As The Sims 4 enters its 10th year in 2025, many players are still debating whether the base game provides a full and satisfying experience, or if additional expansions and game packs are necessary to make the game truly enjoyable. With regular updates and new content added over the years, The Sims 4 has evolved significantly, but does the base game alone hold up in 2025? Here’s a closer look at what players can expect from the game without any packs installed.

How Does Create a Sim Hold Up in 2025?

Create a Sim (CAS) is the cornerstone of The Sims 4 experience, allowing players to design their Sims from scratch. In the base game, the options for customizing your Sims are quite robust, especially when compared to earlier iterations of the game. Over the years, The Sims 4 has added numerous updates to CAS, such as body hair, tattoos, and medical devices, allowing for more realistic and diverse Sim creations.

However, while the base game offers a solid foundation, there are certain features locked behind expansions. For example, if you want more detailed body hair or specific eyelash styles, you’ll need packs like The Sims 4: High School Years or Love Struck. While you can definitely make a decent-looking Sim with the base game, it’s clear that EA uses these packs to enhance the customization experience, especially for more niche requests like full-body hair or advanced eyelash options.

Build Mode: Can You Create Your Dream Home Without Packs?

One area where The Sims 4 truly excels is Build Mode. The base game has seen regular updates to its building features, with new doors, windows, and other building assets frequently being added. In fact, Build Mode has arguably received the most substantial updates across the entire game. Players can create an impressive array of houses, from starter homes to contemporary mansions, using only the base game.

The recent updates have made The Sims 4 one of the best build simulators in the genre. The game offers a variety of styles, and if you’re skilled at using the tools provided, you can create beautiful, functional homes with the base game alone. However, for more extravagant or historically-themed builds, you may find the base game limiting. The assets in the base game largely focus on modern and minimalist designs, so if you’re after a Victorian or Tudor-style home, you may find yourself wanting additional content from expansions.

Family Gameplay in the Base Game: Is It Enough?

One of the most debated aspects of The Sims 4 is family gameplay. The base game does offer some family-oriented features, such as the ability to create children, toddlers, and elders, and interact with them in basic ways. You can create a family, manage their needs, and build relationships. But when it comes to depth, the base game has limitations.

For example, kids in The Sims 4 can engage in basic activities like drawing on the activity table or experimenting with the science table, but these activities don’t provide much excitement. The interactions available to children are basic, and there are few additional ways to make their lives more interesting.

Without the Parenthood expansion pack, which is widely regarded as essential for family gameplay, players might find themselves struggling to find engaging activities for their Sims’ younger generations. While the base game allows for the creation of families, the complexity and depth of family dynamics are missing without additional content.

Freelance Careers and Social Interactions: A Limited Experience

The base game offers several freelance career options, such as being a writer, digital artist, or programmer. While this provides some variety to the typical career paths, it can feel a bit underwhelming in comparison to the active careers offered by packs like Get to Work. Freelance careers are nice, but they lack the depth and interaction that more developed careers provide.

In terms of social interactions, the base game doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking. While you can engage in the usual conversations, flirtations, and friendships, the lack of diverse interactions from packs like Get Together or City Living means socializing in the base game can feel a bit shallow. Many players turn to packs for more variety in how their Sims interact, especially when it comes to group activities, hobbies, and social dynamics.

Events, Scenarios, and the Lack of Long-Term Fun

To keep players engaged, The Sims 4 has periodically released in-game events and scenarios that provide new challenges or assets. However, many players find these events to be repetitive and lacking in meaningful rewards. While they often offer new items for CAS and Build Mode, the events can feel like chores rather than exciting additions to the game.

Sims 4 Scenarios were introduced to give players structured challenges to complete. While they can be fun in short bursts, many players have criticized them for being underdeveloped and limited in scope. A few of the scenarios were even made time-limited, making it impossible for players to experience them once they were gone. The potential for more diverse and interactive scenarios exists, but unfortunately, The Sims 4 team hasn’t fully explored it yet.

You can see how YouTuber SatchonSims enjoys playing the game without expansion packs in this video.

Is The Sims 4 Base Game Worth Playing Without Packs?

Ultimately, the answer to whether The Sims 4 is enjoyable without packs is subjective. For players who are content with basic life simulation gameplay, the base game offers a good starting point. You can make Sims, build homes, manage needs, and complete basic career and Social Activities. However, as you progress in the game, the lack of depth in certain areas—especially family gameplay and career options—becomes apparent.

For those seeking a more dynamic experience, additional packs are almost a necessity. Packs like Parenthood, Get Together, and Get to Work add significant depth to The Sims 4, enhancing the experience and providing new ways to interact with the world. If you’re a player who enjoys family gameplay, careers, and social activities, you’ll likely find the base game limiting without any expansions.

Complete List of The Sims 4 Expansion Packs

  1. The Sims 4: Get to Work (Released March 31, 2015)
    Add new career paths and expand your gameplay with active careers.
  2. The Sims 4: Get Together (Released November 17, 2015)
    Explore new social activities and create your own clubs with this expansion.
  3. The Sims 4: City Living (Released November 1, 2016)
    Experience urban life with apartments, festivals, and a new city setting.
  4. The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs (Released November 10, 2017)
    Introduce pets into your Sims’ lives with cats, dogs, and veterinary careers.
  5. The Sims 4: Seasons (Released June 22, 2018)
    Experience the changing seasons and holiday events, enhancing realism.
  6. The Sims 4: Get Famous (Released November 16, 2018)
    Guide your Sims to stardom, from social media influencers to movie stars.
  7. The Sims 4: Island Living (Released June 21, 2019)
    Enjoy beach life with tropical islands, ocean activities, and new careers.
  8. The Sims 4: Discover University (Released November 15, 2019)
    Send your Sims to university for new academic pursuits and student life.
  9. The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle (Released June 5, 2020)
    Build sustainable homes and embrace eco-friendly living with this expansion.
  10. The Sims 4: Snowy Escape (Released November 13, 2020)
    Enjoy winter sports, mountain living, and Japanese-inspired culture.
  11. The Sims 4: Cottage Living (Released July 22, 2021)
    Embrace rural life with farming, gardening, and a cozy cottage lifestyle.
  12. The Sims 4: High School Years (Released July 28, 2022)
    Relive high school life with new social dynamics and teen-focused gameplay.
  13. The Sims 4: Growing Together (Released March 16, 2023)
    Deepen family relationships and introduce new life stages and activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Sims 4 Base Game and Packs

Can you create a good-looking Sim without any packs?

Yes, but packs provide extra options, especially for male Sims and advanced features like body hair.

Is build mode any good without packs?

Build mode has received a lot of updates, and you can create a variety of builds with just the base game.

Do you need packs to make the game more fun?

Yes, while the base game has basic features, packs add depth, especially for family and career gameplay.

What packs are best for improving family gameplay?

Parenthood is the most recommended pack for family gameplay, with Growing Together being a solid option too.

If you’re looking for a more detailed and engaging experience in The Sims 4, it’s clear that packs play an essential role in expanding what the base game offers. Whether you’re after family dynamics, more career choices, or deeper social interactions, there’s no denying that packs bring added value to the game. But if you’re content with managing your Sims’ basic needs and building homes, the base game is still a solid choice.