It’s been a decade since “The Sims 4” hit the shelves in September 2014. Yet, the digital dollhouse remains a staple of the simulation video game genre. 

At its core, “The Sims 4” distills the essence of daily life, cranked up to 11. 

It is more than just a life-simulation game; it’s a place where the mundane and the surreal collide; it’s a sandbox for personal chaos and creativity. 

And despite being 10 years old, the title has managed to stay fresh, with Electronic Arts releasing 16 expansion packs, 12 game packs, and a variety of other downloadable content over the years. The most recent expansion pack, The Sims 4: Lovestruck, was released this July. 

Initially, the game’s launch left longtime fans yearning for the complexity and variety of “The Sims 3.” It lacked toddlers, pools and the expansive neighborhoods the series was known for. But through an aggressive post-release content strategy, Maxis’ fourth Sims installment steadily evolved into a sprawling digital world where players can experience everything from laundry day to vampire politics, from family barbecues to fiery love triangles with a grim reaper.

With no primary objective or goal to achieve, no “The Sims 5,” those EA add-ons and their unpredictability have kept the franchise alive (and raking in the Simoleons).

Here are the top 5 “The Sims 4” expansion packs.

5. “Growing Together” (2023)

“Growing Together” is essential for Sims players who love exploring the family and social dynamics in the game. The 13th expansion pack offers players opportunities to have a midlife crisis or have a baby as it explores concepts like self-discovery and family ties.  

The pack introduced several new fun features to Build/Buy mode, from slides and swings to more practical items for child-rearing like diaper-changing stations, rocking chairs and tummy-time mats.  

While the gameplay really shines with new, wholesome, nostalgia-inducing childhood activities like treehouse building, bike rides and sleepovers, there are some opportunities for chaos and drama with the addition of workplace rivals or letting your parents move in with you.

This pack feels more functional than fun at times, but it’s undeniably enjoyable for family-focused players.

4. “Island Living” (2019)

“Island Living,” the seventh expansion pack to be released, plays into my love for all things beachy. Set in Sulani, a stunning tropical world of crystal clear water and white sand beaches, your Sims can live out their island dreams. 

Where growing together is about reality, “Island Living” is about fantasy, offering players paradise in exchange for suburbia. This expansion is all about fun (and fantasy) in the sun: swim with mermaids, make friends with a dolphin, unwind at the tiki bar, or go sailing.  

The standout feature here is the ability to transform your Sim into a mermaid with the power to influence other Sims with your siren songs or summon sea creatures at your command. 

Beyond that, the gameplay is a little thin, but it’s easy to overlook if you love tropical aesthetics. 

All in all, “Island Living” may not be groundbreaking in-depth, but it captures the escapism of a beach vacation perfectly.

3. “Cats and Dogs” (2017)

“Cats and Dogs” feels like an essential purchase for any real Sims fan, as it introduced pets into the game. 

For the first time, players can adopt or create their own furry companions, making it a must-have for animal lovers.

Buy/Build mode offers everything from animal beds to feeding bowls, toys, and scratching posts, all designed to make your Sim’s home perfect for their four-legged friends. Beyond the aesthetics, the real fun comes in the gameplay: train your pets, play fetch or watch in amusement as your dog digs holes in the backyard.

The world of Brindleton Bay introduces the opportunity to work as a vet in a bustling clinic office. It’s a charming locale with a small-town vibe.

While Create-a-Sim’s human clothing options in this pack might be lacking, the adorable pet outfits more than makeup for it.

Overall, “Cats and Dogs” brings a lot of warmth and whimsy to the game, making it an essential addition for any Sims player.

2. “Cottage Living” (2021) 

“Cottage Living” brings a slice of quaint, rural charm to the Sims universe, taking players out of the city or the suburbs and dropping them into the idyllic countryside of Henford-on-Bagley.

If you’ve ever wanted to live that “cottage core” lifestyle, a quiet existence raising chickens, making jam and befriending the local wildlife, this expansion has you covered.

What really makes “Cottage Living” shine beyond its variety of farming activities is the expansion’s cutesy charm. From village fairs to farmers’ markers, befriending wild foxes and rabbits in the garden, the expansion is a rustic dream.

The countryside vibe is enhanced with Buy/Build mode offerings like thatched roofs and farmhouse fridges. The furniture and decor collection is detailed, with mushroom and flower details everywhere you look. 

While this expansion may not have the most complex gameplay, it excels at giving Sims a slower-paced, wholesome lifestyle—from cross-stitching to tending to livestock—perfect for players looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday simulated life.

And if “Cottage Living” is a little too grandma for you, there is always “City Living” (2016).

1. “Seasons” (2018) 

“Seasons” truly transforms “The Sims” universe, literally. The pack introduces holidays and dynamic weather systems that blow fresh life into the game. From snow-covered winters to sunny summer days, the evolving seasons add a level of immersion that no other pack quite achieves.

In Build/Buy Mode, you’ll find an array of holiday decorations and weather-specific accessories to deck out your Sims’ homes. Whether it’s stringing up lights for Winterfest or setting out lawn chairs for a summer barbecue, this pack has it all.

The gameplay is where “Seasons” really shines. As the weather changes, so do your Sims’ behaviors. They’ll bundle up in winter coats during a blizzard or throw on swimsuits for a pool day in the heat of summer. Sims can rake leaves, build snowmen, and even experience temperature-related effects like overheating or freezing. Holidays like Harvestfest and New Year’s Eve are fully customizable, giving players even more control over their Sims’ yearly traditions.

Create-a-Sim offers a good range of seasonal clothing, though the focus is more on practical wear than high fashion. Still, the ability to customize outfits based on weather makes it a fun addition.

Overall, “Seasons” is an absolute game-changer. It adds depth, realism, and a sense of rhythm to the gameplay that makes every Sim day feel fresh and unpredictable.

If you’re going to invest in just one expansion, “Seasons” is the one that will keep you hooked.

The base game of “The Sims 4″ is enjoyable on its own, but these expansion packs truly elevate the experience, making the game feel fuller, richer and more dynamic.