I'm really an "Other" on this. I like a lot about the EPs and yet I think that some of the recent packs have been a bit weird in terms of their themes and focuses. I personally like Mt. Komorebi but having sent a few sims, I do find it to be a slightly weird combo of winter sports and Japanese culture. I find that cool but upon sending my sims there, I felt like something was missing or a little odd. I found myself wanting more gameplay. Also, it's a very specific world because it's the only snowy mountainous world. So far, only a few of my sims have ventured out of the winter area.
I plan to play with the Japanese neighborhoods and I have some households that will be able to go there. I think I would have liked the snowy mountain top to have more empty lots and to be a generic mountain that I can tailor as the player. In other words, I'd like a completely mountainous and wintry world with more lots, but I do like Snowy Escape. I found myself thinking that even with all there is to do, there could be more. I do like having Japan in the game and I appreciate Mt. Komorebi.
In terms of the focus of the packs, I think some of them have had parts that I personally wasn't interested in but we are all interested in different things. Mermaids in IL aren't really a big deal for me but they are for others. A lot of parts of EL weren't interesting to me but I still found myself liking it because I actually find the world to be pretty immersive and it added a "normal" side to the game. I have not played JtB. I'm kind of thinking I might add it as a theme park, but I haven't yet because I'm not interested in Star Wars or aliens. I do like some of the CAS/BB and I want to build a science center, but I stay on the fence. That's a game pack but I include it among the recent content.
I think recent packs have been ok, but yes, some of the themes are a bit odd. I think they are trying to appeal to different simmers. I'm open to a lot of ideas. I do think new gameplay and new optional storylines might make sense.
