The Sims 4 has now been out for ten years and has gathered up quite a few expansions and add-ons in that time (buying everything will set you back over $1,000 at this point). If you’ve been a fan of the franchise there’s sort of been something for everyone including updated versions of expansions from previous editions and even completely new features. When I play the game, I love raising generations of Sims across multiple households and supernaturals so I obviously love things that enhance those features. While I admit to being someone who buys almost everything (I might get behind here or there), I certainly have my favorites. Here’s a look at some the expansion and game packs I consider must have.
Cats & Dogs
I love the cute animals in the game and all the little details into going into them. I really loved how the Sims 4 pet related edition included so many breeds as well as a lot of tools to try to recreate that beloved mixed breed dog in your life. I especially love that you can end up adopting a raccoon or fox and one of my favorite in-game giggles is watching a cat ride on the family robot vacuum. It was easily one of my favorite expansions from Sims 3, so I was extra excited to see it return. One of my kids made made me name a Sim dog after him and now I have to keep feeding him vet treats to keep him forever young so generations of the family can keep loving on him. I’m also a big fan of visiting the lighthouse in Brindleton Bay and meeting the ghost pets you can adopt for a little extra fun.
Discover University
Since I play multiple households, I like to wait until the teens in each of them ages up so that they can all go to University together and then I move them into one household and play them for a solid year. I love the degree boosts to jobs at the end when you get your degree, I love taking trickier-to-level skills as electives, and I really love all of the fun little details between the different campuses. I’ve even had Sims get recruited into the secret society. It’s always a fun point in the game when I get all of my grown kids together to hang out during their university time. The only thing I miss is the comic book store from the Sims 3 version, but I hope we see that come back in some form in another pack.
Cottage Living
I was among the fans who really wanted something farm-based for the game, especially as a lot of my Sims garden and I love animals. I was super excited for this expansion and I love the English countryside setting it has, the additional plants, and of course, the additional animals. I’m pretty surprised something like this didn’t come up earlier in the franchise, but I’m really glad that it did become a thing. I think it pairs really well with Horse Ranch (for the horses) and Realm of Magic (now you can be a magic user who lives out in the countryside, and I have plans to have a werewolf Sim in the countryside). My families who love gardening, cooking, and crafting do really well in this setting.
High School Years
If you enjoy raising families, this is a great expansion, and I really have enjoyed the features where you can follow your teen Sims to school and join them for their classes, make new friends at lunch, etc. Actually getting to attend prom (and the carnival after-party) as well as graduation is extra fun. I also like the expanded clubs for teens and the little thrift shop which makes a super fun hangout. The in-game social media thing took me a bit to get the hang of, but I found it’s great for helping Sims level up their friendships.
Growing Together
This was the ultimate expansion for anyone who loves raising families, especially with the new infant stage. There’s so many cute little interactions with infants and it’s extra nice that unlocking their Milestones sets up faster skill building in the toddler stage. The crawling and scooting bits are just too adorable and I always get excited when a new milestone unlocks. There was a lot of expanded activities for families, relationship dynamics and the Community Center is one of those community lots that’s really growing on me. The new series of Aspirations for kids is really great too, and I’ve spent more time with families working towards those as well.
Get Together
My favorite part about this expansion is the clubs, which I love for Sims to stay social and build skills. I sometimes use it as a way for families split over households to get together more easily, and I always make clubs for kids and teens to help socialize, do homework faster, and build skills. There has certainly been some helpful mechanics added onto the game because of this pack.
Realm of Magic
One of my absolute favorites of all time. I love having spellcasters with their super handy spells and potions. I love casting copypasto on crafted objects to create more, and I love the skill boosts and emotional stability from certain potions. The Magic Realm is just a gorgeous setting and I spent so much time with the stuff in this game pack that it really felt more like an expansion to me. I loved all of the supernatural stuff in Sims 3, so this was one of the add-ons that was among my most anticipated. I’m still finding new ways to use the spells (like turning the paparazzi or stans into inanimate objects for a bit).
Strangerville
I had so much fun in this game pack with the X-Files/Stranger Things vibe with the whole monster adventure where you can become the hero of the town. I do like that there’s still things to do and a whole new neighborhood to explore even once you’re done with it. Having that narrative adventure was fun and I would enjoy seeing more of those storyline adventures hit the game again.
Parenthood
This one pairs very well with Growing Together. There’s lots of family- and kid-related stuff from build items to activities. The traits are sometimes really helpful in adulthood, so I like trying to earn two or three of them per Sim kid. Maxing out on the parenting skill is really helpful with taking care of the littles especially infants. If raising families is your thing, you get a lot more play options via this game pack.
Honorable Mention
Stuff packs that definitely complement my game play style include Toddler, Kids Room, Paranormal, and Crystal Creations.
Happy Simming!
