“The Sims 4” is a great, thrilling, and exciting game in itself. But, some “The Sims” gamers want to experience new things in it, so they buy expansion packs.
Generally speaking, an expansion pack is an addition to an existing video game. In “The Sims,” expansion packs can enhance your simulation gaming experience and bring your Sims to new adventures. They can embark on an island life, take care of a horse ranch, play in the snow, and much more.
So far, there are 14 different expansion packs in “The Sims 4.” All of them are wonderful, but there are just others that outrank the rest. “The Sims 4” expansion packs can also be a little expensive, so if you just need guidance on which are the best of the best, this article will provide you with the information. Let’s begin.
Best ‘The Sims 4’ Expansion Packs
1. The Best Of The Best: ‘Island Living’
Released in June 2019 for PC and Mac, and in July for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the “Island Living” expansion pack is what you need for that ultimate beach getaway.
This expansion pack allows your Sims to explore the tropical archipelago called Sulani, dotted with crystal-clear waters, beaches, coral reefs, and even volcanic activity.
Your Sims can partake in various relaxing beach activities, or explore the ocean by either canoeing or snorkeling. Things here can also get a little fictitious as your Sims can even meet mermaids, as seen in “The Sims 3: Island Paradise.”
Aside from mermaids, your Sims can also befriend dolphins, and meet with the locals, who hold various traditions like the fire festival, and learn about their folklore tales.
In terms of careers, there’s a new Conversationist career in “Island Living,” introduced alongside the Lifeguard, Fisherman, and Diver jobs.
The spiritual successor to “The Sims 3: Island Paradise,” “Island Living” takes some elements from “The Sims: Vacation,” “The Sims: Castaway Stories,” and “The Sims 2: Bon Voyage.”
2. The Rest Of The Best: Eco Lifestyle
Are you somebody who hates plastic and too much carbon footprint because they harm the environment? Then, the “Eco Lifestyle” expansion pack is for you.
“Eco Lifestyle” centers on championing the eco footprint, which affects your Sims’ worlds and their residents. Here, you get help from neighborhood action plans. Other features of this expansion pack include eco-friendly living returns, renewable energy, sustainable living, crafting, and community projects. And did we mention you can also explore the new coastal world of Evergreen Harbor? Here, everything centers on an eco lifestyle.
3. ‘Cottage Living’
On the other hand, if living the country life is something that’s on your bucket list, then “The Sims 4: Cottage Living” is for you.
“Cottage Living” incorporates some elements from “The Sims: Unleashed,” “The Sims 2: Seasons,” and “The Sims 3: Pets,” as well as farming sets from “The Sims 3” Store.
This expansion pack is all about your Sims living the country life. Aside from tending various animals like chickens, cows, llamas, rabbits, wild birds, and foxes, you can also discover the England rural world-inspired place called Henford-on-Bagley.
4. ‘Seasons’
Who doesn’t want to enjoy the activities that each season gives? Of course, for your Sims, too.
Released in June 2018, this expansion pack is a spiritual successor to the expansion packs of the same name from “The Sims 2” and “The Sims 3.” It is just so classic and grand it has to be recreated over and over again.
As the title says, this expansion pack reintroduces weather and seasons alongside new features not found in the previous expansion packs of this kind, such as holidays, temperatures, Gardener as a career, and Flower Arranging as a skill.
5. ‘Growing Together’
Ranking at number five on the best “The Sims 4” expansion packs is “Growing Together.” Quite surprised? Well, it’s not all about the name, really, but all about the experience gamers can get from these expansion packs.
Released just last March on all platforms, “Growing Together” is a spiritual successor to “The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff” and “The Sims 3: Generations.”
While a “The Sims 4” gameplay has the growing up staff and whatnot, this expansion pack focuses on family, childhood, and intergenerational activities. Your Sims can also explore a new urban world called San Sequoia, which takes inspiration from the touristy San Francisco Bay Area.
6. ‘Discover University’
School elements are found in “The Sims 4” without an expansion pack, but you will be able to enjoy the gifts of academics even more when you have the “Discover University” expansion pack.
Released in November 2019 on PC and the following month on consoles, “Discover University” re-introduces and amplifies the college experience in “The Sims 4,” not to mention the return of the Servo life state.
There’s a new world to find yourself — or your Sims — into, and this is at Britechester, home to two rival campuses (just like the university wars in the real world), the University of Britechester and Foxbury Institute.
Aside from those, there are also additional features like roommates, education, law, and Engineering careers, as well as toilet stalls and bicycles.
“Discover University” is also historic as it is the first university-themed pack that lets your Sims attend university off-campus and allows non-students to visit and live on the campus.
7. ‘City Living’
If you are irked about cottage and countryside living and want to focus your energies within the city, then the “City Living” expansion pack for “The Sims 4” is for you.
Are you guessing it has posh penthouses? You are guessing it right! “City Living” introduces apartments and penthouses, stereotypical elements in cities, alongside city festivals in the new city world of San Myshuno.
This expansion pack is a spiritual successor to “The Sims 2: Apartment Life” and “The Sims 3: Late Night.” It also takes some elements from “The Sims 2: Nightlife,” “The Sims 3: World Adventures,” “The Sims 3: Showtime,” and “The Sims 3: Seasons.”
Bubbling Up
Bubbling up on this list of the best expansion packs for “The Sims 4” – not the best, unlike the items above, but for sure, still good finds – are “Horse Ranch,” “Cats & Dogs,” “Snowy Escape,” “Get Together,” “Get Famous,” “High School Years,” and “Get To Work.”
