Survival simulators: what kind of games they are and which ones you should pay attention to

Ghosts in Sims 4 are full-fledged participants of the gameplay, capable of dramatically changing the course of events. They can scare the Sims, spoil life or, conversely, help in everyday life. Some spirits become loyal friends, and others – a real nightmare for residents. It is important to understand how the mechanics work, what are the features of spirits and how to interact with them. Let’s see how to summon ghosts in The Sims 4 and what to do if you want to get rid of them.

When ghosts appeared in The Sims 4 and how they changed

The trick with spirits appeared in 2014 with the first major post-release update. Until then, the death of a character was final, the sim disappeared without the possibility of returning. With the introduction of ghosts, gameplay received an important expansion: now deceased characters could stay in the game, retaining some of their memories and skills. Initially, their functionality was rather limited.

The first versions of ghosts

In the beginning, ghosts were translucent figures that appeared at night. They could not interact with objects, only wander aimlessly around the plot and scare the Sims. Ghosts retained the colour associated with the cause of their death. Spirits who died of hunger were yellow, those who drowned were blue, and those who died of fire were orange.

Over time, they became more active. The developers added the ability to show emotions, then – to interact with the environment. Ghosts began to leave visible signs of their presence: switching lights on and off, swaying objects, affecting the Sims’ moods and feelings.

How did the ghosts change in the add-ons?

Ghosts in The Sims 4 have undergone significant changes since the game’s release. Initially they only existed silently in the shadows, but thanks to updates, they became active participants of the gameplay. The developers gradually added new emotions, abilities and mechanics, making their behaviour more realistic and diverse. Let’s take a look at the most significant changes:

1. 2014 – the first versions of ghosts could appear on plots if a sim died. They could not communicate with living characters. The only thing they could do was scare them.
2. 2015-2019 – during this period, the developers added emotions and individual characteristics for spirits. Now the behaviour of a ghost depended on how he died. And what kind of relationship he had with living characters before his death. Unique abilities for each type of ghost appeared. Spirits who died laughing could infect others with their mirth.
3. The Sims 4 Paranormal (2021) -a major update brought haunted houses that became a full-fledged element of gameplay. It also added the ability to summon spirits, make contact with them via Ouija boards, perform exorcism rituals, and even make friends.
4. The latest updates – the artificial intelligence of the ghosts has become much more sophisticated. Now they can randomly interact with the environment and choose whom to scare, and with whom to befriend. Ghosts began to react to the emotions of Sims, affect the mood, cause fear, joy or anger.

Ghosts in Sims 4 have evolved from passive shadows of the past into active participants of the gameplay. They can help characters and seriously interfere, creating chaos in the house or maintaining order depending on the situation. Thanks to this, they have become a full-fledged part of the game world, and mechanics – an important component of gameplay.

How to summon and inhabit ghosts in The Sims 4

For ghosts in Sims 4 to appear in the house, you need to create conditions for them. The most obvious way is to wait for the death of the character and wait for his spirit to return. But there are other methods as well:

1. Ouija board communication – allows you to summon a specific ghost if it is associated with the house.
2. Using cursed objects – antique items can be carriers of spirits.
3. Living in a haunted house– increases the likelihood of them appearing.
4. Friendship with spirits – if you treat ghosts well, they can stay in the house.

Spirits can be added to a family, which opens up new possibilities of interaction. They can help in the house, keep the house in order, or even raise children.

Interacting with ghosts in The Sims 4: befriend or fear them

Ghosts in the game can range from good-natured helpers to aggressive entities that will deface furniture and scare residents.

Modes of interaction include:

• maintaining friendly relationships – allows you to control the behaviour of ghosts;
• conflicts-can lead to poltergeists and chaos in the home;
• adding a ghost to the family – gives access to unique abilities;
• exorcising spirits– rituals can be used to clear the house of unwanted guests.

Some Sims have special traits that allow you to get along better with ghosts or, conversely, feel uncomfortable in their presence.

Skills of ghosts in The Sims 4

Each spirit has unique skills. Depending on the cause of death, ghosts can:

• pass through walls – travel without restriction;
• teleport – instantly change location;
• levitate objects  – lift and move things;
• affect the mood of living sims– to bring fear, joy or sadness;
• leave traces in the house – change the temperature, switch lights on and off.

Some ghosts have additional features depending on their character and emotions at the time of death.

How to get rid of ghosts in The Sims 4

Sometimes ghosts in the game create problems that you want to get rid of. You can do this in several ways:

• exorcism rituals – allow you to clear the house of entities; talking to a
• conversation with a ghost – some spirits may leave voluntarily;
• relocating a ghost – moving to another house or neighbourhood;
• destroying a cursed object – if a ghost is associated with an object, it can be exorcised by destroying that object.

In some cases, ghosts can disappear on their own if you don’t interact with them or remove them from the sim’s familiar list.

Conclusion

Ghosts in Sims 4 make the gameplay more diverse. They add a mystical atmosphere, new mechanics and interesting situations. Their presence can be helpful and problematic. Whether it’s worth summoning spirits depends on the player’s goals. For those who like unusual stories and unexpected twists and turns, interacting with ghosts will open up new facets of the game. For the rest of us, there is always the possibility to perform an exorcism ritual and return the house to its usual atmosphere.

The exciting world of simulators takes you on exciting journeys where you can become anyone. A truck driver, a farmer, an airplane pilot or even a mayor of a metropolis — the best simulator games on PC give you a feeling of complete immersion, allowing you to realize your dreams of a different life. In this article, we will tell you about seven amazing projects that every fan of new sensations and unique experiences should try.

Iron will and a sharp mind: the best simulators on PC that you should try

Below are the projects that will be a real test of your skills and patience. These games are created for those who are looking not just for entertainment, but for real challenges. They will give you a unique experience and allow you to test your fortitude and skill in completely different roles — from a driver to a professional pilot. The top simulators for PC have their own character, unique features, so they definitely deserve attention.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 — the king of long roads

If you’ve always dreamed of long roads, endless highways and the rustling of tires to the rhythmic sounds of the radio — Euro Truck Simulator 2 is created for just such an experience. Here, try on the role of a truck driver who delivers cargo to various corners of Europe. Realistic graphics, detailed cities and impressive sunsets — the concept seems to have been created for those who love to travel and enjoy the scenery.

Truck control feels as authentic as possible, and changing weather, traffic conditions and real transport behavior create an atmosphere of complete immersion. Simulators for PC of this kind make every trip special, because you need to take into account all the little things — from fuel consumption to delivery time.

Technical specifications:

1. Year of release: 2012.
2. Developer: SCS Software.
3. Processor: Dual Core 2.4 GHz.
4. Engine: Prism3D.
5. Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit).
6. RAM: 4 GB.
7. Game size: about 3 GB.
8. Graphics: GeForce GTS 450-class (Intel HD 4000).

Farming Simulator 22 — farming culture in digital format

Farming life may seem difficult, but Farming Simulator 22 makes it not only accessible, but also surprisingly interesting. Manage your farm, grow crops and take care of your animals using a wide variety of powerful agricultural machinery. All stages of the farmer’s work are worked out to the smallest detail: from soil preparation to harvesting. The project provides an opportunity not only to build and manage a farm, but also to become a real master of agricultural business. For those looking for the best realistic simulators on PC, Farming Simulator will be a real find.

Specifications:

1. Year of release: 2021.
2. Developer: Giants Software.
3. Processor: Intel Core i5-3330 / AMD FX-8320 or better.
4. Engine: Giants Engine 9.
5. Operating system: Windows 10 (64-bit).
6. RAM: 8 GB.
7. Game size: about 35 GB.
8. Graphics: GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon R7 265 (2 GB VRAM).

Microsoft Flight Simulator — unlimited flights

Everyone who has ever looked at the sky and imagined themselves as a pilot dreams of sitting at the helm of an airplane. Microsoft Flight Simulator gives this opportunity to everyone who has a computer. It features the entire surface of the Earth, built on the basis of satellite data and Bing maps. Realistic flight physics, detailed aircraft cockpits and magnificent landscapes — all this allows you to feel like a real aviator. Control passenger airliners or light aircraft, fly over the most famous cities in the world and enjoy the feeling of freedom. This is one of the best simulators on PC for all aviation lovers.

Technical specifications:

1. Year of release: 2020.
2. Developer: Asobo Studio.
3. Processor: Intel i5-4460 / Ryzen 3 1200.
4. Engine: Asobo Engine.
5. Operating system: Windows 10 (64-bit).
6. RAM: 8 GB.
7. Game weight: about 150 GB.
8. Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 770 / AMD Radeon RX 570.

The best simulators that can be run even on old PCs

These projects are suitable even for those who do not have powerful hardware. They are designed to work stably on old or less productive devices. At the same time, they offer a unique gaming experience.

SimCity 4 – build the perfect city

In SimCity 4, you can create a dream city, starting from scratch and developing its infrastructure, economy and culture. The construction of roads, residential buildings, business centers and parks is the user’s responsibility. It is important not only to build, but also to maintain the well-being of residents: from providing electricity to controlling the crime rate. SimCity 4 impresses with its depth and the ability to manage the entire process, from macroeconomics to the small details of city life. This is the best simulator for beginners on PC, which allows you to learn the basics of management.

Specifications:

1. Year of release: 2003.
2. Developer: Maxis.
3. Processor: 500 MHz or higher.
4. Engine: Maxis Proprietary Engine.
5. Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10.
6. RAM: 256 MB.
7. Game size: about 1.5 GB.
8. Graphics: 32 MB Direct3D Video Card.

The Sims 4 — a life simulator for all times

If you like watching people’s lives and managing their twists and turns, The Sims 4 is exactly what you need. Create characters, develop their relationships, build houses and determine their fate. The project offers a wide range of opportunities for everyone: you can become a successful careerist, find love or live a creative life. With each new addition, the game expands its boundaries, offering new life scenarios and a variety of ways to express yourself. This is one of the best life simulators on PC, which allows you to fully immerse yourself in a fantasy world.

Technical specifications:

1. Year of release: 2014.
2. Developer: Maxis, The Sims Studio.
3. Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz / AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core 4000+.
4. Engine: Maxis Proprietary Engine.
5. Operating system: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (64-bit).
6. RAM: 4 GB.
7. Game size: about 18 GB.
8. Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 / ATI Radeon X1300 / Intel GMA X4500.

Realistic simulators on PC – feel like a professional

Working with cars, driving a train or other complex tasks – each concept will give you an experience as close to reality as possible and help you master new skills.

Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 – build your dream car with your own hands

Do you love cars and have always dreamed of building your own car? Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 gives you the opportunity to open a garage and repair, assemble and improve cars. Detailed engines, elaboration of all car components and many available models make this game an ideal simulator for mechanics lovers. Disassemble engines, repaint bodies and install new parts – every step brings you closer to your dream car. This is one of the computer simulators that will appeal to all fans of automotive technology.

Technical specifications:

1. Year of release: 2021.
2. Developer: Red Dot Games.
3. Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X.
4. Engine: Unity.
5. Operating system: Windows 10 (64-bit).
6. RAM: 8 GB.
7. Game weight: about 35 GB.
8. Graphics: NVidia GeForce GTX 760 / AMD Radeon R9 270X (2 GB VRAM).

Train Simulator 2021 — travel on rails right from home

Train Simulator 2021 gives you the opportunity to control a variety of trains, from high-speed express trains to old locomotives. Travel along picturesque routes, enjoying the views, and experience all the difficulties of being a train driver: the change of day and night, weather conditions and the need to strictly adhere to the schedule. Each journey is not only new landscapes, but also a new challenge that requires maximum concentration and control skills.

Technical specifications:

1. Year of release: 2020.
2. Developer: Dovetail Games.
3. Processor: Intel Core i5-4690 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X.
4. Engine: Unreal Engine 4.
5. Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit).
6. RAM: 8 GB.
7. Game weight: about 40 GB.
8. Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti / AMD Radeon R9 270.

Conclusion

мThe best simulators on PC open the doors to unique worlds where you can become whoever you always dreamed of. From a pilot to a farmer, from a mechanic to a mayor – each of these games gives you the opportunity to plunge into another reality and feel like a real professional.