Can Your Sims Check Into the ER? A Deep Dive into Sims Healthcare
The question on every Simmer’s mind when their beloved virtual people start coughing, wheezing, or generally looking green: Can you take your Sims to the hospital? The direct answer is: it depends on the game version! In older Sims games, like The Sims 2, you could follow your Sims to the hospital when they were giving birth or undergoing certain procedures. However, in The Sims 4, you cannot directly control your Sim inside the hospital. Your Sim disappears off-screen and returns later, hopefully cured (or with a brand new baby!). Let’s explore the evolution of healthcare in the Sims and what options are available to keep your Sims healthy.
A History of Healthcare in the Sims
The Sims franchise has always simulated aspects of real life, and healthcare is no exception. From simple illnesses to childbirth and even death, the Sims have faced a variety of medical challenges over the years. The way players interact with these challenges has changed with each iteration of the game.
- The Sims (Original): Basic illness existed, often cured by rest. No hospitals to visit.
- The Sims 2: Marked a significant step forward. Sims could visit the hospital for childbirth, and you could even follow them inside!
- The Sims 3: Hospitals existed as rabbit holes. Sims would disappear inside, and you’d get a notification of the outcome.
- The Sims 4: Similar to The Sims 3, hospitals are largely rabbit holes, though the Get to Work expansion allows you to work at a hospital and control doctors!
The Sims 4: A Focus on Wellness and Careers
While you can’t directly take a sick Sim to the hospital and control their experience in The Sims 4 without a Sim being a doctor in the Get to Work Expansion, the game has expanded upon other avenues for maintaining your Sim’s health and well-being. The Wellness skill, introduced with certain game packs, allows Sims to practice yoga and meditation, improving their mood and overall health. There’s also a greater emphasis on hygiene and healthy eating, which can impact your Sim’s susceptibility to illness.
The Get to Work expansion offers a unique perspective on the medical profession. If you choose the doctor career path, you can control your Sim doctor inside the hospital, diagnosing and treating patients. This provides a fascinating gameplay experience, allowing you to explore the inner workings of a hospital from a different angle.
FAQs: Your Questions About Sims and Hospitals Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Sims healthcare:
1. My Sim is sick in The Sims 4. What can I do?
If your Sim is sick in The Sims 4, make sure they rest. They can also drink orange juice, which helps boost their immune system. Keeping their hygiene up and mood elevated can also help them recover faster. If their condition worsens, a visit to the hospital (via the “Send Sim Home” option when clicking on the Sim while they are sick) is necessary.
2. How do I get my Sim pregnant in The Sims 4?
The classic “Try for Baby” interaction is still how it’s done. Increase your relationship with another Sim, then select the “Try for Baby” option on a bed or other appropriate surface. After a few in-game days, you’ll know if the attempt was successful.
3. Can I choose the gender of my baby in The Sims 4?
Yes, sort of! Eating strawberries increases the chances of having a girl, while eating carrots increases the chances of having a boy. It’s not a guaranteed method, but it can influence the outcome. The Science skill also gives you access to the Chemistry Lab where you can make gender potions.
4. How does childbirth work in The Sims 4?
When your Sim goes into labor, you’ll receive a notification. You can choose to have the baby at home or go to the hospital. If you choose to go to the hospital, your Sim will disappear, and you’ll receive a notification when they return with the baby. If you choose to have the baby at home, the Sim will give birth immediately.
5. Is there a way to control the hospital in The Sims 4?
Not directly, unless your Sim is a doctor in the Get to Work expansion. Then, you can actively work at the hospital and manage your Sim’s interactions with patients.
6. What are rabbit holes in The Sims?
Rabbit holes are locations that your Sim enters but the player cannot see or control what happens inside. The Sims 3 and some aspects of The Sims 4 use rabbit holes for certain locations like schools, workplaces, and, in many cases, hospitals.
7. How do I become a doctor in The Sims 4?
You need the Get to Work expansion pack. Then, you can find the doctor career in the careers panel and apply. Your Sim will then work at the hospital, and you can control their actions during their workday.
8. What happens if my Sim dies in The Sims 4?
When a Sim dies, the Grim Reaper appears to take their soul. Their tombstone or urn will remain on the lot. Ghosts can then haunt the lot, interacting with the living Sims. You can plead with the Grim Reaper to spare their life.
9. Can I bring my Sim back to life in The Sims 4?
Yes, there are several ways to resurrect a Sim in The Sims 4, including using the Book of Life, Ambrosia (a special dish), or pleading with the Grim Reaper.
10. What are the benefits of the Wellness skill in The Sims 4?
The Wellness skill allows Sims to relieve stress, improve their mood, and boost their immune system. They can also teach yoga classes and give wellness tips to other Sims.
11. How do I improve my Sim’s hygiene in The Sims 4?
Ensure your Sim bathes or showers regularly. Also, make sure they wash their hands after using the toilet or gardening. Higher quality bathroom fixtures will improve hygiene faster.
12. What happens if my Sim has twins or triplets in The Sims 4?
If your Sim has twins or triplets, you’ll receive a notification during childbirth. Your Sim will then have two or three babies to care for! Traits like the Lot Trait “On Ley Line” can increase the chances of having twins or triplets.
13. Are there any diseases or epidemics in The Sims 4?
While there are illnesses like the Sweaty Shivers and Llama Flu, The Sims 4 doesn’t feature full-blown epidemics or complex disease systems. It’s a simplified representation of healthcare.
14. How does aging work in The Sims 4?
Aging can be enabled or disabled in the game options. When enabled, Sims progress through different life stages, from baby to elder. You can also use birthday cakes to age up your Sims.
15. Where can I learn more about gaming and education?
For further insights into the world of gaming and its connection to education, explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to understanding how games can be used to enhance learning and development.
Keeping Your Sims Healthy and Happy
While the hospital experience in The Sims 4 might not be as hands-on as in previous installments, the game offers a multitude of ways to care for your Sims’ health and well-being. From focusing on their hygiene and diet to exploring the Wellness skill and even pursuing a medical career, there are plenty of opportunities to ensure your Sims live long and prosperous lives (or at least avoid too many trips to the dreaded rabbit hole hospital!). Understanding these aspects helps you manage your Sims’ lives more effectively and adds depth to your gameplay experience. Remember to explore the various packs and expansions to unlock even more healthcare-related features. Happy Simming!