by theygamesBuying everything in The Sims 4 is a game in itself – a collect-a-thon that requires expert knowledge in the field. Like a jewel appraiser, the Sims 4 expert can look at a DVD case and – ah, do you see? – observe the subtle but telltale signs that distinguish a Game Pack from a Stuff Pack. By the end of this article, that expert will be you.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing add-ons according to whatever pops up on Origin and takes your fancy. But if you want to know the whole Sims 4 landscape before deciding where you land – or are simply curious about how much you could spend on one management game, if you wanted to – then read on.
You should know that The Sims 4 and its many expansions, Game Packs, and Stuff Packs are regularly on sale. These discounts can be pretty hefty – at the time of writing, EA is selling the base game at half price, while a couple of bundles offer deals on the most recent expansions.
As such, if you were to splurge on the entire Sims 4 catalogue on any given day, you would be unlikely to pay full whack for all of it. The total we’ve come to merely pulls together the cost of the game and every piece of DLC at full price.
That caveat out of the way, it’s maths time.
Base Game
The Sims 4 – free
Here’s the game as it was released back in 2014, plus a bunch of patches that filled some of the notable gaps you may have heard about at the time – namely toddlers and swimming pools. Given that The Sims is known as a simulator of both life and lavish lifestyles, it’s still remarkable neither were in there to begin with, but I digress. The Sims 4 is a good PC game, and since October 2022, the base game has been completely free to download.
Digital Deluxe upgrade – $9.99 USD/£8.99 GBP
The question here is whether you’d splash out for the additions available here. There are a couple of good reasons for doing so: exclusive items and outfits that are great for parties, and a copy of the soundtrack – which is excellent working music. There’s nothing that makes you more productive than an earful of Buy Mode. While you’d have had to pay steep price for the pleasure at launch, it’s a pretty cheap upgrade for the base game these days.
Running total: $9.99 USD/£8.99 GBP
Expansion Packs
Say what you like about the DLC habit of The Sims but you can’t deny the pricing is nice and clear. Unless they’re on sale, expansion packs cost £34.99 – always. Think of these as ‘90s-style add-ons – meaty, meaningful additions to game mechanics and playable areas. Are pets really optional? I don’t think they are. Here, kitty kitty. Get in the basket.
- Get to Work – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Get Together – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- City Living – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Cats & Dogs – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Seasons – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Get Famous – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Island Living – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Discover University – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Eco-Lifestyle – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Snowy Escape – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Cottage Living – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- High School Years – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
- Growing Together – $39.99 USD/£34.99 GBP
Total for all expansion packs: $519.97 USD/£454.87 GBP
Running total: $529.96 USD/£463.86 GBP
Game Packs
The next type of DLC on the ladder is the Game Pack, which is still a substantial themed experience – like running a restaurant, having a nice day at the spa, or transforming into an immortal creature of myth and building a lair in the Forgotten Hollow. As it stands, there aren’t many more Game Packs than there are expansions – but at £17.99 each, that’s another major hit to the wallet.
- Outdoor Retreat – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Spa Day – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Dine Out – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Vampires – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Parenthood – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Jungle Adventure – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- StrangerVille – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Realm of Magic – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Star Wars: Journey to Batuu – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Dream Home Decorator – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- My Wedding Stories – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
- Werewolves – $19.99 USD/£17.99 GBP
Total for all Game Packs: $239.88 USD/£215.88 GBP
Running total: $769.84 USD/£679.74 GBP
Stuff Packs
Now we’re getting frivolous. Throwing cash at the throwaway. Spending on the furniture and fashion choices that give EA and The Sims such a reputation for over-expanding. Yet there’s value even in the simple Stuff Pack if it fits your sensibilities – I’m a Movie Hangout and Bowling Night kind of person, but not so much Laundry Day.
There’s an argument to be made that this is how Stuff Packs are best consumed – as modifiers that turn The Sims 4 toward your particular interests, rather than essential purchases to be bought in bulk. But, sod it, we’ve come this far. In the basket with you. All of you.
- Luxury Party Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Perfect Patio Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Cool Kitchen Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Spooky Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Movie Hangout Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Romantic Garden Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Kids Room Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Backyard Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Vintage Glamour Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Bowling Night Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Fitness Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Toddler Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Laundry Day Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- My First Pet Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Moschino Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Nifty Knitting Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Paranormal Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Perfect Patio Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Tiny Living Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
- Vintage Glamour Stuff – $9.99 USD/£9.99 GBP
Total for all Stuff Packs: $199.80 USD/£199.80 GBP
Running total: $969.64 USD/£879.54 GBP
The Sims 4 Kits
The Kits are a little smaller than the Stuff Packs (cheaper, too), but they give you a unique collection of items that you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s a list of all of them:
- Bathroom Clutter – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Blooming Rooms – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Bust the Dust – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Carnaval Streetwear – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Country Kitchen – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Courtyard Oasis – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Décor to the Max – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Desert Luxe – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Everyday Clutter – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Fashion Street – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- First Fits – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Incheon Arrivals – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Industrial Loft – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Little Campers – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Modern Menswear – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Moonlight Chic – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Pastel Pop – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Simitimates – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
- Throwback Fit – $4.99 USD/£4.99 GBP
Total for all Kits: $94.81 USD/£94.81 GBP
Overall total: $1064,45 USD/£974.35 GBP
We did it: we spent approximately ten times the amount of a new triple-A game on The Sims 4. In our heads, at least. Are you proud? I’m proud on some level, in the same way acid house group The KLF must have been when they burned a million pounds in a disused boathouse on the Scottish island of Jura.
We now own a truly comprehensive version of one of the best management games you can play on PC. But at what cost? Oh, yeah – £485.73. Does anyone else feel a bit sick?