Written by contributor Olivia H
The Sims is a franchise that needs no introduction. Ever since the first titular game released in 2000, it’s been wildly popular. Each instalment has gained more traction, and there have been several other games, such as The Sims Medieval and The Sims Freeplay.
For those unfamiliar, The Sims is a life simulation game that allows you to create a character and a life for them, and you essentially play god. You can make their lives as mundane or as messy as you desire, and really, you can do anything you want. The newest significant addition to the franchise is The Sims 4, released on PC and Mac in 2014, then on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2017. Whether you’ve played since The Sims 1, only dabbled in the Freeplay app, or discovered The Sims 4 through YouTube last week, there’s nothing stopping you; no need to play through the series to understand what’s happening. Each game stands alone, each full of infinite possibilities for any style of gameplay.
But wait, there’s more. Each main game in the franchise has additional content available for purchase, called packs. The focus today is on The Sims 4, which has three pack tiers, and each one adds something new — the larger the pack, the more content it brings to the table. There are stuff packs, game packs, and expansion packs — the first are $10 each, the second $20 each, and the last $40 each, in US dollars. Although there are frequent sales for all platforms, there are also over thirty packs to choose from, and the total definitely adds up. So if you want to purchase something to add to the base game — though it’s still fun and versatile on its own — without breaking the bank, consider this list of my top ten packs!
1. Cats & Dogs (Expansion Pack)
If you aren’t much of a pet person, this likely won’t appeal to you. If you are, though, you’re in for a treat. There are dozens upon dozens of breeds of both cats and dogs to choose from, even a couple of wildcard options such as a fox and a raccoon. Whether your Sim adopts a pet or you make one (or five) specifically for your household, these buddies are so much fun to play with. Each pet gets their own set of three traits, which determines whether they’re affectionate or distant, obedient or mischievous, smart or…not so much. You can dress cats and dogs alike with collars, hats, shirts, even dresses and costumes. You also have the opportunity to open a vet clinic, no experience needed from you or your Sim, and help distressed pet parents, whose babies have come down with silly illnesses like Winterfest fever.
2. Island Living (Expansion Pack)
Though many players complain that this pack isn’t as fleshed out as it could be, I fully believe that it’s great and has something for everyone to enjoy. If you like otherworldly gameplay, Island Living introduces mermaids to the game, and you can make them look as innocent or as vicious as you like. There’s a heavy focus on community, as demonstrated through the people of the new island world, Sulani. There are also new careers, such as divers, fishermen, and conservationists; the first two are rather self-explanatory, and the last allows your Sims to explore and preserve the environment, another focal part of this newer pack.
3. Realm of Magic (Game Pack)
To the Sim players that are still salty they never got their Hogwarts letter, this pack is for you. Although magic is the only similarity between Harry Potter and this Sims pack, and a faint one at that, it’s a good way to get peoples’ attention. Realm of Magic adds another type of occult Sim to the game: spellcasters. Whether you make them in the character creator to start off your game or your Sim stumbles through the Glimmerbrook portal and ends up with magical abilities before dinner, they’re so much fun to play with. There are three kinds of magic — practical, mischief, and untamed — and alchemy. You can focus on one or dabble in all four. You can choose from eleven different familiars, although as far as the community is aware, you can have as many as you want. Options include, but are not limited to, ravens, Sixam owls, dragons, phoenixes, and snub-nosed leaf bats.
4. Vampires (Game Pack)
If you don’t like being limited to mundane gameplay, I’ve got good news: there are two other types of occult Sims in addition to the two mentioned previously. Vampires are a media classic, yet this pack still manages to put a somewhat fresh spin on them. Sims can be created as or turned into vampires, and from there, you can simplify or dramatise their dark form and make them as merciful or merciless as desired when they’re thirsty. Befriend or antagonise other vampires as you learn more lore. Maybe you spar every fanged person in sight, or maybe you transform into a bat and keep to yourself. Then again, maybe you remain human and wait to see how vampires approach you. The Vatore siblings, Caleb and Lilith, are amiable (and easy to flirt with), whereas Vlad stays secluded in his rundown mansion, only coming out for blood. You could be a vampire’s best friend, beau, or blood source…who knows what will happen?
5. Seasons (Expansion Pack)
Arguably, this pack is one of the best, simply because it adds so much to gameplay. It gives your games the four seasons, hence the name, and daily weather unique to whatever world your Sims live in. Nearly everything is here, from the casual, day-to-day things like sunshine and rain, to the extremes like heat waves, thunderstorms, and blizzards. Splash in puddles in the spring, jump in leaf piles in the fall, build snow friends in the winter; sounds real, yes? Well, that’s not all. Your Sims can celebrate classic seasonal holidays like Love Day, Harvestfest, Winterfest, and New Year’s, as well as entertaining random ones, including, but not limited to, Prank Day and Talk Like a Pirate Day. This pack brings an enormous amount of new content to the table for Sims of all ages — which can’t always be said about packs — and some smaller details even change depending on your Sim’s age and traits. Although it was placed in the middle of the list due to personal preference, this is honestly one of the best packs EA has put out for The Sims 4, to date.
6. Parenthood (Game Pack)
Whether you’re attempting the one hundred baby challenge (yes, that’s a thing) or prefer more normal families, Parenthood adds much to the table for those who enjoy having Sims have children and general generational gameplay, though anyone could benefit from it. Toddlers and children can splash paint on the floor if left to their own autonomous devices; children and teens can work on school projects and even experience random phases, such as the desire to listen to loud music or don a bear costume. This pack also boasts a warm, homey, colourful aesthetic in clothing and decor.
7. Toddlers (Stuff Pack)
Toddlers were introduced to The Sims 4 in an early 2017 update, and many can agree that while they were fun, they felt like a half-baked element of the game. With Toddler Stuff comes more outfits, interactions, and activities for the young Sims. Admittedly, your kiddos can be either adorable sweethearts or insufferable brats; their trait and simple luck determines which side of them prevails. However, I find them enjoyable nonetheless, and this pack is absolutely worth its cost. You can even host toddler play dates, if that sort of frenzied gameplay is appealing to you.
8. Backyard (Stuff Pack)
If you want outdoor fun for your whole Sim family, Backyard Stuff is the way to go. This pack’s star feature is the lawn water slide, of which there are two — one with a simple oceanic pattern and another with a shark’s open mouth over the middle. Paired with colourful yard furniture and decorations, as well as brightly coloured crop tops and overalls, the aesthetic here is undeniably summer. Fun fact: your Sim can even get attacked by birds when they go to fill up their bird feeder.
9. Tiny Living (Stuff Pack)
For as many people there are that enjoy gameplay, there are plenty that love building. You’re able to build any number of private or public things in The Sims 4, from houses and parks to night clubs and gyms. Players might prefer building spacious family homes or smaller, more cosy ones. Those that favour the latter would likely be interested in the newest stuff pack, Tiny Living. This pack allows you to challenge yourself, to build truly tiny houses. And the smaller you go, the more perks there are for your Sims: learning skills and building relationships faster, reduced bill prices, better moods. Just beware the Murphy bed, as it might look pretty and allow you to maximise space, but it can be much more troublesome than you might think.
10. Movie Hangout (Stuff Pack)
The best word to summarise this pack would be vibrant. In both its clothing and decor, Movie Hangout is colourful and fun. It offers indoor and outdoor movie projectors, significant because, prior to its release, Sims could only watch television. To complete the experience, there’s even a popcorn maker with a number of flavor options. This pack is another easy way to give your Sims a fun way to pass the time, although they’ll definitely make it clear if they dislike a film. Oh, and when left to autonomy, Sims, for some reason, adore making popcorn instead of eating proper meals. At least, that’s my experience with it.
The Sims 4 is a fun game, full of possibilities, and there’s something to appeal to everyone’s taste and playing style. There are so many packs to choose from, and numerous reasons to consider each one. Hopefully this list will help you decide which pack to purchase next time you’ve the opportunity. Happy playing!
