The fans haven’t been happy about Journey to Batuu, but what about the critics?
The announcement of the Star Wars-related Sims 4 expansion pack, Journey to Batuu, was met with some heavy criticism from Sims fans. When announced during Gamescom last week, along with two other Star Wars games, the trailer for the YouTube video immediately received a wave of backlash. The trailer, for example, currently has around 102,000 dislikes compared to 40,000 likes.
That trailer was released on Aug. 27, and this week, reviewers began sharing their ratings for this pack. It must be noted that this isn’t a full Sims Star Wars game. The Sims is notable for putting out expansion packs, which are ways to add either additional gameplay elements such as careers and skills, as well as a variety of build, buy and Create-A-Sim options.
The upside is that the game — based on Galaxy’s Edge — allows you to customize your own droid, join the First Order, the Resistance or a Scoundrels class, and get to see notable icons and figures like the Millenium Falcon and Rey and Kylo Ren. But at the same time, there’s no use of the Force, aliens aren’t true aliens (there are just alien-like additions/masks/etc. that players can wear) and there’s not much space to build your own creations on the Batuu map.
So, where did reviewers stand on this pack? Read on below the trailer to see what they had to say about the gameplay and the gameplay trailer.
Reviewers react to The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu
Miranda Sanchez, IGN:
"For those unfamiliar with The Sims expansions, Journey to Batuu is a game pack, meaning it’s not quite as big as a full expansion pack (and comes at a lower price point too), but still with plenty to do. But as a game pack, it’s not exactly a location in The Sims world you’ll want to exist in perpetuity, although you can if that’s your jam. There are limited spots across the three neighborhoods for your Sims to take care of their more private needs and the quests can get repetitive."
Gita Jackson, Vice:
"Despite the lack of Finn, I can’t help but want to return to Batuu and finish my missions for the Resistance. This pack feels more like a treat for Star Wars fans than something for the game’s core audience, and that means there are plenty of things that the most invested Simmers won’t like."
"I really wanted to like this pack, I did. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to think: “You know what? Even though I’m not a Star Wars fan, this might make me a Star Wars fan.” But honestly, all this has done is turned me off from watching Star Wars, honestly."
"It is fascinating… It kind of feels like a whole different game because it’s just like– it’s unlike anything I’ve checked out in The Sims before or experienced in The Sims before."
These are just a few of the reviews rolling in, and thus far it seems like there are mixed reviews. For some, it may be a fun play, but for some long-time Simmers, it might not be the pack they were waiting for.
The Sims 4’s Star Wars: Journey to Batuu will release on Sept. 8. And for more Star Wars video game news, follow the Video Games category on Dork Side of the Force.