Since The Sims 4 launched in 2014, it’s given players a constant stream of bonus content to purchase, so that they can expand and enhance the gaming experience. Even from the earliest days of the 20-year series, these packs have become an annual expectation for fans. In The Sims 4, we’ve seen some of the most ambitious packs yet: from expansion packs that develop every aspect of the game, to the smaller Stuff Packs that create new experiences. Here’s a list of the best Expansion, Game, and Stuff Packs released so far in The Sims 4, to revitalize your gameplay and change your (simulated) life.
You May Also Like:
- I Tried to Start a Postal Service in Ark: Survival Evolved
- Friendly Traders Fight Seedy Scammers in the Animal Crossing Turnip Community
- The Metal Gear Solid Novelization is a Modern Classic
1. City Living
City Living was the third expansion pack to arrive. It introduced so many new details that make the accompanying world of San Myshuno a far cry from the quaint little towns we’ve always known in The Sims. The defining feature? There’s just so much to do! It’s a vibrant world of culture festivals, karaoke nights, and social media that’s never dull. The variety of events that come to the city never get boring, and the unique interactions from protests and street food keep The Sims 4 fresh and exciting. The real highlight, however, is the introduction of apartments in this pack. Each comes with specific lot traits: noisy neighbors that keep you up at night, haunted historical buildings ,and the ones that just need a bit of fixing up. Each adds a special element of realism to your Sims 4 game.
2. Seasons
While the Seasons pack doesn’t add a new world to the base game, the way it integrates into all the existing locations is groundbreaking, enhancing every aspect of your time with the game. Ever-changing weather and holiday celebrations break up monotony and offer pleasant surprises at every turn. But don’t forget to personalize your calendar; players can create custom holidays and choose exactly how to celebrate them. The gardening skill is one of the more well-expanded features in this pack, too. Seasons lets you cultivate perennial plants, try your hand at beekeeping, and make a living as a botanist. One fan favorite aspect of Seasons is the new Scouts after school activity — appearing as a child’s “career” that gives the younger Sims so much more to do than just attend school, do their homework, and repeat. The Sims 4: Seasons is a pack which fits seamlessly into the game while offering totally new experiences for players.
3. Discover University
Before Discover University launched in 2019, the Young Adult and Adult life stages were very much the same. This limited new options for how you could play with Sims later in their life. Discover University, however, revolutionizes post-adolescence and turns young adulthood into a much more exciting student life.
The expansion’s world of Britechester is one of the most aesthetically detailed in the whole franchise, combining the modern style of the Foxbury Institute and the more traditional, British-style University of Britechester. The selection of potential majors also creates almost endless playability options for all of your Sims. Then there are still additional features which integrate into other stages of life. Finding non-playable roommates, for example, has added excitement without having to manage the lives of multiple Sims. Meanwhile, brand-new careers give you more choices to get involved with. This expansion is enormous and essential.
4. Cats & Dogs
The Cats and Dogs expansion pack is a real fan favorite in The Sims community. This pack lets you add simulated animal friends to your game — both through Create-A-Sim and adoption. After which you can explore the New England-style world of Brindleton Bay. The animations are adorable; no matter what strange crossbreeds you come up with, the results are painfully cute. That brings us to the fantastic customization features in Create A Pet. You can modify every little detail, so if you’ve ever wanted an Akita-Corgi mix or a bright pink cat, now’s the time to live out your dream. Although there are no small animals available in The Sims 4, you can choose Raccoons and Foxes in the special breeds, if you want to mix it up a bit.
5. Vampires
Okay. If you like your simulated life realistic, the Vampires Game Pack might not be your first thought when it comes to expanding your Sims collection. But don’t rule it out too quickly! Especially for a Game Pack, it has a variety of new mechanics that create a whole new Sims 4 experience. Even if the supernatural isn’t really your thing, Vampires is worth it if only for the stunning Build/Buy Mode content. Inspired by dark Victorian styles, there are over 140 new objects to make some really spooky creations. But even if you still aren’t feeling the full Gothic fantasy, you can just tone down the swatches. That will leave you with some really beautiful builds.
6. Parenthood
Here’s another Game Pack in the form of Parenthood. This has proven itself to be a worthy addition to any Sims collection since its release in 2017. The pack makes your Sims’ childhood and their roles as parents more significant than we had previously seen in the base game. The introduction of the Parenting Skill really enhances family life, allowing you to influence your Sims’ children in a meaningful way. Children can complete school projects to improve their grades and go through phases as they grow up, making your game more realistic and family life more engaging. The Sims 4: Parenthood is the perfect pack for anyone who loves true-to-life, domestic gameplay.
7. Tiny Living Stuff
Admit it: you love watching those tiny homes TV shows. You know, the ones where people turn the smallest space into a beautiful home? You know it, I know it, and The Sims 4 team definitely knows it. Just look at the success of its latest Stuff Pack, Tiny Living Stuff. It comes with a whole range of space-saving Build/Buy objects and cozy Create-A-Sim items, as well as some brand-new challenges to better your Sims’ lives.
What’s most impressive about this pack is the creativity it incited in the Sims community. The smaller the house you build, the more skill-building and mood-based benefits your Sim gets. Now these challenges have taken over YouTube as players compete to build the tiniest, most beautiful homes possible. Tiny Living isn’t something we’ve seen before in The Sims, but it has quickly become a classic that you don’t want to miss out on. And this Stuff Pack will help you join in the fun.
