The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy Expansion Pack, set to release for PC and consoles on 12 February, introduces a bunch of new features to the base game, with a focus on royal living, family dynamics and drama. Sims can become verified royalty in this new expansion pack, and with that comes many responsibilities, as well as the burden of being in the spotlight.
Here are all the big features of The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy, as a primer to all the scandals and secrets soon to be revealed.
The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy features – quick links
Ondarion is a new world inspired by several global cultures
The backdrop for Royalty & Legacy is a new world called Ondarion, which features three distinct neighbourhoods, inspired by different parts of the globe. As shared by the Sims team, regions are inspired by Portugal, Ghana, Italy, and other real-world locations, with cultural consultants helping to shape vibes, architecture, and fashion styles, for a strong sense of identity in each place.
As you wander, you’ll discover sandy beaches, hedge-filled garden paradises, cobblestone squares, markets, trendy bars (where you can obtain secrets) and more.
In each region, there is a special palace where a home dynasty will reside, and you can also build your own palaces on empty home lots nearby.
New Create-A-Sim and Build/Buy items revealed
As with all other expansion packs, The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy arrives with plenty of new furniture, outfits, hairstyles, accessories and more.
On the build/buy side, you can expect new royal-inspired chairs, dressers, beds, couches, drapes, bassinets, clocks, fountains and bars. Many of them feature gilded gold accents, and other fancy embellishments.
You can also purchase two different Thrones, which are new functional items that allow you to become royal, and control elements of your kingdom as you rank up in the Royal career.
On the Create-A-Sim side of things, there’s plenty of new options to help you represent your new, royal status. There’s a bunch of crowns you can add to your Sims’ everyday looks. You can also dress them up in new royal ballgowns and suits with golden accents, give them fancy necklaces and earrings, and give them new updos with lots of twists and curls.
You can now create a family dynasty
One of the biggest changes introduced in The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy is the ability to create a family dynasty, which is then represented in a new, more detailed family tree. You can choose whether this dynasty is royal or not by embarking on a separate royal career path (and by dressing them up), so there’s room to move.
If you want to create a family of royals, you can do so. If you want your dynasty to be more akin to a mafia family, you can do that as well.
No matter how you set yourself up, you’ll need to plan well, as being part of a dynasty carries new responsibilities and expectations.
Once your family is set up, you’ll need to select a Head for your Dynasty, an Heir, and general rules or expectations to follow. When Sims don’t follow those rules, they risk being Outcast, and the family dynamic will suffer as a result.
Dynasty life may change by Power Shifts and Scandals
There are multiple ways that drama can happen in The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy.
The first way is by scandal. As you corral your Sims, they may end up developing secrets, which can then spread throughout town. You can discover the secrets of other Sims, as well – so it’s all fair game. By chatting to mutual friends or researching, you could have a scandal on your hands, and this will change how your Sim is perceived, and what power they hold.
The other way drama and change is inflicted is by Power Shifts. These are special, typically magical events that can elevate a Sim to the top of the royal ranking, or cause them to lose their position.
The first event is the arrival of a Frog Prince, which can be found the usual way frogs are found in the game – foraging and discovering special logs. If you kiss a Frog Prince and he accepts your love, you may immediately be thrust into royal life. But if someone sees you kissing a Frog Prince, they can become disgusted, and a Scandal may start.
There’s also a Magic Mirror to be discovered in Ondarion, and gazing into it may initiate a new Power Shift at random. It can also create rivalries, and other dramatic circumstances.
Another of the Power Shifts is tied to the Sword in the Stone, which resides in Ondarion (by the bar). If you can pull this sword out, you’ll immediately ascend to royal status, and become the holder of Simcalibur, the most powerful sword in the game.
Sword-fighting is a new skill in The Sims 4 Royalty and Legacy
As part of royal duties, Sims may be required to master the art of sword fighting. It’s a new skill introduced in this expansion pack, and begins with players fighting dummies. Once they’ve begun learning the skill, it can be used in play-fighting with companions and eventually, with a high enough skill, Sims may challenge for the headship of their dynasty using a sword.
There are a bunch of swords to collect in the game, each more powerful than the last.
How royalty works in The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy
As mentioned, families may obtain royal status in the establishment of a dynasty – but royalty is actually considered a career within the bounds of the game. You can be a part of a dynasty without being royalty. You actually have to choose to be royal.
You need to build set skills to gain power and complete a variety of daily tasks, including visiting your kingdom to perform duties, building charisma, growing your sword-fighting skills, and more. As you progress, you’ll be able to manually ascend through the ranks, gaining more power and influence as you go.
In this process, you’ll earn the ability to host Grand Balls and schmooze with guests, become an advisor, change taxes and rules in your kingdom, and more.
You’ll be able to ascend the throne for yourself when The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy launches for PC and consoles on 12 February.
