The latest expansion pack for The Sims 4, Life & Death has radically changed ghosts in the game. Though one of the main focuses of the expansion may have been revising this long-standing occult species, EA and Maxis made sure to also add tons of new content in the expansion. One of the most interesting additions is the “Thanatology Skill,” which seems like a typical new skill at first, but could act as a template for supernatural skills in The Sims 4 going forward.
Life & Death has been out to the public since Halloween. In addition to the thanatology skill and improvements to ghosts, the expansion pack added two new careers, a new world called Ravenwood, several new festivals, and the standard additions of new Create-A-Sim (CAS) items and Build and Buy Mode items.
Related
Project Rene’s Multiplayer Focus Could Turn Sims Worlds Upside Down
While not much has been revealed about the title, Project Rene should use preexisting locations to expand its multiplayer features
What is Thanatology?
Skills in The Sims 4 are either five or ten levels. The thanatology skill falls under this first camp, which is typically reserved for career-based skills. For example, the medium skill, introduced in the Paranormal Stuff Pack, has five levels and is a core aspect of the paranormal investigator branch of the freelancer career.
Like the medium skill, thanatology is the main skill needed to enter Life & Death’s two new careers – Reaper and Undertaker. The Undertaker is a standard rabbithole career, like many introduced in The Sims 4 base game, which is ten levels total. Simmers choose which branch of the career they’d like to venture down at level five. In comparison, the Reaper career is similar to other DLC careers, with a whole new location and gameplay involved.
Thanatology is the scientific study of death and loss, making the skill’s inclusion understandable, especially since DLC for The Sims 4 tends to have at least one new skill added in each expansion pack. However, thanatology is much different, not only from other five level career skills, but other skills introduced by the game’s DLC in general.
How Thanatology Stacks Up to Other Supernatural DLC Skills
Previous supernatural packs have added skills that are lackluster in comparison to the thanatology skill. The Werewolves Game Pack adds no skills whatsoever for its occult species, while the Vampires Game Pack introduces the “Vampire Lore” skill. Despite having an uncharacteristic fifteen levels, developing the vampire lore skill is rather boring. Sims can build the skill by researching “Vampire Secrets” on a computer, asking others about Vampire History, and reading Vampire Books. This last method requires Sims to hit level two of the skill at minimum to unlock their first book which can be purchased on the computer.
Developing the vampire lore skill may lead to mastery of the vampire occult species and the cure for vampirism, but the gameplay of the skill itself is mundane and repetitive. In comparison, the thanatology skill requires players to try out a litany of different methods before mastering the skill despite only having five levels.
Gameplay for the skill blends the supernatural elements of the Life & Death pack with a Sims’ basic knowledge and social skills. Skill building for thanatology requires Sims to look up historical deaths through books, read theories on a computer, reading skill books, take thanatology skill class or a thanatology elective class for university students, and research thanatology using the “Electromagnetic Research Archive Machine.” Reading books and using the computer are typical skill building elements in The Sims 4, but the utilization of classes through the Discover University Expansion Pack is a bit unexpected.
Additionally, the benefits of mastering the thanatology skill once again combines practical life skills and supernatural abilities. Yet again,
the vampire lore skill pales in comparison
to thanatology as vampire lore’s levels unlock items and potions rather than expand pre-existing skills and gameplay.
As mentioned previously, thanatology is a required skill for the Undertaker and Reaper careers. One key aspect of both careers is speaking with Sims who are mourning. Of course, the thanatology skill unlocks items similarly to the vampire lore skill, but it also adds a new language and interactions with the Grim Reaper. These aspects of the skill enhance social gameplay in The Sims 4 while simultaneously giving players benefits both for and outside the Undertaker and Reaper careers.
Thanatology’s Unique Gameplay Could Benefit Other Occult Types
If EA and Maxis decide to take a more social approach to skills going forward, supernatural gameplay could be more complex. Obviously, death is a difficult and touchy subject, so EA and Maxis’ approach to the topic as a skill differs from its predecessors. However, the Sims team should use this approach on past occult species and future additions to The Sims 4.
All occult species in the game could benefit from this revitalization. As a part of the base game, it makes sense that EA and Maxis would want to tend to ghosts first. But older occult species added to the game, like aliens, mermaids, and even Plant Sims, could be expanded upon. Plant Sims are the only other occult species included in The Sims 4 base game, meaning that EA and Maxis would be updating DLC if they decide to use this approach. However, the Sims team has revised and added new content to DLC in the past, typically in the form of new items. While this would be a new method of updating DLC, the move would likely be welcomed by Simmers with open arms.
Related
The Sims 4’s Updates for Ghosts Should Only Be the Tip of the Iceberg
The Sims 4’s latest base game update for ghosts sets a precedent for other occult entities to be improved in the hit simulation game.
EA and Maxis have made previous occult species interesting by adding new locations tied to these occult types for players to explore. In the case of aliens, the location is Saxim. While this is one way to incorporate new gameplay for The Sims 4’s supernatural elements, these areas don’t have much replay value after first investigation. In comparison, the thanatology skill is integral to the Life & Death expansion pack, making players use the skill in some capacity to progress while still seeing significant returns. This version of skill-based gameplay is something EA and Maxis should keep in mind when adding The Sims 4’s next occult type species.
Thanatology is a great addition to The Sims 4’s long line of skills. While it’s unlikely that a new occult species will be added to the game any time soon, EA and Maxis should take note of fan reception of thanatology when brewing up the new occult type for The Sims 4.
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless