After 2,058 Hours in The Sims 4, These 3 Expansion Packs…

The Sims 4 is one of those games that players approach in a thousand different ways. Some gravitate toward domestic roleplay and generational storytelling, while others are more interested in chaotic romances, high-stakes careers, or adventures in stranger lands. With this diversity comes conflict.

With so many different gameplay approaches to The Sims 4, no single Expansion, Game, or Stuff Pack can claim to please everyone. A Pack that feels essential to a family-focused Simmer might feel unnecessary to someone who thrives on chaos, and a DLC that unlocks new supernatural systems can be divisive in a community that prizes realism. That push and pull has always been part of what makes The Sims 4 such a long-lived, endlessly debated series. As I reflect on the extensive hours I've spent playing this game, I consider whether there are essential EPs that everyone should possess.

After ten years of The Sims 4 and more than 2,000 hours of my life that I will never get back, I know a thing or two about this game. And I’ve found that some Packs rise above personal preference. There are 3 Expansions in particular that I return to in every single save, no matter the story I’m telling. For me, they aren’t just nice-to-haves or purchases to be made when they're on sale. They’re completely non-negotiable.

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By Jenna Amore

What Makes A Sims 4 Expansion Pack Non-Negotiable?

The Sims franchise has never shied away from DLC. The Sims’ Expansion Packs, in particular, are often the crown jewels of new content drops for the series, hyped to the point where they can define an entire era of the game.

For many players, The Sims 4's base game is just a blank canvas. It’s the Expansions that provide the color, texture, and brushstrokes that bring a save file to life. And if that’s the case, then consider me the curator for this little gallery. My role is to sift through the clutter—eliminating artwork that only I find pleasing and rejecting others that are too niche. I’m here to highlight the pieces that deserve a permanent spot in every Simmer’s collection. So here are the questions I ask myself to make the final verdict:

Criteria/Concern	The Questions
Replayability	Does the Expansion add mechanics that help the game feel fresh? Or is there a definitive beginning and end, like Strangerville?
Content	Does the Expansion add meaningful gameplay features (Create-A-Sim, build and buy mode, careers, activities), or is it a one-trick pony?
Relevance	Is the Expansion Pack built to withstand the novelty of sparkly new additions like Adventure Awaits? Or can players justifiably walk away from it?
Storytelling	Can the Pack seamlessly integrate into various play styles, from family-oriented playthroughs to fan-made challenges?
Universal Appeal	While no Pack pleases everyone, does it offer something valuable regardless of whether you’re a builder, storyteller, or systems-focused player?
The Fun Factor	Simply, is it fun?

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By Carley Garcia

Every Simmer Should Own These 3 Expansion Packs for The Sims 4

the sims 4 woman in red dress mirror pose

I have spent countless hours on The Sims 4 since my teenage years, exploring nearly every piece of DLC available for the game. But there are 3 Expansions that have never left my rotation. No matter what kind of story I’m telling or which save file I’m in, these Packs always find their way back into my gameplay.

Seasons

This one’s a no-brainer. The Sims 4's Seasons EP doesn’t just add weather, it transforms the entire rhythm of gameplay. The cycle of rain, snow, and sunshine gives every world in The Sims 4 more personality, while holidays and traditions create a built-in framework for storytelling. It’s the rare Expansion that touches every single save file, no matter your playstyle. Whether you’re a legacy player, a builder, or someone who just likes watching chaos unfold, Seasons makes the game feel alive in a way no other Pack can.

Even though most of its excitement revolves around the calendar, Seasons' holiday system in The Sims 4 is incredibly versatile for any playthrough. It combines seamlessly with other Packs, creating opportunities for layered roleplay. A family with kids might have the household buzzing with anticipation for Winterfest, while a lone alien or ghost sim could spend Harvestfest grappling with their own strange version of belonging. No matter how you play, Seasons finds a way to enrich the story.

Get Together

Group of Sims dancing on dance floor at night club

The second Expansion released for The Sims 4 was a welcome respite for players still recovering from the clunkiness of Get to Work. Get Together introduces a club system that remains one of the most versatile tools in the game. It allows Simmers to create custom groups with specific rules, behaviors, and activities. This means that you can build anything from a secret vampire cult to a rowdy Friday night bowling league. The club system integrates seamlessly with every save, unlocking endless ways to keep up with family and friends no matter where your game takes you.

Windenburg is also among the best worlds in The Sims 4, and those who downloaded Get Together on its release day embraced it like a breath of fresh air. You Sims 4 youngins may not know or remember this, but Windenburg was an aesthetically cohesive addition that was far more lived-in than Oasis Springs, Willow Creek, or Newcrest.

City Living

City Living took the suburban bubble of The Sims 4 and cracked it wide open. Moving into San Myshuno feels like a true shift in lifestyle: apartments, noisy neighbors, cultural festivals, and street food all combine to create a bustling urban atmosphere that stands apart from every other world in the game. It also introduces interesting career paths to The Sims 4 and events that add layers of variety to everyday life. For players tired of the same old routine in the less dense worlds, City Living offers the kind of energy and density that the base game needed, and still needs.

And while the Pack leans into high-rise living and nightlife, that doesn’t mean it’s only for players chasing the fast-paced urban fantasy. Families can thrive in San Myshuno just as well as young partygoers. Between the spice festivals, seasonal markets, and community-driven events, there’s just as much opportunity to create grounded, family-oriented stories in the city as there is to dive into career hustle or late-night chaos.