The Sims 4: For Rent marks the fifteenth expansion pack forThe Sims 4franchise. As the name suggests, this expansion pack introduces new features centered around property management. Players gain the ability to create multiple rental spaces within a single lot, take on the role of a landlord, and engage in various aspects of residential lot management. This expansion builds upon recent updates to the base game, which brought improvements like the ability to designate sinks for specific purposes. These additions address common player concerns, such as the annoyance of household members navigating between different parts of a housing complex. Despite its primary focus on property management, For Rent offers a wealth of features beyond the surface.
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Fortunately for players, For Rent distinguishes itself from the previousexpansion pack, Horse Ranch, by seamlessly integrating with all existing expansion packs and worlds. Similar to the approachtaken in Growing Together, the features introduced in For Rent are not confined to one specific area, making them adaptable to pre-existing lots and households. This integration allows players who relish maintaining close connections between different households of Sims, or those who prefer keeping parts of their legacy family nearby, to foster more opportunities for socializing between Sims. This makes For Rent a valuable option to consider purchasing, for many different type of Simmers, including builders, challengers and more.
Everything New In A Nutshell
Tomarang
Tomarang marks the 25th addition toThe Sims 4franchise, featuring a total of 9 lots with diverse assignments right from the start. Although the number of lots might seem limited for an expansion pack world, it aligns with the core theme of the pack, allowing players to construct numerous units for their households within this area.
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This complements the central idea of creating a tightly-knit community, coupled with various street activities, child activities, or even swimming in the ocean that players can explore in this world. Tomarang caters especially well to those who appreciate Southeast Asian-inspired architecture and lifestyle, offering a serene atmosphere with waterfront views and socially vibrant community life.
Property Ownership
The concept of property ownership and turning it into a business is not entirely new in The Sims franchise. In The Sims 3, there was hotel management, while The Sims 4 introduced restaurant management and retail stores. However, For Rent brings a different aspect by allowing players to become landlords, increase property value, and find suitable tenants. While not exactly a traditional job, unlike the newly added Handyperson part-time job (albeit it being a quite simple one), it offers a passive income source for Sims.
Becoming a landlord is more than just buying and renting out properties inThe Sims 4. The Tenancy system introduces unique mechanics, requiring players to actively design lots to increase their value and rating, find tenants, set rules, and handle random events that may occur with their tenants (such as repairs).This adds a layer of realismby not allowing rent income to exceed a certain amount unless players meet specific requirements. When managed effectively, property management in For Rent can become one of the most lucrative ways for players to earn simoleons, especially if they enjoy designing, building, and property management aspects in games.
New Lot Assignment: Residential Rental
The functionality of property ownership inThe Sims 4revolves around creating a new lot assignment called “residential rentals.” This allows Sims to designate multiple units within a single lot, resembling the concept of apartments in the Sims franchise. However, this doesn’t restrict players to strictly building traditional apartments; they have the freedom to design connected or separate housing sections, allow units to have multiple floors, or even create unique townhouses with shared community spaces. Luckily, this lot assignment is not exclusive to Tomarang, meaning that players can simply revamp the already existing apartment buildings in San Myshuno or Evergreen Harbor, or create anentirely new complex in any other worldthey prefer to do so.
Related:The Sims 4: Lot Challenges, Explained
Each unit within the lot will have separate ratings, considering factors such as size, amenities, maintenance, and environment. Players can unleash their creativity to design diverse and unique living spaces. Additionally, players have the ability to set specific rules for each unit individually,such as restrictions on pets, noise levels, and maximum household capacity. These rules play a role when landlord Sims interact with their tenants, adding another layer of realism and management to the gameplay.
Additionally, with this lot assignment, two new lot challenges are also introduced, being Maintenence Troubles and Mold:
Effect
Maintenance Troubles
Home ownership involves maintenance and this lot brings surprise events knocking.
This challenge has different implications depending on the type of the lot. If it is a residential rental lot, there will be more emergency events happening that require fixing. If it is another kind of residential lot, certain occurances like electrical failure, and others that need fixing will occur. It is a bit similar to the Needs TLC lot challenge.
Mold
There is a dampness in the air here that just doesn’t feel right. Keep puddles mopped, trash from overflowing, and plumbing objcts clean or mold piles will start to appear, and beware of thedeadlyblack mold pile!
Mold will start generating on the lot, and will require attention, since if it is not taken care of, it can cause sims to die from Mold, a new death type introduced with this pack.
New Social Events: Potluck and Pool Party
The For Rent expansion pack introduces two new social events forThe Sims 4: Potluck and Pool Party. Players can organize these events by creating a new social event on their in-game calendar or through the phone. Like many other social events in The Sims 4, Potluck and Pool Party come withoptional goals that, when achieved, result in various rewards. These events provide Sims with another opportunity to socialize and interact with each other, following a specific theme and featuring unique interactions tailored to the event’s context.
New Property Interactions and Secrets System
In the For Rent expansion pack, interactions within a close-knit community go beyond social events and interactions with landlords. The pack introduces new interactions related to properties, such as snooping around and breaking into other units. Through these actions, Sims can uncover secrets about specific Sims, which they can later use as leverage, such as through bribery or blackmail. The secrets system includes a variety of discoveries, and there’s even a new aspiration centered around the secrets system. While this adds a small immersion point to the gameplay, it doesn’t have a significant impact on the rest of the gameplay.
New Aspirations
In addition to the numerous game play features, the For Rent expansion pack introduces four new aspirations, each focusing on different aspects of the content offered in the pack.
New Traits
The For Rent expansion pack bringsfive new traitsfor Sims, including the unique “Wise” trait, which is exclusively available for elder Sims. This adds a distinctive touch, as most traits typically span from the teen to elder life stages.
Conflict
Child of the Village
These Sims love feeling anchored to their community and Tomarani culture. Keeping in touch with loved ones and engaging in activities that remind them of home is important for being Happy
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Cringe
Sims who are obnoxiously oblivious and oftentimes met with polarizing reactions. Cringe Sims can be socially unaware of their surroundings at times, but have an adorable enthusiasm for life.
Wise
Generous
Caring, empathetic, and patient. These Sims are happiest when offering their time and money to help others, Everyone loves Generous Sims, but they can be a little too brazen with their donations.
Evil, Glutton, Materialistic, Mean
Nosy
Sims who thrive on gossip, snooping and spying. They have incredibly poor boundaries and don’t quite understand what personal space is, but they discover secrets by any means necessary.
A Sim who’s experieced enough of life to know what really matters. These Sims enjoy reminiscing and sharing life’s wisdom, making them excellent Mentors for those willing to listen. Their years of experience allow them to naturally learn new Skills with ease, and their emotional intelligence reduces their angry and uncomfortable thoughts.
Cringe, Erratic, Hot-headed
New CAS, Build/Buy Items
In the For Rent expansion pack, players can expect a diverse range of Create-a-Sim (CAS) options to enhance the appearance of their Sims. The clothing options cater to both masculine and feminine styles across various age groups. The overall theme of the clothing aligns with a mix of casual and traditional styles, complementing the atmosphere of Tomarang. Players can explore options featuring fun patterns and vibrant designs, allowing for unique outfit choices for their Sims.
Players can also find a variety of Build/Buy items that align with a distinctive Southeast Asian style, incorporating patterns and design elements inspired by the region. Additionally, the pack introduces new functional items, including kettles and radiators, enhancing the realism of the in-game environment. Child activities like hopscotch and marble are also added to the game, emphasizing the inclusion of younger Sims in the concept of a close-knit community. This expansion goes beyond grown-up interactions with property management, ensuring a well-rounded experience for Sims of all ages within the community setting.
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
