Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Xbox

PlayStation

PC/Steam

Screenwise Verdict

Cottage Living is genuinely one of the better Sims 4 expansions—it delivers on its cozy promise with engaging farm mechanics, adorable animals, and a beautiful rural world to explore. The gameplay loop of tending crops, befriending chickens (or making enemies with them, apparently), and participating in village fairs is satisfying without being overly complex.

The wholesome cottagecore vibes are strong, making this a nice counterpoint to more chaotic Sims content. That said, it's still The Sims, which means the base game comes with romantic relationships and some mature themes. The expansion itself is innocent, but you're playing within a broader sandbox that gives players a lot of freedom.

The main parenting consideration is the time-suck factor. Common Sense Media isn't wrong—The Sims just keeps going, and the 'one more harvest' mentality is real. Set clear time limits before your kid starts their virtual farm empire, or you'll find them still planting oversized pumpkins at midnight.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10+ who can handle the open-ended gameplay and understand the simulation mechanics. The Sims 4 base game is rated T for Teen due to romantic content, but Cottage Living itself is among the most wholesome expansions. Younger kids (8-9) could play with parental guidance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Emphasizes peaceful rural life, caring for animals, gardening, and community connection. The expansion promotes nurturing behaviors (hugging cows, tending chickens, growing vegetables) and fostering relationships with neighbors. The tone is gentle and cooperative, focused on building a sustainable farm life rather than conflict or chaos.

Imaginative

88

Offers rich creative freedom typical of The Sims franchise—players design their rural lifestyle, customize farms, experiment with crops and livestock, befriend woodland creatures, and build relationships with quirky locals. The cottage aesthetic and farm mechanics add fresh creative possibilities for storytelling and role-play within the simulation sandbox.

Safe

75

No in-game purchases or loot boxes in this expansion specifically. Users can interact online but no open chat system. The Sims 4 base game has some mature themes (romantic relationships, mild suggestive content), but Cottage Living itself focuses on wholesome farming. The main safety concern is the 'just keeps on progressing' nature mentioned by Common Sense Media—the game's continuous time progression can make it difficult to stop playing, creating potential for excessive screen time and compulsive play patterns.

Enriching

72

Teaches resource management, planning, and consequence (crops need care, animals have needs). Players learn about sustainable living, animal husbandry basics, and community interdependence. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused simulation rather than educational content. The gameplay loop is engaging and requires strategic thinking about farm layout and time management, but doesn't offer deep cognitive challenges or meaningful ethical dilemmas.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Promotes nurturing behaviors—caring for animals, tending gardens, and building community relationships in a peaceful rural setting
Excellent creative outlet for designing farm layouts, customizing country aesthetics, and role-playing sustainable living scenarios
Teaches resource management and planning as players balance crop cycles, animal care, and seasonal activities
Beautiful world design and charming gameplay mechanics that feel fresh even for veteran Sims players
No predatory monetization in this expansion—no loot boxes, no in-game purchases beyond the pack itself

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What to Watch For

Requires The Sims 4 base game, which includes romantic relationships and some suggestive content (though nothing explicit)
The continuous time-progression can make it genuinely hard to stop playing—set clear boundaries before starting
Online interactions possible through gallery sharing, though no direct chat with strangers
Like all Sims content, players can create scenarios that range from wholesome to weird—parental discretion for younger kids

Conversation Starters

"If we had a real farm, what animals would you want to raise and why?"
"What do you think is harder—taking care of virtual chickens or real pets?"
"How do you decide what to grow in your garden? What's your farm strategy?"
"Do you think living in the countryside would actually be as peaceful as it is in the game?"

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The Sims 4: Cottage Living