Outdoor Retreat always seems to rate low on "Favourite Game Pack" polls. I love the outdoors and love camping. The little world looks stunning since the release of seasons. But I can't bring myself to buy Outdoor Retreat due to the negative polling. So (if you're not crazy about Outdoor Retreat) what makes it a less-than-wonderful pack? Or, if you like it, what makes it under-rated? Should I get it?

Yeah, I concur with what's been said here--I don't think there's anything wrong with the pack, as long as you appreciate it for what it is. If you like sending your sims camping and that kind of aesthetic, I say get it, you'll probably have a great time! Is it my FAVORITE pack, personally? No, but I'm not a big camping person. Still, I've had a lot of fun on vacations there with my sims in various stories regardless. The herbalism stuff is pretty cool, I love finding the the hermit, and it's nice sometimes just to "get away" for a while.Here's the thing: first thing I do in every save is replace or make over all the lots, lol. I either simplify or jazz up the main camping ground, then add some combination of different rental lots I find from the gallery: a honeymoon cabin, a cheap one-room writer's retreat, a super expensive luxury vacation lodge, a family get-away rental with toddler stuff and a rec room, and then I'll replace the national park with some other public lot like someone else here mentioned--a spa, or a proper park, or maybe a "natural" museum with bugs to look at and stuff. Once I started doing that, I started loving Granite Falls a LOT more, lol. Cause I think the most frustrating thing was going on vacation, and getting to an "editable" (without cheats) home lot that frankly...sucked, as a build. But, if you don't mind downloading from the gallery (and there's a LOT of great GF themed stuff out there), or doing your own rebuilds or remodels, I'd say there's no reason you should hesitate to buy the pack. Just get ready to maybe be a lot more tempted by those weather resistant perks ;-P

I just think the theme is boring lol. Camping isn't my idea of a vacation but I know it is for a lot of people. If you're that kind of person then you might like it.It does an okay job at what it's trying to do but the activities in that pack just don't interest me personally. I get bored so quickly with the fishing and the bug collecting and the foraging and stuff. It's just not my cup of tea.

I don't like it because it's not my type of pack, honestly. I like beaches more than camping. But yes, if camping's in your interests, then definitely get it! It's your game, and you can play however you like.

Well I have really enjoyed it. I think part of the reason is that we had so few packs in beginning and I dove right in. I like to make characters and play out their stories so with the help of this pack I can have homeless sims/live off the land sims that can live out in the weather with firepits and tents anywhere basically. I use the coolers for dungeons and trapped sims and challenges as a cheap way to get food.. or bring them to areas where I know food won't be available. Fishermen can go on trips there. My wellness oriented sims go there with their yoga mats and meditation stools to commune with nature. My Lotharios go there to get lucky. I've had father/son camping trips (okay that sounded sexist I guess but whatever). I also use it to get as close to having a witch type of character in the game that I can.There is a new skill to learn, herbalism and .. I have to say I do rarely use the lotions and salves now because it's so easy to get most of those effects in other ways through the game at this point. I don't mind having the many of the creams and lotions on hand but won't go out of my way to keep up a supply on hand now. I just complete herbalism to have another maxed skill for the appropriate sim type.I think the CAS isn't quite as good when compared to later packs but I do use many of the items still. The build buy.. well it has rustic hand hewn looking stuff so good for that type of character. I get way more use out of the camping chairs and couches ect... personally.I think a large part of my enjoyment though might come from the way I play. I can't possibly see taking a large group camping.. at least if I were trying to get them all to learn herbalism. That would be a mess. They have updated things though so you can get pet supplies and toddler things there though. It's also a place to buy growfruit.I would suggest getting it on sale at this point when it goes on sale.. and it will. Make sure if you want to learn herbalism you send your sims in Summer because that's when all the wild plants are in Season (after a short.. less than a day growing time). You'll have to learn the patterns of insect spawns in the different areas but it's not hard. If you don't like the busy work or collecting/learning.. I don't know what to tell you. That is a big part of my enjoyment of that pack.In some ways it's a much slower paced pack than some of the others (if your not pursuing herbalism) and if you like to appreciate the surroundings in the sims and camp it will be well worth it for you.

I like Outdoor Retreat but it doesn't work for all characters as it stands. That's why I've got into the habit of placing a spa and a bar there recently, to widen the appeal. I never have more than one played family staying at a time so I only need 3 residential lots - the campsite, a couples retreat and a family house, then I've catered for all eventualities.

What Don't You Like About Outdoor Retreat?

RouenSims
Seasoned Traveler
6 years ago
I don't like that Sims can't actually live there. Otherwise it would be my favorite world. As it is, I never use it.
SheriSim
Rising Vanguard
6 years ago
I love Outdoor Retreat. I use so many of the items, even in community lots. Like someone else mentioned, I only have a couple lots that are rental lots there, but I also have a tent at the National Park my sims can use. One rental lot is a small house that can house a couple and two other people. It has a small kitchen, guitar, a couple of cozy seats a treadmill and game table, with a natural pool, fire pit, and horseshoes outside. The other rental is a lot I down loaded called ‘the fishing spot’ with a small kitchen and bathroom and bedroom, it looks like a lake on the outside with a boat ( it’s a pool). It also has tents and things outside (it’s more expensive that the other lot). I think it would be a good place for scout meetings if you get there during the right day and time of year (since seasons). I have a spa on one community lot, On another lot I have something that looks like a huge rock hill that I downloaded, I can’t remember what it originally was, but now on the inside it is a cafe in one room, with an ice cream machine. A second small room is a children’s play room with toys, and games. A third small room has a sofa, book shelf and 2 desks with computers. A fourth room has a foose ball table. And then there is a full bathroom or two. Outside is children’s play equipment, grill and picnic table and a small murky swimming pool, and I have it set to cafe, I think I also have a refrigerator inside, or an ice chest outside so children can eat if they are there by themselves. It’s a very functional lot. And I believe my third lot is an outdoor ice rink with a food stall and picnic table, and bathroom, at least that’s what it was during the last winter, I have changed the last lot several times. It would also be a good spot for a bar, lounge or nightclub, or restaurant. So, my Outdoor Retreat can be used for several different vacations now, leisure as well as nature. You might want to turn thunder storms off if you plan to spend a lot of time on outdoor activities.... lol..... last time my nature sim was there she was finishing her insect collection an got struck by lightning.... lol.
Miataplay
Seasoned Ace
6 hours ago
You have to be very creative with Outdoor living in order for it to be fun!
- crocobaura
  Seasoned Ace
  5 hours ago
  I think it's pretty realistic for the camping trip experience. You go there for the peace and quiet and the exercise. 😁 It does help if you can combine with activities from other packs, but if you get bored you can always leave early and go back home.
GalacticGal
Seasoned Ace
2 hours ago
I actually love it, but my main beef, is that the large tents will only accommodate two Sims. I don't have my Sims rent a cabin. I used to love roughing it when I camped out. That's half the fun of camping.
atreya33
Seasoned Veteran
6 years ago
It's a nice pack if you are into the theme. For me personally, I appreciate it more since jungle adventure. I like to use the tents and cooler box in the jungle. But I'm planning on sending them camping again. Granite falls just needs an update with more community lots so sims have a bit more to do. I think a spa and bar fit in nicely.
texxx78
6 years ago
I'm thinking that it might be a nice pack to acquire if we can place different community lots, as many has stated that they do. But will a bar or a spa has any visitors during our family vacation? Or will they be alone, if we replace the remaining residential lots for community ones?
mebagl15
6 years ago
I liked outdoor retreat while I was playing it the first time. After that It loses it's playability. You basically know were everything is so it loses it's mystery.
Purrloin9
6 years ago
I don't hate it or anything, I'm just not all that into camping. If I'm being completely honest, I bought it for the child CAS. However, what with Seasons adding scouting, I think it has the potential to get more use just for the immersion of a scout camp.
wiccanwonder
6 years ago
I'm mean to my sims and don't take them on holidays. there's nothing I don't like about the pack besides it's just not my playstyle.
Simburian
Seasoned Rookie
6 years ago
I like the pack and the idea of it but find the trees a bit in the way and it always takes me a while to get used to the camera tracking my Sims around at ground level. :) Jungle Adventure has clearer tracks and is easier to find your way around so Maxis has improved and learned since the older pack came out.