While not everyone’s cup of tea, it is undeniable how popular The Sims franchise is. Hell, I’ll go ahead and admit there was a brief period in my life when all I played was The Sims. Create a Sim, build a house, get a job, make friends, find love, all in the comfort of your computer.
But a lot has changed since the heady days of the 2000s and after 3 main entries and countless expansions, developer Maxis has now delivered The Sims 4, one of the most addictive simulation games for Mac.
Pools, Ghosts, and Other Free Updates. Tons of free content has been added to The Sims 4 since it launched. Design and build awesome pools, return from the dead as a ghost and scare your neighbors, and climb the corporate ladder to start your career as an Angel Investor or a Business Tycoon! This site is not endorsed by or affiliated with Electronic Arts, or its licensors. All contents published under GNU General Public License. Trademarks, all rights of images and videos found in this site reserved by its respective owners.
Worried about updating to macOS Catalina? The Sims 4 is now updated to 64-bit and supports Catalina!
In this review:
The premise is the same, yet The Sims 4 creates more depth and introduces new mechanics, features, and vastly improved graphics. Speaking of graphics, this is a game that looks surprisingly good on a high-end Mac at the highest settings. But what if you have an older Mac or an entry-level model?
I’m here to help you answer those questions. And as we always do, we will be testing the game on 4 different Macs, ranging from the new and powerful to the older and more basic models.
It may not have as many things to do as The Sims 3, still, this is the most sophisticated, better looking and fun Sims ever made. Our score: ★★★★☆ |
First things first, is the game any good?
There’s a reason why The Sims is one of the most popular franchises in gaming history. These games are extremely addictive and very appealing to casual gamers.
But is this still the case for The Sims 4? Is it as good as its predecessors? Reviewers can’t seem to agree. The game has a 70/100 Metascore, which is good but not great:
But taking a closer look at some of the reviews, a trend begins to emerge. Gamespot gave it a 6/10 score, concluding that:
The Sims 4’s biggest problem is that The Sims 3 exists. […] This is a lovely and lively game that elicits constant smirks, but The Sims 4’s moments never feel like part of a bigger picture.
But here’s where it gets tricky. Everyone agrees The Sims 3 had more to do, yet The Sims 4 has more depth:
Yet The Sims 4 does succeed in being a deep and complex game when it comes to Sim interactions, with lots of entertaining emotional potential. The emotions system and its contextual actions are really strong.
Plus, excellent building tools make architecture more fun than ever.
When looking at the user reviews (on Metacritic, as the game is not available on Steam), it doesn’t look good for The Sims 4. The game has a 4/10 average score of over 2100 users. Again, for the same reasons: the world is too small and there aren’t enough things to do…
My take? If you haven’t played The Sims 3, that could be a better place to start. It will be cheaper, will have more Expansions (and things to do) and will be even less demanding on your Mac.
If you have, The Sims 4 should have enough depth and new features to be worth a shot, especially now that enough Expansions have been released that add more stuff to do.
The Sims 4 Mac requirements
These are The Sims 4 Mac system requirements:
- OS: 10.7.5
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz Processor
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 320M, 9600M, 9400M, ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or better. Video RAM of 256MB or better.
- Memory: 4GB RAM
- Hard Drive: 10 GB of Hard Drive space
Warning: You’ll be forced to use EA’s Origins client (which I deeply dislike)
Into Simulation games? These are our favorites:
| Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
| Genre | City-builder | Life simulation | RPG simulation |
| Release date | 2015 | 2014 | 2016 |
| Metascore | |||
| Our rating | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ Full Review | ★★★★★ Full Review |
| Requirements | High | Low | Low |
| Check Price |
The Test: Can you play The Sims 4 on Mac?
To evaluate how well The Sims 4 runs, we’ll test it on these models:
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016): 2.0 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris Graphics 540 (1.5GB)
- iMac (5K, 27-inch, Late 2014): 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, AMD Radeon R9 M290X (2GB)
- Mac Mini (Late 2014): 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris 5100 (1.5GB)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012): 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB RAM, GeForce GT 650M (1GB)
Be aware that the system requirements are not perfectly clear regarding integrated graphics. Are the 2012 MacBook Pro and 2014 Mac Mini supported? More on that below.
Why these machines? Our purpose is to help you understand how well this game runs on different setups. And hopefully, one of these setups will be similar enough to yours to give you a very clear idea of what to expect. These are the setups we will be covering:
- Recent high-end Macs (the 2014 iMac).
- Recent entry-level Macs (the 2016 MacBook Pro).
- Older Macs (the 2012 MacBook Pro and the 2014 Mac Mini).
These are the settings we used to test The Sims 4 using our in-house FPS counter Count It for a fixed duration of 5 minutes:
- 1280×800 resolution
- Graphics Quality: Medium
- Vertical Sync: Off
- Retina display: Off
Why these settings? Remember, we are testing vastly different machines. Some high-end, some not. 1280×800 and Medium settings won’t impress anyone, but they are acceptable and should meet the requirements of the average gamer.
The Results: A surprisingly easy game to run!
There were reports of poor Mac performance that had me worried, but it seems the reports were a little overboard (or perhaps Maxis has improved the macOS version over the years):
The target? This chart includes the average frames per second (FPS) recorded on each machine. We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience.
Some readers argue that 30 FPS is not high enough, but it’s still what current-gen consoles aim for, and considering most Macs were not built for gaming, 30 FPS is a good target.
As a reminder, this is how we describe the different levels of performance:
- Below 20 FPS: Unplayable: Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns.
- 20-30 FPS: Borderline: Can be OK in slow-paced games. Still, not optimal.
- 30-45 FPS: Playable: Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this).
- 45-60 FPS: Smooth: Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters.
- 60+ FPS: Very Smooth: For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most.
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience.
You’ll notice all Macs did better than 30 FPS, which is a good thing, but let’s dive deeper into the results and see how far The Sims 4 can be pushed.
Can my Mac run The Sims 4?
The real question is not whether a high-end Mac can play this game. We know it will.
Haters may claim Macs can’t run games, but if you have a recent high-end Mac with a dedicated graphics card with 2GB of Video RAM (or more), you can safely play ANY game that exists on macOS.
The real question is: How high can you increase the graphics settings while still experiencing a smooth experience?
Case in point, my 2014 iMac’s results. While nowhere near as fast as the latest iMacs, it still ran the game at 60 FPS using the Medium settings defined for these tests. And it only did 60 FPS because the game locked frame rates at 60 FPS maximum.
But what happens when we bump the graphics to make The Sims 4 shine? When increasing the settings to Ultra and raising the resolution to 2560×1440, the iMac still ran the game at 56.2 FPS.
Take away: If you have a high-end Mac, you can expect to smoothly play this game at the highest settings.
Can you play The Sims 4 on a MacBook Pro?
This is when things get complicated. Many of us own $1500+ MacBook Pros we believe to be high end (otherwise, how can you justify that price?). Unfortunately, they are not, at least when it comes to graphics performance.
I’m not here to criticize Apple’s choices. They decided that mobility and battery life come first, which is great for most users, but bad for gamers.
Anyway, having an entry-level Mac means you have integrated graphics. And that means gaming performance will be limited. But how limited? It depends on the game.
In this case, The Sims 4 did great on my 13-inch MacBook Pro. The game ran at 54.9 FPS, which is almost double our 30 FPS target.
These results mean you could slightly increase the graphics settings and still get a smooth experience out of The Sims 4. I did two more tests on high and ultra settings, and as expected, there was still some room (although ultra is a little too much):
- 1280×800 and high settings: 44.5 FPS
- 1280×800 and ultra settings: 24.1 FPS
Take away: The Sims 4 is properly optimized for macOS and not particularly demanding. Any recent Mac should be able to handle it, even those with integrated graphics.
But what if you have an older Mac?
According to our results, there is hope for you. Our test 2014 Mac Mini ran the game at 45.40 FPS, which is way above our target. If your Mac is even older than that, it will depend on your machine’s graphics. If you have dedicated graphics, like our 2012 15-inch MacBook Pro, you should be fine.
And if you don’t and worry yours won’t be able to take it, you can always try Stardew Valley, an excellent, albeit different, simulation game that supports macOS.
Take away: If your Mac has integrated graphics, anything older than the Intel Iris 5100 from our Mac Mini will be risky. If your Mac has dedicated graphics, any model from 2012 onwards should be fine.
Bottom line: Turns out, The Sims 4 is a forgiving game that should run just fine on most Macs out there (unless you have a pre-2012 Mac with integrated graphics)…
Maxis did a good job optimizing the game, but this is an inherently simple game (graphics-wise) that is not meant to push your machine to the max. After all, there are plenty of other games out there for that!
PS: These are our favorite accessories for playing/testing games on Mac!
| Game | ★ Best Mouse | Best Controller | Best eGPU |
| Why we love it? | The G502 is Logitech's most accurate gaming mouse yet. Plus, it has a plethora of buttons and a killer design. | The official PS4 controller just works on Mac. It's wireless, it's precise, it has an excellent grip and it's durable. | The Razer Core X turns your MacBook or Mac Mini into a killer gaming machine by adding external graphics support. |
| Mac compatible? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| User Reviews | ★★★★☆ 326 Amazon reviews | ★★★★☆ 9,678 Amazon reviews | ★★★★☆ 74 Amazon reviews |
| Price | From $56 | From $39.99 | From $299.99 |
| Buy from |
Download The Sims 4 for Mac
The Sims 4 is available for download from several digital stores including Origin and MMOGA:
It may not have as many things to do as The Sims 3, still, this is the most sophisticated, better looking and fun Sims ever made. Our score: ★★★★☆ |
The Sims 4 Mac Review
Much can be said about the Sims 4. It certainly doesn't have as many things to do like the Sims 3, but the gameplay itself is more sophisticated, the graphics are better and the Mac version runs flawlessly. What else can we ask for? Maxis did a great job bringing The Sims 4 to macOS.
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The new edition of famous Sims offers you to become a part of a new chapter in the Sims story. While the original gameplay did not change much, it became even more complex, as did the characters. The game is still beautifully polished and posh, but the characters look even more human. Sometimes you may even feel some weirdness.
Unlikely you are strange to Sims world. But if you are, you still may have heard about the game before. The new edition is nothing extremely new. You create your character and try to socialize with the neighbors as much as you can, build a career, find your love. Now there are more interesting stories and characters you may play with. Build and Create mode were updated to the new level, so your possibilities there become unlimited.
Chronology of Releases
New Sims is accessible on all almost all platforms, including Windows PC and PlayStation 4. There are still no options for portable devices. It was released on September 2 in 2014 for Windows PC. Several months later, in February 2015 – it appeared as a version for Mac OS. On 17th of November 2017, the game came to Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
More benefits from refreshed Sims 4
It looks like game developers decided to stop experiments with gameplay and focus their attention on Sims personalities, emotions, creativity of characters. You can express yourself with the completely new clothes and furniture. Go to the Create a Sim or CAS stage and make your fantasy come true.
Think about the way your character appears. Fill the image with small details from the color of Sim’s hair to the roundness of the face.
Go to the body of your avatar. Will he/she be athletic, look like you or like one of your friends?
Now you can choose the way your Sim walks. Smooth movements or heavy – make your avatar realistic.
While you still can’t understand a thing that your character is saying, you may give him/her the tone of the voice, pitch.
As for the age, you can choose anyone except for toddler which was recently cut off.
To make the picture complete, you can reward your Sim with the goal in life.
No more pointless life in Sims. Now when you gave your character life aspiration, smooth, confident walk, and silky voice, you may want to make it even more human. Underline its unique style with new clothes. While everyone still waits for new cosmetic sets, promised by developers for Sims 5, use current tools. Besides, there are so much clothes waiting for you, so stop wasting your time.
Categorize your outfit into:
Casual or everyday clothes
Formal suits
Sports
Pyjamas, and other sleepwear
Tuxedos and cocktail dresses for evening
So your Sim will be dashing on every occasion. Even at home. Some clothes can be modified according to your own style. If you don’t feel really creative, use the outfit made by other users. Just check the Gallery section in Sims Resource. There are dozens of great options.
Create a Fairy Tale life
At least your avatar can have everything you ever wanted but could not afford. Sims 4 has some qualified changes in both live and build modes. Here are some of them.
Now your character has more human emotions, desires, and needs. Everything can influence the current mood of your character, just like in real life. At least one of 3 desires that now live in Sim’s beautiful head was born from emotions.
Forget about robotic behaviour, now your character can eat, go to the dance floor, play mobile games – all at the same time. If your reality can look like that, why to limit your Sim? Let him/her enjoy life!
So what about the build mode?
Some of the building lots were reduced in Sims 4.
In the new edition, you receive a huge variety of instruments for the building. Regulate the height of your roof and walls. Create something extraordinary and postmodern.
Beware! While window placing is automatically done, there are some bugs. Don’t rush to experiment with this feature.
Sims Universe became more detailed, with its lovable aesthetics of eternal holiday around. And yet, animation became more professional and advanced, as well as sound effects. You may feel the difference if you recently played previous versions.
There are 2 new worlds in the game. One of it is Willow Creek, which is obviously inspired by New Orleans and another one is Oasis Spring that reminds us of Phoenix. Each of them has 6 neighborhoods. However, you may feel that the map became smaller. Possibly it is because of walking, car riding and bicycling are thrown away in this edition.
Developers promise to make a bigger map in Sims 5. For now, you have to stare in your in-game phone while traveling to another destination. Don’t worry, you have plenty of things to do here.
The coolest mods in the game
Sims 4 has its own unique modifications like it was in every previous game. They don’t change the main principles of the game, as they were not in original plan from company-developer, but add new depth to the scenario. Mods were created by true fans of the game and don’t hurt your system if you install everything by the book. Still, pay attention to some bugs that may appear in the game. Since this is not official stuff from developers, you need to decide whether you want to use it or not.
The Pregnancy Mod. How do you like it? While pregnancy is an important part of Sims life, starting from the 2nd edition, in official versions of the game only women can carry babies. Well, not for long. With this mode, men can experience the miracle of being pregnant too. Great news for same-sex couples! Now they can either adopt babies or carry them, no matter if the child will have two mothers or two fathers. You can still change the gender of your baby and terminate the pregnancy.
Sexuality Mod. In the world of Sims, all characters are technically bisexuals. They often prefer to flirt with the same sex that they have already been involved in romantic relations. If you want to change that, add strict instructions on sexual preferences of your Sim with this mod.
Careers. This Mod helps to build a career, receive a bigger salary, express your unique side with changing career. Now you can do this. Put more effort to become successful in life, whether you are a drag queen, soul diva or ghost hunter.
Spice up your game with downloadable content
Here is the complete collection of packs and expansions you may receive at the Electronic Arts Store.
Game Packs
Outdoor Retreat opens new possibilities in front of your Sim. You can go camping, share with your friends this new outdoor experience, master your knowledge of herbs. Who does not love to spend time near the campfire?
Jungle Adventure offers you a nice vacation at mysterious Selvadorada, where you can learn unique local culture and find treasures. Reveal your inner Indiana Jones. Or maybe you are the next Lara Croft.
Parenthood provides the pack of objects the most suitable for a family daily life and activities, so you can enjoy parenthood. It can ease up your daily routine. Parenthood is not only about a tough job, find the time to relax and have fun together.
Vampires may sound like a spooky pack. But how it can be spooky when it comes to these astonishing Sim creatures? Visit the Forgotten Hallow, the new world in Sims 4, find out what supernatural powers your Sim may have.
Dine Out pack gives you an opportunity to eat in a nice restaurant instead as usual at home. You may create your own restaurant business. Try exotic cuisines or become a founder of the place that serves it.
Spa Day Pack comes with great spa venue, new objects, and skill of wellness. Let your Sim forget about worries. Enjoy the time out.
Expansion packs
Get to Work pack has 3 careers inside: Scientist, Doctor, and Detective. There are also more opportunities in retail if you are interested. Have you ever imagine yourself solving the riddles and get paid for it? The time has come.
Get Famous happens in the Del Sol Valley, where you can meet stars or become one of them. That’s a dream come true for many of us. Your Sim can gather autographs or be the one who give them.
Seasons pack includes changing the weather, careers related to weather, more calendar holidays from the real world. It is a great joy to decorate your house before Christmas or Halloween. Now Sim can enjoy sitting in a cozy armchair and drinking hot cocoa, while watching the rain outside the window.
Cats and Dogs set to offer you cute numerous breeds of dogs and cats, besides more extravagant pets like foxes and racoons. If you always wanted to be a vet, here is your chance. Imagine how many ill animals you can help.
City Living invites you to explore the city life in San Mushyno with its own unique atmosphere of a big metropolis. Make a tour over the city. Visit all districts and festivals.
Get Together brings more social activity to your Sim, allowing it to attend nightclubs, cafes, coffee shops, etc. It raises the level of happiness. This is the perfect place to find new friends or meet with old ones.
The new edition also brings more sets of special theme objects for homes. There are:
Pet Stuff
Toddler Stuff
Laundry Day Stuff
Bowling Night
Fitness
Backyard Stuff
Vintage Glamour
Kids Room
Luxury Party
Romantic Garden
Movie Hangout
Cool Kitchen
Spooky
Perfect Patio
Custom Sims 4 Content
Besides the usual downloadable offered, there is a content called The Sims 4 CC. This is actually a custom content, which does not have any specific impact inside the game, and is not a mod. Still, it works like one of them. You can get hair, clothes or makeup. It usually does not have glitches, and work smoothly. Before you download it, check the reviews of other gamers.
Cheats
Actually, there is no need in cheats for Sims, as there are plenty of mods, suits, extra offers. And yet, if you can’t wait for something more, there are cheats offered by developers. For sure, they can make any game more interesting.
The best cheat is money making. Use it and see where your imagination ends. But if you are not into money, and your main goal is a career, try staying alive forever cheat. You can also build everywhere or unlock career items, or just turn your character into a ghost. You can find the full list of available cheat codes in the Sims wiki - an open encyclopedia of Sims Universe.
Tricks and tips
As it was already mentioned above, you don’t have to think very hard over the new dress, hairdo, personality or special items. Visit Gallery, and you will find everything you need.
There are some benefits you may receive from building a strong personality. Use these simple tips to become your better self:
Active trait means quickly reenergizing and always in good shape
Self-assured Sim will be the fastest on the top of the career ladder
The ambitious type will bring you more money than others
Romantic type is always charming to others
Satisfying desires of your Sim rises your Satisfaction point. Desire provoked by emotions highlighted by some other color in Sim’s thoughts. Focus on it.
How to earn more satisfaction points?
Press Ctrl+Shift+C
Type there Testingcheats true
Choose ambition opposite to the personality of Sim
Place aspirations.complete_current_milestone in the cheat box
Sims 4 For Macbook Pro Free
Replay Ability
Sims 4 For Macbook Free
The new edition is addictive as always. There is everything you wanted in your life and even more. You may focus on one character or create the whole army. Take everything you can from this world and then come back for more cheats and tricks. You may spend hours in the game and still do not solve all its mysteries.