Aside from being suited for horses, the place itself manages to set itself apart from many of the previous worlds with a distinct look and personality, helped by elements that reflect Native American culture.Īn effort is made to create a sense of community within Chestnut Ridge, though the execution is a mixed bag, partly because the minor features here – community jobs, events, bar venues – don't differ much from similar features that we've seen time and time again across the game's nine-year lifespan and so are on the stale side. On the other hand, Chestnut Ridge is beautiful. EA (via Digital Spy)Ī criticism we had about Cottage Living – an expansion which also has farming elements and which pairs well with Horse Ranch in terms of cross-pack compatibility – was that the world of Henford-on-Bagley felt like a rather generic (albeit pretty) idealised version of an English village. Perhaps too much of that apple nectar to drink. There are some neat quirks – plasma fruit can be used for plasma nectar for vampires, while drinking too much nectar makes a Sim dazed (read: drunk) and eventually fall asleep. These bottles can be consumed, sold, and even matured by leaving them unopened. Ranch hands can be hired to help you manage your ranch, including gardening and horse care, while mini goats and sheep are adorable and you can make some extra money from milking or shearing them.Įlsewhere, nectar-making is a neat activity where Sims can make bottles of nectar (read: wine) using fruit such as grapes or berries as ingredients. The rest of the expansion is largely focused on expanding on the ranch theme or breathing life into Chestnut Ridge. It does take away slightly from the in-game days spent training your horse. The venue itself is nothing more than a rabbit hole, so you don't actually see any of the competitions – just a pop-up a few hours later stating the results. Perhaps the biggest disappointment in the whole expansion is how competitions at the equestrian centre are portrayed. That's not to say everything related to horses is perfect. The bond that was built over time felt tangible, and that in itself is quite powerful and something that not all expansions are able to achieve.Įntering the equestrian centre in Chestnut Ridge’s New Appaloosa neighbourhood. We became increasingly attached to our pet horse as it became a part of our day-to-day life. Horses have a number of needs to keep an eye on, so as the owner, it's important to socialise and spend time with them as well as keeping them well-fed, but more than that, they have a number of stats – such as Stamina, Agility, and Jumping – that can be raised particularly if you're interested in entering competitions at the local equestrian centre. If bonding with cats or dogs is a highlight for you, then chances are that the horses here will scratch that same itch. It certainly helps that the American West-inspired world of Chestnut Ridge complements horses gameplay, offering trails that are ideal for rides and exploration. It just makes all interactions relating to horses feel that much better, from feeding and bonding with your animal to going for rides. One of the most striking things about horses in-game is the exceptional quality of their animations, making horses come across as authentic yet also exuding personality. Interacting and playing with the horse is just as good. Our first horse was an intelligent and free-spirited Akhal-Teke. The deep customisation makes it incredibly easy for your horses to be unique – though you can also breed and rescue horses – and from the hours you can spend creating your dream horse, it's easy to grow attached to your new pet before the first minute of live gameplay. You can pick from more than 30 breeds (from Arabian and Thoroughbred to Clydesdale and Friesian), change the horse's coat colours/patterns, mane, forelock, feathers, tail and outfit, go into Paint Mode, and select up to three traits that inform its personality. The customisation options available for horses in CAS is remarkable. Of course, it helps if playing with horses in The Sims is right up your alley. The amount of care and passion that went into portraying the animal is highly impressive, and the fun and satisfaction that comes from owning and bonding with your horse bleeds into the other aspects of the expansion in a positive way. The star of this pack and by far the biggest selling point are the titular horses, and they do not disappoint.

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