A handy guide on how to juggle the many DLCs and expansions of The Sims 4.
to The Sims is a franchise that needs no introduction. Since its release, the series has rocked the gaming world, introducing a new genre of simulation destined for enormous success in the future. On February 4th, in fact, the series turned 20 from its first appearance and continues to bewitch critics and gamers with The Sims 4 And its expansions.
The Sims 4 to date
Although the fourth chapter has now been released 6 years ago, Electronic Arts e Maxis continue to renew and enrich the game with many, many expansions and DLCs of the most varied and original. In fact, since its publication, they have been released over 30 DLCs including expansions, game packs and stuff packs that allow our sims to go to college, have a pet, become vampires, wizards, cops, famous actors, explore the jungle and so much more. But what are the differences between an expansion, a game pack and a stuff pack? and above all, which ones is it actually worth buying?
To answer these doubts, we provide our experience with each individual package to make their operation and value clearer.
Pack³
As already mentioned in The Sims 4 There are three types of different extra content packages, namely: Expansion Pack, Stuff Pack e Game Pack.
- Expansion Pack represent the classic expansions that have characterized the Sims franchise since its inception. These introduce a large amount of extra content that varies the gameplay of the game with innovative elements, new careers, new neighborhoods, objects, clothes and much more. These are the largest packages both in terms of content and size and also for this reason, they are also the most expensive Packs: € 39,99 each (at € 19,99 when discounted).
- Stuff Pack they are much smaller DLC than the classic expansions and usually, they are limited to introducing new clothes and objects. Some of these also bring small changes in gameplay that enrich the world of sims without upsetting it with particular innovations. Given their small size and significantly fewer contents, the Stuff Packs are available for € 9,90 each (€ 4,99 when discounted).
I Game Pack are some innovations introduced with The Sims 4 that are positioned exactly in the middle between the two types of DLC that we have just seen. In addition to adding a variety of clothes and items, they also introduce new gameplay features, new creatures, new neighborhoods and more, depending on the package. This is not a mass of changes comparable to a real expansion but certainly there is no shortage of news. Game Packs cost € 19,99 (€ 14 if discounted).
Aware of this, let's briefly analyze each DLC and see which ones are worth buying and which ones to avoid. Undoubtedly, this last opinion varies according to personal tastes and the style of play of each of us therefore, even if the package in question is not recommended, rely on the description to understand if it may interest you anyway.
The Sims 4 Expansions
At work! - Recommended
The first expansion of The Sim 4, At work! focuses on the world of work by introducing four new active careers: doctor, policeman, scientist and trader. The "active career" puts a stop to the annoying Rabbit Hole of the game (the moments and places where it is not possible to observe the activity of the sims) making us actively participate in his working day.
The expansion introduces a large amount of items and clothing that go beyond the introduced careers as well as a new neighborhood and a new creature, the alien. Active careers are perhaps the widest novelty in terms of gameplay of all expansions and offer an unparalleled degree of empathy in the life of our sims.
Let's go out together - Not recommended
As a title, We go out together expands the nightlife of our sims by introducing various clubs that sims can enter and get perks, night clubs as well as new skills related to the world of music, such as dance or the ability to mix music as a DJ.
Why do we advise against it?
Despite the innovations introduced, such as the new neighborhood, new community places and many objects with new functions, this is perhaps the poorest expansion ever released that does not introduce any new career (other than the secondary one as a DJ) or new creature. In general, all the news is extremely focused on night clubs and does not affect the daily life of the sims.
City Life - Recommended
Unlike the previous expansion, City Life manages to take the sims "away from home" by introducing several new features that influence their life even during the day. The new added neighborhood is full of life with basketball courts, street performers, periodic festivals and much more. Particularly interesting is also the possibility of letting your Sims live in apartments where they can enjoy city life at its best, perhaps with some roommates.
There is no shortage of interesting new careers and lots of new objects to build with community lots more IN.
Dogs & Cats - Recommended
One of the most anticipated expansions by fans that has never been lacking in any chapter of the series.
Dogs and cats introduces the sweetest house animals with all the features, objects and gameplay innovations dedicated to them. There is also a new neighborhood and a new career as a veterinarian that will allow you to open your own animal clinic. Also in this case the expansion does not affect the universe of sims that has nothing to do with animals, but these are rendered in an impeccable way. Purr!
Seasons - Recommended
Another of the expansions most requested by simmers who, as the title suggests, introduces seasons in The Sims 4 that enrich, more than the gameplay, the animations, the aesthetics and the involvement of the players. From rain, to snow, to hot weather, it's fun to see how our sims interact with their surroundings.
The expansion also introduces a calendar of events, such as Christmas, Valentine's Day and many other holidays in which to gather with friends and relatives and achieve small goals. There is no lack of a new career as a gardener and new skills.
New Stars - Recommended
New Stars introduces a rich "fame" system into the game as well as the new active career of Actor e Influence. The whole VIP system that is created with the expansion brings important changes that greatly enrich the game.
Island Life - Recommended
A new neighborhood, a new creature (the mermaid) and new jobs are introduced with the expansion Life on the Island as well as, of course, the possibility of swimming in the sea and sunbathing. A must for anyone who loves the sea and all the elements and novelties that it entails.
To find out all the details, we invite you to read our review of Life on the Island.
University Life - Not recommended
Being able to enroll their sims at university has been the desire of many gamers and con University life, this desire has finally come true with the latest of The Sims 4 expansions. The DLC introduces a detailed system of courses, scholarships and exams to take and pass to offer your Sims new opportunities and careers.
Why do we advise against it?
Unfortunately, the expansion failed to fully give us the feeling of living a university career as, for example, in The Sims 2, limiting itself to a series of exams and lessons (in the hateful rabbit holes) in sequence without any particular novelty in terms of Gameplay. You will find everything explained in detail in our University Life review.
Ecological Life - Not recommended
This expansion of The Sims 4 introduces elements such as pollution, recycling and the ecological footprint of the Sims for the first time in the history of the franchise. The innovations introduced are many from new jobs to the possibility of starting an online store, from the possibility of generating electricity for your home, neighborhood requests aimed at changing the life of all the Sims in the neighborhood.
Why do we advise against it?
Despite the courage shown by EA Games and Maxis, the expansion is uninteresting and not in line with the wishes of the community. Dealing with pollution EVEN in games is not exactly our idea of "leisure". For a more complete description of the expansion, we invite you to read our review.
Snowy Oasis - Recommended
The latest expansion of The Sims 4, due out on November 13, brings the atmosphere, culture, clothing and architecture of the Japanese tradition into the game with a particular and well-crafted style. This expansion also adds a new Employee career, new aspirations and traits, and great news, Feelings and Lifestyles. These are new elements that affect the relationships with other Sims and the habits of ours respectively. Habits have a much stronger impact than classic Personality Traits, as they reflect the characters' lived experiences.
For a more detailed description of the expansion, please read our Review on The Sims 4 - Snowy Oasis.
Game Pack
Outdoor trip - Recommended
Outdoor outing allows sims to go in outing and on vacation in the new scenario Granite Falls to explore the mysteries of the mountain or go camping with the family. The Game Pack introduces the "bear”As a new creature and elements dedicated to open space and nature.
A day at the spa - Recommended
With A day at the spa you can relax in a sauna, receive messages, take mud baths and much more taking advantage of all the benefits of wellness centers. This new community lot is the nerve center of the new game pack.
We eat out - Not recommended
We eat out allows sims to go out for dinner in a luxurious restaurant or a rustic trattoria. Alternatively, you can manage your own restaurant by organizing practically everything, from the menu to the cooks and waiters.
Why do we advise against it?
The news are very few even for a Game Pack, moreover eating out does not make any particular differences from any meal consumed by the sims at home except for some brief emotional benefits.
Vampires - Recommended
The first Game Pack focused on the supernatural focuses, as per the title on Vampiri introducing the new creature, a new neighborhood and a skill branch focused on the occult creature.
The powers of the vampires give an extra touch to the gameplay accompanied by clothes and objects in the gothic style that always make a good impression.
Parenthood - Not recommended
Parental life focuses on the family life of sims and their relationships with their children, allowing them to be educated by their parents, carry out extracurricular activities and be punished in case of wrongdoing.
Why do we advise against it?
The difference between having this Game Pack and not having it is really minimal. Having the benefits that come with a good education (or rudeness) is difficult enough, and not getting them greatly reduces the expected innovation.
Jungle Adventure - Recommended
As an outdoor excursion too Jungle Adventure allows us to go on vacation in the exotic city of Selvadorada. Here our sims can explore the particular location as well as venture into the mysterious jungle that surrounds it, full of precious artifacts but also of dangers and threats.
Here you can also get to know the local culture and learn the best archeology techniques to unearth the oldest artifacts.
StrangerVille - Not recommended
StrangerVille introduces the homonymous neighborhood afflicted by a gruesome mystery to the game. The inhabitants behave strangely among atmospheric anomalies and disturbing plants that represent an inexplicable case to be solved.
Why do we advise against it?
While the underlying idea represents a breath of fresh air in The Sims Game Pack scenario, the “history"That is proposed to us can be solved in about 2 hours of play, after which all the news take a back seat if not for a few superficial elements.
Kingdom of Magic - Recommended
Kingdom of Magic is the latest Game Pack also focused on the supernatural that plunges us into the world of magic. In the new scenario of Glimmerbrook we will be able to dto become spellcasters, learn powerful spells, and brew potions to bend the most varied situations to our advantage. There is also the possibility of having your own familiar and flying on an enchanted broom.
Star Wars: Journey to Batuu -Not Recommended
The Sims 4 Star Wars: Viaggio a Batuu mix the Star Wars franchise into The Sims by introducing a new Travel destination. It is precisely the planet Batuu divided into 3 large neighborhoods in which to face some challenges. Our Sims will have to choose which faction to side with the Resistance, the First Order and the Rogues. The pack is completed by the iconic lightsabers, the settings taken from the Star Wars films and of course the Droids.
Why do we advise against it?
This is a rather poor Game Pack that puts graphic skins and facade sets first rather than focusing on new GamePlay mechanics. We are faced with the DLC that least fits the other expansions of the game making the experience of Batuu an end in itself without a real impact on the daily life of our Sims. For more information, we invite you to read our review of The Sims 4 Star Wars: Viaggio a Batuu.
Stuff Pack
Let's find out now all the Stuff Packs released so far for The Sims 4.
Luxury parties - Not recommended
The first Stuff Pack focuses on high-class items and clothing. A buffet table and chocolate fountain are added to give an extra touch to the most chic parties.
Why do we advise against it?
The objects and clothes added are few and of little visual impact.
Dream exteriors - Recommended
This Stuff Pack, as per the title, concerns objects and clothes to be used forexterior of sim houses. This results in richer gardens with a lot of decorations that make them look good.
The long-awaited is also added Jacuzzi which allows sims to relax, chat with friends and of course… Fiki-Fiki!
Perfect cuisine - Not recommended
Stuff Pack totally dedicated to kitchens which introduces the new ice cream machine.
Why do we advise against it?
This is the poorest Stuff Pack of all with new items and unimportant outfits.
Thrill Accessories - Not Recommended
Dedicated to the feast of Halloween with themed items and a new kind of party: spooky.
Why do we advise against it?
Very poor stuff pack with few items that are too specific for a single event that will rarely affect the life of your sims.
Movie night - Recommended
Rich Stuff Pack dedicated to home cinema with giant screens where you can admire TV programs and films of various kinds with friends. The legendary popcorn machine cannot be missing in a package of this type.
To these articles are also added interesting bohemian objects and clothes.
Romantic Gardens - Recommended
As a dream exterior, too Romantic gardens is dedicated to the exterior of your homes with lots of decorative elements including new plants, trees, fountains and even a wishing well which hides interesting opportunities.
Children's room - Not recommended
Stuff Pack dedicated to children's bedrooms with many decorations and variations of objects already present in the base game.
Why do we advise against it?
Despite the good purpose of enriching the world of the little ones, the DLC makes few interesting changes and variations to the gameplay. Of the new objects and decorations, very few are worthy of note.
Backyard Fun - Recommended
Fun in the yard combines the desire to insert new objects for children and new decorations for the gardens, succeeding in its intent.
In addition to the large number of outdoor decorations there is also one a water slide, a bird feeder and many dedicated clothes.
Vintage Glamor - Recommended
The successful version of Luxury Holidays, however, focused on items inspired by 30s Hollywood with luxury items and clothes with a retro style.
Bowling Evening - Not recommended
Stuff Pack focused on items in rockabily style designed for the furnishing of a bowling alley, a new community lot.
Why do we advise against it?
Too meager even for a stuff pack.
Fitness - Recommended
This Stuff Pack adds new ones articles dedicated to the world of sport such as clothes, objects and decorations. The climbing wall is also introduced which offers hilarious situations and animations. Important news is that of the earphones, already present in the other chapters and finally introduced in The Sims 4
Baby - Not recommended
Another unsuccessful attempt to enrich the lives of younger sims.
Why do we advise against it?
Beyond some objects such as the slide or the ball pool, the other decorations appear as trivial re-skins of objects already present in the base game.
Laundry day - Recommended
Laundry day is the first Stuff Pack chosen by the Sims community. This is a DLC Focused on country-themed furnishings and laundry items. Although the novelties are few, they represent a particularly interesting variant of the gameplay with the possibility of introducing the cleaning of clothes and sheets.
Obviously there are washing machines, dryers or, for the most romantic, a tub in which to wash their clothes and hang them on the clothesline.
My first pet - Not recommended
This is perhaps the Stuff Pack that most of all has outraged fans and players. It is in fact the first DLC in the world dedicated to a previous DLC. To install My First Pet, in fact, you will need the expansion Dogs and cats.
Why do we advise against it?
Beyond the "ethical" factor mentioned above, the Stuff Pack does not bring about any kind of change or novelty except with the introduction of rodents as pets. Even the latter are not very incisive in terms of novelty and gameplay.
Moschino - Not recommended
Stuff Pack focused on branded clothes Moschino and objects in a contemporary style. It also includes a variant of the career of Photographer focused on the world of fashion.
Why do we advise against it?
Few noteworthy objects and clothes. No other novelties introduced.
Mini Case - Recommended
This package introduces a new type of Lotti Residential which forces us to build a mini-house using only a limited number of "tiles". This pretext is accompanied by furnishing objects designed for very small homes such as, for example, the foldaway bed essential for small spaces.
Portento del Punto - Recommended
The game's latest Stuff Pack focuses on the world of knitting by introducing a new skill and many never-before-seen gameplay mechanics. Our Sims are able to sew exclusive new clothes that will be available to all family members, including hats, wool sweaters and decorations. Also making its debut is Plotsy, an intriguing online e-shopping platform where you can sell your creations and earn some Simoleons.
The Sims 4 expansions: the future
The expansions in The Sims 4 don't stop there! With a new Stuff Pack on the way and lots of new things promised for 2020, the world of The Sims 4 still has a lot to offer fans. Of course, we will keep this guide updated to help you choose the best for you and your sims.
TagsDLC Electronic Arts espansioni game pack Maxis stuff pack the sims 4 Which The Sims 4 expansions are worth having?
