Expansion packs truly are the bread and butter of The Sims franchise. Since the first game came out, expansions have given players plenty more content to enjoy and tons of new features to play around with. As more expansions come out, it’s tough to narrow down which ones are the best. But we’ve taken on the task and have the best expansion packs for The Sims 4 that you can get.
10. High School Years
High School Years is something new for Sims as a whole. We’ve never been able to follow our teens to school before, but now we can. Relive the glory days of being on the football team or cheerleading squad, or relive the traumatic nightmare of being picked on by your fellow classmates with this pack. It also adds a great sense of liveliness to any neighborhood and makes the community feel more alive.
9. Discover University
Another school expansion pack, Discover University, is a classic. Going to college has been a staple of the Sims franchise since Sims 2, and it’s been revamped once again for Discover University. This pack lets you send your Sims to university and have all the fun associated with it. Attend classes, go to wild parties, or join secret societies to fully experience the college lifestyle. This pack also has some of the best Buy Mode items that you can place, rotate, and decorate with to your heart’s content.
8. Get Famous
Being a famous actor is a life plenty of people have wanted, and Get Famous is one way to live that dream. Your Sims can become famous with this expansion, starting from an extra on-set all the way to a legendary movie star. This expansion includes the fame system and reputation system, which are great for making the world feel more alive. If your Sim is mean, their reputation will reflect that. Even if you don’t plan on making a movie star, it’s still a great addition to the base game.
7. City Living
City Living is exactly what it sounds like — your Sims living in the city. This time around, it’s San Myshuno, a sprawling metropolis filled with karaoke bars and colorful citizens. This pack also introduces apartments to the game (for the first time). This expansion is all about the world it includes, as it’s the only true city to be added to the game. It also includes plenty of festivals for your Sims to attend, keeping them busy while they explore the gorgeous world. If you yearn for the concrete jungle or already live there yourself, you can’t miss this pack.
6. Growing Together
Everyone plays The Sims 4 a bit differently, and for players who enjoy family gameplay, Growing Together is essential. It introduces milestones, family dynamics, compatibility, and more into the game to create more in-depth families and relationships. Not only this, but this pack includes tons of items for the infant life stage, which was introduced in a free update alongside this expansion. Growing Together impacts nearly every aspect of the game as your Sims age up, and it’s perfect for adding more realism and personality to Sims 4.
5. Get Together
Clubs are the biggest addition in Get Together, but you’re able to do so much with them. Looking to make a cult? Then this is the pack you need. It also comes with the world of Windenburg, which is a massive, beautiful landscape with plenty of lots to build and live on. Sims have more ways to hang out with their friends and are able to have fun at all types of hangouts thanks to this expansion.
4. Cats & Dogs
What kind of pet lover doesn’t want to bring their furry friends to life in Sims? With Cats & Dogs, you can make perfect replicas of your beloved pets. Sadly, this expansion doesn’t include pets other than cats and dogs, which is why it’s not higher. However, it does include the new career of being a veterinarian, as well as the paintbrush feature to make a bright purple dog with yellow polka dots.
3. Cottage Living
Simmers have long been begging for their Sims to be able to be farmers, and Cottage Living delivers. This pack includes plenty of new ways to garden, including large crops like pumpkin and lettuce. Even more, it includes cows, chickens, foxes, and birds as animals to care for. Cottage Living adds a huge amount of content to the game and lets your Sims live a simple life. Plus, the CAS and build mode items are some of the most charming you can get. Who doesn’t love cottage core?
2. Get To Work
A huge chunk of your Sims’ day is going to work, much like in real life. But, before Get To Work, there was no way to follow your Sims to their daily jobs. This pack not only lets you join your Sim’s daily life with three careers but also open your own business to run. Start a retail shop, or become a mad scientist, it’s up to you. This pack is so high up on this list thanks to how much gameplay it adds, taking a simple rabbit hole activity like careers and expanding on them much more.
1. Seasons
The Seasons expansions have always been popular, and it’s easy to see why. You can play with all four seasons in this pack, from sweltering summers to chilly winters. While your Sims experiencing the beauty of the changing weather is already a great addition, Seasons also adds holidays to the game. You can make up your own holidays, set traditions for them, sing songs about them, decorate your home, and more.
The Seasons expansion is by far the best pack for The Sims 4, as it affects nearly every aspect of gameplay. The weather will determine if your Sims can spend the day outside, holidays can determine if they get the day off, and so on. It really brings the game more alive. If you’re only going to get one expansion, make sure it’s this one.
