#the sims 4 reviews

[xandezsims]

Sims 4 Castle Estate Kit: An Honest Review

Xan here. I do a fair amount of historical builds, fortresses and castles included—but having to hand-draw parapets as half-walls, the lack of appropriate windows, and the mismatched wall textures regularly drive me up the wall. So when I heard they were releasing the castle kit, I was hype. But, then it came out, and the collective response online seemed to be an overwhelming ‘meh’. Still, I’m committed now, so I bought it to check it out.

And I sort of agree? But I also…don’t. Stay with me, I’ll explain.

First of all, here’s what you get with the kit: 25 items: 1 wallpaper, 1 floor, a foundation, 2 fences, stairs, railing, pillars, 2 wall trims, spandrel, and 2 wall decors, plus windows and doors.

…I have a few observations.

Let’s start with the worst bits:

The Bad:

The swatches are…underwhelming. There are seven, five with variations. The white and black are standalone. The tan (left) and cream (right) are almost identical in some lighting. There’s also one tan swatch with greenery on it, not seen elsewhere. (It has flowers. Why would there be flowers on a castle wall? Maybe that’s just me.) Rest assured, it matches nothing else in the game but the floor that came with it. The brown is…very brown—but there’s a good thing about it, I’ll get there.

So. The spandrels. They look okay up-close, if a little jagged sometimes. But the jaggedness blooms like mold when you zoom out. (At least on my PC.) Probably not using these.

We did get a new foundation, though it doesn’t quite seem to match the walls, due to the light border. Unfortunately, as usual, we did not get a new platform to match it. It’s like EA forgot that feature…

Nitpick with the wall emblem we got: the “clean” swatches are the knight helmet, and the “dirty” ones are a goofy heraldry. No option to have clean heraldry or dirty knight helmet. Also, note that the black and white come with dirty swatches, but we didn’t get dirty walls.

And this is really petty, but these beautiful windows? These ones, here?

Only come with two—count ‘em, two—stained glass swatches, in either gray or tan. That’s all you get. So that black cathedral with stained glass windows you wanted? You’re out of luck. Not fond of the art either. It’s cute, but that means I won’t use it. (Sidenote: that tiny window is not 'an arrow slit', EA.)

That was a lot. Now let’s get to:

The Good:

The windows and doors themselves are amazing. Just look at them! They’re appropriately grand for a castle, and they included sizes for all wall-heights. The best ones are locked to the tallest wall, but for a reason. They’re enormous. Probably the biggest ones we got.

The crenelation fence is a Godsend. (No more drawing half-walls for hours!) It’s adaptive, meaning it changes where the bigger support is based on how long the fence is, where it’s bent, etc. And it looks phenomenal. The wall trims are ornamental as hell, but they are also very cool.

Fun bonus: despite the stereotype regarding EA swatches not matching, the stone textures do sort of match some of the walls we already have! (Shown: Get Together, Bowling Stuff, Fitness Stuff, Jungle Adventure, Cottage Living; Castle Estate walls at the bottom.) This means you can mix and match the new trims, parapets, pillars, windows, doors, all of it, to a degree. And it works pretty well!

Final Verdict: Is it Worth it?

So, when I first got it, I wasn’t super sold. Then, I ran a test on a build I was struggling with and…well, you saw the cover. Needless to say, for five dollars, that’s not bad.

If you’re a historical builder or just really want some grand objects to use, it’s worth the money. There are issues, and the low price tag doesn’t excuse that, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Kit itself is pretty good.

(Now all I need is for them to give us a privy. If you live in a castle, you shouldn’t have to pee in a bush.)

[jaxplaysthesims]

20+ Must Have Mods for Realistic & Aesthetic Gameplay

Watch Video Here

The Mods

AM & PM Traditions - @simwithshan

Sunrise Alarm Clock - Lot 51, alarm alt. by @syboubou

Functional Light Switch - Hiole's Corner

Make the Bed Mod - Utopya

Functional Diffuser - @dscombobulate

The Candle - @charlypancakes

Quip Toothbrush Override - @dscombobulate

Functional Skincare - Cepzid

Functional Handbag -Utopya

Go for a Jog..Together - Zero

Flowfit - @simrealist

Towel After Shower - Zero

Functional Perfume - @lijoue

No EA Makeup - @ellesimsworld

S&S Cookbook - @somik-severinka

Functional Electric Kettle - @somik-severinka

Functional Tray for Tea & Coffee - @somik-severinka

Build Skill with Earbud Mod - @mizoreyukii

BauneyPods Max - POX

Spa Day Facial Masks From Mirror - @ilexsims

Functional Eyepatches - @simkatu

Turn TV On Mod - @mizoreyukii

Lofi HipHop Channel - @simkatu

Private Journal Override - @simkatu

Writing Animation Override - @simkatu

Pencil Override - @vixonspixels

Together on Laptop - Utopya

[peonypyxels]

maggie & rei🌟

[fallstaticexit]

Can I take a sec to GUSH about the Animated Wings Mod by @sp-creates ✨ Seeing Edin with their accurate wing size and watching them flutter is everything for gameplay. The wings come in three different sizes, which is perfect because canonically, Edin is pretty small for a Guardian, so their wings aren't massive as they should be at their age.

But that doesn't stop them from trying 🥹. There's a ton of effects too and I believe if you have the Fairies VS Witches Mod, they can't fly right away, they have to develop their powers. *chef's kiss*

10/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[blvcksims-4]

SIMS 4 FOOD MODS & UPDATES 🍽😲

Recipe Reader App / Cozy Recipes - Hiole's Corner

Buldak Ramen & Kool Aid -Insimnia

Tablet Update - Qmbibi

Tiana Sims Cookbook - TianaSims

Homestead Helper - Littlebowbub

[claudtrait]

cute lil sim i made earlier

[jaxplaysthesims]

★must have romance mods | 15+ links★

I'm a sucker for love. I love LOVE and one thing that has always bothered me about the game is how unrealistic and simple it can be for your sims to find love, so here's a round-up of some of my favorite mods that make it more enjoyable to find love, whether it's with a sim looking for their one true love, a sim looking for someone polyamorous like them, or a sim who isn't quite ready for love, but still wants to have a little fun. Check out the video on my channel ❣️

disclaimer: Hudson was created using a base from one of my lovely mutuals @rhdweauni0 🤍

Dating Apps: ��� Simda Dating App - @littlemssam ☼ Meet & Mingle Dating App - Lumpinou Romance Systems: ☼ Wonderful Whims - Turbo Driver ☼ Wicked Whims - Turbo Driver ☼ Open Love Life - Lumpinou ☼ No Strings Attached - Lumpinou ☼ Road to Romance - Lumpinou ☼ Relationship & Pregnancy Overhaul - Lumpinou Romantic Interactions & Animations: ☼ Bed Cuddle - thepancake 1 & @mizoreyukii ☼ Pillowtalk After Woohoo - Shimrod101 ☼ The One with All The Romance - @katiemods ☼ More Kisses - @maplebellsmods ☼ Cute Romance - thepancake1 & @mizoreyukii ☼ Carry & Kiss Interaction - Khlas ☼ Passionate Gifts - @utopya-cc ☼ Kiss n Grind - @utopya-cc Wicked Whims Animation SFW Creators* ☼E404P ☼Kiki Chain ☼Grey Naya

*Must be 18+

[fallstaticexit]

@sp-creates just dropped the trailer for Expanded Plant Sims. I’ve raved about their mods before , so I knowwwww this one is going to eat 🤩🤩 I may have to take a story posting break so I can just get lost in the gameplay when early access drops ✨

[jaxplaysthesims]

★must have mods for your sim's sunday reset | 15+ links★

my second youtube video is here and I just wanted to share my thanks for all the love on my first video - I appreciate you ALL so much <3

for my second video I thought I'd share my favorite mods for the perfect sunday reset routine - I'm a lover of all things sunday and all things resetting, so this video where I showcase must have mods for a sunday reset had to happen. hope you enjoy! ♡

☼ functional airpods - @northernsiberiawinds ☼ build skill with earbuds - @mizoreyukii ☼ go for a walk -@littlemssam ☼ default razor replacement - @largetaytertots ☼ brand new bedsheets - @llazyneiph ☼ pile of laundry replacement - @largetaytertots ☼ home and land company - @simrealist ☼ tidy pods - @diabolicalsims ☼ folded laundry replacement - @largetaytertots ☼ clean the house - @amellce ☼ sponge override - @moondustdotpng ☼ functional broom - @mizoreyukii ☼ seb's friendlier flora - @llazyneiph ☼ cleaning skill - @baniduhaine ☼ scent to be oil diffuser - @ravasheencc ☼ leona set diffuser - @dscombobulate ☼ starbucks custom cafe - @insimniacreations

I truly hope you enjoyed the video - thanks so much for being here! ♡

[blvcksims-4]

Sims 4 Birth Mod Update by @pandasamacc

[simsyl]

Fleuralia Save File 7.0 Overview

I uploaded on my channel an overview for the most recent version of the Fleuralia save file, one of my absolute favorites to play in! You should definitely check it out and give it a try.

Thank you for the hard work in creating this amazing save file, @fleuraliasave!

[jaxplaysthesims]

★ must have mods for your sim's morning routine | 10+ links ★

my first ever youtube video is here and I'm so incredibly proud of it - I've been wanting to create a simtube channel since I started watching deesims years ago. being a part of this community has inspired me to continue creating and to start my channel, so thank you all for being here and for letting me be here! <3

for my first video I thought I'd share my favorite mods for the perfect morning routine - as someone who loves her morning routine irl, there's no better way to kick off my channel than by showcasing some of my favorite realistic and aesthetic morning routine mods in this video. hope you enjoy! ♡

☼ sunrise alarm clock - lot 51, recolor by @blarffy ☼ quip oral care set - @dscombobulate ☼ functional bathroom clutter kit - @hanalinori ☼ smart mirror - @littledica ☼ home barista machine - @littlebowbub ☼ five minute journal - @dscombobulate ☼ ink for yourself journal - @ravasheencc ☼ bauney pods max -@poxsims ☼ let's get fit - @hanalinori ☼ sumba fitness class - @mercuryfoam ☼ grannie's cookbook -@littlebowbub ☼ kitchenware retexture -@apricotrush ☼ towel after shower - zero

I truly hope you enjoyed the video - thanks so much for being here! ♡ pose is by the lovely @katverse ❣️and thank you SO SO much to one of the sweetest girlies i’ve connected with on here @vixonxo for checking out my video and giving me helpful feedback 🤍

[clearwillow]

2024 Summary of Art just dropped and...hey check it out there's two this year 😂

No joke it's downright strange to see the traditional art mixed in with the digital, but I like it. I've been doing so much digital art in recent years that sometimes I've felt rusty with pencils. Though when I've felt like that this year, I've experimented with other mediums (cause you can't overthink when you don't know what you're doing).