The Sims 4: Horse Ranch expansion pack is finally here with new features for Simmers to enjoy. While it may not be everyone's favorite, the long-awaited release of horses as household members is now possible thanks to this pack, alongside some other features players can explore. For builders, in particular, the Horse Ranch expansion pack can be considered quite exciting since it brings over 200 new Build/Buy items combined with a variety of swatches to choose from.
As the pack's theme focuses on horses and building a ranch with certain livestock, players will notice that the aesthetics of the world and new items match the Western style. With that, players will find a large amount of Western-inspired designs. However, some items can even match modern households for those who are more interested in creating a modern farmhouse design instead. This, combined with the ceiling painting that has just been added to The Sims 4 with the recent base-game update, allows players to have even more options when creating their perfect houses without the need to rely on mods or custom content.
All Build Mode Items
In comparison to the Buy mode items, the Build mode in Horse Ranch expansion pack is quite limited; however, it still adds a significant amount of new wall paintings, flooring, doors, and windows. The pack also introduces other objects like new staircases, staircase rails, and terrain objects such as trees or bushes that perfectly match the theme of the world.
One of the most notable additions in the Build mode is the variety of fences and fence doors. These items are excellent for creating custom ranches or providing more privacy for the residence. Most of these fence options are wood-textured, with numerous swatches offering different wood types and colors. The emphasis on wood textures and the selection of items perfectly captures the essence of Western style architecture and ranch designs, making it a delight for players who enjoy building in this theme.
All Buy Mode Items
Buy mode items in the Horse Ranch expansion feature both essential household items, including comfort items like beds, couches, and chairs, as well as plumbing and kitchen items. However, it also includes many items specifically related to the features provided in the horse ranch.
For example, players will come across a variety of items for the new nectar-making skill, including nectar racks and nectar-making objects. Another significant set of items players will notice is the inclusion of community-related items. These items cater to the new group dances included with the pack, offering different sizes of dance floors to fit various group sizes. Additionally, players can find other entertainment-related items like a guitar and a piano that perfectly match the aesthetics of the pack. The pack also doesn't forget to add a wide variety of decorative items. These range from small clutter items like plate stacks to larger ones like barrel stacks or large ranch gates.
Undoubtedly, however, players will also notice a significant amount of items added specifically for horses and livestock catering. From items such as horse beds to horse training equipment, players can now train their horses' agility and jumping skills. Additionally, there are other items designed to take care of the animals, such as animal feeders and large water sources. It is important to note that these items generally require quite a lot of space. Luckily, in the new world, Chestnut Ridge, there are many large-sized lots that are unoccupied, ready for players to move in their families and start taking care of their livestock.
Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that players have more customization options for large animal and livestock spaces compared to Cottage Living. This level of customization allows players to create the ranch of their dreams, tailored to their preferences and needs.
Players may also notice that, amongst many decor items, some are only unlocked as reward items. As such, while some Iron Works Signage items are readily available, there are 4 specific ones that are only accessible after horses max out the respective skills associated with the item. Alongside all these items, players will also discover 11 new Styled Rooms with different swatches to get inspired to build rooms that fit their needs. As with the Build mode items, it's worth noting that most of the swatches that come with the Horse Ranch expansion pack buy mode items also heavily showcase a wood texture, with the swatches primarily featuring other tones based on different tree types.
Limited-Time Purchase Bonus Items
As with the previous recent expansion packs, preordering Horse Ranch allows players to receive 3 additional items as a bonus under "Rockin' Rancher Digital Content". Interestingly, however, while these items do match the theme of Western style, they do not particularly bring anything related to horse care or ranch, but rather leisure and decor items, as they include a guitar, a large decorated wheel, and a rocking chair.
The Sims 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.