‘The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy’ embodies the ultimate mix of decadence and drama

Between our pop star royalty and our literal royals, Sweden – and Scandinavia at large – knows a thing or two about monarchies. And so, the latest expansion pack for The Sims 4, which recently launched, speaks directly to us. The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy opens up a world of scandal and drama, heritage and lore. Set in the idyllic seaside kingdom of Ondarion, a locale that rivals the allure of the archipelago during midsummer, the pack tells the tale of the crowing of a New Monarch and invites you (and your Sim, natch) to find your role in the story.

Here, players can build a dynasty of their own (even naming an heir) make a calculated bid to claim the crown or just meddle, scheme and stir up drama by way of forbidden love and even illegitimate children (“Do it for the plot”, as they say). The complexity of the relationships and depth of the storytelling rivals that of any prestige series.

Aesthetically, The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy is unapologetically decadent. Think ornate jewels and diamonds, regal prints and sumptuous fabrics. Ondarion, meanwhile, is comprised of three distinct neighbourhoods, each with a singular appeal and each ruled by its own dynasty (yes, the lore runs deep and the scandals even deeper). “We wanted to create a world where opulence tells three different stories,” says the pack’s Art Director Eva Garcés. “What really drives the aesthetic is this idea that players should feel history and legacy in every corner – whether they're looking at architecture, fashion, or interiors.”

As Garcés put it, each realm “expresses luxury in its own language, connected to the families that inhabit them”. First there’s Dambele, a place rich in arts and culture. Collaborating closely with PAGG (the Pan Africa Gaming Group), Garcés and her team authentically drew inspiration from West African fashion and interiors – specifically Nigeria and Ghana – for instance, in the region’s textiles and carvings. You'll see silhouettes that range from flowing boubous to modern interpretations, alongside intricate hair designs that bridge heritage and innovation,” says Garcés, noting that representing luxury across different cultures was a key consideration in bringing the game to life.

Next up is Bellacorde, which embodies romance in the most luxurious of ways. Every inch of the realm is pure aesthetic aspiration. “Think elaborate embroidery, classical Greek and Italian motifs, silk brocades, ornate accessories,” says Garcés. “This realm is unapologetically theatrical and dramatic.” The ideal backdrop for a scandal.

Finally there’s Verdemar, which finds its inspiration in the untamed landscapes of northern Portugal and Spain. “The fashion here feels fierce and unpredictable, with asymmetric cuts, oceanic colour palettes, and delicate jewellery that mimics sea vegetation,” says Garcés. “It's lush, wild, sophisticated.”

Whilst all three neighbourhoods are instantly alluring, world-renowned Swedish gamer AnnieFuchsia, who boasts over 500k followers on twitch, finds herself drawn to Dambele. “It’s warm and inviting, which is something that we’re lacking here,” she says when I meet with her on a particularly snowy day in her native Stockholm to discuss her reactions to the expansion. Known for telling stories within The Sims using her distinct aesthetic, Annie can access an entirely new visual universe by way of The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy (though her Sim, perhaps clad in more regal attire, will still boast her signature vibrant red hair). As for the three words that she would use to describe the pack? “Queen, luxury and drama,” she says.

The pack reimagines the very notion of monarchy, with modern elements woven throughout to make the experience of gameplay feel utterly current. “What was also important to us was showing that royalty and nobility aren't just historical fantasies,” says Garcés. “Yes, we have those grand, almost fantastical garments and jewellery – the kind of pieces you'd see at a coronation or state ceremony. But we also designed outfits that modern nobility and socialites would actually wear today.” Take, for instance, the sharply tailored suiting, featuring West African textile accents or the sort of cascading evening gown that appears plucked from a modern gala or coronation.

The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy, meanwhile, offers plenty of “firsts” for longtime players, many of which reflect the ways in which players have long since approached the game. Take, for instance, the desire to stir up chaos by way of affairs. “Players have always played with legacies and heirs, so we added the Dynasty system,” says Lead Game Designer Xènia Peña. “They’ve always had illegitimate children from extramarital affairs, so we introduced Secret Lovers and Secret Babies. And they’ve always thrived on the drama of scandal, so now the game supports it and Sims can witness and react to scandalous events.”

In fact, the addition of Secret Babies – the sort of scandal found in many of our favourite books and films – is Peña’s favourite element of the expansion. “It’s a very human narrative: messy, emotional, surprising, and something almost everyone has heard about through fiction or even in their own lives,” says Peña. “Bringing that level of relational complexity into a franchise that’s been around for 26 years feels like a real milestone.”

It’s this potent mix of extraordinary aesthetics and complex drama that makes The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy so covetable. The sort of fantasy one could really get lost in. A truly royal achievement.

Platforms: PC, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox
Basegame: always free to play – download at TheSims4.com
Language: English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish
Genre: Life simulation