The Sims 4 annual review

Crystal Creations: 6/10
Crafting, crystal trees and stuff are decently fun. The BB/CAS is incredibly solid. But the effects are so dull, like most of them don't even make a difference in-game. Very disappointing on that front.

Lovestruck: 4/10
I was looking forward to this, since it seemed more fun and spicy. But nearly every idea it introduces falls flat for me.

The TOTO system isn't unique enough from the Compatibility system to justify its existence. I get that real-life social compatibility it different from romantic interests, but it's just another, similar system on top of the old one, that really should have been combined into one system for gameplay. TOTO is also missing a ton of options, like preferences for facial hair or occult status. On top of that, you have inconsistent sentiments between sims, where they could tell their partner that they're repulsive, but they're happy to be with them and will then autonomously kiss them - only to lose relationship satisfaction because they hate kissing.

The new dating system makes no sense. There's not much point to the new system when they cycle randomly and aren't as context-sensitive as the regular dating system. Having multiple different kinds of dates (Get to Know You, etc.) is pointless when they play exactly the same.

Online dating is worse than what we get from mods. It has a cooldown, is limited, the filters are poor, and Gallery functionality is suspect at best. Heck, I use Get Together's Club system because it's way better at filtering sims for me. I know some people can't/won't use mods, but they also deserve high-quality stuff if they're paying for it. 

The axolotl system is annoying. We can't sell them? Why? To deliver a message about environmentalism and protecting animals? But you already let us take them out of the wild, put them in a tiny tank and treat them as objects. It's inconsistent. 

Love the world. Too bad there's nothing to do in it. No way to embrace the culture in any meaningful way, or take advantage of the landmarks. All set dressing.

BB/CAS was very inconsistent and much of the clothes were baggy and unshapely. 

Kits: No/10
Maybe there were some good kits this year. I forgot if I bought any. I still feel like they're overpriced for what they offer, and that they make way too many.

Life and Death: 7/10
One of the best Sims 4 packs. They FINALLY gave the world some fun and unique activities to do. There are fun new systems in play, and there are consequences to your actions. BB/CAS are hit or miss, but mostly hit.

Still have my fair share of complaints, like how the reaper career can cull sims from your game without telling you. Or how the festivals are some of the worst we've seen in the game. But overall, it's a solid pack.

Between all the battle pass stuff, subpar packs, continued Kit assault, and losing all my saves, mods and files, I really feel disheartened with the Sims. I probably won't continue playing into 2025.