The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu is a game pack that offers a unique gameplay experience that takes players to the Star Wars universe. Released on all platforms on September 8, 2020, The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu (also known as The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu) is the ninth game pack of The Sims 4 franchise. It introduces the planet Batuu, a remote outpost located on the edge of the galaxy that serves as a hub for smugglers, bounty hunters, and rebels. Players can explore the planet, interact with iconic Star Wars characters, and complete missions to earn reputation with the factions of the Resistance, First Order, and Scoundrels. The pack offers new gameplay features such as the Lightsaber duels, the Droid companion, and gambling (Sabacc) at Batuu. It also includes new build mode items and CAS items that are inspired by the Star Wars universe.
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Journey to Batuu is quite different from other content packs in that it offers a crossover with the Star Wars franchise. It is the first and only pack to do so, making it a unique addition to The Sims 4. The pack offers a thrilling sci-fi adventure that immerses players in the Star Wars universe, giving them the opportunity to live out their Star Wars fantasies in The Sims 4. With its engaging storyline and new gameplay elements, Similar to the StrangerVille pack, Journey to Batuu offers a different and exciting experience with a storyline aspect for players who are looking for something outside the traditional Sims gameplay.
Sources for this article include official artwork from EA.com and other content creators.
Everything New In A Nutshell
- Unique Batuu Gameplay
- New World (Batuu)
- New Aspirations Under Star Wars Category - Hope VS Order, Galactic Privateer, Paragon of Hope, Enforcer of Order
- Droids
- New CAS, Build/Buy Items
Batuu Gameplay
To embark on their Batuu adventure, Sims must use a computer or phone to select "Go on Vacation" since it's considered a destination world. Once there, players can choose the district they want to visit and be instantly teleported to Batuu. A unique feature of Batuu is that Sims don't need to rent a lot or limit their stay, allowing them to essentially live there forever, but their performance at work or school will suffer if they attend any. Sims also take on a new appearance and must dress in attire that is immersive and true to the Star Wars universe, and they must use Galactic Credits instead of Simoleons. Upon returning from Batuu, everything will revert to normal.
Players will notice changes to several UI menus, including the career panel with Batuu Missions, and the Simology panel with Batuu reputation for each faction. Players can align themselves with two of the three factions: Scoundrel, First Order, or Resistance. Sims can only gain influence with the First Order or the Resistance, with successful missions for one decreasing influence with the other. However, completing missions for specific factions successfully will increase reputation and even allow Sims to become a member of that faction. Benefits of higher levels of influence include access to secret areas, permission to fly spaceships, new CAS items, and more social interactions.
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As Sims progress through missions on Batuu, they will gain reputation points that bring them closer to meeting the leaders of each faction on the planet. By making different choices along the way, players will get to interact with beloved Star Wars characters, such as Rey, Vi Moradi, Kylo Ren, and Hondo Ohnaka. Along with these exciting character interactions, players will also get to fully explore all that Batuu has to offer, from scavenging for artifacts like Kyber crystals and hilts, to constructing the ultimate Star Wars treasure: a lightsaber. Once players have collected enough pieces to build a blade, they can train their fitness skill and compete against other Sims in lightsaber challenges. Upon returning home, players can bring back new items and souvenirs inspired by their travels, including decor, recipes, and artifacts, such as their unique lightsaber and droid. They can even engage in fun Star Wars-related activities, such as playing sabacc or hosting a lightsaber training session to keep the memories of their adventure alive.
Batuu
Batuu is a captivating destination world that was introduced in The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu game pack. It is on a different planet like Sixam, but Batuu is a desert planet with three suns and two moons, located in a distant galaxy. It's full of Star Wars-themed elements, being the only collaboration pack to date. Batuu consists of three neighborhoods: Black Spire Outpost, First Order District, and Resistance Encampment, each with a single lot for traveling purposes, and unfortunately, there are no editable lots unless cheats are used. Sims do not have a designated place to stay, but they can make use of tents while traveling, which is an interesting challenge on its own. They will need to interact with objects, other Sims, or rabbit holes to fulfill their needs while in Batuu. For example, to fill their hunger bar, Sims can check out Ronto Roasters, Docking Bay 7, Oga's Cantina, or some stalls.
One unique aspect of Batuu is that Sims can learn new recipes by consuming the foods and drinks that are unique to Batuu. The new recipes can be tried at home, so players can enjoy this feature even after leaving Batuu. It's also worth mentioning that the Batuu pack has limited integration with other game or expansion packs. Like other destination worlds, Batuu is not affected by any weather changes in the Seasons expansion pack. Furthermore, Sims who possess supernatural powers or abilities via their occult life state will be unable to use them while in Batuu.
Star Wars Aspirations
- Aspiration Tree Image via the Sims Community
The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu introduces the Star Wars Aspiration category. This category contains four new Aspirations, but only two are immediately available in CAS. The other two Aspirations are unlocked once players complete the first milestone of the "Hope VS Order" Aspiration, based on whether they choose to side with the Resistance or the First Order. This is a noteworthy addition as there are no other aspirations that require completing objectives from other aspirations to unlock them.
The only comparable aspiration is the secret Grilled Cheese aspiration, as it is hidden. When players choose an Aspiration from the Star Wars category, their Sims will receive a new trait called "Prepared Voyager". This trait enables them to fill some of their needs slightly when traveling. This is especially useful as Sims don't have a permanent home lot on Batuu and will need to rely on credits to fulfill their needs. With the Prepared Voyager trait, Sims can focus on exploring all that Batuu has to offer without worrying too much about their needs.
Galactic Privateer Aspiration
The Galactic Privateer aspiration is the most straightforward among the new additions as it doesn't require choosing between the Resistance and First Order. It can be completed concurrently with faction-related aspirations. It revolves around a scoundrel's way of life, which entails mischievous behavior such as cheating in games like Sabacc, swindling, and completing missions for the Scoundrel Faction to earn Galactic Credits and maxing out the reputation with this faction.
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The Sleight of Hand reward trait obtained from the Galactic Privateer aspiration allows Sims to pickpocket other Sims and cheat at Sabacc without getting caught, resulting in the potential to earn extra credits. While this aspiration is primarily useful within the world of Batuu, where Galactic credit is the main currency, those who spend a lot of time in this world will benefit from having a reliable source of credit.
Hope VS Order Aspiration
The Hope VS Order Aspiration is a necessary step that unlocks two other unique aspirations, and consists of only one step. Sims must explore all three neighborhoods, learn about the Resistance or First Order, and complete a mission for them. It's important to note that Sims can start either of the next two aspirations regardless of which faction they choose and can switch between them at any time. However, completing one of the aspirations may be difficult due to low reputation with the other faction.
Interestingly, this aspiration does not offer a reward trait, setting it apart from other aspirations. Instead, players are awarded credits and can begin working on the newly unlocked aspirations.
Paragon of Hope Aspiration
To complete the Paragon of Hope Aspiration, players must align themselves with the Resistance Faction and accomplish several objectives, including completing missions for the Resistance, recruiting at least 3 Sims to the faction, achieving the maximum rank with the Resistance, and participating in activities like exploring the Batuu caves and disrupting the First Order by infiltrating their neighborhood.
Upon completion of the Paragon of Hope Aspiration, players will receive the reward trait Heroic Presence. This trait allows Sims to easily increase their Charisma skill and also inspire nearby Sims, making it a useful trait outside Batuu as well.
Enforcer of Order Aspiration
To complete the Enforcer of Order Aspiration, players must align themselves with the First Order and accomplish several objectives, including completing missions for the First Order, recruiting at least 3 Sims to the faction, achieving the maximum rank with the First Order, and participating in activities like checking ID's and arresting Resistance members. In both of the aspirations, players must obtain a Droid as well.
After successfully completing the Enforcer of Order Aspiration, Sims will receive the reward trait Supreme Authority. This powerful trait grants Sims an advantage in fights, allowing them to display their dominance and intimidate other Sims to back down from confrontations. In addition, Sims with Supreme Authority are more resilient to anger, making them less likely to die from this emotion. With this trait, Sims will command respect and assert their authority wherever they go, including other worlds outside of Batuu.
Droids
- Image via SimsVIP.
The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu introduces Droids, robotic companions that players can use for missions, music, and socializing. Two types of Droids, R Units and BB Units, are available with customizable body and head parts. These Droids can accompany players in Batuu and other worlds. To acquire one, players need to visit the Droid Depot in the First Order District and buy it with Credits.
Droids are unique in that they can be upgraded and maintained to unlock new interactions and features beyond their default abilities. Players who have achieved Rank 3 in any of the Batuu factions can purchase Droid Personality chips that alter the Droid's voice and personality.
New CAS And Build/Buy Items
The Sims 4: Journey to Batuu expands the Create-a-Sim options with numerous new choices inspired by the Star Wars universe. In order to fit in on Batuu, players have a variety of outfits to choose from, which can also be worn in other worlds. The new items include clothing, hats, hairstyles, accessories, and face markings that add to the immersive experience of the planet. As players advance through the reputation system of any faction, they can unlock additional CAS items, including Stormtrooper masks and uniforms.
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This pack also offers an impressive array of over 140 buy-and-build mode items, featuring various objects, build items, styled rooms, and more. A majority of these objects are interactive, such as tents, lightsabers, droids, and the Sabacc table. This pack is an ideal choice for Star Wars enthusiasts looking to infuse their Sims' homes with a wide range of furniture and collectibles that pay homage to the franchise.
The Sims 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
