9 Essential Sims 4 Mods

The Sims turned 21 this month. Over its 21 years of entertaining gamers, players have had the opportunity to build families, buildings, and experiences in-game and in the larger Sims community. But back in the day, players didn’t have the chance to modify their game as extensively as they can with mods now.

This seven-year-old game is still going strong, but playing the base game can get stale after a few sessions when it’s missing a lot of features from previous Sims games. While players can continue to play The Sims 4 without mods, arguably, the best parts of the game are the mods that change every detail to customize it how you see fit and allows the game to feel true to life as much as it can feasibly allow.

EA's expansions, while certainly welcome, are no longer the only way players can get new content, especially since The Sims 4 modding community expanded globally. Nowadays, modders create content for the love of the franchise (and money), and it means Sims 4 players get to benefit from everything that excites them. But what mods should you add to your game? 

There are several mods out there, some great, while others need some work. This list provides the essentials. From ultimate cheats to world modifications, there is something for everyone, novice and advanced mod players alike.

UI Cheats Extension Mod

The UI cheats extension mod created by Weerbesu is the ultimate cheats mod. Being able to control the minute details in your game from Sims’ needs to erasing negative emotions is key to enjoyable gameplay. Why this mod is so powerful is that it is a shortcut to the UI that works all with the click of your mouse. The UI mod is vital when playing large households because family management can be tiresome. Need to set friendship or romance values? Want to set a skill bar to set the level? Annoyed by event goals and want to complete them immediately? Download the mod and simply right-click.

Slice of Life

There are so many features in the Slice of Life mod that it could be its own post, but the Slice of Life mod by KawaiiStacie is a wonderful addition to the game. Slice of Life is a system of interconnected mods that change different aspects of Sims’ lives. Players will see physical changes in the game like blushing when a Sim is flirty or embarrassed. And with this mod, there is a built-in personality system that influences everything from emotions to how your Sim will feel when they can’t partake in their hobbies. Acne, phone apps, skincare, and more are all there for your enjoyment. The best part of the mod is that each individual mod in the system can be used together or simply deleted if you don’t like it.

Wonderful Whims

There is a NSFW mod called Wicked Whims by Turbodriver, and Wonderful Whims is the SFW version, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t exciting to use. Wonderful Whims has an attractiveness system that is second to none and really relies on a detailed system that plays with hair color, eye color, body hair, and more that you can simply stick with or modify. Other features include open relationships, modifying gender preferences, and adding a menstrual cycle to the game that affects the fertility of Sims.

World Edit Mod

The World Edit mod by Arnie is a Patreon-only exclusive with a public and subscriber option. It is worth subbing to the creator though, as players get the option to make a world all of their own with newer features way before the public release. Once you download the mod, you’ll see a Newcrest world icon (you can’t miss it as it sticks out), and from there, creators have the option to add any world objects icons available for use. Roads, venues, terrain, and more are all open for edits to achieve the look of an individualized world that feels real and functions outside of EA’s vision.

Brookheights Open World Mod

Another Arnie mod on Patreon is the Brookheights Open World mod that gives you a real open world. The Sims 3 opened up worlds and made it possible for household members to go anywhere without a loading screen. If a Sim was going on an adventure in The Sims 3, it didn’t feel so closed off. This mod recreates what it feels like to have an open world again with a ton of options for gameplay. There are subways, cars, hotels, and planes available for use.

SimsDa Dating App

Want to hook up with other Sims on a blind date? Interested in a specific kind of relationship? The SimsDa Dating by LittleMsSam is what you’re looking for. Blind dates are events where players can complete tasks to improve the relationship between your Sim and the date. If you’re looking for a one-night stand, your character has that option and may get pregnant. Finally, there are also the hook-up calls from NPCs (which you can disable), but when it is enabled, players will have their Sims whisked off to a rabbit hole and return to their home after.

MC Command Center

The MC Command Center by Deaderpool is another cheats mod that can do anything. Some people hate Sims 4 University and want their Sims to just get the degree so they can get high-paying jobs; well now you can get it. There is also the ability to learn every skill, control every NPC in the game, and modify pregnancy how you want it to be—the number of children, the sex, the term, and more. Everything is pretty much open for changes as long as you want them. This mod is a fairly extensive option to really control everything in your game and make The Sims be everything you desire.

Language Barriers Mod 

Have you had a million interactions with Sims and then wanted the opportunity to experience what it is like to have conversations with Sims who can’t understand you? The Language Barriers Mod by Frank turns this dream into reality. There are six languages that populate for each world. For example, if your Sim lives in Windenburg, they’ll be speakers of Windenburgish and have trouble communicating with other Sims from different worlds. All Sims will have the ability to learn multiple languages to talk with each other. When toddlers age up to children, they’ll learn their “native” language (but they can also communicate with toddlers, and this will teach them as well), and when they learn a different one, new interactions unlock. But in the meantime, if a Sim speaks to one that doesn’t understand the language, then they may wind up with a tense, angry, or embarrassed moodlet.