Competitions are done in a rabbit hole equestrian center, making them feel somewhat detached this is further amplified by the fact players get the bare minimum of information about the event and competitors besides final ranking. Though not the titular focus of the Expansion, nectar making actually feels more in-depth in some ways that horse competitions. These all have similar care requirements to the animals of Cottage Living - all of which, as well as cats and dogs, have cross-pack interactions with the new stable residents, albeit not in-depth ones. Players can also have mini goats and sheep on the ranch, both of which can oddly be kept in their inventory. Horses themselves also have four skills players can train them in - temperament, agility, jumping and endurance - that affect their competition abilities. There are two main gameplay focuses in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack: horse riding and nectar making, each of which is also a new skill for Sims.

There are 11 traits offered for the animal, with options like Aggressive, Defiant, Mellow, and Friendly. Players can choose from over 30 breeds as a jumping off point and lean into either realistic or whimsical palettes both with their coat and accessories, free drawing on them if desired in Paint Mode steeds can even be adorned with a unicorn horn, however it offers no actual magical abilities akin to The Sims 3's version of the creature. The biggest thing The Sims 4 Horse Ranch brings to CAS is horse creation, which functions like a cross between designing pets and werewolves. There are also two new Traits, Horse Lover and Rancher, which impact a Sim's performance and enjoyment when it comes to things like animal bonding and chores. Each of these has only one level to complete, but some of the goals do take significant work to complete - like earning $100,000 Simoleons from selling Nectar - which makes that single set of tasks feel more worthwhile. Adults will have two new aspirations to choose from, Championship Rider and Expert Nectar Maker.

Sims 4 expansion packs mac free