Unleashing the Ultimate Virtual Equestrian Experience: The Sims 4 Horse Ranch DLC vs Red Dead Redemption 2

Highlights

The latest DLC for The Sims 4, Horse Ranch, introduces a new region and allows players to raise and train horses as customizable members of their families.

Caring for horses in The Sims 4 involves players taking into account their emotional moods, providing them with proper feed, ensuring they are clean, and strengthening the bond by personally hand-feeding them vegetables.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, a strong emphasis is also placed on the relationship between players and their horses. Various interactive actions allow players to earn bonding points, unlocking additional controls and abilities. Players are even given the opportunity to tame wild horses and procure provisions to properly care for their equine companions.

Animals play a prominent role in flagship RPGs as companions, ranging from the all-seeing eagles in the Assassin's Creed franchise to Epona from The Legend of Zelda. Each franchise assigns varying levels of importance to these creatures. Horses, known for their pride and majesty, are crucial for traversal mechanics in most open-world games like Elden Ring. These animals typically require care or upgrades as players progress through the game, as they provide the advantage of swift travel and mounted combat in fighting titles. The Sims 4 Horse Ranch DLC finally allows players of the popular life simulator to enjoy the majesty of equine companions, with the way Maxis allows players to care for their mounts being comparable to that in Red Dead Redemption 2.

The Sims franchise has always had a strong connection with pets, starting with the introduction of pets in The Sims: Unleashed. The latest edition, through the Cats and Dogs expansion pack, has improved players' interactions with dogs through pet training. With the Horse Ranch DLC, a perfect addition to the Cottage Living pack, Maxis has further enhanced the animal care aspect of its flagship title. Red Dead Redemption 2 is another game that takes pride in its portrayal of animals, going beyond surface-level upgrades for horses in the cowboy-inspired RPG to include a deeper level of care in navigating the vast world.

Horses Bring The Worlds of Sims and Arthur Morgan Together

Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Sims 4 belong to different gaming categories, but The Sims 4 Horse Ranch DLC brings them together in a unique way. This recent DLC adds a new World called Chestnut Ridge, which is inspired by the American Wild West. In this new region, players have their own plot of land to raise and train horses, treating them as part of their virtual families. You can even add new horses to your ranch through rescue or breeding, and your Sims can learn the Riding skill and compete for awards at the equestrian center.

Taking care of horses in The Sims 4 can be a complex task, as there are many factors to consider to ensure their well-being. Just like any Sim, horses have their own emotional moods, and how you respond to them can affect your relationship with them. You can also hand-feed them vegetables, creating a special bonding moment between player and horse. Feeding and cleaning up after the horses can take up a whole day in Chestnut Ridge, but Maxis has done an excellent job integrating these companions into The Sims 4's gameplay.

Red Dead Redemption 2 offers gamers the opportunity to form a deep bond with their horses, much like in The Sims 4. They can earn bonding points by engaging in various interactive actions while exploring the Wild West. As the bond levels increase, players unlock new controls and abilities, such as the ability to call the horse from greater distances. Taking care of the horse involves activities like riding, feeding, and brushing. Stables are available where players can house and manage their steeds, groom them, and purchase horse revivers for emergencies. Taming wild horses is also possible, and their base stats can be enhanced by buying stirrups. The unique connection between the player and their horse in Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Sims 4 adds an unexpected layer to both games, making caring for these animals an important aspect of gameplay.

The Sims 4 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.