The Sims 4 is trading suburban drama for crowns and castles in the sweeping new Royalty & Legacy expansion, set in the coastal kingdom of Ondarion. The expansion allows players to guide their Sims through a royal lifestyle that unfolds across generations in the lavish new world. Build a dynasty, practice the new swordsmanship skill, and plot against your noble rivals in a royal playground.
The new Sims 4 land of Ondarion introduces three distinct regions to rule over: Dambele, a centre of art and culture; Verdemar, a land shaped by heroic outlaws and cunning nobles; and Bellacorde, a region defined by romance and opulence. Also introduced is a new Backroom lot type. By day, the space can be customized for studying, exercise or displaying artifacts, depending on how players choose to build it. When night falls, the lot transforms into a lively nightclub designed for royalty to gather and socialize.
Every region of The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy’s Ondarion is home to noble houses waiting to be engaged with, while the kingdom’s throne itself remains vacant, awaiting its next ruler. New Powershift mechanics offer several possible paths to power. Some Sims may attempt to pull the legendary sword from the stone, while others may charm a magical frog; each choice leads to unpredictable outcomes. Sims can also consult a magic mirror to uncover hidden truths about the land and its ruling forces.
However, if you want a more direct path, The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy also introduces the swordsmanship skill, which can be trained to the series standard level 10. Sims can use it to challenge noble rivals, duel for love or simoleans, and prove their prowess in combat. Swordsmanship tournaments provide the fastest way to advance the skill. These events are held in each region, bringing local lords together to showcase their fighting skills.
If you’re not fond of the more “official” routes to lordship, Sims 4 players who enjoy a more mischievous approach will find plenty to explore through newly added secret passageways. These hidden routes provide discreet access between regions, opening the door to various schemes and misdeeds. Those inclined toward chaos may also appreciate a new dramatic demise. Meddling with cuckoo clocks scattered across the kingdom can now result in an unusual death by cuckoo bird.
Royalty & Legacy players can advance through the new noble career, rising from newcomer to kingdom leader and ultimately ruling as monarch. Progression through high society comes by gaining favour at court, forging alliances, or pursuing faster routes through strategic marriages and carefully plotted schemes. Each kingdom has only one seat of power. Securing it ensures your family’s rule for generations.
Once your lordship is established, Sim rulers can deliver grand speeches, issue decrees, and make donations to win favour among nobles or commoners. Power, however, brings risk. Excessive influence can breed jealousy, prompting rivals to attempt to damage your reputation. These conflicts can be resolved through persuasion, diplomacy or, if necessary, a swordfight.
Beware, though, rulers must also complete their royal duties each day to maintain performance and public standing. Carelessness carries consequences. A poorly timed insult or an ill-considered flirtation can cause influence to drop sharply, sometimes overnight.
When you start The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy pack, Sims can either join an existing dynasty or establish one of their own, unlocking new actions and systems tied to family power. Options such as designating an heir, usurping the family head or expelling a member from the dynasty place full control of succession and authority in the player’s hands.
Although if you want to keep your dynasty in power, The Sims 4 players will need to keep a close watch on their Sims, as forbidden romances or illegitimate children can now spark scandals across the kingdom. When scandal strikes, Sims can attempt to repair their reputation through a public apology or by writing a book about the experience for extra income. Sims 4 players who enjoy a more dramatic approach can also weaponize scandal against rivals, using it as a tool to climb the social ladder through calculated chaos.
Behind the scenes, The Sims team began working with the Pan African Gaming Group and other Simmers with ties to West African countries more than a year ago. The collaboration helped ensure Royalty & Legacy’s cultural inspirations were handled with care and authenticity.
The Sims Content creators like Plumbob Kingdom, Eva Rotky, EmeraldStories, and more all contributed their thoughts and ideas to this expansion pack. For a limited time, when you purchase the Royalty and Legacy pack, you will get a free upgrade to the Grand Bundle. The offer ends on March 15th, 2025.
The new Royalty & Legacy pack is vast, and it could already be said that it’s one of the most in-depth expansion packs in recent Sims history. With input and feedback from dedicated content creators, it’s sure to live up to expectations.
