In High School Years, players will experience a focus on high school life. While it doesn't have a direct predecessor, it incorporates elements from previous games such as The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff, and The Sims 3: Generations. The expansion pack provides players with a unique way to live their Sims' high school years, with various activities and objects that allow them to immerse themselves in the social, academic, and extracurricular aspects of high school life. Players can experience the highs and lows of teenage life, form lasting relationships, and pave the way for their Sims' future.
The Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack offers players a more hands-on high school experience for their Sims. Instead of sending them off to school for several hours without player interaction, players have the option to follow their Sims to the high school lot and participate in their daily activities. This is similar to the Active Careers, such as Scientist, Doctor, Detective and Actor/Actress Careers.
Unlike in enrolling to a University, Teen Sims are automatically enrolled in high school. On non-holiday weekdays, players will be given a choice of whether to send their Sims to school without interaction or follow them through the day. If they choose to follow, they will be able to control their Sims' actions throughout the school day, which is divided into four sections. The first section is for socializing and activities such as working out or studying. Then, Sims will attend their morning lessons, and players can interact with the whiteboard in the classroom if necessary to ensure they are doing so. After the morning lesson, Sims have a two-and-a-half-hour lunch break where they can perform various activities such as replenishing needs, socializing, decorating their locker, studying, and more. In the afternoon, Sims will attend their final lesson of the day. After this lesson, Sims will head back home or to their after-school activities.
During high school, it is expected that students focus on learning and studying. Players have the ability to choose activities that can impact their Sims' grades. Misbehavior and skipping classes are not tolerated and may result in detention. Repeated offenders or those with poor grades risk getting expelled and missing out on all the exciting in-school activities. Sims can also drop out of the high school of their own free will. Sims who drop out or get expelled have the option to earn an online high school diploma as young adults and older, which opens up the opportunity to continue their education at university and the possibility to join some careers. Additionally, outstanding students may be able to graduate early, allowing them to enroll in university sooner as teens. Unfortunately, early graduates will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. For all other Sims, the graduation event takes place on the nearest Sunday after they age up. Achieving high grades can lead to graduation with honors and a chance at being selected as the valedictorian. Both graduating early and being a valedictorian allows Sims to have career boosts.
Copperdale is a vibrant world, with three distinct neighborhoods, one of which is devoted to the high school experience. The Copperdale High, Auditorium and sports field provide plenty of opportunities for students to participate in activities and events, such as cheerleading. The world offers a diverse range of lot types, with 7 residential lots and 5 community lots available to Sims. Some notable locations in Copperdale include the rental lot, library, park, and ThrifTea - a unique store that offers both thrift shopping and bubble tea. Teen Sims will find plenty of places to hang out and have fun, but Copperdale is a beautiful world for any Sim to explore and enjoy.
The Prom event is a key highlight of the high school, held in the Auditorium on Saturday evenings. Players will be given the option to attend Prom with their Sims, or opt-out. Sims can choose to go alone, with friends, or with a romantic interest. The Prom event is a major moment for Teen Sims, and participating in it can bring a variety of sentiments and moodlets. To ask another Teen Sim to Prom, players must wait for the Prom notification to appear. Then, they can initiate interactions like "Promise to Skip Prom Together," "Ask for Prom Tips," "Ask to Prom," "Ask to Prom as Friends," "Claim to be Prom Royalty," or "Present Prom Proposal Sign." It's important to note that Teen Sims can change their minds about attending Prom with a specific Sim, so players should make sure their Sims have a backup plan if necessary. At Prom, Sims will be dressed in formal attire and engage in activities like dancing, sipping fruit punch, and taking photos. Additionally, they will vote for Prom Royalty and Prom Jester, who will be announced during the event.
The Trendi app, represented by a pink app with glasses, is a fashion platform accessible through Sims' phone. It offers various features such as purchasing clothing, checking followers, and a brief overview of the app. Trendi allows Sims to buy and sell clothing, and it integrates with the ThrifTea thrift store to promote the thrifting and creation of new fashion trends. Fashion plays a crucial role in a teenager's social life, and Trendi keeps Sims up to date on the latest trends. To start their own trend, players can create an outfit either in the ThrifTea or on Trendi and hype it up. If successful, other Sims may start to adopt the new style. Sims can also gift their Trendi purchases to others or resell them once they are no longer interested in wearing them. While not a significant addition, the Trendi app adds an enjoyable layer to the lives of teenage and older Sims beyond the high school activities.
The Drama Llama aspiration in The Sims 4 is all about embracing the exciting dramas of teenage life. This aspiration is best suited for teen Sims who have either the Mean or Romantic trait, as they will be required to engage in a variety of mean and romantic interactions. Some of these activities include gossiping, spreading rumors, using mean interactions on other Sims, and even breaking up with someone. Additionally, the aspiration requires the teen Sim to have a rival during their after-school activity, which is different from the enemy status in the base game.
The Goal Oriented aspiration is perfect for Sims who are overachievers and strive to be the best in everything, from grades and money to extracurricular activities. This aspiration requires these Sims to join an after-school activity, earn straight A's, participate in career days, and reach the highest level in a side hustle, specifically part-time jobs added in the pack.
The Live Fast Aspiration is ideal for Sims who have a mischievous streak. Of all the Teen aspirations, it's known to be the most challenging to complete as it involves activities that could lead to being expelled from school or grounded. Sims pursuing this aspiration must carry out pranks, get into trouble, sneak out for parties, summon an urban legend, and more. Some tasks, like sneaking out for a party, require both luck and certain steps to be fulfilled, making it even more challenging than the other aspirations.
The Admired Icon aspiration is ideal for Sims who strive to be the most popular and well-liked teen at school. These Sims want to be trendsetters and have a strong impact on others, and they'll take advantage of the new apps introduced with the pack. To complete this aspiration, they must participate in a T-Pose Challenge, make friends, have 250 followers on Social Bunny, host an event and earn a gold medal, and list outfits on Trendi. Outgoing Sims will especially benefit from this aspiration.
In The Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack, two new part-time careers have been introduced: Simfluencer and Video Game Streamer. These careers allow Sims to make money on the side while they attend school, and let them hone Entrepreneur skill and Charisma or Video Gaming skill based on which of the part-time careers they have picked. Overall, as with other part-time careers, the requirements for promotion are quite simple, and the max level in both of them is level 3. These careers also doesn't require any specific daily task and align well with the school schedules. While it is designed for teenage Sims, any Sim can essentially follow these part-time careers.
The High School Years expansion pack for The Sims 4 introduces four new after-school activities that are exclusive to teenagers. These activities aim to help boost Sims' skills and talents, while also preparing them for future careers. However, they do not offer monetary rewards. The new after-school activities are:
High School Years offers a variety of CAS options, including outfits, accessories, and hairstyles, designed to capture the essence of teenage life and high school experiences. These items are suitable for all ages and genders, including teenage and adult Sims, with styles influenced by pop culture and American high school experiences. Players can create a unique and authentic look for their Sims, showcasing their personality and style. Free base game update before the launch of this pack also added sexual orientation and romance preferences, as well as body hair. Note that the expansion pack includes body changes and acne for teen Sims, but they can be turned off in game options.
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