Eco Lifestyle Expansion Trial

Here's a couple of current discussions.

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17979012#Comment_17979012

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17979205#Comment_17979205

You might want to take a quick peek at Carl's guide for Eco Lifestyle.

https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/expansionpacks/ecolifestyle/

I don't think many of the features in this pack can be explored in a weekend. There's a learning curve for EL

"simgirl1010;c-17980664" wrote:
You might want to take a quick peek at Carl's guide for Eco Lifestyle.

https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/expansionpacks/ecolifestyle/

I don't think many of the features in this pack can be explored in a weekend. There's a learning curve for EL

Thanks I have already looked at that guide, just wanted to share thoughts with others, I feel like I have tried everything (although not completed) the guide has mentioned for this expansion pack, the gameplay feels greatly limited and repetitive in comparison to expansions like City living, Country Living that added a lot of gameplay.

Here is another discussion that I was a part of, in case you are afraid Eco may intrude where you do not want it.

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17980257#Comment_17980257

My thoughts are in the thread, but I like Eco more than I ever expected to. I think it compliments other packs very well and I like playing off the grid so it really compliments that. I also think it pairs well with urban worlds and if you want to have community additions. For example, I really like community spaces and I always think San Myshuno in particular is begging for one.

However, as much as I think it adds, it is still very possible it may not be to your taste.

"Calico45;c-17980676" wrote:
Here is another discussion that I was a part of, in case you are afraid Eco may intrude where you do not want it.

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17980257#Comment_17980257

My thoughts are in the thread, but I like Eco more than I ever expected to. I think it compliments other packs very well and I like playing off the grid so it really compliments that. I also think it pairs well with urban worlds and if you want to have community additions. For example, I really like community spaces and I always think San Myshuno in particular is begging for one.

However, as much as I think it adds, it is still very possible it may not be to your taste.

It's interesting to hear what you think, maybe it's just me that feels this way, I read on that forum that if you make an area 'industrial' that's not in evergreen harbour, no rubbish appears still, which is a shame as it would of added an atmosphere to some of the city areas.
What like about other expansions is that they are good stand alone games, rather than better when paired with other games to compliment each other e.g. Seasons, Outdoor Living, Get To Work

I personally consider Seasons a very complimentary pack and specifically in the same way Eco is. I dare say if Eco doesn't seem like it stands on it's own for you, you may just not like it and there is nothing wrong with that. No need to force it.

When I think back to when I had taken on what now seems like the monumental task of hand making everything in Newcrest (which was between the GTW and Vampires releases), I can honestly say I would have loved to have had these community aspects to play with because I was more focused on building that world rather than specifically one family. I'm probably not explaining it that well, but whatever the case if it isn't for you it just isn't.

"Calico45;c-17980694" wrote:
I personally consider Seasons a very complimentary pack and specifically in the same way Eco is. I dare say if Eco doesn't seem like it stands on it's own for you, you may just not like it and there is nothing wrong with that. No need to force it.

When I think back to when I had taken on what now seems like the monumental task of hand making everything in Newcrest (which was between the GTW and Vampires releases), I can honestly say I would have loved to have had these community aspects to play with because I was more focused on building that world rather than specifically one family. I'm probably not explaining it that well, but whatever the case if it isn't for you it just isn't.

I thought Seasons was a really good on it's own, although of course works well with other packs, I Just don't feel the same with this game although it's good you do (and many others) However I do want to embrace it, which is why it's great to hear other people's opinions, I will keep playing the rest of the day! :)

Hi, I don't know how many packs you own but I love eco. However,sims 4 is not a regular game in my opinion. You can't just trial or buy a pack and expect it to stand on it's own. They all kind of integrate into eachother to help build stories and adventures for sims depending on what kind of player you are, even if you don't have all packs.

Like I've never played eco directly as a stand alone pack just using random items it came with. I never even used NAP or changed the environment. But as an apocalyptic roll playing story teller, this has become one of my most used packs. For the worlds I made apocalyptic I cheated the environment to max pollution and it really sets the vibe especially to have yellow skies, acid rain and sims coughing.. I often use the dumpster for sleep and survival because all kinda goodies are in there.
Though I don't think they show often enough the flies and roaches are a nice addition for that kinda thing.

I use the bug farm for bio fuel since they are living off the grid in an abandoned lot. (Grubs are good snacks too?) my sims do a lot to maintain things living off the grid without cheats and using farm animals for survival. So that definitely keeps em busy. The MEAT WALL! Love the meat wall that came with eco. I don't play careers so I just download them from the gallery and it really fits the vibe too. I set up tents and camp (from out door retreat) and the simple living lot (from the cottage pack) makes them have to go out and hunt for their own food ingredients. They have no choice but to make candles for light and make their own furniture. All while trying to balance the drama of life, love and relationships. Seriously never a dull moment.


So you see, the packs all work together to form the story YOU want to play through. If I just jumped into eco lifestyle, used an nap and used some items that'd be pretty uneventful....

Now I'm actually doing a cyber punk kinda play through and storyline. So I haven't used the eco stuff as much. I've been using a lot from the uni pack. Or at least the robotics stuff.

"Babykittyjade;c-17980731" wrote:
Hi, I don't know how many packs you own but I love eco. However,sims 4 is not a regular game in my opinion. You can't just trial or buy a pack and expect it to stand on it's own. They all kind of integrate into eachother to help build stories and adventures for sims depending on what kind of player you are, even if you don't have all packs.

Like I've never played eco directly as a stand alone pack just using random items it came with. I never even used NAP or changed the environment. But as an apocalyptic roll playing story teller, this has become one of my most used packs. For the worlds I made apocalyptic I cheated the environment to max pollution and it really sets the vibe especially to have yellow skies, acid rain and sims coughing.. I often use the dumpster for sleep and survival because all kinda goodies are in there.
Though I don't think they show often enough the flies and roaches are a nice addition for that kinda thing.

I use the bug farm for bio fuel since they are living off the grid in an abandoned lot. (Grubs are good snacks too?) my sims do a lot to maintain things living off the grid without cheats and using farm animals for survival. So that definitely keeps em busy. The MEAT WALL! Love the meat wall that came with eco. I don't play careers so I just download them from the gallery and it really fits the vibe too. I set up tents and camp (from out door retreat) and the simple living lot (from the cottage pack) makes them have to go out and hunt for their own food ingredients. They have no choice but to make candles for light and make their own furniture. All while trying to balance the drama of life, love and relationships. Seriously never a dull moment.


So you see, the packs all work together to form the story YOU want to play through. If I just jumped into eco lifestyle, used an nap and used some items that'd be pretty uneventful....

Now I'm actually doing a ❤️❤️❤️❤️ punk kinda play through and storyline. So I haven't used the eco stuff as much. I've been using a lot from the uni pack. Or at least the robotics stuff.

That's really cool to hear how you use the items from this pack, I will have to try that storyline!

When I said stand alone, I just meant the other expansions have a bigger gameplay element then this pack which becomes repetitive in my opinion (I have tried out all the items and activities you can do in Eco, not just used NAP etc) it seems like I am the only one that thinks this which is okay as this only encourages me to keep playing. I have played the Sims for 20 years, I own majority of the packs so I understand expansions, this is just how I felt when I played the trial, although I understand it is an unpopular opinion. Thanks for inspiring to play zombie sims, I play similar games like this myself, imagination is a big part in enjoying the Sims.

My trial version is somewhat glitched. I have two sims, one trying it each career and aspiration, and the one doing the Freelance crafter is finding that he can’t do some of the gigs because anything he fabricates that’s goes into the household inventory does not register as being done, so he can’t do any gigs that need furniture. The candles and juicing station work okay but haven’t been able to get any soy beans.

The first NAP that came into being for Grims Quarry where my sims live is Juiced Community but I haven’t noticed any change in behaviour. The second was Free Love, and haven’t seen anything for that so far either.

I like the BB and CAS stuff though, and I’ll probably eventually get the pack just for them, especially if I play the Country Living challenge I’m creating. Haven’t really been impressed with the rest of it but then, four days isn’t a lot of time to try something.