Hi, has anyone tried the trial for the Eco Lifestyle Expansion? if so what did you think of it? I have only one day left on my trial, I still find it confusing what I'm suppose to do with this expansion, I am aware you can change the environment by adding or removing items like solar panels, there is a few activities like candle making, fizz pop making but it feels very similar and repetitive. Changing the environment or neighbourhood plans also feel repetitive and doesn't add much to the gameplay. Unless I am missing a big part of the gameplay? Let me know what you thought of it and if there is anything big I am missing in the gameplay that I could do before the trial ends?

Here's a couple of current discussions.https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17979012#Comment_17979012https://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 ELThanks 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_17980257My 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_17980257My 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

Eco Lifestyle Expansion Trial | EA Forums

lanlynk
Seasoned Adventurer
4 years ago
I've been playing the Eco Lifestyle trial version over the weekend. Haven't gotten too far into the gameplay, but I'm enjoying it for the most part. Still undecided about a few things. I turned off NAPs right away. Seems kind of a waste though. Half of them are just goofy, useless except for a bit of fun. A couple of NAPs would be a pain to deal with (Sharing is Caring, for example).

Candle making is nice, but gets repetitive.
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My sims made a lot of money selling candles, juice, and baked goods in yard sales. Didn't try to sell other EL items yet.
https://bn1303files.storage.live.com/y4mfdUVkrqKZvVSbNL3GHwnkVBaQ0MEUmbzwRv5nzy4TnNw3NR0jipY5lS2NjmuUVLBEs5MDxADeWqUsQJcotV5eh08sCx0XyjjfSunV3UwSKz-LOlSVGXGshNqDn7rkfoABxeXC7DvPqcq9KBiUs2p50qBBs0ZTRHSkUUhFkuROfD0IbWvmlL4ovQ7GQTOt1GI?width=1920&height=1080&cropmode=none
I like using the energy and water conservation items.
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I love the vertical garden objects.
https://bn1303files.storage.live.com/y4m5afPn96RtbHvIyDbZThMDagL-wrKwFwGaDbDwsYZvU4HpGsKqVe9iyRjQFLkdN8eIHYYzr11UqZnXAKduBWmV8dGOJg-61CnQpb9TVu8slaGDdfqQk9sdN747vm8SFm2Hjn_weediIrtzg3zuFEAmwLacy-OECmo-yv-2G44DzJpc_mCsQANFcCWoq6rb4BZ?width=1920&height=1080&cropmode=none
I don't care for all the dumpster diving, but they did find this computer in the trash--just needed repairing.
https://bn1303files.storage.live.com/y4m_X-JKRiKYuxhhOc9w2qJ2W1BkUqN-atOMHQs8n97DX6ZoOF8CB_hG9MyMpN-VtzERQKDBZLvAtwDBaO2VtxJHjFfFbh0D1lCUx-kH48yQgPRgd8QY6lPunZHHEtEUpIE2exw27wG3AApPCTSi44JfEx98fvK6vcKxDFECZp8FW-bjubiVvujF0P6_sgIjdRv?width=1920&height=1080&cropmode=none
Not sure about the insect farm, but the crickets are kind of cute.
https://bn1303files.storage.live.com/y4m5qSXotTamrYPCphDDf3zH3XLrFyhzGNa1lBCv8QPYIiIiag7NJgOw7BojgqtZ2GTqxMjEN5ZVCbk0btFRpahehDHN_XCFFDjHi-_P2WgbF-f9kf6fv2phCECSsg10R0YGHwxQpAUacrdq-MjKelm8J66nQBcu3A5Oz5wgNdAXh_OeKcmK1kYbGk5zS5Crueq?width=1920&height=1080&cropmode=none
And I like the build/buy mode objects. I used several items to furnish my sims' home.
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SheriSim
Seasoned Hotshot
4 years ago
"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

I agree, I have had the pack since it came out and spent a lot of time setting up lots. It is one of those packs hard to explore in a weekend, and is more useful if you have several worlds. Some people enjoy making San Myshuno ( City Living ) polluted. I have one neighborhood in Evergreen harbor I have set up to be polluted. If you have seasons you can have things like acid rain. Dumpster diving is fun and I have dumpsters on a lot of lots. To get the most trash there are a couple lot traits to help. This is a pack where it pays off to watch some let’s plays and read different articles or watch video’s about the pack.
xRubyxAngelx
4 years ago
"SheriSim57;c-17980980" wrote:
"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

I agree, I have had the pack since it came out and spent a lot of time setting up lots. It is one of those packs hard to explore in a weekend, and is more useful if you have several worlds. Some people enjoy making San Myshuno ( City Living ) polluted. I have one neighborhood in Evergreen harbor I have set up to be polluted. If you have seasons you can have things like acid rain. Dumpster diving is fun and I have dumpsters on a lot of lots. To get the most trash there are a couple lot traits to help. This is a pack where it pays off to watch some let’s plays and read different articles or watch video’s about the pack.

I actually spent many many hours playing this trial, I even made San Myshuno spice district polluted. This was a let down as I did use the 'dumpster' lot trait but no rubbish piled up at all over many sim days. I don't really notice the 'acid rain' it looks like normal rain to me that is slightly green if you focus on it but wasn't that noticeable (or at least for me) I ended up having to use the 'gallery' to add trash to the lot. I found the footprint very quickly increases back to 'normal' from 'industrial' so I would have to keep changing the setting very often. It's a shame as I like the idea of making a sim district more urban and rougher areas.

I watched a lot of Lets Plays and read articles, did a lot of research about this pack including reaching out on here as I didn't want to miss anything. I do appreciate the sims giving us this trial though very kind of them :)
lanlynk
Seasoned Adventurer
4 years ago
I got started on the EL aspiration and career, but have barely touched the surface. If I decide to get the pack, I hope my saves will work with the regular version. I'm assuming they will. I have them backed up too.

The last bit I was able to do today was get a fabricator.
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I made a houndstooth rug for the shower and tub--shrunk it a little from its original size.
https://bn1303files.storage.live.com/y4mNubt6kZecNnuOyosFmxxAVt2d3Y7r_XKL1pNoL0rtD5mml1WP-Xhatd5c6EYlwTU4zOHNoHD3AUOCdeXLUbGByD_yd9SobgENc-rM-V8GojaJNYfJC4oYEWdmZxVyDRtQBtKgcqiXe_Ukw61cGly1Sy6pFnQozuSDsgQUOF1RlZ0LrVx5TZcz_w7qj_bva3C?width=1920&height=1080&cropmode=none
I also harvested biofuel from the crickets, but I didn't buy a generator yet.
https://bn1303files.storage.live.com/y4mhk-NWBjdLv6LuTQ7saW3bEJUBTHTr2wBvF-PzWCKBYwAoZ_iRGqJhHEKHj_u5iNOhAmczFajJX_MN2seNMhW0TLUNzxqyXlA8-dhmYaBgL9jCMiXIXqw9bx9h_fdqsFw3M_7BC5p66Ku6jNhQb0h0jO4z1dPbwS8Zl6JzSbqj4FszjCOSQ8l_n4mZYL6Pvd6?width=1920&height=1080&cropmode=none
A can of cricket biofuel.
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EllieLouxox
4 years ago
"MayaRose1138;c-17980773" wrote:
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.

I was having this problem too despite the client initially accepting the piece and giving my Sim money. It still came up as showing not completed which was really frustrating. Eventually I just moved her into the Civil Designer career. At first I wasn't too keen on Eco Living, but after playing it more I do think it's growing on me and may be the next EP that I buy, despite wanting City Living for ages.
xRubyxAngelx
4 years ago
"Lulu29;c-17981005" wrote:
"MayaRose1138;c-17980773" wrote:
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.

I was having this problem too despite the client initially accepting the piece and giving my Sim money. It still came up as showing not completed which was really frustrating. Eventually I just moved her into the Civil Designer career. At first I wasn't too keen on Eco Living, but after playing it more I do think it's growing on me and may be the next EP that I buy, despite wanting City Living for ages.

City living comes with a lot more then Eco Living (from my experience of playing them both using this trial) with City Living you get Festivals and markets which I never get tried of, mixed cultures, tourists, apartments, lots of cultural foods and food stands, fashion district, art district, Karaoke bars, Politicians, basketball, bubble blowers the list goes on! People seem to be extremely positive about Eco Living, but I find the other expansions included a lot more for the gameplay.
simgirl1010
Hero
4 years ago
So what's the verdict? ? Never ever or maybe on sale?
Babykittyjade
Rising Observer
4 years ago
Like simgirl I'm curious also if you like it enough to buy it? You don't have to like it of course maybe this pack is not for you? Especially if you enjoyed city living more. To be honestly this pack does not have have focus like most packs. You said you've been a long time simmer so you may already know but during the vote some years ago a lot of players wanted eco stuff and was complaining for a long time that we just got laundry when they wanted a lot more eco like things. So what they did was took a lot of things players wanted and piled it into this one pack. I feel like they tried to slap on the "save the environment thing to give it a theme." But really to me it has no direction compared to a lot of other packs. I can see why you may feel city living had more to do.
mightyspritesims
Seasoned Hotshot
4 years ago
Eco Living is a pretty gameplay-intense pack, as is City Living. I love them both. Here's a quick list off the top of my head

Gameplay mechanics: NAPs, eco footprint, off-the-grid lot trait, can modify utility consumption through gameplay, can learn fizzing and fabrication recipes through conversations, recycling and Recycle Disciple trait. I assume Eco includes the apartment mechanic from City since it has apartment lots, but I bought them at the same time so can't confirm. The apartment neighbors in Evergreen Harbor do all the same things as apartment neighbors in San Myshuno in my game.
Gameplay objects/skills: candle making, fabrication, juice fizzing, dumpster diving (are you sure you checked out the actual dumpster object, not just the garbage that appears as background in neighborhood?), insect farm that can be used with cooking and gardening and appliance upgrades
Career gameplay: presenting blueprints, meat wall, various social interactions
Community spaces that can take any of four forms based on what you do in gameplay, and each of those forms has its own gameplay (starter form, farmers market, maker space, community garden)
EllieLouxox
4 years ago
"RubyxAngel;c-17981014" wrote:
"Lulu29;c-17981005" wrote:
"MayaRose1138;c-17980773" wrote:
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.

I was having this problem too despite the client initially accepting the piece and giving my Sim money. It still came up as showing not completed which was really frustrating. Eventually I just moved her into the Civil Designer career. At first I wasn't too keen on Eco Living, but after playing it more I do think it's growing on me and may be the next EP that I buy, despite wanting City Living for ages.

City living comes with a lot more then Eco Living (from my experience of playing them both using this trial) with City Living you get Festivals and markets which I never get tried of, mixed cultures, tourists, apartments, lots of cultural foods and food stands, fashion district, art district, Karaoke bars, Politicians, basketball, bubble blowers the list goes on! People seem to be extremely positive about Eco Living, but I find the other expansions included a lot more for the gameplay.

I'm honestly so torn between the two. It will be Christmas before I can get my hands on another EP. Also played on the City Living trial back in May (?) when it became available. But due to being busy at around that time I don't feel like I got the full benefits of it. I was saving up to buy City Living though for my milestone birthday but then Cottage Living came out and got that instead at full price as a treat to myself haha.
The 3 days we've had to play Eco Living has helped and I've managed to use them up but still feel as though there's a lot to discover about the pack. Although I'm leaning towards more City Living for my next one and will probably buy Eco Living as my next after that.