So, I got Outdoor Retreat, the new game pack for Sims 4. First off, I LOVE Granite Falls. I’m a huge mountain/forest person so it’s right up my alley. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. That being said, because of all the trees, it can make it hard to find things like the plants, or insects that you need for the new Aspiration that comes with Outdoor Retreat. You have to follow your Sim close to the ground and keep a lookout that way which can be a bit annoying, even a bit hard on your eyes. I know some have gotten motion-sick from it. Thankfully, I didn’t get motion sick, at least. I do love the fact that camping out is a thing now. I went camping a lot when I was a kid and my folks still have a permanent campsite (granted, it’s a bit different than going hiking and doing ACTUAL camping, but still) so at least once a summer, the hubby and I go up and utilize it to spend time outdoors without a lot of technology and just relax. And bringing that to the Sims makes me very happy!
Hehe, I enjoy the new ‘Stargazing’ interaction that comes up. Your Sim (and any Sim they’ve asked to stargaze with) just flop on the ground on their back and look up at the sky, conversing and pointing up at different points. It’s really cute. Again, going to gush about the scenery, but I’m in love with the waterfalls and the woods. To test it out, I made Skylar Woodward and sent her out to explore. She had the Outdoor Enthusiast aspiration and so set about finding wild plants and fishing. The fishing spot at the waterfall was soooo pretty!
See, isn’t that gorgeous? I also like the new clothing choices just because it has an outdoorsy/hiking feel to it, which is cool.
This is Skylar harvesting a wild plant and then trying to identify it… yes, she’s eating something she has no idea what it is XD I found this quite humorous. Basically, you won’t know what most of the wild plants are until you try to identify them. This will level you up in Herbalism. With herbalism, you can make some pretty cool potions/lotions to help with certain things. There are poisonous and nonpoisonous varieties of each new plant. Now I haven’t even touched most of the other things that Outdoor Retreat has like the new hidden area with a hermit, nor did I stay very long on vacation due to time constraints, but so far, I think it’s a lot of fun and well-worth the $20 I paid for it. Considering what a stuff pack had in it and the new kind of game play that Outdoor Retreat has to offer, if you enjoy camping, pretty scenery, and new things, I highly recommend it ^^
ANNOUNCEMENT: This is mostly for those who read my other story blogs. Friday, I head out to Washington State so my online time and time in general will be limited until I get back on Monday, so not sure about any kind of updates, though I will try my best.
Wolfie's Writings 
Thanks for posting this, it is nice to hear opinions about the game. I agree, Granite Falls is gorgeous, I love the waterfall area, and the clothes that came with it are really nice (plus there are several good options). It is hilarious that they eat unidentified plants. I wouldn’t even let my legacy heir try any plants she collected because I was worried about her dying of poison, but evidently that’s not a risk, just a bad moodlet.
Have a great trip!
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Yeah, I know so many had nothing but negative comments on the game itself. I understand some of the frustration. There are things that I’m not particularly fond of, of course, or things I do miss from TS3, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy this one thoroughly and I am, very much so. I actually think the game packs are a better value than the stuff packs were.
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The Game packs are definitely more value for money than the Stuff packs every were! I miss toddlers from TS3 but at the same time I’m so glad I don’t have them because I’d probably end up with dead sims within a week because its so hard to keep them happy in TS4! Definitely don’t need the added difficulty just yet, maybe next year lol
I don’t have the money to by Outdoor Retreat just yet so I’m really glad I saw your review, Jessi, especially because its from someone whose Sims opinion I value! So I definitely think I’ll be getting this come payday!
I’m glad to see they didn’t add “death by poison” to the other remarkably easy ways to die that there are now in TS4 lol still probably would have made my sim eat the unknown though, just to see what happens (so not my legacy family though!)
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Hehe. I think it’s worth it. Lol, it would actually be hilarious if they could die from poison XD but I’m a terrible person so… take that as you will hehe
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