Players have discovered thatThe Sims 4’s latest DLC,Life and Death, contains a hiddenBaldur’s Gate 3reference. The latest DLC has a supernatural slant, witha romanceable Grim Reaperand lots of new features: custom bucket lists, complicated bereavement rituals, and even the ability to become a ghost or a necromancer. With such a fantastical angle, it serves to reason thatLife and Deathwould reference one of the greatest works of fantasy in recent memory:last year’s hit RPGBaldur’s Gate 3.
Reddit userrachel-angelinanoticedan interesting bit of flavor text on one ofThe Sims 4’s new grave markers - namely, the Sun & Stars Headstone - that appears to reference an iconic speech delivered by Astarionin certain playthroughs ofBaldur’s Gate 3. Seen below, the flavor text references the “full, concentrated power of the sun,” and even refers to the reader as “darling,” the elf vampire’s preferred term of endearment.
Many players were quick to celebrate this inclusion, as there appears to be a sizeable overlap between theBG3andSimscommunities. Others, however, pointed out its unique nature, as perhaps theBaldur’s Gate 3original was actually referencing another piece of media. Still others took the opportunity to discusssimilarSims 4Easter eggsthat reference other pillars of pop culture.
New Sims 4 Furniture Piece References Astarion’s Iconic Speech
…Or Does It?
The monologue thisSims 4headstone appears to reference comes from a quest in late Act One ofBaldur’s Gate 3, in which the player’s party can attempt to find a legendary mace calledThe Blood of Lathander. When they do find it, it’s attached to an unfamiliar mechanism that must be deactivated before they can take it home. If the player does try to take it early, it fires a powerful laser of pure sunlight, and if Astarion is in the party at the time, he’ll be caught in the blast.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Where To Find The Blood Of Lathander
The Blood of Lathander is a legendary weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 that you’re able to find by exploring a Monastery for ceremonial artifacts during a quest.
Astarion must be resurrected, at which point he’ll begin a dialogue with the player character, asking them what they were thinking when they activated the device. If they point out his newfound ability to resist some sunlight, granted to the vampire spawn by his Illithid parasite, he’ll retort with, “Well, apparently there’s a limit. Somewhere between a nice summer’s day andthe full, concentrated power of the sun.”
In no small part thanks tovoice actor Neil Newbon’spitch-perfect delivery of this line, which wavers between grim sarcasm and unbridled rage, this has become a fan-favorite scene, and an iconic part ofBaldur’s Gate 3. However, as some commenters likesiloathpointed out,this line doesn’t originate inBG3- it actually comes from the 2010 animated filmMegamind.
Even so, its appearance inThe Sims 4is decidedly aBaldur’s Gatereference, as the use of the word “darling,” and the description of the grave’s owner as “a cheeky little Sim who faced the trials of life’s shadowy depths, all the while craving the sun,” could only refer to Astarion. Moreover,the model actually resembles Astarion’s in-game grave, which can be visited inthe later chapters of his storyline.
It’s Far From The First Sims 4 Easter Egg
The Sims Takes Every Opportunity To Make Reference
As surprising as this sudden appearance may be,it’s certainly not the first timeThe Sims 4(or the franchise in general) has made reference to a popular video game. From games likeSims Foreverappearing on in-game computers to T-shirts with logos based on the Dead Kennedys and Descendents, the world ofThe Simshas always been peppered with little nods to familiar things from our own.
That frequently includesreferences to other popular video games, which often appear in flavor textor item names. Two prominent examples appeared in theWerewolvespack, as pointed out by GrimGuruNova on X (formerly Twitter), referencing the Rak’tika Greatwood and Seventh Umbral Calamity fromFinal Fantasy XIV.
So, while a nod to Astarion may be a pleasant surprise, it’s really not all that different from past Easter eggs. Still, it’s a fun little reference for fans of bothBaldur’s Gate 3andThe Sims 4to look out for.
