The Sims franchise is known for its exhaustive list of Expansion Packs, Stuff Packs and, with The Sims 4, Game Packs. Many of its expansions have been established across each generation of the game, so when they're remade for the current entry, they're more prone to criticism. With the standard already set, the "new" pack is under increased scrutiny.
The Sims 4 expansion packs have been a rollercoaster of backlash and acceptance, with some packs facing criticism from fans and critics alike. While all have adding something interesting to the game, some have been called incomplete for reducing or completely excluding features from past games. Let's take a look at what critics have said about each Sims 4 expansion pack.
Note: This article was updated on August 6, 2021 to add Snowy Escape and Cottage Living.
11. Get Together: 72/100
Get Together is the second expansion released for The Sims 4. This one tried expanding on basic gameplay by introducing clubs and more group activities for Sims. Clubs are completely new to the series, allowing groups of Sims to come together and talk about furniture, made up holidays and anything else the player can think of. While it did receive critical praise for elevating the base game, The Sims 4 has also been criticized for having barebones gameplay. The expansion may have built upon it, but for many critics, it didn't do enough to justify the $40 price point.
10. Get to Work: 73/100
Similar to The Sims 3: Ambitions, Get to Work added more interactive careers to The Sims 4. It's the first expansion ever released for the game, and it introduced three new careers where players could actually control their Sims during the workday. While most jobs are rabbit holes (meaning players cannot follow and must wait for their Sims while they work), Get to Work let players spend the day with their Doctor, Scientist or Detective Sims, something fans had long wanted.
However, while some critics called it innovative and a great addition to the game, others say the fun wears off after hours of play. Both sides agree that, like Get Together, it improves the base game and make the entire experience more enjoyable.
9. Get Famous: 77/100
Every main Sims game gets an expansion focused on fame and fortune, and this one got some updates. On top of including the established Acting career as a path to fame, Get Famous added a modern option in the Media Production skill, which essentially allows Sims to be streamers or online content creators. Sims can gain celebrity status, but not all publicity is good, so famous Sims will have to contend with their reputations.
Get Famous generally fared better, with reviews praising the updated fame system, the different paths available to fame and the addition on consequences. However, some felt it also didn't offer enough to justify the price.
8. Snowy Escape: 78/100
Similar to one of the vacation spots from the original Sims: Vacation expansion, Snowy Escape brings something new by setting its winter get away in a different part of the world. It introduced not just a vacation, but plenty of activities like rock climbing, building snowmen and the obligatory snowboarding. This expansion is about having a good time, and its objects and aspirations stuck closely to this theme, adding only the simple new career of Salaryman.
Snowy Escape did fairly well despite some initial issues at launch. These have mostly been fixed, and critics enjoyed the new activities and Mount Komorebi. It's a fun vacation pack, although without as much content as Island Living.
7. City Living: 78/100
City Living brought a whole new world to The Sims 4 with a new neighborhood and content. This expansion added apartments, totally new areas, festivals and other features to the game, making it the first really big addition. This expansion also interacted with other ones, but its big city life really made the new features pop.
This new setting and the expansion's features were well received. It was something previous Sims generations had done, but this City Living brought completely new content to the mix, earning it high scores from critics. It was a breath of fresh air for the game.
6. Cats & Dogs: 80/100
This is another expansion that's been a consistent fan-favorite throughout the franchise. However, The Sims 4's version lacks a lot from previous games, focusing mainly on cats and dogs as pets rather than offering a wider variety. Most of this expansion revolves around new mechanics involving caring for animals, something mostly for pet lovers.
While highly-scored for reintroducing animals into the mix and improving on The Sims 2: Pets' mechanics, this expansion was seen as a step down from The Sims 3's Pets expansion. Still, the customization options and freedom when creating cats and dogs is considered one of the pack's best features.
5. Cottage Living: 80/100
Cottage Living is the first of its kind for The Sims. The aesthetic has always been there, gardening came with Seasons in The Sims 3 and there have been items for animals on the Sims Store, but this is the first time farming and cottage-core have been in a complete package. This is the closest Simmers have gotten to a full farming expansion, and it delivers pretty well with its animals, new small town world, and plenty of planting and gathering.
Critics say Cottage Living delivers on what it promised and is a beautiful expansion with plenty to do and discover. It's a nice change from the rest of the game, though most felt there could be improvements or deeper farming elements. Overall, though, reviewers found it to be a breath of fresh air.
4. Seasons: 81/100
Like Pets, Seasons is another theme that's returned time and time again. The first iteration was introduced in The Sims 2 and was greatly improved in following game. This pack continues from the previous version, adding the four seasons with holidays and activities for each one. These, of course, mean new interactions and features to enjoy.
Critics agree this expansion adds the most to The Sims 4 world. Seasons make changes not only to the base game, but across all expansions, making in-game time more relevant. It received mild criticism for not adding anything new but was enough of a game changer to be regarded as a must-have.
3. Discover University: 81/100
Going to school is another part of Sims life, so of course this expansion made a return for The Sims 4. Discover University added a way for Sims to further their education in a variety of subjects, which effects how their careers pan out. Just like in the real-world, there are other things to do on campus besides go to class, like socializing and extracurricular activities.
It's touted as one of the better expansion packs for The Sims 4, adding a lot for Sims to do and furthering base game skills and careers. Critics gave it high scores for being challenging and simulating higher education well while staying true to the Sims formula.
2. Eco Lifestyle: 82/100
The newest expansion in The Sims 4 line-up and a first for the franchise, this pack won a community vote some time ago and finally saw the light of day. Eco Lifestyle adds a new neighborhood that can be transformed into an industrial wasteland or urban green space through player's and Sims' choices. It introduces similar green mechanics, although not as in-depth, to other neighborhoods as well.
Despite initially receiving backlash from fans, Eco Lifestyle has generally gone over well, being called one of the more consequential and game-changing expansions. Being able to actually affect change in a Sim's world keeps it interesting. The new features and options to go green and tinker with items already present in game also add fun new layers to the game, making it a unique addition to the franchise.
1. Island Living: 84/100
The best Sims 4 expansion according to critics takes Sims to an island paradise and introduced a number of new features compared to its predecessors at the time. Along with a vacation destination and new neighborhood, the Island has elements only available to it, like mermaids, boating, conservation and other beach life mechanics.
Island Living received the highest scores across the board. Critics love how beautiful the neighborhood is and thought the new mechanics were refreshing. It takes players out of the sometime mundane gameplay of The Sims 4 and transports players to a different world. While it doesn't impact the base game, there's enough going on to keep things interesting.