Theres A Hidden Baldurs Gate 3 Reference In The Sims 4 Life & Death DLC

2 hours ago 2

Reddit user rachel-angelina noticed an interesting bit of flavor text on one of The Sims 4's new grave markers - namely, the Sun & Stars Headstone - that appears to reference an iconic speech delivered by Astarion in certain playthroughs of Baldur'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 the BG3 and Sims communities. Others, however, pointed out its unique nature, as perhaps the Baldur's Gate 3 original was actually referencing another piece of media. Still others took the opportunity to discuss similar Sims 4 Easter eggs that reference other pillars of pop culture.

New Sims 4 Furniture Piece References Astarion’s Iconic Speech

...Or Does It?

The monologue this Sims 4 headstone appears to reference comes from a quest in late Act One of Baldur's Gate 3, in which the player's party can attempt to find a legendary mace called The 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.

The Blood of Lathander In Baldur’s Gate 3 with Shadowheart

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 can 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 and the full, concentrated power of the sun."

In no small part thanks to voice actor Neil Newbon's pitch-perfect delivery of this line, which wavers between grim sarcasm and unbridled rage, this has become a fan-favorite scene, and an iconic part of Baldur's Gate 3. However, as some commenters like siloath pointed out, this line doesn't originate in BG3 - it actually comes from the 2010 animated film Megamind.

Even so, its appearance in The Sims 4 is decidedly a Baldur's Gate reference, 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 in the later chapters of his storyline.

It's Far From The First Sims 4 Easter Egg

The Sims Takes Every Opportunity To Make Reference

A Sim staring at a computer, with a lightbulb in a speech bubble.

As surprising as this sudden appearance may be, it's certainly not the first time The Sims 4 (or the franchise in general) has made reference to a popular video game. From games like Sims Forever appearing on in-game computers to T-shirts with logos based on the Dead Kennedys and Descendents, the world of The Sims has always been peppered with little nods to familiar things from our own.

That frequently includes references to other popular video games, which often appear in flavor text or item names. Two prominent examples appeared in the Werewolves pack, as pointed out by GrimGuruNova on X (formerly Twitter), referencing the Rak'tika Greatwood and Seventh Umbral Calamity from Final 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 both Baldur's Gate 3 and The Sims 4 to look out for.