[intro music and mechanical keyboard sounds]
What the-- weren't we here just like
a couple weeks ago?
Is it really time for another one of these?
They keep this up and Sims 4 stuff packs
will be more popular in 2016
than political unrest.
Ah, whatever man.
EA sent me thing to review
so may as well look
at the Sims 4: Backyard Stuff.
The 43rd stuff pack for the Sims 4
or... at least the 8th pack
but you probably believed that first number
for a second, didn't you?
So, yeah. It's a pack of stuff for your backyard.
Assuming that your Sims have one.
And that you care to utilize this stuff
within its bounds.
If not, well the Sims 4 is pretty much
the opposite of judgmental these days
unless you're talking about color wheels
and toddlers, but let's just
ignore that.
So place this stuff anywhere you please
Like on your body.
A place that feels mighty
appropriate for things like the
new hair and clothing.
Of which there are a handful of
summer-y looking articles for
men, women, and children
and everyone in between.
"Clothing, it keeps you not naked."
The rest of this pack consists
of an assortment of around
40 new items.
Such as this trio of sedentary seating setups,
a quartet of table-like thingies,
some plants,
an array of fantastically flamboyant fountain frogs,
Picket fences and gates
that work quite well for keeping
the kids out of the street while
while playing Pokemon Go.
Some wall art, floor coverings,
and lights.
Including citronella candles
to stave off the non-existant Sim Zika virus,
and these decorative doo-hickies
that stick in the dirt.
Including a birdhouse that can't be used
by birds,
and a rather hypnotic wind catcher.
Or... makeshift wind turbines
if you're crafty with those bracket keys.
You also get these outdoor tables,
with umbrellas permanently attached
And while I wish there was a way to
remove the umbrella, it's nice
that you can stick six chairs around them,
which unless I'm mistaken,
is a first for this game without mods.
Speaking of tables,
there's some stuff you can put on them,
like a bucket of fruit you can't eat,
or a basket of condiments you can't use,
and a pitcher for tea and lemonade you can't--
Oh! Wait wait!
(drawn-out) What?
(all together) You can actually drink
the lemonade this time and it's not
just good for farting on?
Truly, this is the face of progress.
Speaking of progress,
check this out!
There's a radio that's called a
"Plumbox Box"
which claims to be from
hundreds of years in the future,
and may be the head of an advanced cyborg.
I really hope this is a hint
at some kind of "stuff for the future"
because plumbots were lots of fun
in the Sims 3,
and I want them back.
And finally there are
a few items
featuring new interactions,
like this birdfeeder that attracts
these choppily animated birds
"Aww, how cute. They're like the monsters from Quake."
(Quake monster roar)
There's also an assortment of
wind chimes in various sizes,
materials, and pitches.
And even though there's no wind
in the Sims 4, they work anyways
and are quite relaxing,
especially in the evenings.
(wind chime and nighttime sounds)
I really like these.
Anything that adds a soothing atmosphere
and overall chill vibe to the Sims
is awesome in my book.
Like the return of waterslides.
The first of which is the plain-jane
dollar-store variety,
and the other one is, I'm pretty sure,
is a prop used by the San Jose Sharks.
Anyways, Sims can slide
down these things in both
normal water and soapy water configurations,
and even attempt to pull off tricks if they've
got the skills to do so,
otherwise they'll fall flat on their face.
(sound of Sim hitting the waterslide hard)
And yeah, these milkshakes really do
bring all the Sims to the yard.
In fact, you can invite the whole
friggin' neighborhood over if you'd like.
Which is a great way to meet new victims--
Er-- friends.
So, that's the Sims 4: Backyard Stuff.
Did we really need another
stuff pack right now?
No! Absolutely not.
I agree there,
this is something that we totally
could have done without.
And I would have rather had
an expansion or game pack right now,
but is this particular one worth
buying for $10 anyway?
Yeah, it probably is if you're like me
and really enjoy the whole summer vibe
going on. Of course,
it would be a lot better if the Sims 4
actually had a summer as a season already,
So I don't know if it's
that I actually really like
this pack, or that I'm just getting
desperate for a seasons expansion,
Still there's just something
about water activities and windchimes
and Quake songbirds that appeals
to me. It brings back
memories of nights on the back porch,
sipping sweat tea and a warm summer evening.
If it didn't have the new interactions and gameplay elements
this wouldn't be worthwhile at all,
which is why I hated Outdoor Living Stuff in the Sims 3
even though it was such a similar pack.
But this time around I think they
got enough things right that it makes
sense to me
even though I'm so over stuff packs
that I have a doll to slowly
dismember in protest.
Speaking of which, Ralph, you know the rules.
Every stuff pack means you got to lose
a limb. And well, you had a good run buddy.
Ahh, but this is not the end.
Mark my words, Ralph will have
his revenge.
(outro music)