With the recent release of my ranking of The Sims 4 Expansion Packs, and since we’re still in party mode for The Sims‘ 25th anniversary, I thought I’d continue with celebrating over 10 years of The Sims 4 by doing a ranking of all the Game Packs released so far. This kind of DLC is unique to The Sims 4, not existing with previous generations of The Sims. They serve as something like mini Expansion Packs; not quite big enough to be considered an EP, but too big to be called a Stuff Pack.
The very first Game Pack to release was The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat, which was also the very first paid add-on pack for The Sims 4. Since then, we’ve seen a total of 12 Game Packs come out. The last one was actually quite a long time ago now, and that was The Sims 4 Werewolves, which came out in the summer of 2022. We know that new packs are still being released for The Sims 4 for the foreseeable future, but will we ever get a new Game Pack? Who knows, but what I do know is that I can review the 12 Game Packs we have now and decide which is best!
For ranking all The Sims 4 Game Packs, I’ll start with my least favorite and work my way up to my personal number one. I should also note that I haven’t actually played all these Game Packs, but I’ll still include them in the list, noting the ones I haven’t played (yet, at least).
For more rankings concerning The Sims, take a look at these:
- Ranking the Best Worlds in The Sims 4
- Ranking the Best Festivals in The Sims 4
- Ranking The Sims 2 Expansion Packs
- Ranking The Sims 2 Stuff Packs
- Top 10 Best Updates for The Sims 4
Star Wars: Journey to Batuu
Release Date: September 7, 2020
Game Pack Order: 9
Pros
- Great if you’re a Star Wars fan
- Also great if you want more story-driven gameplay in The Sims 4
- Features real places, characters, costumes, and artifacts from the Star Wars franchise
Cons
- You’ll probably pass on this if you’re not interested in Star Wars
- The gameplay is naturally tied in to the world
The Sims 4: Star Wars – Journey to Batuu may have divided fans, but I don’t think it should be completely ruled out.
Surprised that this one is at the bottom? Probably not. I’m not saying that I don’t like Star Wars. I have actually watched the original trilogy and the newer supposedly-not-as-good one from the early Noughties – but not the newest bunch of movies from the 2010s onwards. I won’t say I’m big on Star Wars, but I don’t think the movies aren’t half bad. I can at least see why they’re popular.
I’m not now going to say that The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu IS bad, but this was one of the DLC that I passed on and am probably not likely to worry too much about getting. It didn’t pique my interest when the reveal trailer came out, and my interest since hasn’t wavered much.
However, I think there is something to be admired about what went into this pack. As far as immersing The Sims 4 players into a galaxy far, far away (sorry!), Journey to Batuu does look to have done a pretty decent job. Plus, it goes a little further than just adding some Create-A-Sim items, new objects, and interactions. There’s an entire Star Wars-themed world to play in (a destination aka holiday one, but still), actual characters from Star Wars to meet, a story mode to complete, and even new aspirations centered around everything that comes with this pack.
Perhaps one day I’ll be intrigued enough to actually get this pack (probably during one of the numerous sales we seem to get – not that I’m complaining!) and see if it is actually any good – or not.
Realm of Magic
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Game Pack Order: 8
Pros
- A pack totally centered on witches, warlocks, and magic!
- Great if you like fantasy-style gameplay in The Sims 4
- Those familiars are so cute!
- The Create-A-Sim items look quite cool
- The new objects look good too
- Includes the incredible-looking world Glimmerbrook and its own Magic Realm
Cons
- Might choose to pass on if this isn’t really your thing
Realm of Magic is good, if you’re into that sort of thing.
I only have one negative point to make on The Sims 4 Realm of Magic Game Pack, that being if this isn’t your sort of thing, you might give it a miss. That’s what I decided when it was first revealed and eventually came out. I’m not saying at all that this is a bad Game Pack. For what it sets out to do, it does look very good. I’m just not personally into supernatural stuff much in The Sims generally, not just The Sims 4. I have dabbled in playing occult types and supernatural gameplay, but I don’t normally bother.
Maybe one day I’ll be tempted and get The Sims 4 Realm of Magic, but for now, I’m not too worried.
StrangerVille
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Game Pack Order: 7
Pros
- StrangerVille itself is a really striking (not to mention intriguing) world
- The Create-A-Sim items look amazing
- The story behind StrangerVille is interesting
- Includes the Military career
Cons
- Might be a bit too weird and out-there for some
- Story tied into world
- New Build Mode additions are a bit disappointing
I’m very tempted to buy StrangerVille one of these days.
The Sims 4 StrangerVille is the last of the Game Packs I don’t yet have for The Sims 4, and the reason I rank it above the other two is because this is the one I’m most likeliest to get. There are a lot of things that attract me to StrangerVille, such as the titular world, the CAS content, and Military career. Even StrangerVille’s story tied into it has me intrigued.
With that all said, why did I not get it when it came out, or haven’t rushed to get it since? I am very interested in The Sims 4 StrangerVille, but I initially passed because it looked a bit too kooky and weird and out-there. Also, on a more minor note, the new objects were a disappointment to me. They didn’t look like the sort of things I would use very often. The other issue is the story that comes with StrangerVille. I’m not saying it isn’t great, but what if I don’t want to do the story? I have heard that you can skip the story and bypass it though, via a cheat, so at least that’s an option.
Maybe some day, when a sale is going on for The Sims 4 and there’s a lull in new DLC or events, I’ll cave in and give StrangerVille a go. It might be one of those cases where I wished I’d got it before. Perhaps I’ll finally get it this year?
Vampires
Release Date: January 24, 2017
Game Pack Order: 4
Pros
- Vampires are done very well in The Sims 4
- CAS and objects are wonderfully gothic
- New dark world just for vampires
- New aspirations for vampires
- You can buy handy perks for vampires
- New vampire skill is really interesting
Cons
- Very easy to die from sun exposure
- New world doesn’t have a lot in it
- May not appeal to everyone who isn’t interested in occults
The Sims 4 does do vampires pretty well, it has to be said.
We’ve finally got to the first Game Pack in this ranking that I actually own, and that’s The Sims 4 Vampires. If I’m not mistaken, this was the first pack for The Sims 4 to solely focus on an occult, which I think is a good idea. I think The Sims 4 probably does vampires best. It feels like you have everything you need to fully indulge in the vampire lifestyle. So, why then have I ranked it so low?
This is one of those situations where the pack itself isn’t bad, but just that I don’t use it that much. I do really like the CAS and objects that come with it, but I don’t often play as occult Sims in my games. It’s just not something I’m really into that much. However, if I ever did want to dabble with vampires, I know The Sims 4 won’t let me down… so long as I remember that vampires hate the sunlight!
Werewolves
Release Date: June 16, 2022
Game Pack Order: 12
Pros
- Does a great job with werewolves
- Includes two werewolf packs, each with different agendas
- Has a whole world perfect for werewolves
- CAS and objects are really good
- Adds aspirations specifically for werewolves
Cons
- Can be difficult to be a werewolf outside of new world
- May not attract non-occult players
I’m not normally an occult player, but Werewolves is pretty fun.
Of the two occult-centered Game Packs for The Sims 4, I put Werewolves above Vampires. I have played both these occults, but I found that werewolves were more appealing to me. There’s quite a lot that The Sims 4 Werewolves did right. In fact, there’s not much they did wrong at all.
I like that you can buy perks for werewolves, while also getting randomly assigned quirks. I also appreciated that as a werewolf, you can choose to join two gangs: one that’s more friendly, another that’s more wild, depending on how you want to play. The new world Moonwood Mill is also an really interesting place to visit, and the new CAS and objects are really cool too.
Although I don’t generally play with occults much in The Sims 4, I can see myself trying out as a werewolf again one day.
Dream Home Decorator
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Game Pack Order: 10
Pros
- Love the new Create-A-Sim content
- Doubly love the new objects
Cons
- Have never tried out the Interior Decorator career (but that will probably change)
I’ve always been more interested in the new clothes and objects than the career.
The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack is an interesting entry in this list for me. To put it simply, the main reason I got this pack was for the new Create-A-Sim stuff and all the new objects. As for the Interior Decorator career, the main new feature and focus of this pack, I have never played it. Not then, and not since.
It just hasn’t really interested me, which I actually find really bizarre because I actually really enjoy redecorating in The Sims 4. I’m just not that bothered about the career. It seems too much like hard work, and I don’t really want to spend all my time redecorating other Sims’ homes just for them to potentially not like what I’ve done.
Perhaps I’m thinking too much about The Sims 3 Ambitions, which also has an Interior Decorator career. I struggled to really get into that. It might be a different story with Dream Home Decorator though, so maybe I just need to try it out and give it a chance. As they say, you don’t know if you don’t try.
However, that’s not to say that getting Dream Home Decorator was a total waste for me. I frequently use the objects that come with this pack, and I absolutely love them. The Create-A-Sim items are really lush, too. For me, this is enough to make getting this pack worth it – and perhaps one day I’ll give the Interior Decorator career a go too. I’ll probably end up loving every moment of it.
Dine Out
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Game Pack Order: 3
Pros
- Dining out experience is pretty neat
- Can own your own restaurant
- Dining out includes trying out experimental meals
- CAS and new objects are pretty good
Cons
- Dining experience can be flawed
Dining out is great… when it actually works.
The Sims 4 Dine Out adds a popular feature to the game: being able to eat out. The Sims 4 has bars where you can order food and cafés where you can get snacks, but eating at a proper restaurant is a whole different experience, and a great one at that… at least when it goes to plan.
I really like the restaurant experience that comes with The Sims 4 Dine Out. You get lots of pre-made restaurants that you can place in any world, which then come with staff who serve you, and other patrons dining out around you. I enjoy visiting different restaurants and seeing what’s on the menu, soaking in the atmosphere. Every place is different.
However, like many others have reported, not every Dine Out experience is flawless. Sometimes my food never arrives, or it takes hours (in the game) before my Sims get served. I don’t know if this has since been fixed because I haven’t been to a restaurant in The Sims 4 for a very long time. Perhaps I’ll have to try it again and see. I do miss it.
Otherwise, Dine Out does include some good stuff for Create-A-Sim and Build/Buy Mode that I use outside the restaurants.
My Wedding Stories
Release Date: February 23, 2022
Game Pack Order: 11
Pros
- Excellent at upgrading weddings in The Sims 4
- New world is stunningly beautiful
- Can bake your own wedding cakes!
- Adds lots of new stuff for weddings, such as clothes and objects
Cons
- Organizing weddings can be tricky
- A little buggy (but was much worse when first released, since 95% fixed)
My Wedding Stories is much better after all those bugs were addressed.
The Sims 4 My Wedding Stories had a notorious start, thanks to its numerous bugs that I encountered along with many other players. Fortunately, these were quickly rectified, which I can confirm. Now weddings really do run like a dream in The Sims 4 with My Wedding Stories.
It did an amazing job at making weddings much better in general, having more control in organizing all the little details like attire, the venue, activities, events, and even the wedding cake. It can be a bit fiddly getting some things sorted, but for the most part it’s pretty smooth and your Sims are guaranteed to have their dream wedding.
We also mustn’t neglect to talk about Tartosa, possibly one of the most beautiful worlds to come out of The Sims 4. This Italian-inspired world is like something out of a dream, and I’m always excited to visit there.
Parenthood
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Game Pack Order: 5
Pros
- Good for family-oriented gameplay
- Adds new objects and activities for kids
- Upgrades parenting role
- Good CAS and objects
Cons
- Lots of features only works with free will turned on
I like family gameplay, so Parenthood gets a thumbs-up from me.
As a Sims player, I’m more of a family-oriented person. I have been since I first started playing The Sims when I was 12. That’s probably why packs like Parenthood attract me. I’ll admit, when compared to the Growing Together Expansion Pack, that one does trump Parenthood, but The Sims 4 Parenthood is still good in its own right and actually does complement the Expansion.
Certain things I like about Parenthood include school projects for kids and teens. I don’t always do them, but it is fun to watch Sims working on them, especially together. It’s a nice bonding moment between Sims. Parenthood also does a good job of making parents in The Sims 4 seem more like parents, being able to work with their kids and guide them through life, whether it’s helping them out, offering advice, or dishing out discipline. There’s even a new aspiration for aspiring parents.
Spa Day
Release Date: July 14, 2015 (Updated September 7, 2021)
Game Pack Order: 2
Pros
- Love the whole spa experience
- Different ways to relax including yoga, massages, meditation, baths
- Update added lots of cool new things
- Aspirations just for finding zen
- Really like the CAS stuff
Cons
- Can’t really think of anything bad to say!
There’s nothing more relaxing than a trip to the spa.
It’s true, that last point. I can’t rack my brain as to anything bad to say about The Sims 4 Spa Day. It really is a chilled-out Game Pack. You’ll feel as equally relaxed as your Sims after a trip to the spa. This Game Pack got even better after it received a big update adding new gameplay and stuff a few years after its original release, something that’s never been done for any pack before.
Outdoor Retreat
Release Date: January 13, 2015
Game Pack Order: 1
Pros
- Really enjoy taking my Sims on vacation to Granite Falls
- Love the new CAS stuff and objects
- Relaxing outdoor activities
Cons
- Can be hard to gather ingredients for Herbalism
I love nothing better than a camping trip to Granite Falls.
I love sending my Sims on vacation, just to get a change in scenery and routine. That’s probably why I rank The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat so high, just like The Sims 2 Bon Voyage. Granite Falls does remind me a bit of Three Lakes from The Sims 2. It only has two neighborhoods, but these are quite big and there is plenty of accommodation to choose from. At Granite Falls, you can choose to stay in a cabin, or go tenting. Both are fun.
Granite Falls just has such a relaxing vibe. I enjoy sending my Sims on walks, picking herbs, catching bugs, going fishing, roasting food at the campfire, and just generally chilling out.
Jungle Adventure
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Game Pack Order: 6
Pros
- Love visiting Selvadorada
- Exploring the jungle is challenging but good fun and rewarding
- Raiding temples is equally challenging, rewarding, and good fun
- Archaeology Skill is fun to do
Cons
- Different random areas of Selvadorada jungle locked out in different visits
- Can only visit temple pretty much once a visit
Jungle Adventure is easily the best, with its temples to raid, jungle to explore, and town to relax in.
Picking my number one Game Pack for The Sims 4 was easy. I simply adore Jungle Adventure. It does remind me a lot of the Uncharted series, one of my favorite games ever (except Jungle Adventure doesn’t include gunfights and driving jeeps and climbing).
I love nothing better than sending my Sim to Selvadorada for an adventure vacation. Even if you’re not interested in an adventure, you can still have a good time in Selvadorada’s main town for a getaway.
It’s very hard to resist sending your Sim into the jungle though. It can be tough, but that’s what I like. If it was easy, it would be boring. There’s a big thrill whenever you discover a new area, including the temple itself! Getting through the temple’s numerous traps and obstacles makes it so much fun, and the rewards at the end are so worth it. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to go digging at dig sites to find treasure and build the ever-so-rewarding Archaeology Skill.
Visiting Selvadorada is something I will never get bored of with The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure, and I think it will be difficult to top this one.
