the unique Sims you desire. Such as the ability for Sims to prefer relationships with multiple other Sims, rather than just one.
Relationships Types & Dynamics
Relationship types have also been adjusted with the addition of a partner to the list of relationships your Sims can have. Created or edited Sims can also have dynamics set in Create a Sim so you can customize your household relationships.
Romantic Boundaries
With the Lovestruck expansion, many different romantic boundaries can be set per Sim. Depending on other Sims boundaries will determine if they are an easy match or struggle a bit. These customizations will allow for more detailed gameplay. These boundaries like jealousy will determine how your Sims react to interactions with other Sims and their partner’s interactions with other Sims.
Turn ons/Turn offs
From the Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream, it looks like the turn-ons and turn-offs are linked similarly to likes and dislikes. But the addition of these will impact a Sim’s romantic interest in another Sim. So for instance you can set styles of fashion, behavior… and even if the Sim is wealthy or broke as turn-ons and turn-offs. The more I learn about this expansion the more I get excited for Simmers who play the gameplay, as this is definitely going to add more to Sim stories.
The World
We got to see a good bit of the lovely world of Ciudad Enamorada in the Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream. This city appears to be everything I expected and more. Loads of places to get romantic, sneak some romance in, and meet new Sims. The hotel is also confirmed! So can’t wait to check out Beso Rápido!
Three Neighborhoods & Projected World Size
The world has three neighborhoods and they all appear to have around four to five lots each. Which would bring the world size to about fifteen lots. I did not see this confirmed so we will have to count and see on the 25th. From the livestream, it is clear that these lots are all very nicely themed and are going to be lovely for taking pictures! So I am super excited about all the common spaces like the fountain for photography purposes!
Gameplay
There will no doubt be loads of romantic interactions in this Expansion Pack. One of the new interactions I am looking forward to is feeding each other chocolates. It looks absolutely adorably romantic!
Relationships & Attraction
One thing to consider in romantic interactions is the other Sims’ preference. Just because your Sim thinks that Sim is hot stuff does not mean that Sim will be attracted to your Sim. Sure sometimes certain differences can be worked out through relationship satisfaction, compromise, counseling, and a Sim with good romance skills! But at other times like this Sim below, it might just not happen.
Romantic Gifts
Of course, in a romance-themed Expansion Pack, there is an extreme need for more romantic gifts. Flowers are great… but how about a bear skin rug! And oh look more flowers! If memory serves me right there is actually a flower shop in Ciudad Enamorada. I did learn from the Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream that gift-giving can be a turnoff to some Sims, so I would say do your research before you start trying to woo a Sim.
Cupid’s Corner
I honestly thought I would dislike the idea of a dating app in the Sims, however with this Expansion Pack it makes too much sense to dislike. also after seeing it and seeing you take your own profile pic and set your profile up… sign me up. TAKE MY MONEY! I am sold. I am totally going to play townies just to set their profiles up now!
Dating Events
So with all these fun Romantic themes, a lot is going on with the dating event. You can set up a blind date right from Cupid’s Corner and you get to pick your venue and activities you would like to focus on. I will say even if you don’t have all the expansions there is quite a lot. I did find it amusing you can add Woohoo from the get-go, but if that is the date that is the date. But in reality, we are slowing down from pre-Lovestruck Sim relationship behavior, where your Sim could be married before the Welcome Wagon left.
Build & Buy Items
I tried to count how many items I saw in the dev stream and I quickly lost count. There is so much here! And for a themed Expansion Pack these items have a lot of range. We have everything from nightclubs, gyms, cute home decor, romantic props, bedroom furniture, colorful paints, cozy outdoors items, to rounded pools coming in Lovestruck! But in my opinion, it all fits, as it either matches the world of Ciudad Enamorada or a romantic situation.
Build Items
So for me, another selling point is that some of the wallpapers with patterns match up perfectly to the floor. And yes I am definitely going to have a tiger-stripped room. Also loads of windows, doors, fences, and all sorts of other building elements to really add to builds. Loving the windows, and the variety with them!
Rounded Pools
After watching the dev stream, rounded pool corners are definitely will be a part of Lovestruck! According to the information in the stream these rounded corners can be used to make pools as small as 4×4. I cannot wait to see what all the amazing builders at TSR will use this new feature for!
Furniture & Decor
For me, the highlight of the build/buy items is the iconic heart-shaped bed! This bed just is very nostalgic for Simmers who have played the previous games. Of course, there are loads of other furniture items in addition to the heart-shaped bed, but I saw that and was happy with the build/buy LOL!
With the theme of romance, we all expected romantic artwork and I will say I am seeing a lot more than I anticipated. Paintings, neon signs, plants, statues, odds and ends there is a LOT in this Expansion Pack! OH MY GOODNESS look at those adorable axilotos! So cute!
This is of course just some of the furniture and decor I don’t think I could fit it all in and who doesn’t like a couple of surprises!
Canopy Beds
One of the new build/buy options that I thought Simmers would be interested in is the new canopies that snap to beds. Which ones work with it I am unsure at this time but there was at least one option with two different canopies shown in the Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream.
Early Purchase Items
Like with most packs if you purchase the Lovestruck Expansion Pack early enough you get some extra items. These extra items include the ‘Cry Me a River Eyeliner’, ‘Herbert Heart Plushie’, and ‘Basic Breakup Double Bed’. To get these additional three items, you must purchase the Expansion Pack before September 5, 2024.
Jezi Final Thoughts
There are a lot of features I am really looking forward to in Lovestruck. I will say that the Lovestruck Expansion Live Stream went into great detail on this upcoming pack, way more detail than I anticipated. Really the only things I think could be improved at this time are definitely those eyelashes and more lots in the world if there are only about fifteen. Everything else coming in the free update and Lovestruck Expansion I am looking forward to! I will be livestreaming Lovestruck on Fri July 26th & Mon July 29th from 11:30am to 1:30pm so come and check it out HERE! Of course, if you cannot make it I always save my Streams so you can follow us for notifications and to watch the previous streams!
KEEP UP WITH MORE SIMS STUFF AND WHAT I’M UP TO AT @TSR JEZI ON TWITTER OR VIEW SOME SCREENSHOTS AT @JEZITSR ON INSTAGRAM.
Images are screenshots from official Lovestruck announcements or the The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Dev Stream & that you can watch HERE
WE ARE DIVING HEAD OVER HEELS WITH LOVESTRUCK NEWS, CONTENT, AND REVIEWS FOR YOU SO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING LOVESTRUCK-RELATED HERE.
