EPs:
- if you like immersion and a sense of time passing, definitely Seasons. It also adds some great modern and festive build/buy and TONS of CAS assets. Many activities for sims to keep them busy and nice expansion of family play if you have Parenthood. Basically required for a great sims experience.
- if you want your game to be a bit more alive and entertaining with pets for your sims, Cats and Dogs brings quite a good change to the game. Having pets make sims feel a tad more alive because they show real affection towards their pets and bc you can't control the pets, there is more challenge and cute (or frustrating but fun) unexpected outcomes. The world is also absolutely gorgeous and refreshing bc it is coastal (on the wharf) and there is very nice coastal build/buy, which the game has been lacking.
- I recommend getting Get to Work last of all the EPs. It certainly isn't bad, but it doesn't add nearly as much as the others. It brings some nice things to do with the products of your activities by selling them in a shop though, and the careers are refreshing if you're bored from having sims simply disappear to work and then most of the day is gone. Magnolia Promenade is useful if you want a tiny dedicated neighbourhood to something, ex. shops, spas, restaurants etc. The pack also brings some nice build/buy and CAS that I use often.
GPs:
- if you want your sims to have way better dates, celebrations, just chilling on their own or if you're lazy to cook, Dine Out is definitely the way to go. I honestly don't know what I'd do without restaurants bc they really add a lot of possibilities to the game. The customization is great so you can literally create anything you want. Build/buy is nice and CAS brings some formal attire for adults and kids, as well as typical chef/waiter outfits.
- if you're missing an exotic flair in the game and would like to get your adventure on, Jungle Adventure is your best go. The world is truly gorgeous and the archeology skill brings some new stories. The build/buy is seriously amazing (I use it all the time) and while the CAS is mostly explorer-style, the individual assets are useful for everyday wear. The gameplay isn't really useful outside of Selvadorada, but I think it's overall better than Outdoor Retreat. You can also have awesome honeymoons here and there are a few ways that adventuring can go wrong, resulting in death or peculiar ailments (which can of course be prevented or cured).
- if you like camping or if you just want a forest world, Outdoor Retreat fleshes this out nicely. Herbalism is cool and finding the right ingredients can be challenging, especially now that the plants are seasonal. Roasting things on the campfire is nice in everyday life and is essential in the History Challenge, if you like that. Camping is a nice way for families to spend time together, go on a honeymoon in the woods, get away from society or just enjoy the scenery. Scouting from Seasons also ties in here nicely. There isn't much build/buy though, but there is everything you'd need for a great camping experience and to build rustic homes. CAS is mostly outdoorsey, but it can be used nicely on teens as well.
- if you think your sims are feeling stressed, Spa Day will help. I recommend that you get it last from all the GPs, bc I think it adds the least. It is a good pack though and adds many relaxing things like massages, mud/rose baths and incense. Yoga is a nice passtime and great to add to gyms. The build/buy is great for modern, asian and peaceful naturey builds.
I'm not going to say much about SPs, but rather just give recommendations on what I think is good to consider:
- Vintage glamour adds some really nice build/buy that ties in well with City Living's build/buy. It's luxurious and nice to have. It doesn't add as many assets as I expected, though, so I don't use it very much. CAS is also limited but adds great hairstyles and fancy pajamas. The vanity table is great and butlers are cool to have. The globe bar is seriously awesome.
- Cool kitchen could have had more stuff, but it does what it should. The main attraction is ice cream. If you need it in your game for Summer and for cute restaurants, consider this pack. There are also some nice CAS assets.
- Bowling is another activity for sims to do together and can be combined with the arcade machine from GT and the rollerblading rink from Seasons to create great hangouts. This pack adds cool retro CAS and mid-century build/buy.
- Spooky stuff ties in well with Seasons for Halloween with costume parties, bowls of candy and carving pumpkins. Consider waiting for it to go on sale, though.
- Movie Hangout offers another activity for sims to cuddle up in winter and watch a movie, or have a movie night in the garden during summer. It adds movies and popcorn, as well as very colourful bohemian build/buy and CAS. I recommend waiting for it to go on sale.
Remember to make bundles to pay less overall! You can save even more if you wait for a sale and then make your own bundle while there is a sale. I payed about $36,2 for City Living, Jungle Adventure and Vintage Glamour together through this method!
Also, check out SimsVIP's guides to any DLC you're considering to get a full idea of whether a pack is for you. Good luck!
