The Sims OR (6)

Don’t let anyone tell you that The Sims 4 isn’t a solid game. It’s got a great new selection of gameplay features, characters and ideas bubbling under the hood of that Playing-God-Simulator that makes it not only accessible to newcomers, but a fresh experience for veteran fans as well. What the game didn’t have on launch however, was a ton of content. Over the last couple of months however, The Sims 4 has added new features, making the game more substantial. With the Outdoor Retreat “game pack” however, the game goes into expansion territory as it tries to offer plenty of bang for your camping buck.

So what does R200/$20 get you exactly? In Outdoor Retreat, players can now access new clothing, all pulled from that camping section left to gather dust at your local Mr Price Sports. You’ve got hats, shorts, khakis and the obligatory combination of socks and sandals to help see you through the outdoor experience. Kids also get a few new outfits, including a delightful selection of bear outfits that can’t possibly attract actual bears when you go camping.

The Sims OR (5)

New personality traits such as Squeamish and the Outdoor Enthusiast  Aspiration also buff your Sim with new survival skills, or hobble them with crippling fear as they fear the dark because I like creating broken digital individuals in my Sims games. From there, the game also tosses in new home decorations and the like. Usually, that’s plenty enough content for EA to justify a price tag, something that any Sims 3 player would agree on. But Outdoor Retreat then adds even more content.

The Sims OR (3)

The big new draw here, is that you can take your Sims to Granite Falls. It’s the titular outdoor retreat of this pack, that features a vacation spot for your rogue personalities. Sims can rent out camp sites within which to cook hot dogs and chill, spend a night in a modest cabin in the woods that doesn’t have serial killers lurking beneath the floorboards or live it up in luxury in a massive lodge that most likely doubles as a meeting spot for Freemasons.

The Sims OR (1)

There are 5 established lots in total, which allow Sims to vacation there for a maximum of seven days, each with their own individual price brackets, all accessible from the map of Granite Falls. And it’s kind of fun. There’s a plethora of new activities for your Sims, from roasting marshmallows to engaging on a massive hike or try and land a big fish while out on the lake. You can spin a yarn around the campfire, catch some nasty bug from a public restroom and more.

The Sims OR (2)

Last Updated: January 20, 2015

The Sims 4:Outdoor Retreat
Suffice to say, there’s plenty to do here. It’s a pricy expansion, but it’s well worth it if you’re a fan of not only the game, but the great outdoors as well.
7.5
The Sims 4:Outdoor Retreat was reviewed on PC

23 Comments

  1. Urgh… Keep on wanting to buy Sims 4… DAMMIT!

    Also Shadowrun is fucking awesome btw. Thanks to people who said I should play it! LOVING IT!

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      January 20, 2015 at 15:37

      Sims 4 is really good fun.

      I need this pack now.

      Pay day on Friday.

      Reply

  2. BMXWufam

    January 20, 2015 at 15:37

    The only game where camping is encouraged.

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      January 20, 2015 at 15:37

      LOL!

      Reply

  3. HvR

    January 20, 2015 at 15:52

    Disappointed there isn’t a “The HIlls have Eyes just beyond that tenth Wrong Turn” add-on

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      January 20, 2015 at 15:56

      Maybe it’s a secret area in this pack?

      Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    January 20, 2015 at 16:19

    And so it begins. You bought the game for R700 now it’s time to cough up R200 for every expansion to follow. I just cant see how it’s possible to do this. I mean look at Sims 3
    The Sims 3 – Into the Future $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3 – Movie Stuff $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3: Island Paradise $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3: University Life $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3 70’s, 80’s and 90’s $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Showtime $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3: Supernatural $19.99 USD
    The Sims 3: Seasons $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Master Suite Stuff $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Pets $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Town Life Stuff $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Generations $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 World Adventures $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Ambitions $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Late Night $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 High-End Loft Stuff $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Fast Lane Stuff $19.99 USD
    The Sims™ 3 Outdoor Living Stuff $19.99 USD

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      January 20, 2015 at 16:28

      If you put it like that, sure it will seem evil. Look. Shit load of expansions aside, The Sims and especially the Sims 3, always added a lot of value to your game with most expansion packs. And you have to keep in mind, all those expansions were scattered releases. So whilst at the end of the day, it seems like a huge expense, it wasn’t all that bad.
      Finally, the stuff packs are cosmetic stuff, and not required really…

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 20, 2015 at 16:32

        Even if you just bought half the stuff, is it worth it to follow the same routine for Sims 4 and 5 and 6 etc.?

        Reply

        • Dutch Matrix

          January 20, 2015 at 16:34

          If the content is good, then yes. ANd if it adds to a game I love, then why not? Not all DLC are birthed from the Devil’s Loins, you know?

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            January 20, 2015 at 19:30

            Teach me master. All I know is the Devils abuse 🙁
            LOL seriously though. I can’t do it. The first sims was enough. maybe if I retire one day I’ll pick up the Sims 20. I’ll be to old and feeble to plat FPS games by then

    • HvR

      January 20, 2015 at 17:14

      Digital Heroin

      Reply

    • Lifelongsimmer

      January 20, 2015 at 19:33

      I got Sims 3 when it first came out on an intro special which I seem to remember being R250. 3x expansion packs at R250 = R1000. I also have S2 which I’m still playing and have S1 buried in a cupboard which I want to get out. + I downloaded a ton of content for S2 and S3. I don’t see enough of an incentive to move from the previous installments.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 20, 2015 at 19:38

        Is it not essentialy the same game over and over? I loved the sims 1 and 2 but it really feels like EA is gouging us

        Reply

        • Lifelongsimmer

          January 21, 2015 at 17:50

          Exactly, how many times can one be expected to buy the same thing? Especially when nothing feels new. Sims 2 and Sims 3 did bring new stuff to the game. Sims 2 was a big jump from Sims 1, more life stages etc etc. Sims 3 built on Sims 2. Open worlds and so forth. The expansion packs were similar but offered something different. I think the best example is Pets. Same thing but enough differences to feel new. I feel in Sims 3 there was the start of splitting content. WA and IP should have been together + LN and Showtime. Now for S4 they release a camping pack that was part of WA and the vacation pack for S2. Are they going to do a Skiing pack for winter vacation followed by a Beaches for something more tropical.

          Reply

        • Lovell

          May 1, 2015 at 22:10

          This could be said about all games, football games for example… Your always kicking a ball. every fighting game is essentially street fighter developed! Every racing game, is the same… The difference is how your interact with the game, and the actual experience while playing

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            May 4, 2015 at 07:27

            That’s a list of all the types of games I don’t play. Except for fighting games. Well it used to be for the story but MK buggered that up.

    • Lifelongsimmer

      January 20, 2015 at 19:34

      Oh and lets not forget the bugs

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 20, 2015 at 19:37

        O_o bugs???

        Reply

  5. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    January 20, 2015 at 18:44

    Thanks D, but I’ll pass, I already own the best Sims game ever, Sims 2 (and if I want to build a cabin in the woods I can always reinstall Sims 3).

    Reply

    • Lovell

      May 1, 2015 at 22:14

      Sims 4 is much like sims 2 in my opinion so you may like it more due to the expansion. I prefer the seemline world as i detest loading screens…

      Reply

  6. Lydia

    February 6, 2015 at 15:56

    Frankly, I don’t see anything new here. I’m still waiting for Sims 4 to come up with something that can beat the 10 EPs and tons of content I already bought for 3. Still waiting.

    Reply

    • Lovell

      May 1, 2015 at 22:12

      i felt the same, however i have found myself lost in the sims 4 use of emotions. and activities, its not worth the cost at all, but it a nice game.

      Reply

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