The Sims 4 expansion pack “Enchanted by Nature” presents an idealized and heavily romanticized representation of rural life and living with nature inspired by the ‘cottagecore’ aesthetic and the British countryside.
The expansion pack introduces a variety of new gameplay features centered around a nature-focused, whimsical, and partly fantastical lifestyle. The main features include a new ‘occult’ Sim type, a new play area, and a range of new skills and careers.
- Sims can embark on a quest to become a Fairy. Fairies have unique abilities and appearance customizations, including wings, skin tones, glowing tattoos, and more.
- Fairies have a skill tree with abilities that let them influence other Sims’ moods, nurture plants, manipulate objects, and even change a Sim’s age.
- As Fairies, Sims don’t eat in the traditional way; instead, they absorb emotions from other Sims or consume “Emotion Potions” to survive. Failure to do so can lead to a new ailment called “Emotional Starvation.”
- The expansion pack introduces a new world called Innisgreen, which is inspired by Irish and Celtic aesthetics. Its neighborhoods range from a coastal town to an enchanted forest.
- Sims can develop a new “Natural Living” skill, which allows them to live off the land. They can meet their basic needs (like sleeping and bathing) outdoors without needing traditional furniture or plumbing. They can also forage for food and other items. While making this type of lifestyle appealing, likely especially for younger players, the game presents living ‘in harmony with nature’ as a frictionless process and a choice that is always available.
- An interesting concept is the “Greenie Meanie” ailment, which Sims can by afflicted by. It enhances their gardening abilities but also makes them highly irritable, thereby presenting an unusual character archetype that might have potential as a form of ‘bad environmentalism’ as it breaks with established patterns of ecological identity.
- Sims can also pursue a new 10-level career as a Naturopath, healing other Sims in the world with their natural remedies.
- The expansion includes new traits like “Plant Lover,” “Mystical,” and “Disruptive.” It also adds new aspirations such as “Nature Nomad” and “Elixir Enthusiast” that align with the pack’s core themes.
- Players can bring the gardening system indoors with new pots for plants on tables, counters, and shelves. Gnomes can also be brought to life using Fairy Dust to help with gardening tasks.
- The pack offers a plethora of new items for building and decorating, with a focus on a “fairycore” and “hobbit-hole” aesthetic.