One of the most challenging things to achieve when developing a title with so much additional downloadable content is figuring out how to fit it all together.
It’s also arguably one of the more important things to ‘get right’ to help ensure that users have a smooth, enjoyable experience. Expansions and Stuff Packs clashing together doesn’t exactly scream ‘fun’.
In an ideal world, all that DLC would work together as a part of a fluid ecosystem. It should also help to create a special experience depending on which packs you own.
Although integrating DLC has always been a focus for The Sims, it feels like an emphasis has been placed on it over the past few years. For instance, Businesses & Hobbies gave us a bunch of extra business activities if we owned other Expansion Packs.
The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits is no exception when it comes to spinning old features together with new ones. In fact, it feels like one of The Sims Team’s most successful takes on crafting thoughtful cross-pack integration so far. The vacation-themed pack fits perfectly with 2023’s Growing Together in several different ways, for example, and custom venues are even more flexible the more DLC you have.
I personally find that the most enjoyable moments brought about by cross-pack integration are the most unexpected ones. I found my favourite integration while exploring Gibbi Point’s Crystal Valley, looking for treasure.
All that glitters…
If you know where to look, you can go crystal panning in Gibbi Point. This is where your Sim clamours around on the riverbank to look for treasures in the mud.
You’ll probably spend a lot of time grabbing upgrade parts and random debris (although thankfully, you won’t find any cars washing around in there). But, if you get lucky, you’re also likely to find crystals, like quartz and topaz.
Now, if you enjoy The Sims 4’s collectable system, then that’s probably fun enough for you. It’s a nice way of making a quick buck, which is handy if you’re playing a rags-to-riches challenge. Plus, it can give your Sim a few things to decorate their home with. It’s a win/win.
One DLC is crucial for adding a little more depth to your gameplay, though – and that’s The Sims 4: Crystal Creations.
In case you aren’t already acquainted, this Stuff Pack adds the Gemology skill, alongside a bunch of new items to elevate all things crystal. It’s niche, but honestly really fun.
How does Crystal Creations improve Adventure Awaits?
Crystal Creations fleshes out the crystal panning activity in a few different ways. First off, it means your Sim builds the Gemology skill while panning. This helps them to advance and cut more interesting gems with whatever they do find.
A second way it improves Adventure Awaits is by giving you a way of monetising your treasure trove. Yes, I know, grind culture is bad – but The Sims is a kind of satire of capitalism, after all, and your Sims do need to make those Simoleons. Why not have fun while doing so?
Without Crystal Creations, your best bet for making money from crystal panning is just by selling them directly from your inventory or by heading into Build/Buy Mode. You’re heavily restricted to them selling for their specific value, though, and you can’t do much else with them.
Crystal Creations transforms the potential of crystal panning
With Crystal Creations, the riverbank is your proverbial oyster. With a high enough Gemology skill (and the correct equipment at home), you can craft away and carve crystals into all kinds of cool shapes to sell or display. You can even make them into wearable jewellery, if you don’t mind paying a little extra for metals or looking elsewhere to find them.
Once you’ve done that, you can run yard sales all across Gibbi Point to sell them with the Classically Cool Sales Table. Besides the fact that you can sell literally anywhere, making it a really cool item to magically stick in your pockets while you go adventuring, you can also mark up your wares to make a very pretty penny (Simoleon?).
Still hoping to make a little more from your crystals? Well, if you get your Gemology skill up high enough, you can even carve a magical Seed-Shaped Gemstone. Plant that, and before you know it, you’ll have your own Crystal Tree – which may as well be an infinite money hack.
Plus, imagine how amazing it would look at a tourist destination down in Crystal Valley? It’s practically made for it.
