One of the most well-loved video games is The Sims. This game franchise has been around for several years now. From helping your Sims reach their career and personal goals, starting (and ending relationships) to building your dream house, or simply finding the joy in messing with your Sims’ lives, there’s so much you can do with each game. Electronic Arts created such a well-made simulation game that people keep returning with each new release. The most recent release (excluding The Sims Mobile) is The Sims 4.
The fourth game was initially met with some backlash when it was first released because of how different it was from The Sims 3. Still, the creators did hear the players out and improved their games over the years. As a result, the gaming experience improved, especially when they introduced different expansions, games, and stuff packs. If you’re a “Simmer” yourself or are considering playing this game, you’d want to invest in the best expansion packs that the creators offer. With that, here are six of the best Sims 4 expansion packs, in no particular order.
The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle
Released in 2020, this expansion pack significantly changes how you would typically play The Sims 4. It introduces the concept of “sustainable living” for your Sims.
This pack comes with a new world called Evergreen Harbor, with three neighborhoods. The world design is pretty impressive, though there aren’t many lots you can choose to play on. However, the fact that each neighborhood is characterized by its current still makes it an interesting world.
Now, what is an “Eco Footprint”? It’s a new feature that comes with the expansion pack. Whether green, neutral, or industrial, the Eco Footprint shows how polluted a neighborhood is. Your Sim’s actions and implemented Neighborhood Action Plans (also a new feature from the pack) will affect the Eco Footprint of a community.
Lastly, the expansion pack unlocks new traits, aspirations, work, objects, and skills for your Sims. Some of these have to do with fabrication. For example, your Sim can create new furniture using a Fabricator or use the Candle Making Station. Your Sim can also become a Crafter (under the Freelancer career) or a Civil Engineer.
It may not be a favorite of many, but the number of new things and interactions introduced through this pack earns it a spot on this list.
The Sims 4: Cats and Dogs
This expansion pack is the fourth one released for The Sims 4. It’s well-received by players, some branding it as an essential pack to enhance the game.
As the pack name suggests, its main feature is the introduction of cats and dogs as your Sim’s pets. Like in previous games, you can create a pet through the Create-a-Pet feature or adopt one in-game. Each pet can be assigned or comes with three traits, which dictate the cat’s or dog’s behavior. You’re not allowed to control the pets, but your Sim can do various interactions to take care of them.
Besides introducing the pets themselves and new objects, the expansion pack also comes with a new world called Brindleton Bay, a big seafront town. It has numerous lots for you to play in and bring your pet around, and the world is so beautifully made with its attention to detail and big space.
Finally, your Sims can own veterinary clinics if you have this expansion pack. They’re handled similarly to the other types of businesses your Sim can have if you have other expansion packs like Dine Out.
The Sims 4: Discover University
If you’ve enjoyed sending your Sims to University in The Sims 3, you will love this expansion pack. Discover University also comes with a new world called Britechester. This world is segmented into three areas: one neighborhood (which has one livable lot) and the two universities your Sim can choose from, the University of Britechester and Foxbury Institute.
The game is well-received by many because of its pretty accurate depiction of what college life is like. For one, your Sim can choose between the two universities, each offering different specialized degrees and courses. Your Sim can also apply for scholarships and student loans before enrolling for a semester. You can even get them to join clubs or after-school activities, like the soccer team.
While earning their degrees, your Sim has to study, work on papers and homework, and do academic-related tasks that would boost their academic performance and allow them to gain skills related to what they’re pursuing. These would then come in handy when they graduate and want to pursue a career related to their course.
Apart from these enhancements to the gameplay itself, the expansion pack also introduces new skills like research and debate and robotics. In addition, new careers, aspirations, styles, and objects are added to the base game.
The Sims 4: City Living
Another fan-favorite expansion pack is The Sims 4: City Living. If you’re familiar with The Sims 3: Late Night, you might notice similarities between this pack and that.
It comes with a new world called San Myshuno, comprising three neighborhoods with penthouses and apartments. Its design is based on modern cities and gets inspiration from various cultures around the world. Living in an apartment here is quite realistic regarding paying rent, issues with an apartment (like pests or easily broken plumbing), and others.
Another prominent feature that’s introduced in this expansion pack is the existence of festivals. There are five festivals that your Sim can go to, and each has different activities that your Sim can enjoy. For example, during the Spice Festival, your Sim can join a spicy food challenge or taste various dishes inspired by different cultures, like Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and others.
Finally, the expansion pack introduces new careers: politician, social media, and critic. The Sims are also given options to work from home or to head to work for these particular jobs.
The Sims 4: Island Living
Another expansion pack that centers extensively around the map it comes with is The Sims 4: Island Living. As the name suggests, the expansion pack comes with a new world called Sulani, a tropical island that’s very beautiful.
The world comes with activities you would expect to do when going to an island: swimming on the beach, building sandcastles, snorkeling, riding boats, etc. Living on the island also comes with participating in island activities and meeting very friendly neighbors that have your Sims’ backs.
Besides introducing a new career and other part-time jobs, Island Living allows you to meet and create mermaid Sims. They’re a lot like a normal Sim, except that they can transform into their mermaid form and have the hydration need instead of the hygiene need. In addition, this type of Sim can use siren songs that affect what other Sims around them do and can summon dolphins.
The Sims 4: Seasons
Lastly, The Sims 4: Seasons is undoubtedly one of, if not, the best expansion packs of the video game. It does not come with a new world, but it does enhance the gameplay so much that some might even consider it a necessity if you want to have the complete Sims 4 experience.
The main feature of this expansion pack is the seasons and weather incorporated into the gameplay. Like an average year, your Sim world goes through spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each of these then comes with its own weather conditions that affect your Sim’s life. For example, in the summer, your Sim might feel too hot if they stay outside and would need to change into a more comfortable outfit suitable for hot weather.
With that comes new activities and interactions that your Sim can also do. For example, in the winter, they can make snow angels and snow pals, while in the fall, they can rake leaves and play on them. If it rains, your Sim can play in the rain or leave them out to get soaked.
Just as people look forward to holidays during some seasons in the real world, the Sims do too. Your Sim can celebrate a holiday specific to a season, like Harvestfest, and you can even customize when other holidays take place.
Play and have fun
The Sims 4 can be fun on its own, but having these expansion packs can definitely make it more enjoyable. You might even find yourself playing more hours than you intended during some days.
If you’re done playing video games and are looking for other sources of fun, you can do some pranks on other people. It’s great to do a harmless prank call, but if you’re someone who wants to try out something thrilling for yourself, you might want to consider looking for scary numbers to call to give you that fright you’re looking for. Whichever you decide to do, the important thing is to have fun!
