They look black , which is probably why it happened . <| sep |> The best Sims 3 Expansion Packs EPs , in the relative order you should buy themSeasonsIt adds sooo much to the game . In my opinion , it ' s something that should be included in the base game , but unfortunately it ' s not . It ' s exciting to go outside and see that it ' s raining , or snowing or is just a beautiful sunny day . You can splash in puddles and build snowmensnow forts . There ' s a bunch of activities added , such as water balloon fights , skating , rollerblading , go to the festival and a few others . You can celebrate for Spooky Day by dressing up and going trick ' or ' treating , or going through a haunted house . It makes the game a lot more immersive and beautiful . There ' s really no cons to this EP in my opinion either . Some other EPs have lag or things that make them a bit annoying , but this one does not . GenerationsEven if you ' re not a familybased kind of player , I feel as though this EP is pretty necessary . It adds a lot of little details to make the game so much better . Things such as being able to teach your teen to drive , scold your children or sneak out past curfew and getting caught . It adds several more interactions as well , so there ' s more things you can talk to your children about and more things you can do with your children . It makes the families seem so much more real and interactive . AmbitionsThis one adds a whole bunch of careers to the game , and it ' s really cool , because you can follow your Sim to work work is no longer just rabbitholes . There ' s a whole bunch of new traits added , which could help make your Sim ' s career a lot more successful or a lot worse depending how you go . You can also register as selfemployed , and take the job of a painter , inventor or several other choices . It ' s pretty fun because you no longer have to be bored while your Sim is at work you actually get to play him or her . For example if you choose the career of a stylist , you will follow your Sim to the client ' s home and it will open up a CAS type page , and you get to choose the client ' s new look . PetsThis EP is only good if you enjoy animals in real life , because that is this whole EP . You can choose from hundreds of breeds of cats , dogs and horses , and you can also create your own breeds in CAS . The pets get their own traits as well , which can make training them easier or harder . You also get to control the pets , although there isn ' t a whole lot you can do with them basically sniff other pets , run around , eat food etc . As a human Sim though , you can train your pets , and depending on the animal , it can do different things . You can teach dogs tricks such as Sit , you can train both cats and dogs to hunt , and you can train horses to Jump and run the agility courses . Horses also add a whole new type of career . You can ride them and gain riding , jumping and running skills the horse gains them too which helps you compete in races . You can win money in the races , and you can run up to 2 races a day . You can also buy and sell horses for money as well . The EP also has small animals , such as birds , snakes , wombats etc , that you can keep as pets they are NPC ' s and have limited interactions . University LifeThis EP is pretty cool , because you get to experience being a college student . You can go to classes , complete extra assignments for money , and build your status with the Jocks , Nerds or Rebels . If you get to the highest status , your Sim gets an extra slot for a new trait . You build your status by interacting with other Jocks , Nerds or Rebels , or by doing certain activities . It adds a bunch of new items and clothing looks as well . It ' s also a pretty immersive EP , but not a super exciting one . Most people seem to play through it with their first Sim and then not again . While it seems to grow old quickly , it is really fun while it lasts . As well , while your Sim is at University , your family at home is paused . Life will continue normally once you return home . You can also choose to live offcampus , in residence , in a sorority or a frat house . Late Night This EP adds three main things night clubs , vampires and the celebrity system . In the new town of Bridgeport , there are several clubs you can go to , from classy to dirty . Note that you can place the clubs in other towns as well . Vampires are introduced here , and you can choose to play as one of the bloodsucking fiends . It might also be a good choice to stay on a vampire ' s good side . The celebrity system includes a 5 star rating . A notsowellknown celebrity will only have one star , but a celebrity who is so famous that underwear drops when they walk in the room , will have five stars . Your own Sim can be a celebrity by interacting with other celebrities , and doing things to be wellknow . If you also have the EP Ambitions installed , then doing very well in certain careers can boost your own status . Once you have one star , you will get an agent , who gives you opportunities to increase your status . Once a celebrity , stores may give you discounts e . g . as a five star celebrity , the bookstore may give you a 100 % discount and fans may randomly send you gifts in your mailbox . World AdventuresThis EP is probably the most interactiveimmersive of them all . There are 3 places your Sim can travel to , and each place has their own key things , and puzzles that you and your Sim will put reallife hours into solving . There ' s hidden mazes and artifacts for you to discover . Some of the keythings these new places offer , include , nectarmaking , karate and photography , and a boatload of new skills and opportunities . SupernaturalThis EP also adds vampires , as well as zombies , werewolves and witches . It adds a very magical element to the game , but it ' s only worth getting if you yourself are interested in that kind of stuff . This also adds moonphases to the game , posing a slight challenge for werewolf Sims . You can curse or bless enemies and friends and cook up a pot of spells . Zombies are pests and it ' s a good idea to put up a fence to keep them out . Island ParadiseIs the laggiest of all the EPs . There is so much lag for some people , that it is unplayable . However , it is still a very cool EP . This EP adds resorts , mermaids and houseboats . Your Sim can stay in or manage their very own resort . You can get your first resort for free and fix it up , bringing in a nice and steady income . With a houseboat , your Sim can travel anywhere , without leaving the comfort of his or her home . You can meet or transform into a mermaid . Transforming adds a new challenge to your Sims life , as they struggle to meet new needs . There are also several islands for your Sim to discover , by completing opportunities and solving puzzles . Into the Future This game also has been reported to be fairly laggy , and not very interactive or fun . It adds a few cool items , but that is most of the appeal . ShowtimeThis is a glammedup , laggier version of Ambitions . It adds a couple celebritytype such as magician , acrobat or fortune tellercareers , but is full of glitches and lags . Some of the careers even overlap with the careers in Ambitions and the lifeguard career in Island Paradise . Ambitions is a lot better , and would be a better choice . TLDR If you were to only get a few EPs , I would say the best choices would be Seasons , Generations and Ambitions .