I don’t think it’s unfair to say that ‘challenge’ is not really inherent to The Sims 4. While yes, you can self-impose a challenge, in comparison to the earlier days of the series The Sims 4 is more focused on emergent storytelling. It’s what happens on screen that’s fun, not ‘beating’ the game.
So with that in mind, here’s why you should (or shouldn’t) cheat.
Cheating on you
Cheating in The Sims 4 is easy, as nowadays we all know how to use console commands or failing that how to use mods to adjust elements of the game we don’t like. Whether its letting you add stuff to your inventory freely or just granting you a ridiculous amount of Simoleons, virtually every aspect can be adjusted.
It’s something that even EA themselves encourage (‘sort of’ as they put it) with official guides on how to do so. Which considering this is EA is a pretty major step in and of itself. Being able to freeze a Sim’s stats when they’re in the green or unlock locked career items. Cheating offers a lot more flexibility to change up your experience and, some would say, improve it.
Of course, on the one hand I feel it kind of lacks a point. After all, having a job, gathering Simoleons and buying stuff is sort of the point of the whole game. Well, that is with one key exception of course…
Freedom!
Yes, I’m talking about the top pick for ‘stuff that really should be an actual feature.’ And that’s FreeBuild mode. FreeBuild mode is basically just creative mode, like you would fine in Minecraft, and it allows you to create your own houses irrespective of funds and decorate them how you like.
Build mode is an option, of course, and allows you to just jump into a lot and play around. But Freebuild removes other restrictions and allows you to build on any lot you choose.
FreeBuild allows you to design your own buildings without having to worry about all the common restrictions such as funds or buying furniture. You just have at it, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying this is really something that should be a more officially supported feature.
Many people build and share their own lots after all. And while it’s not exactly difficult to figure out how doing so and sharing them works, it’s not something a super-casual fan (y’know, the people The sims 4 is really good at appealing to) would grasp off the top of their head.
Ultimately, the question of whether you want to cheat is up to you. I don’t think it necessarily ruins the experience since after all The Sims is all about playing with a ‘digital dollhouse.’
But if you want to tweak your experience without necessarily cheating, mods are always an option.
