Let’s be real for a second. Before The Sims 4 Lovestruck dropped, romance in the game was basically a math problem. You’d spam "Ask about Day" and "Compliment Outfit" until the bar turned pink, click "Propose," and boom—soulmates for life. It was predictable. Honestly, it was a bit boring. But the July 2024 release changed the vibe by leaning into the absolute chaos of modern dating.
The expansion introduces Ciudad Enamorada, a world that feels like a love letter to Mexico City, and a suite of mechanics that finally make your Sims feel like actual human beings with baggage. No more perfect marriages by default. Now, your Sims can be serial daters, "Cupid’s Counselors," or just really bad at reading the room.
Cupid’s Corner and the Horror of Digital Dating
Remember the "matchmaking service" from The Sims 2? This isn't that. Cupid’s Corner is a full-blown dating app on the phone. You take a selfie, pick which "Age Preference" you're looking for, and start swiping. It’s funny because it’s relatable, and it’s frustrating for the exact same reasons.
Sometimes you find a Sim who looks great, but then you meet them at a park in Nuevo Corazón and realize they have the "High Maintenance" trait. Suddenly, the date is a disaster because they’re complaining about the sun being too bright while your Sim is trying to initiate a "Sultry Dance."
The app pulls in Sims from the Gallery too. This is huge. If you’ve enabled the setting, you’ll see creations from other players appearing in your feed. It keeps the dating pool from getting stale, though you do occasionally run into some... interesting... character designs.
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The Chemistry Problem: Why Attraction Isn't Random
The Sims Team finally brought back a version of "Turn-Ons" and "Turn-Offs," and it’s the backbone of The Sims 4 Lovestruck. It’s officially called Attraction Highlights.
You aren't just looking at traits anymore. Your Sim might be into "Creative" Sims who wear "Boho" clothing and "Red Hair." If they meet someone who fits that criteria, they get a "Strong Attraction" moodlet. If they meet someone who represents everything they hate—maybe a "Slob" who wears "Formal" attire—they’ll actually get a negative moodlet just by being near them. It makes the "Socialize" menu feel weighted. You have to actually think about which interactions will land.
Romantic Satisfaction vs. Romantic Dynamics
This is where the game gets actually complex. Satisfaction is a fluctuating bar. Just because you're married doesn't mean you're happy. If you ignore your spouse or stop doing romantic socials, that bar tanks.
And then there are the Dynamics. These are labels that describe the "vibe" of the relationship:
- Wholesome: Lots of sweet, successful socials.
- Steamy: High physical intimacy, lots of "WooHoo."
- Strained: Constant arguments and failed socials.
- Unpredictable: A mix of high highs and low lows.
It’s possible to have a couple that is deeply in love but has a "Strained" dynamic because they keep bickering over "Lifestyle" differences. It adds a layer of storytelling that wasn't there before. You can finally play out that "toxic but can't leave each other" trope without having to micromanage every single interaction yourself.
Breaking the Monogamy Mold
For the longest time, The Sims 4 treated any romantic interaction outside of a primary relationship as a betrayal. The Sims 4 Lovestruck (alongside the free base game update that accompanied it) introduced Relationship Boundaries.
You can now toggle whether a Sim gets jealous over "Non-Physical Romance," "Physical Romance," or "WooHoo." This allows for polyamorous playstyles without mods like MC Command Center or Lumpinou’s Relationship Wellness. It’s a massive shift in how the game handles ethics. You can have a Sim who is totally fine with their partner flirting with others but draws the line at kissing. Or a Sim who doesn't experience jealousy at all.
It makes the world feel more diverse and, frankly, more modern.
Is Ciudad Enamorada Actually Good?
The new world is divided into three neighborhoods: Vista Hermosa, Plaza Mariposa, and Nuevo Corazón. It’s pretty. The murals are vibrant, and the "Motel" lots add a certain... grit... that the game usually avoids.
But, like many recent packs, it feels a bit small. You can't actually enter many of the buildings. The "Lounge" and the "Gym" are fine, but the world relies heavily on "Shell" buildings that you can't interact with. The atmosphere is top-tier, though. Sitting by the wall of the "Wall of Love" at night feels genuinely different from the suburban vibes of Willow Creek or the city life of San Myshuno.
The Cupid’s Counselor Career
The new active career lets you become a therapist for other Sims' failing relationships. You start by doing research on "Romantic Trends" and eventually move up to giving "Relationship Consultations."
It’s a rabbit-hole/work-from-home hybrid. You don't necessarily go to an office like in Get to Work, but you do have tasks that involve interacting with the world. You might have to go to a park and "Observe Couples" or talk to a client about their "Romantic Satisfaction." It’s a great way to earn Simoleons while being a total busybody in everyone else's business.
Things That Still Frustrate Players
Look, it’s not perfect. The "Dating" system can be buggy. Sometimes the "Date Goals" don't track properly. You might be "Deeply Conversing" for three hours, and the game just won't check the box.
There's also the issue of the "Romantic Socials" menu becoming absolutely massive. Finding the specific interaction you want—like "Ask to be Romantic Partners"—can feel like scrolling through a CVS receipt. They’ve tried to categorize them into "Small Talk," "Physical Intimacy," and "Flirty," but it’s still a lot of clicking.
Actionable Tips for Better Gameplay
To get the most out of The Sims 4 Lovestruck, you need to stop playing it like a completionist.
First, don't fix every relationship. If your Sims roll a "Strained" dynamic, let it play out. See if they eventually break up on their own or if the "Romantic Satisfaction" hits rock bottom. The drama is the point of this pack.
Second, use the "Ask about Attractions" interaction early. It saves you a lot of time. If you find out a Sim is turned off by your Sim’s "Fitness" level or "Fashion Sense," you can either change your look or move on to the next person on Cupid’s Corner.
Third, check your "Relationship Boundaries" in Create-A-Sim. If you're wondering why your Sim isn't getting mad when their spouse cheats, it’s probably because the jealousy toggles are turned off. You can find these under the gender and orientation settings.
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Finally, try the "Blind Date" feature. Instead of picking a specific Sim on the app, you can go on a blind date. It’s the fastest way to trigger the new "First Date" awkwardness and see if the chemistry system actually works for your specific Sim.
The pack succeeds because it acknowledges that romance is messy. It’s not just about winning; it’s about the "Unpredictable" dynamics and the "High Maintenance" partners that make the story worth telling.
Next Steps for Your Gameplay:
- Open Create-A-Sim and specifically set your Sim's Attraction Highlights (Turn-ons/Turn-offs) before starting a new save.
- Head to the Cupid’s Corner app and go on a Blind Date in the Plaza Mariposa neighborhood to test your Sim's compatibility in a high-stakes environment.
- If your Sim is in a relationship, check the Relationship Panel to see their current Romantic Dynamic and decide if you want to lean into the harmony or trigger some drama to shift it to Strained or Unpredictable.