The original Sims game broke new ground in many ways, laying the foundation for a legendary series. However, returning to these earlier titles can feel a bit limiting, especially when compared to the more recent editions like Legacy.
In the first game, players could create occult Sims, but they were not as fully developed as the variety we see in later iterations. Nevertheless, it’s possible to encounter ghosts and zombies if you know the right methods!
All Occult States in the Original Sims
How to Create Ghosts and Zombies
Although it may sound grim, the only way to turn a Sim into a ghost in the original game is for them to die. When a Sim passes away and their tombstone or urn remains on the lot, there’s a chance they will return at night, typically appearing between midnight and dawn. Ghosts enjoy frightening living Sims and stirring up trouble, but at least they stick around.
If the Grim Reaper arrives to take a Sim, there’s a small chance that they can plead with Grim to save the dying Sim. During this interaction, Grim might challenge them to a game of rock, paper, scissors. You don’t have control over your Sim’s choice, nor can you ensure Grim will accept the challenge, but if he does, the outcome could go one of two ways:
- If you win, the Sim you pleaded for remains alive.
- If Grim wins, the Sim you’re saving transforms into a zombie.
Zombies can be played in the game, but note that they lose all their personality after resurrection. Their valuable skills stay intact, but any personality traits are erased, leaving them devoid of character. If you find the zombie experience lacking, you can visit Miss Lucille, the palm reader located in Old Town, who can assist you.
For a fee of §200, she can bring the zombie back to life, but their personality points are permanently lost, meaning they will return without any traits.
Magical Sims skilled in charms can use the Shed Your Skin charm. If cast at night, it turns a Sim into a ghost. However, if done during the day, or if the Sim is already a ghost, the lot could become infested with snakes, as a ghost can’t die twice in this game.
Other Occult Sims Are Quite Limited
While you may encounter various supernatural Sims in the original game, especially with the whimsical additions from Makin’ Magic, you can’t create any occult Sims besides ghosts and zombies. The Makin’ Magic expansion introduced many magical features, but true occult life states like witches didn’t arrive until The Sims 2.
This allows any Sim, even children, to hone their magical skills without worrying about becoming non-human. However, for other iconic life states like vampires, werewolves, aliens, and more, they may appear in the game but cannot be created by players.
With the help of the Beauty or Beast magical charm (or a junior version crafted by a young magic user), Sims can adopt “beastly” appearances for a limited time, displaying occult traits for a few in-game hours without altering their actual status or objectives. Additionally, the Concoctinator Chemistry Set can temporarily turn Sims into monsters, though players cannot control them in this form. They will revert to their usual selves after a few hours.
