Horse Ranch - First Impressions

[MrsFlynn]

What's your first impression of the Horse Ranch pack? Was there any surprises for you?

Anything stand out about the pack? Pros/Cons?

[Brian_Z]

It took quite a while to get to where I felt like I could say things that were fair/accurate!
I'm really enjoying the horses themselves.  However, I eventually had to cheat their skill levels-- they take TOO LONG.  Either a faster pace for leveling, or them only going to 5, would be a lot better!
Much like in real life, horse ownership is a way of life.  If you get one, it will be a big part of playing that household.  Not a bad thing, but something to consider.
Nectar Making:  This one is not terribly time-consuming, and you can make a TON of money on it!
Mini sheep and goats:  Feels like they were added because the pack needed some more stuff.  It's a cute thing that runs around your ranch and wants attention.  If you have Cottage Living, the goats produce milk and the sheep produce wool.  You can get as many as you want, and they don't need the CL sheds.  But I'm past doing all the CL activities, the income from selling milk and wool doesn't amount to much, and I just don't care.  I think they might be great later when I have some kids to play with them though.
And then, the world.  Holy cow, it's gorgeous, especially the Galloping Gulch neighborhood.  Worth getting the pack just for that.  I'll probably be redoing the bar and the night club:  The bar is a snooty wine bar with classical playing and no dance floor.  The night club was intentionally designed so that horses can come in and poop on the floor.  So yeah those need work.

[Granny Lawlor]

And then, the world.  Holy cow, it's gorgeous, especially the Galloping Gulch neighborhood.  Worth getting the pack just for that.  I'll probably be redoing the bar and the night club:  The bar is a snooty wine bar with classical playing and no dance floor.  The night club was intentionally designed so that horses can come in and poop on the floor.  So yeah those need work.

I'm currently stuck in Newcrest for my RDC but my current gen want to run a restaurant in the new world and, for narrative reasons, I need a fishing location. Obvs I could just add a pond to whichever lot I fix on but, having explored it, is there a lot that you'd recommend?

[Brian_Z]

@Granny Lawlor The town neighborhood doesn't have any fishing spots.  Galloping Gulch has a few, but the whole neighborhood is really spread out, it's a hike (or a gallop!) to get to any of them.  The other neighborhood has just one, at least from what I can see.  The 30x30 lot in the middle, or if you want to kick the Grove family out of their place, are the closest to that spot.

[Granny Lawlor]

Thanks 

[MarianT]

My intention was to wait for a sale, but I gave in and got the pack.

Chestnut Ridge is lovely, at least the Galloping Gulch neighborhood. You can see the stars at night -- clusters that might be interpreted as constellations. Apparently, you can get things when you harvest the prairie grass. My only complaint is with regard to lot sizes: some of them are so small that the house takes up all the room.

I haven't done anything with the animals yet, but what I've seen looks good.

Nectar making is a disappointment. Yes, you can make lots of money, which you'll probably need if you want horses. But there are no new varieties of grapes, and the bottle goes into your Sim's inventory as soon as you finish stamping on the fruit. The Nectar Maker aspiration has 1 level -- get to level 5 of the skill, make 50 bottles, and make $100,000 from it. Compared to TS3 nectar making, it's shallow.

The cowpoke dancing is fun to watch. I don't know yet whether my Sims' movements develop as they increase the skill.

I got the pack mainly for the world, so I'm not unhappy.

[scoed]

My review isn't a good one.
The world is well done. It has  an empty 64x64 lot, something I been wanting for years. The prarie dogs are cute and a nice touch. It is very well done, unfortunately it is south west USA map number 3 and doesn't seem unque.

CAS is fun and I will get tons of use out of the jeans in this pack. Unfortunately much of it is Hollywood west and not real ranch clothing outside of the jeans. We still are lacking in working class wear. And some items have clipping issues.

Gameplay is lacking necor making isn't as robust as it was in Sims 3. It deals last minute add to be honest. Horses are cool  and well done but I am al re ready board of them and some game play is tied to the world so boo. The star in my mind is mini sheep and goals. They are funny, useful and don't  require too much care. They do need Cottage Living and theknitting pack for mx benefit and seem like they belong more in Cottage Living then in this pack. Honestly game play just seems lacking for an expansion.

Build/buy is well.done but not my style. Can't complain as it fits the world and the Hollywood west theme.
Over all I think what is in this pack is well done but nor really for me and worse a bit light on content. It is not going to allow me to recreate my grandfather's ranch nor add much long term to my gameplay except the jeans, mini goats/sheep and the 64x64 lot. It is a solid "C".