The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu game pack is a bit of an outlier for the series.

While this isn't the first time that The Sims has changed up its gameplay or, indeed, featured a cross-over with another franchise (remember when The Sims 3: Supernatural met Plants vs Zombies?), going from a quiet suburban life in Willow Creek straight into the galactic melting pot of Batuu can potentially be a bit of a culture shock for Sims and players alike.

Whether you're a Star Wars super-fan or it's your first foray into a galaxy far, far away (or, like your humble author, consider yourself somewhere in the middle of the two extremes), this The Sims 4 Journey to Batuu guide will help you to navigate your Sims' first interaction with this galaxy far, far away.

We also have a page dedicated to Batuu's three factions - the First Order, Resistance, and Scoundrels - and their starting missions, as well as lightsabers in The Sims 4.

The Sims 4 Journey to Batuu starting guide: How to travel Batuu and what to do first

The way to get your Sims from home to the new world of Batuu is surprisingly prosaic: use a phone or computer to take a vacation, and select Batuu from the menu of available destinations.

This will be familiar to players who have the Outdoor Retreat and/or Jungle Adventures game packs, as it's the same method used to travel to Granite Falls and Selvadorada.

Of course, even if you don't want to use your phone or computer, you'll receive a notification or phone call from a Batuu Sim asking whether you'd like to visit the location anyway. This usually happens when you start a new Sim Household though, so give it a few days at most if you're waiting for that all important phone call.

Batuu is treated by the game as a vacation world like the former two, though there are a few differences.

Your Sims will still automatically use up any paid vacation days from work while staying on Batuu, but other earthly considerations (such as holidays if you have Seasons installed) will prove too distant a concern and pass without notice.

However, those Simoleons you just earned are no good here: Batuu's economy operates on a separate currency called Credits. You'll arrive with a few Credits in your pocket, and can earn more from gambling at the Sabacc table or completing faction missions.

(Don't worry: your hard-earned Simoleons - along with your Bits and Pieces if you have Eco Lifestyle installed, plus any and all contents of your Sim's personal inventory - will be restored to you on your arrival back at home.)

There is no need for your Sims to book accommodation, as they will be staying (for free, thanks to Batuu's legendary hospitality) in the Dwelling at Black Spire Outpost.

Since your first mission requires you to get to know this part of Batuu, it's best to start your Sims' vacation there when prompted to choose a neighbourhood to visit.

The Dwelling works in a similar way to a campsite tent in the previous vacation-themed game packs: rather than behaving like a building, it's an object which Sims can interact with to change clothes, sleep (and WooHoo if their romantic partner is present), and 'freshen up' (meaning, in this case, restore their bladder and hygiene needs, as well as giving other needs a small boost).

The Dwelling is the only place on Batuu where Sims can recover bladder and hygiene, as well as one of the few places to get a proper night's sleep, so returning there at least once or twice per in-game day is a good idea.

While on Batuu, you can find your missions under your Sim's Career panel, while their reputation with each of the three factions is tracked under their Simology panel.

Our The Sims 4 cheats can help you fast travel your way to all sorts of bonuses in the game. Meanwhile, if you have expansions, we can help with becoming a werewolf, Fabrication in Eco Living, Tiny Living, how to become a Mermaid, how to become a Spellcaster, High School and attending prom and University Degrees and Distinguished Degrees. In June 2020, we also saw the free addition of ladders in The Sims 4.

Upon arriving on Batuu for the first time, every Sim will automatically receive the two-part 'Welcome to Batuu' mission. To fulfil it, visit the Dwelling to freshen up and change clothes (the Dwelling is stocked with the new Star Wars-themed clothing items to help your Sims fit in); then head over to Docking Bay 7 to order some food.

The Black Spire Outpost's circular design can be difficult to navigate, but to help you orient yourself, the Dwelling and Docking Bay 7 both have glowing blue outlines until you interact with them for the first time.

After getting your Sim refreshed, clothed, and fed, it's time to get to know the locals - and, crucially, their factions.

There are plenty of Batuu residents wandering around, so say hello to any three and ask them about the First Order, Resistance, and Scoundrels to gain some insights, and in doing so, complete the second and final stage of the 'Welcome to Batuu' mission.