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It’s been quite some time since the last The Sims 4 expansion was released, and we’ve been patiently waiting for the next one! Electronic Arts finally gave us what we wanted with the new The Sims 4: Horse Ranch expansion. Horse Ranch has been much anticipated and has many expectations from eager players. The inclusion of pets into the game has been a fantastic addition, but does The Sims 4: Horse Ranch live up to the expectations we have for it? It absolutely does.
The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Review: More Than We Expected
Initially, we expected the addition of horse characters and a couple of new professions, as expansions typically include. However, there was so much more involved than I was expecting! Not only did they add in the new characters, but there were also new NPCs, a whole new map, new skills, and even new player interactions. Electronic Arts went above and beyond with this one.
The Sims 4 Horse Ranch CAS: Great for Adults, Lacking for Children
The Create-a-Sim menu in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch did part of what it was supposed to. Many new clothing items and accessories are available to help capture the rancher aesthetic with various things like hats, cowboy outfits, and loads of boots. You can now use “dirty” versions of the typical color swatches to make it seem like your Sim has been hard at work. However, there is one flaw here that, if addressed, could have made the game much more inclusive for every member of your Sim’s household. While there are loads of new styles for adult sims, there is little to choose from when it comes to styles for toddlers and children. Additionally, there aren’t any horse-related aspirations for children.
Now, adult Sims can have the Championship Ride and the Expert Nectar Maker aspirations, each typing right into all the new and exciting features that The Sims 4 Horse Ranch offers. Both aspirations only require one level, but the goals can be very time-consuming, which only draws us into the game that much more! There are also two new traits: Rancher and Horse Lover. Including these traits in your Sim while in the CAS menu can make a big difference in completing each new aspiration.
The CAS menu for creating horses is slightly different than we’re used to with pets. It’s like creating your own Sim but with four legs and a tail! There are over 30 horse breeds to choose from and loads of both realistic and fantasy palettes to choose their colors from. Creating an animal in The Sims 4 has never been so fun!
Build Mode Review: So Much to Choose From
The new items included in the Build and Buy modes of the game don’t disappoint. There are now loads of wooden furniture, new crafting stations, and some of the cutest and cozy decoration pieces. The various barnyard-styled wallpapers and doors, the rustic kitchen set, and the outdoor items set the mood for the expansion.
The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Gameplay: Horses are Huge, but Nectar Takes the Stage
There have been two significant changes to the gameplay surrounding The Sims 4 Horse Ranch. Horse Competitions are an okay way to make money, but Nectar-making is where it’s at. Horse riding is new and exciting, and it takes some focus. There are four new skills that players can train their horses in but like your Sim’s Skills. They are Agility, Jumping, Endurance, and Temperament. Each Horse requires the love and attention that you would give to any pet, ensuring that it is happy, fed, clean, and social!
Nectar-making is taking the foreground in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch. There’s so much to making Nectar! You must collect ingredients, grow them yourself, create the Nectar, bottle it, and age it! You can also sell the Nectar to a Mysterious Rancher when he comes around to get top Simoleon for your product. Since the product of making Nectar is much more apparent, it’s been fascinating for players to take part.
The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Review World: Chestnut Ridge
Chestnut Ridge is the new world with The Sims 4 Horse Ranch. It has three different neighborhoods and 13 different lots. Chestnut Ridge is the perfect place to raise horses, explore new opportunities, and grow all your ingredients for Nectar. Chestnut Ridge boasts a strong sense of community, fun, and exploration.
Related:
How To Breed Horses in The Sims 4
Conclusion: More Than Expected
The Sims 4 Horse Ranch gave us exactly what we were promised, but they also went above and beyond. The expansion between Chestnut Ridge, Horses, Nectar, and even the new NPCs and aspirations has many great features. The expansion is genuinely fun, and we enjoyed playing through it. If you appreciate life sim games and horses, you should grab yourself a copy of The Sims 4 Horse Ranch.
