So I haven't posted around here in years and went from in-the-know to totally in-the-dark.Admittedly, I wasn't a fan of TS4 and was awaiting the next installment to hop back in the Sims/the community but I'm missing playing in real time. I do love my open world TS3...but after 4 years I am considering giving Sims 4 a spin since there are now some EPs and game/stuff packs to add some meat to the game.My questions for you guys are as follows:What EPs/SPs/GPs would you recommend? I'm getting City Living and Spooky Stuff as they are always my go-to's with Sims games. Seasons I'll get eventually as well. How are the other packs? And are game packs really worth it? I'm not used to these, I understand they're like small EPs? There are so many packs, looking at the store is overwhelming especially as I'm used to getting all of my paid-for content exclusively from the EPs.I'm one for custom content and mods, any huge players or creators for TS4 content I should know about? Also any tips on a new TS4 player transitioning from 3 would help loads.(I feel like an old person asking a teenager how to use a tablet as I write this post, ugh)ETA: forgot to add - do they still put cute little Easter eggs and storylines in the game?Thanks an advance!

If you like families, I suggest parenthood. Get together was an awesome pack as well. You can have clubs and a new world . Cats and dogs are fun but can be heavy on the pc . But it comes with an amazing world along with furry friends . For a long time , the game pack developers team have been a favorite of the community . With each game pack feeling like you get so much for your money. Vampires are well fleshed out and have a skill tree . Different from the past iterations . As a family player , I would pick up parenthood right up . As well as laundry day .If you like playing single sims then get together would be awesome with city living. If you like ambitions from sims 3 then I suggest get to work. It has its bugs but it is a fun aspect. You could watch lazy game reviews for the packs as I think he gives a fair evaluation of each of them . Similar to nraas for sims 3,you'll want mc command center for sims 4

You should also get Get Together. It's actually better than I initially thought. It's a mixed bag of activities like FreeTime, and the club system is very versatile. You can do so much with it. Not to mention Windenburg is beautiful and comes with several new lots. Cats and Dogs is also a personal favorite of mine (although it's missing a few touches I would've liked), but its reception among players is mixed. If you like pets that much, you can get it, although I recommend watching some reviews first to see if you're part of the "love it" camp. I also think Brindleton Bay is nice, and it's quite spacious.I also highly recommend the game packs. They're not as substantial as EPs, but they narrowly focus on a single theme, and they do it really well. I really love the Parenthood pack. That, combined with the toddlers update, really enhanced my game as a family player. If family play isn't your thing, there are also other options like owning/eating at a restaurant, vampires with lots of customization options, and spa items. You also have two separate vacation destinations with Outdoor Retreat and Jungle Adventures, although personally I'm still waiting for a beach vacation and hotels.Stuff packs are a hit or miss. I only bought a handful of them at full price. The others are more meh and I got them discounted or in bundles, because I don't think they're worth $10 to me, no matter how cheap that is. It also depends on what you like, so you can look up what each one offers and go from there.

My advice would be to just buy and familiarize yourself with the base game first to be sure it's something you can enjoy. Not everyone does. :) The base game and some of the other packs are 50% off through August 28 so that should give you enough time to decide if you want to invest in additional packs. https://www.origin.com/usa/en-us/store/deals/simssale?utm_campaign=TS4_HD_US_GAM_SRCH_GGL_BRAND-MB-EN&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=%2Bsims%20%2Bsale

Get Together is a must in my opinion. The world is gorgeous and the club system is game changing.Also, welcome back!Edit to add: If you like playing with a families, you should definitely get Parenthood.

Thank you all for the advice! Glad to be back.I'm going to look into Parenthood and Pets a bit later. I'm more into single sim play but eventually like turning to family style. Definately going to look more into game packs though since they seem to be quite popular.And @simgirl1010 thanks for ththe heads up on the sales, that helps me loads since I'm starting from 0!

Back from a 4 year hiatus and totally overwhelmed. Could use some advice

28 Replies

MemoriiValentin
7 years ago
If you like families, I suggest parenthood. Get together was an awesome pack as well. You can have clubs and a new world . Cats and dogs are fun but can be heavy on the pc . But it comes with an amazing world along with furry friends .

For a long time , the game pack developers team have been a favorite of the community . With each game pack feeling like you get so much for your money. Vampires are well fleshed out and have a skill tree . Different from the past iterations .

As a family player , I would pick up parenthood right up . As well as laundry day .

If you like playing single sims then get together would be awesome with city living. If you like ambitions from sims 3 then I suggest get to work. It has its bugs but it is a fun aspect. You could watch lazy game reviews for the packs as I think he gives a fair evaluation of each of them .

Similar to nraas for sims 3,you'll want mc command center for sims 4
icemanfresh
Legend
7 years ago
You should also get Get Together. It's actually better than I initially thought. It's a mixed bag of activities like FreeTime, and the club system is very versatile. You can do so much with it. Not to mention Windenburg is beautiful and comes with several new lots. Cats and Dogs is also a personal favorite of mine (although it's missing a few touches I would've liked), but its reception among players is mixed. If you like pets that much, you can get it, although I recommend watching some reviews first to see if you're part of the "love it" camp. I also think Brindleton Bay is nice, and it's quite spacious.

I also highly recommend the game packs. They're not as substantial as EPs, but they narrowly focus on a single theme, and they do it really well. I really love the Parenthood pack. That, combined with the toddlers update, really enhanced my game as a family player. If family play isn't your thing, there are also other options like owning/eating at a restaurant, vampires with lots of customization options, and spa items. You also have two separate vacation destinations with Outdoor Retreat and Jungle Adventures, although personally I'm still waiting for a beach vacation and hotels.

Stuff packs are a hit or miss. I only bought a handful of them at full price. The others are more meh and I got them discounted or in bundles, because I don't think they're worth $10 to me, no matter how cheap that is. It also depends on what you like, so you can look up what each one offers and go from there.
simgirl1010
Hero
7 years ago
My advice would be to just buy and familiarize yourself with the base game first to be sure it's something you can enjoy. Not everyone does. :)

The base game and some of the other packs are 50% off through August 28 so that should give you enough time to decide if you want to invest in additional packs.

https://www.origin.com/usa/en-us/store/deals/simssale?utm_campaign=TS4_HD_US_GAM_SRCH_GGL_BRAND-MB-EN&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=%2Bsims%20%2Bsale
AlbaWaterhouse
7 years ago
Get Together is a must in my opinion. The world is gorgeous and the club system is game changing.
Also, welcome back!

Edit to add: If you like playing with a families, you should definitely get Parenthood.
PsychYourMind08
7 years ago
Thank you all for the advice! Glad to be back.

I'm going to look into Parenthood and Pets a bit later. I'm more into single sim play but eventually like turning to family style. Definately going to look more into game packs though since they seem to be quite popular.

And @simgirl1010 thanks for ththe heads up on the sales, that helps me loads since I'm starting from 0!
pinneduphair
Seasoned Ace
7 years ago
I switched from TS3 to TS4 just last year, and the first pack I chose was Dine Out, which is still my favorite of the Game Packs. (I don't own Parenthood, Vampires, or Jungle Adventures yet, though) I think the GPs in general are pretty well-liked, aside from maybe Outdoor Retreat.

Vintage Glamour is my favorite SP. It adds butlers, as well as the vanity table and globe bar. I also really enjoy the 1920s/30s style clothing, so if that kind of thing interests you, I would definitely recommend it.
RedSwiftie13
7 years ago
I only started playing TS4 about a month or so ago now (used to play TS3 a few years ago and had most of the EPs). So far, I've bought Parenthood and am currently downloading Cats and Dogs. I went for these two packs in particular because I love family play - from what I've seen so far Parenthood really improves the child life stage but there's still more of it to discover I think. I'm still researching what packs I want to get next.
Now is definitely a good time to get some now though as the majority of EPs are 50% off on Origin.
bshag4lv
Seasoned Ace
7 years ago
Hi and welcome back!

Like others have said, the game packs are new to Sims 4 and I personally prefer them over eps and sps. Not everyone goes for Granite Falls and the Outdoor Retreat pack, but I love the herbalism skill and it really comes in handy with the Jungle pack, which is one of my favorites. The vampires are the best of any in the series...no more hanging around the fringes, and they come with their own special neighborhood, small but deadly. >:)

Like someone said, LGR has really good reviews and I recommend watching a couple of those to get good idea what they will be like.

Good luck and Happy Simming!
Trykmi
7 years ago
I'm also more oriented for the game pack than for the EPs, if you like supernaturals, Vampires is the best game pack for the sims 4 in my opinion, Jungle adventure is fun too.
irishfino
7 years ago
i have all the expacs, and i quite enjoy them. it really just depends on what you want out of your game.

get to work adds three new jobs where you can go to work with your sim and control what they do for a better day with better pay. or a really crappy day with barely any pay. get together has a fun group mechanic. cats and dogs is fun, but it doesn't include any of the small pets like sims 3 pets did, you have to buy "my first pet stuff" for those if you want them. cats and dogs also introduces the veterinarian retail business. unfortunately, it doesn't count as your sim having a job, so if your sim is ambitious, they will get an "unemployed" demote every once in a while. it's the same issue with get to work introducing retail business and the dine out gamepack seems to have the same mechanic, but with a restaurant. seasons is interesting, it added a few fun concepts like holidays and making your own holidays.