User blog:Alex the Vampire/Sims 3 Expansion Packs Ranked

The Sims 3 had a mighty eleven expansion packs that followed it, just to keep fans of the series tied on. Here I'll list them from my least favorite to my favorite, though they are all enjoyable in their own way. Note: This is only my opinion.

11: The Sims 3: World Adventures (2009)

This expansion released just several months after the base game was about visiting different holiday destinations and completing missions there. On paper, that sounds like a reasonable premise. However, this expansion was not as good as it could've been for a number of reasons, most notably that the holidays seem like immense burdens. Costing several thousand simoleons, they require you to, at times, spend days in a tomb or cave just to get one object. Though they can be interesting, they take away from the core game, by introducing the whole "adventure" aspect of gameplay which changed the whole sandbox style of The Sims 3. Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a bad expansion pack, it just needed tidying up in a number of ways.

10: The Sims 3: Showtime (2012)

This expansion isn't a fan favorite, I must say. Showtime was all about the glitz and glamor of being a performer. Whether you're a magician, acrobat or singer, this expansion is all about owning the stage. Its new town, Starlight Shores, looks exactly like the Sims equivalent of Hollywood. This one was actually fun to play, it was just more "style over substance". Simport was another key feature of this, as it allowed players to play with people online over the internet. The main problem with this, obviously, is that The Sims 3 was designed to be played alone. It was very similar to Late Night, in the way that it was about being an icon. Though this one seemed to take the formula for Late Night and change it slightly. Nothing new was brought to the series with this expansion, though it was fun to play.

9: The Sims 3: Generations (2011)

This was always a weird expansion to me. It focused more on life phases, with more to do for toddlers and children, and even some things for adults. Most of the play in this one, I find, isn't noticeable straightaway. For example, a "mid-life crisis" was introduced, though doesn't seem to occur very often. This was unusual to me because usually expansions change the gameplay of Sims in one way or another. Take World Adventures for example. It introduced holidays and visiting abroad. This just seemed to enhance the gameplay already there. It didn't introduce anything too flashy or bright, it just seemed to add background play, giving the game a new depth. It added things that are great, but you wouldn't tend to notice.

8: The Sims 3: Into the Future (2013)

Into the Future was generally themed around sci-fi, robots and, well, the future. It was like the polar opposite of Generations. It was bright, extravagant and bold. This expansion introduced Plumbots, and these were much more customisable than other Simbots from Ambitions. These could have trait chips and could be used for a robot family or simply as servants. Traveling to the future opened a range of opportunities. You could be immobilised as a statue for your good deeds in the present, or you could visit your descendants. This was a very enjoyable expansion, though after you've witnessed what this has to offer, you kind of just want to go back to your normal Sims game. It was a nice little detour from normal jobs and work, though after you've experienced it, it's just good to go back to normality.

7: The Sims 3: Pets (2011)

Pets was an interesting addition to the game, bringing in very customisable pets with their own traits and personalities. The pets can be controlled, can be trained and can become friends with other pets. The pets, however, require a lot of work. If they go outside too much, they're very likely to get fleas, and they can be passed on to human sims. The whole theming of this expansion was obviously very animal centred, which was a good and a bad thing. It provided a lot of fun and enjoyable gameplay, but apart from the pets, there isn't really anything else to it. The pets are very fun to have in a household, but like Into the Future, you play with them for a while and then just return to your regular sims game.

6: The Sims 3: Supernatural (2012)

This one felt like the marmite of expansions. Most people either lovd or hated it. Including more supernatural elements, this pack includes five new life forms, along with a spooky new town and careers. The theming of this pack was very halloween, which again, is a strength and a downfall. It provides lots of fun and interesting things to do, such as riding brooms and using magic wands, but in your everyday game, would you really want to use all thie stuff? In Late Night, vampires were introduced to change things around slightly. Here, however, things were changed drastically with all the different occults and skills. It was a very interesting, unique and creative expansion, though it's not one you need to have.

5: The Sims 3: Ambitions (2010)

Yes, I know this is the most popular expansion, but I'm ranking it fifth. One of the main problems with the original game was the fact that the jobs would only send your sim off to a rabbithole and let them do their things for several hours before returning home. Here, however, that was completely revamped, and six new careers can now be played by the player. Including firefighters and architects, the careers are much better than those of the original game. This is obviously a great expansion pack, and is fully worth getting, though I noticed a lot of minor problems with it. For example, the jobs (at times) could be slightly overwhelming, and some of the lifetime wishes of the game were far beyond what could be achieved. That being said, if you haven't got this expansion, don't hold back any more.

4: The Sims 3: University Life (2013)

This is how World Adventures should've been. The university mascot appears at your house unexpectedly and uninvited to give you a bag of gifts, the most notable thing in the bag is the aptitude test. Regardless of whether your sim takes the test, sims can go to university to get a degree. However, in university, there's more stuff you can do than ever before. You can be part of either the jocks, nerds or rebels, building your way up to gain more respect from peers. And if you do well enough in your social group, you receive a job offer. This was a temporary getaway from regular sim life, but one that provides benefits thereafter.

3: The Sims 3: Seasons (2012)

This was an expansion that added a lot of depth to the game, introducing different weather types such as snow, sun and rain. This expansion also added seasonal holidays, outdoor wear, and of course seasons. Though there was no new town to come with this expansion, it enhanced the games already owned by adding a new layer to the game. The weather itself seems very detailed, with sims' footprints being preserved in the snow and rain running off the edge of a roof. The seasons different festivals provide a day off work and a time for sims to get together. This expansion added a lot of depth to the game, depth which it's hard to play without at this point.

2: The Sims 3: Island Paradise (2013)

This was a rather exotic and interesting expansion, with loads of new clothes, items and other things suited to living on an island. This expansion included a ton of new skills, activities and lifetime rewards. Even some of the new jobs such as a lifeguard or a resort manager seemed more chilled out and relaxed. It was bright, fun, and exotic. New things altogether were introduced here, such as mermaids, the kraken and even houseboats. The only downside to this expansion was that nearly all the new content was only in the bright new town, Isla Paradiso.

1: The Sims 3: Late Night (2010)

This was the first expansion I got, and is so far my favorite. Including new houses (and skyscrapers). There was loads of new content, including new instruments, loads of new clothes and bands. One of the best parts of this, however, was the new celebrity system. Talking to celebrities can increase your celebrity status, and what you do in the public eye can change the public's perceptions of you. Even in old towns of the game, the celebrity sysyem can have a huge impact on a sims life, from making things better, to making things worse.