Recent reviews by ☮ DancingHippy ✌

Big sims fan here since 2000. Sims 4 is probably the biggest disappointment :( but I'll keep it around and play it from time to time for a different Sims experience. For all those thinking about buying it; I am torn between "I was happy with The Sims 3, it's honestly probably better, I wish I hadn't bought Sims 4 because I should have spent my Steam funds on games I would be playing more!" but also "I did get the base game and 5 expansion packs for a fairly decent price so I guess I'll keep it and see what I can make of it." My advice to you is: ONLY buy it on sale!

Pros: the gallery function is really neat, I can add sims, lots, etc that other players have created right into my game without having to use a browser to download a file and restart my game after. The gallery makes the base game seem larger especially if you play around with each career, try to fulfill all the goals, build unique families, or try to accomplish challenges made by other players. I like the "Rags to Riches" where you use a cheat code to delete all of your money and have to live on public lots, haha! I also enjoy making a mad scientist with a cool lair, and in the Sims 4 you can choose a career "branch" so, now I can make a botanist! Fun for me since I also like gardening and now you can buy seed packs. But beware if you buy seasons, you have to plant based on what season it is.

Cons: loading screens; you can't play your sim at home while playing another who is at the park, can only have one location loaded at a time. You can't control the pets with that expansion. The maps are extremely small with very few places for homes especially larger ones. The base game is incredibly empty without DLC. It feels watered down, like I absolutely have to buy "packs" or "kits" if I want to extend my game play for more than a few hours. Packs and kits also feel lacking, mostly just a few decorations/CAS stuff with maybe one or two unique items (hinting at the Glamour pack, only bought it for the Butler). It feels like I'm busting the bank just to even slightly resemble Sims 3 or 2. Again, only buy DLC when it's on sale.

At this point, it's very obvious EA is trying hard to grab cash where they can before their reputation is ruined and Maxis/Sims franchise gets dragged down with them. The only reason I haven't refunded is because EA seems so desperate, I got the base game for less than $5 and Steam bundled a bunch of packs for less than the cost of some of the brand new games out today. Thanks to Steam for making this purchase at least tolerable.

My personal choice for best game of 2021. There is plenty of action with dungeons and killing bosses, but I have spent countless hours just farming, mining, fishing, and hunting. A good chunk of my hours are from just chilling by the seaside to enjoy the ambiance. (Edit* to add that even a year later I still enjoy the original sound track and the general peace and relaxation that I get from sailing a calm sea or gathering in a serene forest).
Basically, this game can be exciting when you want it to be if you choose the adventuring lifestyle, or it can be a great way to relax & a good creativity outlet with the free style building system. I love that I can build just about anything I can imagine, anywhere.
I think this game has something for everyone, and I highly recommend it to all. Even in early access, the small team at Iron Gate has presented a game that amassed over 5 million Vikings (at the time of writing) so far. I'd say it's absolutely worth its current price.
My one bit of troubleshooting advice: avoid the stress of issues with any bugs by practicing good backup habits, at least once a night! You'd be surprised what beautiful creations you can make in just a few hours if you're patient and determined,