What feature needs to be in The Sims 5 on release?

I voted for preteen life stage, not so much because I couldn't live without it, but because I want all life stages there from the beginning. I hope there will be nothing to add later on.

I also think if there are to be cars, they should be there in the beginning with lots planned with them in mind.

Seasons could come later, but basic weather would be a nice addition.

I’m literally praying and begging and crying for open world for Sims 5. It was so much fun in Sims 3 and adds so much more depth to the game. I can have some members of my household at home, meanwhile others are out at a park, or going bar hopping. It annoys me so much that if one sim in my household goes to the park, the rest of my household has to follow them like stalkers, or stay home and do nothing for hours. If I get bored controlling one sim, I can just tab to another sim and instantly have something different to do, without any wait or loading screen.

Besides, it’s just more fun to be able to interact with the whole world. In Sims 4, you’re limited to activities on/near your lot, but in Sims 3, you could literally do any activity you want. Wanna workout without workout equipment in your house? Go to the gym. Meanwhile. In Sims 4, it’s either go to the gym and wait through a loading screen, or just don’t workout.

I agree with you about hyperrealism. I don't think it would be fun in the same way if it wasn't cartoony, maybe it would feel too serious if the art was very realistic, or anything negative/scary might feel more upsetting than if it happens to cartoon characters.

I don't know that there's one particular ingredient I'd need for the game to be fun for me.
I am reluctant to spend a lot of money all over again on packs that I already bought for TS4 though (like seasons, pets, werewolves)
Probably, I will wait to buy a TS5 unless/until it seems like something that works well and is fun to play, either as a basegame or with packs that have different content than what I already bought for TS4.

Supernaturals. Aliens and Vampires. I don't play a super realism kind of game, I want better than real life, more fantastical than real life. I also want my little sims to be goofy and funny in the new game too.

I shouldn't have to pay for rain.

Oh! Oh! The ability to take your own photos when sharing a Lot on the Gallery, so people can see it really awesomely. Especially important for parks, which are filled with trees that block beautiful views.

The whole list. At launch. Enough of the nickel and diming approach!

Seasons, if on one of the many other things I could list.

We've had 3 games worth of seasons, weather was supposed to be in the Sims 2 from the start but got cut despite being nearly complete. Paying just to see a bit of rain outside your house for four games in a row is absurd.

All of these should be available upon release, but ultimately all life stages should be included at the time of release with more content for ages added through expansions later. Everything else listed should also already be included as well as some night life with restaurants, again with the intention of adding more gameplay through expansions.

I want literally all of those options, but bro, coming from the sims 3 to the sims 4 and not having that open world was insane for me. I hate it so much. If the open world was limited to the individual Worlds, I'd be chill with that, but the fact that I can't even go to a neighbour's house without being greeted with a loading screen...? Upsets me to my very soul. As much as I think seasons should be already incorporated, I think, for me, the open world would matter much more, because I remember what it was like to have that, whereas I've always had to pay extra for seasons. Anyways, sims 5 literally better give me an open world. Enough. I need it back.