Sims 4 Essential Mods
In this post I will be listing all of the best mods I have found for the Sims 4 that I consider essential for more realistic and interesting gameplay. Before we begin, there is a difference between “mods” and “custom content” or “cc”. Mods actually modify the game to change aspects of how it functions. Custom content on the other hand are game assets such as custom clothing and hair that add to the game but don’t actually alter gameplay. Does that make sense? Okay then, onto the mods!
MC Command Center (or MCCC)
This mod is huge and almost what I’d consider “all encompassing”. It is a master controller mod that allows you control over just about every aspect of gameplay plus it allows for story progression. Story progression means that the Sims you don’t control directly (NPCs or other families you’ve created but aren’t actively playing with at the moment) will continue to live out their lives, move houses, get married, have kids, etc. while you’re controlling your family of Sims. One word of caution though, this mod is huge and has a ton of options. It’s best to read the documentation on the website fully and/or go through all the options in-game to see what they all do. Needles to say, you can do a lot with this mod.
Wicked Whims
Before we go any further, this particular mod is for 18+ adults-only. It’s basically a sex mod but it goes far beyond that. It eliminates the censor blur, adds anatomical details to Sims, allows for animated “woohoo”, changes the term “woohoo” to “sex”, introduces new gameplay elements such as Attraction, adds the ability to sweat, birth control pills and menstrual cycles, and much, much more. Let’s face it, if you want reality in your game, you want Wicked Whims because what could be more realistic and natural than this stuff? I’ll be honest, this was the first mod that I installed to my game when I started playing back in June of 2019. It wasn’t because I’m a perv, it’s because without it the game is somewhat ridiculous on how it handles nudity and other such things. I mean, now they actually remove their pants to go to the bathroom! I highly suggest, if you’re of age of course, to give this mod a try and see what all it does in addition to the animated sex. Honestly, most of the sex animations are hilarious. At least I find them to be so. One more suggestion, when you download Wicked Whims, be sure to get Amra72’s animations for it. They are by far the best and most humorous.
Slice of Life
This is another huge mod that is a little hard to explain. Basically it adds several realistic elements to the game including things like acne, blushing and other physical changes to Sims based on mood, new emotions and buffs, a hugely upgraded cellphone menu, and much more. I’ve only been playing with this mod for about a week or so but it’s already blown my mind. It just has so many new and realistic elements to it plus new events even. It also has a menstrual cycle mod included for female Sims but personally I prefer the menstrual cycle included with Wicked Whims so I didn’t install that part of the SoL mod. There is a memory system, sickness system, ability to get drunk, and more than I could possibly explain in a short summary. Go download this mod and see for yourself!
LittleMsSam’s Mods
Okay, this isn’t a single mod like the others listed but a link to a creator of several very useful mods for added realism. Some of the ones I find to be the most essential are the following:
- Automatic Thermostat: I can never remember to change the thermostat along with the ever changing temperatures so this is a lifesaver.
- More Best Friends: Allows your Sim to have more than one Best Friend in a single playthrough.
- Miscarriages: Because it happens in real life and adds another sense of realism to the game.
- No Restaurant Bill When Invited: If an NPC invites you to dinner, they will pay for the dinner now and choose what is ordered.
- Put Grilled Food on Surface: Because immediately putting the food you just grilling into the inventory (which is basic game behavior) is annoying AF.
- Small Archaeology Table Overhaul: Basically it speeds up the process a bit and adds a few new options.
- Ultrasound Scan: Another realism mod and it’s just kind of an interesting new addition to the game.
Autonomous Proposals and Breakups
This is something I wish I had known about sooner but only recently discovered. It allows NPCs to autonomously propose to your Sim or to autonomously break up with them! How cool is that? No more having to propose all by yourself! It works! I had an NPC propose to one of my Sims!
Make Sims Eat & Drink Faster
Let’s face it, no one spends over an hour eating a BLT or most other meals for that matter yet Sims do. This tuning mod speeds up the time it takes for Sims to eat and drink by about 50%. They will still take time to stop and converse with other Sims if not alone but even then they still eat much faster than without this mod.
Low Hygiene is Embarrassing
This mod changes the Sim’s emotion and buff from Uncomfortable to Embarrassed when their hygiene is low because doesn’t that make so much more sense? It’s a simple tuning mod but really adds to the realism.
Drinks Give More Food & Energy Boost
This is a tuning mod that increases the energy boost you get from coffee and other drinks plus increases the food need value of each drink AND lowers the bladder need from each drink. That last bit of info means you won’t have to run to the bathroom every time after your morning coffee. It also makes coffee and tea so much more useful and efficient.
Island Event Notifications
If you have the Island Living expansion pack, you may or may not know that Sulani has several town events unique to Sulani but there are no in-game notifications for these events so unless you’re actively looking for them, you’ll never know they’re happening. Not anymore! With this mod, you’ll get an in-game popup notification about any and all events that happen in Sulani. Now you’ll never miss a free BBQ!
Selectable Pets
One big change that Maxis made to pets in this iteration of the Sims is that they are no longer selectable and are basically NPCs that are a part of your household. No more! This mod isn’t perfect but it does the job. It allows you to see your pets emotions, buffs, needs, and give it simple commands. No more guessing what your cat or dog needs or how they feel! Isn’t that awesome?
Murphy Bed No Fail & Breaks Less
Ever since I bought the “Tiny Living” Stuff Pack I had lived in fear of my poor Sims dying from using the included Murphy beds. It happens too damned often and when they don’t die, the bed breaks! This mod changes all that so you can finally use these space-saving beds without fear.
Faster University Graduation
Let’s face it, it can take way too long to get your Sim through university to graduation in the new expansion “Discover University”. This mod fixes that problem by changing the number of classes required to graduate. It comes in several “flavors” but I use the one that cuts the required classes down from 12 to 8.
3D Eyelashes for Female & Male Sims!
This isn’t a mod, per say, but actually CC or custom content but I find it to be essential. This CC pack adds 3D eyelashes to your Sims that look so fantastic. Works for both males and females and for all ages. You can find the eyelashes by looking in the Face Accessories/Glasses sort.
Simulation Unclogger
This mod isn’t a fix but a “remedy” for Sims who get stuck while interactions are supposed to be happening. This works hand in hand with the next essential mod that I’ll mention below. It seem to work great and the modder who created it keeps it updated.
Simulation Lag Fix
Do you notice that when you set your speed to setting 3 that it sometimes slows down considerably? That’s lag! Notice your Sims standing there doing absolutely nothing? That’s also due to simulation lag! Get this mod which works together with the mod mentioned directly above to fix the lag in your game. It has been updated to work with the latest patch and this time the creator seems to be keeping it updated.
That’s all for now. I’ll be updating and adding to this list as I find more mods that I deem essential for the Sims 4’s best and most semi-realistic gaming experience. Thank you for viewing and I hope you enjoy all of your new mods!
Last Updated: March 28, 2020
