The best simulation games on PC – become the master of your reality

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 Sims game series has long captured the hearts of millions of players worldwide. The idea of building a virtual life, developing characters, creating homes, managing careers, and personal relationships turned out to be so appealing that over the years of the franchise’s existence, many analogs and alternatives have appeared. Below is a review of games similar to Sims that can offer an engaging life simulation experience with various mechanics and features. These projects will appeal not only to fans of the series but also to those seeking new experiences in the life simulation genre.

1. Life is Strange — virtual life with elements of drama

Life is Strange is an adventure quest with elements of life simulation. Although this game focuses more on interactive storytelling and decision-making, it combines elements similar to Sims: relationships with characters, development of storylines, and the user’s choices influencing the fate of the characters.

Similarity:

1. Relationships: maintaining relationships with surrounding characters is important in the game, reminiscent of social interactions in Sims.

2. Life choices: every decision affects the course of events, similar to how choices in Sims can impact a character’s career and personal life.

3. Character management: the user controls the main character, her career, education, and personal interactions.

Life is Strange introduces elements of drama and magic to the genre, where decisions are not always obvious, but they have a significant impact on the game’s development, making it a unique alternative.

2. Stardew Valley — farming simulator with social life elements

Stardew Valley is a perfect example of a game similar to Sims but with a focus on farming and agriculture. Here, users can engage in crop cultivation, animal husbandry, improving farm buildings, and interacting with neighbors.

Why Stardew Valley is a worthy alternative:

1. Construction and decoration: like in Sims, you create and enhance space, in this case — the farm.

2. Relationships: the game has a system of interaction with local residents, with the possibility of developing romantic relationships, adding a social life element.

3. Management: you manage not only the farm but also your resources, time, and relationships with neighbors.

A simplified yet deep life simulator, it allows you to experience a unique blend of creativity and strategy.

3. The Sims Mobile — mobile version with the ability to recreate real life

The Sims Mobile offers a compact yet full version of the game for mobile devices. Although it is an analog, it retains all the key elements: character creation, career management, relationships, and home.

Similarity parameters:

1. Character creation: you create unique characters with different characteristics and appearances.

2. Development: characters can build their careers, establish relationships, and engage in household chores.

3. Construction: home decoration and design remain at the core of the gameplay.

Although the mobile version has fewer customization options, it remains an excellent way to enjoy life simulation in a more compact form.

4. Cities: Skylines — city management with life planning elements

Cities: Skylines is a city planning simulator that allows you to build and manage an entire metropolis. While the game does not focus on the personal lives of characters, it beautifully illustrates similar management elements present in Sims — construction, infrastructure development, and resource ownership.

Characteristics:

1. Construction: you can design and build urban areas, reminiscent of creating homes in Sims.

2. Management: like in Sims, it is important to allocate resources wisely, monitor the economy, and the city’s quality of life.

3. Atmosphere: the project allows you to create unique cities, giving the user complete freedom in decision-making.

This is an excellent alternative for those who want to create and manage not just a home but an entire city.

5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons — virtual life on an island

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulator where players arrange their island, build homes, develop relationships with animal neighbors, and participate in various activities. Similar to Sims, the focus is on everyday tasks and creating a cozy world.

Similar elements:

1. Construction and decoration: an important part of the process involves creating and decorating space.

2. Social interactions: you can build friendly relationships with other island residents and develop them, resembling NPC relationships in Sims.

3. Time and resource management: a dynamic time system where you need to plan your actions correctly and manage resources.

Players who enjoy building and decorating in a virtual setting will find Animal Crossing: New Horizons an interesting choice.

6. My Time at Portia — construction simulator with survival elements

My Time at Portia transports players to a post-apocalyptic world where construction and world restoration take center stage. Unlike Sims, this similar game includes survival and adventure exploration elements, but common features such as construction, management, and character development are present.

Similarity:

1. Construction: players restore their workshop and the city, creating various items and structures.

2. Characters: interacting with other city residents is similar to relationships in Sims.

3. Resources and management: you need to manage resources, maintain the workshop, and develop the character.

My Time at Portia is suitable for those who want to combine life simulation elements with survival and adventure.

7. Planet Coaster — amusement park management

Planet Coaster allows you to build and manage amusement parks. Although the concept is not considered a classic life simulator, it includes elements of a game similar to Sims: construction, management, and attention to detail.

Characteristics:

1. Construction: creating and personalizing attractions and leisure areas.

2. Management: taking care of park guests, monitoring their mood, and managing financial flows.

3. Design: attention to external appearance and details is important, similar to Sims.

   

The game is aimed at those who love to build and manage but want to immerse themselves in a unique world of entertainment.

Games Similar to Sims: Alternatives in the World of Life Simulators

Games similar to Sims offer players various life simulation options, from farms and cities to islands and amusement parks. These projects equally emphasize elements of construction, resource management, character development, and creating unique worlds. Each of the featured games allows players to immerse themselves in virtual life, but with different approaches and focuses.