Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
A group of Miis celebrating a birthday during Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
Simulation Games Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream review: "Real Nintendo Housewives meets the OC in my own personal Mii fever dream"
The Sims 4 screenshot of the Enchanted by Nature expansion pack which shows a fairy in a yellow outfit and other mythical creatures standing underneath trees
The Sims The best Sims 4 expansion packs to buy right now in 2026
Garrus and Commander Shepard in Mass Effect Legendary Edition
RPGs I've ranked the best RPGs with romance options, from Fire Emblem to Mass Effect
Tomodachi Living The Dream
Simulation Games I love Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, but having no Switch 2 version is a mistake
Upcoming indie games for 2026 showing images from Mixtape, Toem 2, Find your Words, and Grave Seasons
Games Upcoming indie games for 2026 and beyond
InZoi zois taking photos together
Simulation Games InZoi boss isn't fazed by "a few hundred thousand returns" as the 1.0 launch looms
Tomodachi Life: living the Dream
Simulation Games Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream demo leaves Miis "lobotomized" after you progress too far
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
Simulation Games Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream won't allow Mii and item sharing or any real online functionality at all
Best dating sims: a screenshot of the hero and Yosuga during Olympia Soirée.
Simulation Games The 10 best dating sims to play right now in 2026
Bearded man raises shovel in one hand and holds skull in the other as zombie army backs him
Simulation Games Stardew Valley-like with dead people Graveyard Keeper is free for a few days as dev announces sequel
The Sims 4 burglar
The Sims The Sims 4's microtransaction Marketplace has officially shown me the door after 24 years of Simming
Starfield romances
RPGs Starfield romance and relationships explained
Witchbrook trailer screenshot of people chatting at a cafe
Simulation Games Witchbrook was delayed because "Harry Potter meets Stardew Valley" got old
A twitterpated character blushes at the camera in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
Simulation Games Nintendo says Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is the "ultimate inside joke game"
The Future of Starfield hero image
RPGs The Future of Starfield: How Bethesda Game Studios is beginning to breathe new life into its most misunderstood RPG
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Simulation Games
  3. The Sims
  4. The Sims 4

After 10 long years, The Sims 4 Lovestruck finally lets NPCs come to you and ask to advance the relationship for a change: "We just want you to be able to play your way"

News
By Anna Koselke published 21 July 2024

No more one-sided love

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Sims 4 Lovestruck gameplay trailer screenshot showing a young woman with short black hair and a white/pink heart sweater flipping a golden coin in the air while smiling
(Image credit: EA)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Lovestruck is almost out for The Sims 4, which means that EA's spiciest expansion pack yet and its exciting content is just around the corner - including the NPC autonomy we Simmers have been requesting for years.

There are few things I'm looking forward to more this year than Lovestruck, The Sims 4's newest expansion pack. Not only is it launching alongside a massive free base game update containing some of the community's most hotly anticipated features, but it's also drastically changing how romance works in-game - for the better. If you're tired of having to always initiate relationships between your Sims and their lovers, EA has great news.

No more Sims 4 mods necessary - NPCs will freely prompt changes to their relationships with your Sims when Lovestruck arrives. Speaking at the expansion pack's recent digital preview event, developers like senior game designer Josh Contreras reveal how these sorts of interactions will look in-game. "NPC Sims can actually come and ask you to advance your relationship," he explains.

Article continues below
You may like
  • A doctor in the Love and Deepspace Secret's kiss event says to focus on what you need I'm a lapsed Sims fan who just wants a doctor husband, and Love and Deepspace's new update lets me date 5 guys at once
  • The Sims 4 screenshot of the Enchanted by Nature expansion pack which shows a fairy in a yellow outfit and other mythical creatures standing underneath trees The best Sims 4 expansion packs to buy right now in 2026
  • The Sims 4 burglar The Sims 4's microtransaction Marketplace has officially shown me the door after 24 years of Simming

The Sims 4 Lovestruck live preview event screenshot showing an NPC relationship prompt in-game

(Image credit: EA)

"When another Sim wants to move forward with the relationship, you'll get a prompt to accept or reject this change," Contreras continues. "If you'd prefer that other Sims don't recommend these changes, such as asking to become partners or asking to become engaged, you can always turn that off in gameplay settings." Just as with Cupid's Corner, the upcoming fully functional dating app for Sims, everything regarding this new autonomy is up to us as we play.

"Ultimately, we just want you to be able to play your way," the dev admits. From the return of turn-ons and turn-offs to the addition of Simmers' long-requested polyamory feature, there's so much coming to The Sims 4 that I'm inclined to agree here - EA is evidently listening to us, and it's undeniably refreshing. Perhaps we'll even see cars one day, or maybe even fairies? No, I shouldn't get too greedy.

Searching for another life sim to play? Here are 10 games like The Sims 4 to check out.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

Read more
A doctor in the Love and Deepspace Secret's kiss event says to focus on what you need
Simulation Games I'm a lapsed Sims fan who just wants a doctor husband, and Love and Deepspace's new update lets me date 5 guys at once
 
 
The Sims 4 screenshot of the Enchanted by Nature expansion pack which shows a fairy in a yellow outfit and other mythical creatures standing underneath trees
The Sims The best Sims 4 expansion packs to buy right now in 2026
 
 
The Sims 4 burglar
The Sims The Sims 4's microtransaction Marketplace has officially shown me the door after 24 years of Simming
 
 
The Sims 4 burglar
The Sims The Sims 4 Marketplace is coming with paid mods – because that's definitely what fans of EA's life sim want
 
 
The Sims 4 tattoo artist career
The Sims The Sims 4 Marketplace sparks angry fan reactions and comparisons to paid Fallout and Skyrim mods
 
 
InZoi zois taking photos together
Simulation Games InZoi boss isn't fazed by "a few hundred thousand returns" as the 1.0 launch looms
 
 
Latest in The Sims
The Sims 4 burglar
The Sims The Sims 4's microtransaction Marketplace has officially shown me the door after 24 years of Simming
 
 
Proxi characters stand on green hexagons of grass
The Sims The Sims creator blew 10 years and millions of dollars on new game, laid off team, and isn't done
 
 
The Sims 4 tattoo artist career
The Sims The Sims 4 Marketplace sparks angry fan reactions and comparisons to paid Fallout and Skyrim mods
 
 
The Sims 4 burglar
The Sims The Sims 4 Marketplace is coming with paid mods – because that's definitely what fans of EA's life sim want
 
 
The Sims 2
The Sims How The Sims 2 inspired the first generation of YouTubers: "The 2000s were a simpler time"
 
 
The Sims 4 Lovestruck reveal trailer screenshot showing an adult woman with short black hair and a dark lace mask dancing, her hands crossed behind her head
The Sims The Sims 4's biggest sex mod, WickedWhims, is launched 400,000 times a day according to its creator
 
 
Latest in News
Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Animated Movies A new Nintendo animated movie is seemingly releasing in 2028, and signs point to the rumored Donkey Kong spin-off
 
 
Gabe Newell talking to the angel on his shoulder
Hardware Valve's Gabe Newell saw today's consoles coming: "The consoles are using PC graphics hardware now"
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 Defect robot standing in front of other classes
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 devs initially wanted to keep updating the original instead of making a sequel
 
 
Monoco readies for battle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor was "nervous" for Metacritic score after appearing in Gollum game
 
 
Screenshot from Windrose, showing a pirate aiming down the sights of her rifle while standing in front of tropical trees.
Open World Games Windrose players are getting destroyed by alpha wolves, but they've come up with a plan
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker screenshot
RPGs The Blood of Dawnwalker release date has been set for September 2026
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Gabe Newell talking to the angel on his shoulder
    1
    Valve's Gabe Newell saw today's consoles coming: "The consoles are using PC graphics hardware now"
  2. 2
    Slay the Spire 2 devs initially wanted to keep updating the original instead of making a sequel
  3. 3
    Windrose players are getting destroyed by alpha wolves, but they've come up with a plan
  4. 4
    The Blood of Dawnwalker release date has been set for September 2026
  5. 5
    Five reasons why The Blood of Dawnwalker is becoming my most anticipated RPG of 2026

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...