The Sims 4's Realm of Magic Game Pack is an extensive pack of fantasy content for Sims fanatics, rife with plenty of intriguing reasons to revisit.
The Sims 4's newest Game Pack is a magical way for users to enter the world of witchcraft and wizardry, and while it's not an official Harry Potter-related expansion, it's certainly the next best thing. The eighth game pack and the latest release since May 2019's StrangerVille, The Sims 4 Realm of Magic Game Pack seeks to imbue Sims with all things sorcery, and it comes packing a hefty amount of content that will transport Sims fans to a whole new world where potions, portals, and spells are the norm.
First announced during EA Play in June 2019, Realms of Magic includes a wide variety of additions to the core game based in magical tropes, such as a new world named Glimmerbrook, magical familiars, outfits that suit powerful wizards and sorcerers, and a host of additional content. Sims will travel to the residential area of Glimmerbrook, which is a peaceful-looking area tucked away a wooded area that houses a portal to a separate floating neighborhood: the Magic Realm.
Heading through the magical portal of Glimmerbrook will allow Sims to cross over into a fantastical area where the Game Pack's magical fun and games really begin. It's called the Magical Realm, and it resembles a floating island of sorts with partitions players can visit. As the story goes, a magical vortex is breaking things apart, while powerful sages found in the Realm are working to keep things together. Sims may transport between all four areas via portals there, from checking out a marketplace to meeting with the aforementioned sages to complete quests. Once there, Sims can get their lives underway as Spellcasters, kicking off the beginning of a series of side quests and fun tasks to complete that will result in a series of new spells being added to their repertoire.
Sims can manage new spells by way of a special spell book that automatically tracks their progress. The spell book features a tab for various schools of magic: Practical, Mischief, Untamed, and Alchemy. Every spell learned throughout a Sim's time within the world of Glimmerbrook is stored here. Spells can be learned (and thus added to the book) by reading Magical Tomes, speaking to sages, or by practicing magic in general. Some are required to be taught by sages, though most can be acquired through different means.
Spells are divided into different schools of magic, including Practical Magic, Untamed Magic, Mischief Magic, and Alchemy. Practical Magic users are focused on helpful spells, such as fixing broken objects or transporting Sims elsewhere instantaneously. Untamed Magic users are for Sims who want to wield the power of elements like fire and water, or even power over the dead and mind control. Finally, Mischief Magic is about tormenting other Sims. This discipline is about ensuring Sims can mess with others' minds and even control their moods and demeanor.
Alchemy users are a bit different, as they focus on whipping up potions. Sims can use a cauldron in the Magic Realm to create perk-enhancing powers. Perks can range from making Sims more personable and friendly to being augmented with additional magical power. They're integral to the experience overall, and fun to continue to unlock as well.
Spellcaster Sims can also become bound to several different Familiars, though only one can be summoned at a time. This includes beings like the Skull, Raven, and a variety of others that can be purchased from a special shop that also sells wands, tomes, and other important equipment for aspiring magic users.
There's more than dabbling with magic than just casting willy-nilly, buying brooms and cauldrons, and hanging out in a magical world, though. Sims may also be cursed from time to time, and these must be dealt with from time to time. Sims can have up to three curses at a time, though they can always be cured, but they won't simply just wear off and must be attended to quickly so they don't continue to get in the way.
Similarly frustrating is the fact that Sims can die from magical overuse. They can use magic as they like, but there is a special gauge to watch out for. It will fill periodically as spells are cast, and if it fills completely, there's a risk the Sim can die. This can be a bit frustrating given that the game encourages players to cast as they see fit. But this must be carefully monitored, or a Death by Spellcaster Overload will occur. It's a bit disappointing that this can happen, but something players will have to get used to quickly.
The Sims 4's newest Game Pack is a magical way for users to enter the world of witchcraft and wizardry, and while it's not an official Harry Potter-related expansion, it's certainly the next best thing. The eighth game pack and the latest release since May 2019's StrangerVille, The Sims 4 Realm of Magic Game Pack seeks to imbue Sims with all things sorcery, and it comes packing a hefty amount of content that will transport Sims fans to a whole new world where potions, portals, and spells are the norm.
The Sims 4 Realm of Magic Game Pack debuts on PC on September 10. It's set to release on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on October 15. A digital PC code was provided to Screen Rant for purposes of review.