Is Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Worth It?

Fans are understandably excited whenever a new expansion pack is released for The Sims 4. In all of that excitement, though, there may be some hesitation. With a hefty price tag, players (including me) want to be sure that the cost is worth it. That's why I bought the Horse Ranch pack, played it, and have the answer for you!

Is it worth buying The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack?

The Sims 4 Horse Ranch has a lot to break down. To help you decide whether the pack is worth buying, we should look deeper. Observations can be made not only about gameplay, but also on CAS, Build/Buy, and others. I noted down the features that stuck out to me in Horse Ranch and divided them into pros and cons.

All Pros in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch

• Big new world, Chestnut Ridge with 13 lots
• Chestnut Ridge has easter eggs and beautiful scenery throughout to create an immersive world
• Lots of gameplay on ranches to keep players busy
• Extensive CAS for horses with body paint, hair colors, accessories, and other customizations
• Two new events that promote a sense of community
• More CAS content than usual for masculine Sims
• CAS content for Sims is unique and adds value for players
• Extra gameplay features, like nectar-making and caring for mini-animals are surprisingly in-depth

All Cons in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch

• No new WooHoo spots for Sims
• New deaths for Sims not included
• Not much content geared towards Infants, Babies, Toddlers, Children, or Elders
• Two new aspirations are too easy to complete
• No wild horses, which were featured in past Sims games
• The Equestrian Center for horses is a rabbit hole, meaning you don't actually follow them inside the venue
• Lack of family content while living on ranches
• Players who aren't extremely invested in ranch life and horses will grow tired of the pack quickly
• The Build/Buy style may not mix well with other packs
• No focus on cross-pack compatibility

Related: Which Sims 4 expansion packs are worth it?

What do you get with Sims 4 Horse Ranch?

You get lots of content within The Sims 4 Horse Ranch, since it is a sizable expansion pack. To be more specific, I took stock of what was added to the Horse Ranch pack and separated it into three helpful categories.

Horse Content

• Get horses via CAS, breeding, or adoption
• CAS accessories for horses, like unicorn horns and leg-warmers
• Competitive shows for horses
• Raise horses from foals with different interactions and animations

Ranch Content

• Animal homesteading content, like fertilizer and wool
• Mini-goats and mini-sheep
• Hire Ranch Hands to help you with ranch/farm work
• New events, Ranch Animal Day and Ranch Gathering

Sims & Miscellaneous Content

• Nectar (wine) making
• Western-style clothing for Sims
• Two new traits, Horse Lover and Rancher
• Two new aspirations, Expert Nectar Maker and Championship Rider
• A secret cave in Chestnut Ridge with rabbit hole gameplay that is surprisingly fun and challenging

Is Sims 4 Horse Ranch worth the cost?

Coming in at a price tag of USD$40, Horse Ranch isn't a cheap expansion. This means that whether or not the cost is worth it will be a very personal decision. If you're someone who has wanted horses in Sims for a long time, this pack is definitely worth it for you.

For players less excited about horses but do like ranch living, this pack is still worth playing. But these players may be better off waiting for a sale. Sims 4 fans that already own Cottage Living and aren't interested in other animal-based packs are probably better off passing on this one.

Want to read more about farming in The Sims 4? If so, check out How to Plant Seeds in Sims 4 on Pro Game Guides.