Island Living; is it lacking?

I think my biggest critique of the expansions for this game is that the team manages their resources poorly. There's always some feature that really doesn't need to be there, taking away from features that would have been better. Island Living doesn't disappoint in that regard (I'm looking at you, mermaids)

"Cupid;c-17139855" wrote:
I think my biggest critique of the expansions for this game is that the team manages their resources poorly. There's always some feature that really doesn't need to be there, taking away from features that would have been better. Island Living doesn't disappoint in that regard (I'm looking at you, mermaids)

I feel like they try to fit too much in, but come to where they don’t have enough. I don’t know their budgets, but they must suck.

I guess they really did not spend their budget too well on Island Living It feels like a map pack because it seems that’s where most of the budgets went. Have to give them credit on the map though, I don’t think any future world could possibly surpass its beauty.

The conservation part is actually also pretty in depth and I have to say it’s not my favorite career because it’s not fun enough for me, but the global policies part really is a cool feature and I hope they had made the political career just like this. Can’t wait for more careers like this in the future.

Other features are really not that impressive. Mermaids are okay since it at least is a step forward; Jet Skis are okay for the customization and ability to be placed in pools.

The rabbit holes are so not needed in this pack. I mean of course we need new careers but come on, my Sims don’t even unlock that lifeguard outfit after maxing out; and the diver reward is bugged because I have one in my inventory but cannot buy a new one because it still says “locked”. The cave is disappointing, the diving is boring and disappointing. And the odd jobs... I wish they put that passion in writing all those humorous notifications elsewhere.

And then the culture... Well, the festivals are so lackluster, apart from the fishing competition, which is good and unique and I like quite a lot, are basically the same. And then there’s not enough cultural stuffs. You know it when they reused bonfires in Get Together and swing sets in Seasons.

I kinda hope they added more depth to the existing contents... But now it’s a pack where there are not a lot to do (if you ignore the rabbit holes) and the existing stuffs lack depth.

Personally I could accept it if they add more culture like new dance, new recreation, or at least work from home lifeguard and fisherman or a system that is in depth like the fame or reputation, clubs or holidays... And add scuba diving, an underwater world and mermaids in a separate GP.

To me depth is everything. I don’t need a rabbit hole career for my Sims to be in to “imagine” my Sims did stuffs on the beach as a lifeguard. I can already do that if I give him an existing career and just say “he’a lifeguard, actually”.

I don’t hate this pack, because the feel of the world is really stunning. But I can’t recommend it at full price. And I don’t think it is on par with any other Sims 4 Expansions.

I was torn on this one because there are a few things I wish were better, but on the other hand they are such minor, minor things for my game play that I can still fully enjoy the pack and it doesn't feel like it's lacking when I play it. For example, I wish that toddlers had a seashell or a shovel instead of a rubber duck when in the water. I'm installing the mod right now to replace the duck with a seashell.

Ughh so I do really like island living but I had to be honest here. It does feel like it’s missing something which is sad because it’s really a great pack overall.

I like Island Living I haven’t done everything in the game but it’s adds a lot for families in the game more then other packs do.

Very much so. Sulani is beautiful yes, but that's pretty much the only interesting thing about this pack. And along with that comes one of the biggest issues, in that a majority of the new features are exclusive to Sulani. Like the water and beach activities, which also have very little variety. The new traits are focused on the aspect of the island. The new careers are either rabbitholes or the repetitive conservationist career (again, only useful in Sulani) with little replay value. I've also heard in reviews that mermaids have little gameplay. If it were a gamepack, I wouldn't mind these things. But as an expansion, I expect things to be expanded beyond just the new world and for longer lasting entertainment.

City Living was done much better as a 'living' pack, imo. Yes, apartments and festivals are locked to San Myshuno, but at least you get notified when festivals are happening so you can go there if you want. And a lot of the new additions, like the new traits, aren't focused on San Myshuno as a location. There are elements of the city that you can bring elsewhere if you want.

As it stands, imo Island Living should have been a gamepack.

It’s lacking in the features department as well as in the gameplay department. It rehashes more content than it actually adds and for an expansion pack that’s just not acceptable.

The prettiness of the world seems to be what everyone talks about, and personally I don’t even fully get behind that. Maps are not gameplay, or even a feature of the game/pack. I think it’s just sad that a map is the biggest selling point for this pack, that says A LOT about the pack. The decorative backdrop is the best part..... so yea, it’s absolutely lacking in a massive and noticeable way. I do think it’s good that so many people share this belief, because it means the dirty tricks EA is trying to pull on this fan base aren’t working as well as they hoped they would.

I picked other. It's a great pack to me. I do however wish resorts and more pool items would have been added. Those will probably come in a future gamepack though.

I don't mind if the team has to work less on some features if they actually give us something fantastic to counter that. But this pack feels SO incomplete and unfinished. Absolutely embarrassing.