Look, let’s be real for a second. Ranking The Sims 4 expansion packs is basically like trying to pick a favorite child, except some of those children cost forty bucks and occasionally break your save file. With the release of Royalty & Legacy in early 2026, the pile of DLC has officially reached "mountainous" status.
I’ve spent thousands of hours in this game. I’ve lived through the dark ages of the 2014 launch and the "Year of the Horse" hype. Honestly, if you’re looking at a list that still puts Get to Work in the top five, you’re being lied to. We’ve had a decade of content, and the power creep is very real. Some packs that were "essential" in 2017 are basically obsolete now that we have deeper systems in 2026.
The Heavy Hitters: Packs That Actually Change Everything
If you’re starting from scratch or just have a few bucks to spend, these are the ones that fundamentally shift how the game feels. They aren't just "extra stuff"; they’re mechanical overhauls.
1. Seasons
This is the only pack that is truly non-negotiable. Period. Without it, your Sims live in a perpetual, sunny Groundhog Day. Seasons adds the passage of time. It adds holidays that actually give you something to do on a Tuesday night. I’ve seen people argue that it should have been base game—and they're right—but since it isn't, you need it. The way the light changes in San Myshuno during a thunderstorm is still some of the best art direction Maxis has ever pulled off.
2. Growing Together
Before this pack dropped, infants were basically "object babies" and every Sim felt like a slightly different version of the same person. Growing Together fixed the "soul" problem. The milestones system finally gives your Sims a memory. If your Sim gets fired, they actually care. If they have a mid-life crisis, you have to deal with it. It’s the "Generations" of The Sims 4, and it makes legacy play actually worth the effort.
3. Life & Death
Coming in late 2024, this pack was a massive surprise. We finally got proper funerals, bucket lists, and a way to play as a ghost that didn't feel like a shallow afterlife. The world of Ravenwood is moody and gorgeous. Honestly, the "Soul’s Journey" system is a better progression mechanic than almost anything in the base game. It gives you a reason to keep playing a Sim until the very end.
The "Depends on Your Vibe" Tier
These packs are high-quality, but they won't change every single household you play. If you hate animals, Cats & Dogs is useless to you. If you hate the city, City Living won't stick.
4. City Living
San Myshuno is still the best world Maxis has ever built. I’ll die on this hill. The apartments feel alive in a way the suburbs just don't. You’ve got noisy neighbors, festivals, and that weird guy in the raccoon suit. It’s the peak of "Sims charm."
5. Cottage Living
Cottagecore might be a 2021 trend, but this pack is timeless. The simple living lot challenge is a total game-changer for people who find the game too easy. Raising cows and chickens is weirdly therapeutic. Plus, Henford-on-Bagley is probably the most detailed rural world we have.
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6. Royalty & Legacy (2026 Update)
The newest kid on the block. Maxis finally leaned into the "Game of Thrones" vibe. The Dynasty system is incredibly complex—you can actually designate heirs and deal with royal scandals. It’s ranked here because it's a bit niche. If you aren't into the "Nobility" career or sword fighting, you might find the Prestige system a bit of a chore. But for the storytellers? It’s a goldmine.
7. Discover University
It’s hard. Like, actually difficult. Your Sim will be sleep-deprived, starving, and probably failing Biology. It’s the most realistic part of the game. The degrees actually matter for your career levels, which is great for gameplay balance, though the three-week term can feel like a bit of a slog if you’re playing on normal lifespans.
The Mid-Tier: Good, But Not "Great"
- Horse Ranch: The horses are better than they were in Sims 3, but the world of Chestnut Ridge feels a little empty.
- Business & Hobbies (2025): Added some great skill-based businesses (Pottery! Tattoos!), but can feel a bit repetitive after the third shop you open.
- Eco Lifestyle: The Build/Buy items are 10/10. The Neighborhood Action Plans (NAPs) are 0/10. Seriously, if I see one more Sim wearing a paper bag on their head because of a vote I didn't participate in, I’m deleting the save.
- Get Together: Windenburg is a massive world, and the Club system is secretly the best way to organize your town, but it’s a bit of an "older" pack now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Bottom" Packs
You’ll often see Island Living or Get Famous at the very bottom of lists. I think that's a mistake. Island Living is "shallow" in terms of gameplay, sure, but as a vacation world? It’s unbeatable. You can’t tell me Sulani isn't the prettiest place to take a screenshot.
Get Famous, on the other hand, has a "Fame" system that actually works. It’s annoying when a global superstar walks into a bar and everyone starts fanning themselves, but that’s the point. It adds a level of chaos that the game often lacks.
However, if we’re talking about real disappointment, we have to look at For Rent. On paper, it was the dream: multi-family housing! Being a landlord! In reality? The bugs at launch were legendary, and even in 2026, the loading screens between units in the same building feel... well, very 2014.
The Verdict: How to Build Your Collection
Don't buy everything at once. You'll get overwhelmed and half the features will go unused.
- Start with Seasons. It’s the foundation.
- Add a "Life Stage" pack. Growing Together if you like families, or Life & Death if you like drama and legacy lore.
- Pick a "World" pack. This is based on your personal style. Do you want a city (City Living), a farm (Cottage Living), or a kingdom (Royalty & Legacy)?
Wait for the sales. EA runs them constantly, and honestly, almost no expansion pack—except maybe Seasons—is worth the full $40 price tag when you can get it for $20 three times a year. Keep an eye on the "Grand Bundles" too; the 2026 bundles that include Kits for free are finally starting to feel like a decent value for the money.
If you're looking for a fresh way to play, try the "Simple Living" challenge in Cottage Living combined with the "Bucket List" from Life & Death. It turns the game into a survival-lite experience that actually has some stakes.