The Sims 4: 15 Base Game Challenges That Don't Require DLC (2024)

The Sims 4 is a life simulation and functions as a sandbox game, allowing you to tell your own stories with minimal guidance. While there are aspirations to achieve and careers to explore, there are no specific goals in the game, aside from the ones you set for yourself. However, what if you'd like some structure and rules to focus your gameplay? This is where challenges come in.

Over the years, Sims players have created a huge amount of challenges, covering a range of difficulties and requiring a range of DLC. For newcomers, in particular, this can feel overwhelming. If you've only got the base game it may also feel like challenges are out of the question. Today we debunk this myth to bring you a range of challenges for The Sims 4 that require nothing but the base game.

Updated August 13, 2024, By Helen Ashcroft: Base Game now has its very own challenges with the addition of Scenarios but these are still limited in scope compared to those thought up by The Sims community. We've expanded this list to find some new challenges to tackle, even if they need a little adjustment, and to ensure you have all the information you need to get started.

18 Base Game Sims In Bloom Legacy Challenge

Created By Tasha

• Base Game Sims In Bloom Challenge Rules

This challenge is a base game adaptation of the Sims In Bloom Legacy challenge. Each generation has two colours which you can use to decorate the Sims and their environment and a different set of skills, aspirations and challenges to complete.

This is an 11 generation challenge, so there is some length, but it's not as daunting as others. It's a nice gentle way to explore a lot the base game has to offer through multiple generations of Sims. Just extend the lifespan if you want to take it easy.

17 Seven Deadly Sins Challenge

Created By Sim Michele

• Seven Deadly Sims Challenge Rules

In this seven generation challenge your Sims will embody each of the different deadly sins, one per generation. The challenge outlines different ways to embody each sin for the duration of that generation.\

Adaptation is encouraged but the majority of suggestions are base game compatible as it is, especially since many involve basic traits and behaviours every can enjoy... assuming they have a sinful nature.

16 Back To Base-Ics Challenge

Created By CassioPanda

• Back To Base-Ics Challenge Rules

This is a simple ten generation legacy built to use everything the base game has to offer. Each generation's goal is achieveable just with the base game, meaning DLC is completely unnecessary.

If you want a simple introduction to legacies which is built to be played on base game by default then this is the challenge for you.

15 The Hired Help Challenge

Created By MissCheevus

• Hired Help AKA Jack Of All Trades Challenge Rules

The Hired Help Challenge sees you helping out different households with different tasks over a 30-day in-game period. The tasks and households change every three to four days, but all can be done just with the base game.

At the end of the 30 days, you'll gain points for any skills you acquired and the tasks you completed. It's a great way to build a good range of skills for your Sim in a unique way.

14 Devoted Grandmother Challenge

Created By Venay

• Devoted Grandmother Challenge Rules

If you want to make elders the center of your story, then the devoted grandmother challenge is a great choice. It involves you playing mainly as an elder who steps into the role of caregiver for your grandchildren.

The challenge has rules based on time spent with the grandchildren, your relationship with their parents, and the time you can control them. You must raise them to be independent adults while sticking to the challenge's limitations.

13 Bad Blood Challenge

Created By Arin

• Bad Blood Challenge Rules

The Bad Blood Challenge is based on Taylor Swift's song of the same name. It requires you to create a character, befriend them, and then turn them into an enemy. You'll also need to assemble a squad to help you take them down.

This unique idea is a little fun and a great way to mix art with The Sims 4. You can use regular Sims or try to mimic the video's characters. Either way, it's a fun and short challenge that tells a story.

12 Mooch Off Your Neighbor

Created By Terrylin

• Mooch Off Your Neighbor Challenge Rules

In the mooch off your neighbor challenge you need to acquire enough money to fulfill the mansion baron aspiration by using and abusing the kindness of strangers. Flit from house to house befriending the neighbors so you can sleep on their sofa and eat their food.

There are some limits around how you earn simoleons, but the basic idea is to use other people's hospitality to sustain yourself while you learn and use skills to build up your personal wealth.

11 The Serial Killer Challenge

Created By Liliths

• Serial Killer Challenge Rules

If you want to turn to the dark side in your game, then the serial killer challenge may be what you're looking for. This simple but effective challenge is short but satisfying for those who want to explore the many deaths in the game.

The basic idea is to lure Sims into your house and kill them. There is a scoring system and some additional twists, but you could also add your own, such as never killing Sims the same way more than once.

10 Astronaut Legend Challenge

Created By Amazingamphy

• Astronaut Legend Challenge Rules

The Astronaut Legend Challenge is about an aspiring astronaut trying to prove themselves. There are three different difficulty levels, all with slightly different goals and rules, but the premise is the same.

You'll need to build up your rocket science skill, climb the career ladder as an astronaut and build yourself a great home to come back to. It's a nicely structured way to explore this base game career.

9 100 Baby Challenge

Created by Snarky Witch

• 100 Baby Challenge Rules

This is a classic challenge which requires you to create a young adult Sim who will found your huge family. You then need to start the process of having 100 babies. After your founding Sim ages up to an elder their youngest daughter takes over and the cycle continues.

There are various rules about who you can have children with and when you can age them up and move them out. The challenge includes a few extra clarifications for specific packs, but the core rules are very base game friendly.

8 100 Heartbreak Challenge

Created By PC_Geek115

• 100 Heartbreak Challenge Rules

If the thought of 100 babies makes you want to run away screaming, then breaking 100 hearts may be more appropriate for you. The rules for the 100 heartbreak challenge are as simple as they sound. Break 100 other Sim's hearts.

There are a few simple rules about marriage, traits, and traveling but the concept is easy, evil, and utterly possible with only the base game.

7 Asylum Challenge

Created By Rinnyroo

• Asylum Challenge Rules

Some people have objected to the concept of this challenge, but it can be reworked since it doesn't have to be an 'asylum'. The basic premise is that eight sims are living together in a place that hasn't got enough furniture to meet their needs. You can only control one Sim, and they need to complete their lifetime aspiration in order to move out.

Autonomous Sims always create chaos and the rules of this challenge by Rinnyroo use the sparse essentials and the erratic trait, previously known as the insane trait, to increase it, hence the name. The concept is still great fun and can be easily done using just the base game.

6 Bachelor/Bachelorette Challenge

Created By Urban Sims

• Bachelor/Bachelorette Challenge Rules

Urban Sims has put together a challenge based on the TV show that sees singles compete for a bachelor/bachelorette's affection. You'll have an eight sim household to begin with, then sims will be eliminated every three days.

The rules are quite flexible, but there are different things you can do each day if you wish. All activities are easily adjustable for base game players.

5 Black Widow Challenge

Created By Simalot

• Black Widow Challenge Rules

For those who want a shorter challenge with an added edge of evil, the Black Widow challenge is here to fulfill your needs. It requires you to find, marry, and kill ten different partners across your lifespan.

There are a couple of extra rules and even a points system if you want to get truly competitive. Nothing in this challenge requires anything but the base game so make sure you check out the details.

4 Rags To Riches

Created By SimishGamer

• Rags To Riches Rules

Many players know the rags to riches challenge from James Turner, who has frequently used the theme as a focus for his YouTube videos. However, he tends to make up the rules as he goes along and tailor them for new packs.

For those who want a structured version, SimishGamer has created one. There are goals to hit, conditions to meet, and even some enhanced rules to add more complexity. All challenges and goals can be met just with the base game.

3 Runaway Teen Challenge

Created By Stomydayz

• Runaway Teen Challenge Rules

The aim of this challenge is to live off what you can scavenge as you make a new life for yourself after being left alone. It's a great challenge to hang a backstory off as you think about why your teen ended up in this situation.

You need to scavenge and sell, scraping together enough money to buy everything you need. If you want an extra challenge the Big Sister challenge by poballa is very similar, except you have a younger sibling to care for as well.

2 Three Little Sims

Created By Cefthy

• Three Little Sims Rules

The three little sims challenge requires you to have a setup of three homes on one lot. After the first day of setup, you'll then control each one in rotation, swapping every night.

Sims can have jobs and the idea is just to see how well they can all do when only controlled for a third of their lives. There are goals you can aim for but this is more about the fun of seeing what happens than anything else.

1 Truman Show Challenge

Created By Hurley Gamer

• Truman Show Challenge Rules

This challenge is based on The Truman Show movie starring Jim Carrey. You basically create Truman and then influence his life using only the sims around him. He has to meet some of the milestones we see in the movie and fulfill his dream of "going to Fiji" as well as earning a set amount of money.

The challenge is harder than it first appears as you need to make sure that relationships thrive while only being in control of one party. None of the goals require extra DLC packs.