Into the Future...

Oasis Landing is the new world that comes with this last EP and is supposedly set 'hundreds of years into the future'. Hilariously, given that this pack introduces gameplay in the future, The Sims 4 already exists and references to it will be found in game. Assumingly Sims 4 is a retro game by then!

This is not a world you need to start a fresh game in though, your existing Sims can visit this World and return to your 'hoods any time you choose, or indeed they can move the whole family there lock stock and barrel if you wish (but you'll have to leave your pets behind, apparent they don't do time travel very well).

The first new object we were shown was the Sonic Shower (pictured left) which uses some new fandangled technology to cleanse Sims without the need for water or soap (something many teenagers think is possible even today). Then, for moving between floors with future finesse there was an Air Tube Elevator that literally sucks a Sim up or down in a clear glass tube. The Food Synthesiser replaces the old cooker/hob combo with a device that can somehow apparate food right in front of a Sim for an instant, tasty meal, snack or drink.

Next up was the new bed or 'Dream Pod' to give it a proper name. When Sims sleep you will be able to influence their dreams by choosing some predefined options which will have a later effect on the Sims when they wake. A Sim dreaming about water will wake up with a full bladder for example. More details on this later.

Since returning home and writing up this article I have come across something very interesting (if you are of a certain age) and remember the Back to the Future films. There is a new character in 'Into the Future' called the Time Traveller and his name is Emit Relevart. (Now read it backwards with the American spelling). So his name is Emit, time backwards. In Back to the Future, Doc's name was Emmett Brown. That doesn't work backwards, but the name is the same. I rather sadly sat here wondering if anyone noticed that before. Anyway...

Referring back to one of my favourite movies again, Back to the Future, do you remember that If you mess around with the space time continuum, you change the course of the future? Well that's the case here too, where you can tinker with time to create either a Normal Future, a Dystopian Future or a Utopian Future. They are described as follows:

Dystopian Future: After decades of selfish and irresponsible decisions, Sims strained Oasis Landing to the limit and beyond. Trash heaps block the sidewalks, Meteors pulverise the landscape, and dangerous Rifts have formed beckoning adventures to climb inside and find their treasure.

Normal Future: The town of Oasis Landing is a bustling city filled with hidden treasures and places to explore. Whether you're adventuring into the Wasteland, taking in a Bot Competition, or visiting those who've shunned technology, there's lots to do in Oasis Landing!

Utopian Future: Inspired by centuries of whimsical stories, the Sims of Oasis Landing built a paradise! Flowers bearing Dews dot the landscape and nobody can account for strange buried gold being found about the town. The locals walk around joyfully, greeting each other with Whimsical waves.

Two new Skills for your Sims to embrace are Bot Building which is explained in detail later, and Laser Rhythm-a-con, the latter being a new musical instrument from the future (shown on the right). Playing the Laser Rhythm-a-con is like no other instrument ever invented! It takes a unique blend of quick feet and a steady hand to throw down some serious beats. Music will never be the same before mastering this exotic instrument! There are 6 different compositions for a Sim to learn.