The fact that The Sims 4 has a large number of expansion packs is no secret. Numerous expansion packs, in fact. Expansion packs have been a mainstay of the series ever since the original game started releasing DLC like Hot Date, Unleashed, and more back in the early 2000s. They cannot be avoided.
There were just seven expansions available for the first game, but as the series has progressed, there have been an increasing number. Since the fourth incarnation of the game has been available for more than ten years, EA has had plenty of time to produce expensive expansions; Lovestruck, the most recent, is scheduled for release soon. It is now more expensive to get each and every Sims expansion, even if you do not intend to add Lovestruck to your collection.
Fortunately, a number of these expansions are often discounted, but for devoted gamers who purchased every expansion at retail, it represents a significant financial outlay.
Whichever way you feel about DLC, this is an absurd price. These extensions cost hundreds of dollars, and whether they really function is a another matter entirely.
The issue with Sims 4 expansion packs
There will inevitably be some problems and malfunctions in games when new material is launched. But there have been several versions of The Sims 4 that really do steal the cake. My Wedding Stories caused one of the most recent issues when it was first released.
Numerous important gameplay features were broken, such as the Sims refusing to comply with player directions to sit down during the ceremony. Even though you may set the dress code in the pack, Sims will still arrive in inappropriate attire. Frequently, the game would crash in the midst of the nuptials.
By no means is My Wedding Stories the only expansion that has this issue. Some packs, like Dine Out, are still very glitchy to this day, almost unplayable. While a few minor issues are to be anticipated, you want something to function when you pay a high price for it.
Players' accusations that EA divides material into smaller packs in order to make more money have also surfaced. For example, consider My First Pet Stuff, an expansion inside an expansion. You must already own Cats & Dogs in order to access every item in the stuff pack. Why weren't these things just included to Cats & Dogs from the start? Raising the price seems to be the only viable answer.
It may be argued that you can enjoy yourself without buying any more stuff, but is that really the case?
Is The Sims 4 even playable without expansions?
I take it that the issue is resolved if all you receive is the basic game? However, without all of the DLC, The Sims 4's original edition is somewhat boring. To top it off, a lot of the most thrilling activities your Sims may engage in need for the purchase of at least one expansion pack. This isn't even including the lesser DLC items like game packs, stuff packs, and kits.
It is impossible to follow your Sims into any job without Get To Work. You cannot raise any pets if you do not have Cottage Living or Cats & Dogs. Until the Grim Reaper shows up, your Sims are allowed to live out their days, going down rabbit holes and spending time on three or four vanilla communal lots that resemble gyms. Even simple elements like children and pools weren't included to the original game until several years after it was released.
Not to mention how limited the choices are in terms of CAS and Build and Buy mode. Without giving EA money, you have very few options for decor, cosmetics, hairstyles, and outfits. These products feature POC hairstyles and ethnic apparel, which has led to accusations against EA that it is effectively enclosing other cultures behind paywalls.
Is The Sims 4 still a possibility?
Even while the game's ongoing expansion packs have drawn a lot of criticism, it's doubtful that EA will stop producing them anytime soon. 16 million more people played the original game once it became free-to-play, bringing new fans to the franchise. Though only in certain circles, the hardcore crowd may be frustrated with DLC's current situation. The popularity of the game has continued unabated.
The game has maintained a steady player peak of around 40,000 for many months now, according to SteamDB. As of July 2024, it has been one of the best-selling items on the Steam Store, ranking in the top 100 sellers for more than 200 weeks.
For EA, this is wonderful news since it seems like they can keep releasing expansions without end. Really, a corporation cannot ask for more. The Sims community may anticipate that the overall cost of the game will only rise. The next game in the Sims series, codenamed Project Renee, is expected to follow this same trend, so lovers of life simulators better prepare their cash. We still have moderators, at least.