Brunch at the Old Mill Store Set Review

Hey guys!

It's the first week of July, meaning we get a brand new set this month! As like all other sets released in the past, this is a review of the newest addition to The Sims 3 Store: Brunch at the Old Mill.  This is a store SET (not a VENUE) and I hope you guys enjoy!

Collection File: http://www.mediafire.com/download/tu648lw9npd3vws/BrunchAtTheOldMill.package

This is a collection file to put in your Collections Folder, this is NOT A SIMS3PACKAGE FILE.

AznSensei

Price Breakdown and Information

This build/buy-only set comes with 28 brand new objects, which includes 3 new premium content objects, and is sold for 1450/1700 Simpoints until July 7th, 2014 (Purchase before the date comes) and you can purchase ALL INDIVIDUAL ITEMS separately (except for the premium content and L-Shaped Stairs at a future date). 

Below are the prices of all of the individual content:

Grandma's Canning Station: 500 Simpoints

Old Miller Tea Time Tea Set: 500 Simpoints

Old Mill Water Wheel: 200 Simpoints

Storied Tale Stairs: 300 Simpoints

Humble Fireside Circle: 25 Simpoints

Color Me Chimney Top: 25 Simpoints

Color Me Chimney Base: 25 Simpoints

Color Me Chimney Stack: 25 Simpoints

Stone-Faced Rock Fence: 25 Simpoints

The Old Dried-Up Well: 25 Simpoints

Great Grandma's Butter Churn: 25 Simpoints

Shire Gate: 25 Simpoints

Rock Steady Fence: 25 Simpoints

The Way The Moss Grows Stones Steps: 100 Simpoints

Pebble Henge: 25 Simpoints

Hay Now Cart: 25 Simpoints

Tools of the Trade: 25 Simpoints

Clustered Electric Firefly Jars: 25 Simpoints

Grandma's Old Mason Jars: 25 Simpoints

Jars of Electric Fireflies: 25 Simpoints

Middle Untamed Wall Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Left Untamed Wall Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Right Untamed Wall Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Upper Untamed Wall Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Upper Left Untamed Wall Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Upper Right Untamed Wall Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Window in Untamed Ivy: 25 Simpoints

Corn Plant: 25 Simpoints

Cost of Individual Items: 2175 Simpoints

Cost of Set: 1450/1700 Simpoints

Savings: 725/475 Simpoints

While it may seem like there is a lot of decor objects in this set, the value of this set is pretty good for what you are getting.  You are paying pretty much over $20 worth of content for only $15, which isn't bad. Taking note that most of the content is decor, so even if the item count is high, it is mostly decor. 

Take note that the Storied Tale Stairs come in two pieces, which would be around 150 Simpoints each, which explains why they are 300 Simpoints and also Store-only L-Shaped Stairs. They will NOT be for individual sale until a future date it looks like.

Also, while one may think that the chimney pieces should be priced together as one, take note that a fireplace normally costs 100 Simpoints, while this one costs only 25 Simpoints. The pricing scheme makes up for that so thankfully, the fireplace isn't 100 Simpoints and an ADDITIONAL 25 Simpoints per chimney piece.

One may wonder about the cucumber plant and the corn plant as they are not listed.  They automatically come installed with the Grandma's Canning Station and part of the 500 simpoint price point.  However, since they are new harvestables included, it would be considered a "discount" (one would say) for getting them with the premium content since they would cost around 150-200 Simpoints each. 

Take note that the corn plant in this set DOES NOT unlock the "easter egg" that came with Grandpa's Grove. (More information will be discussed later).

Exchange Lots: The Old Mill

Not Included SEPARATELY AND FREE with this set are uploaded lots that feature the content by SimGuruKitty. She has created two lots that are solely for Sunset Valley: The Old Mill and the Stoney Falls Near The Old Mill Remake. 

Both Lots can be placed in 53 and 57 Waterfall Way in Sunset Valley and the links to both lots are below:

The Old Mill: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=8314506

Stoney Falls Near The Old Mill: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=8314505

While the Old Mill is a brand new lot, the Stoney Falls remake just includes the other side of the "faux bridge" created between both lots (very creative not going to lie) and is still the same lot with the new "half-bridge".

While the lot size may not be ideal for everyone considering the Old Mill is a 36x47 Lot size, One could use a 50x50 lot and place it and arrange it how they wish (recommended lot size). Other than the issue with the lot size, the lot is built beautifully and has some nice features inside and outside of the lot.

Below are the images of the Old Mill:

Premium Content: Old Miller Tea Time Tea Set

Included in this set are three brand new premium content objects, and this is one of the first three.  This one is a tea set called the "Old Miller Tea Time Tea Set."  This item is currently not sold separately at this time, but may be sold in the future for 500 Simpoints.

Below are the designs of the tea table:

The Old Miller Tea Time Tea Set is unfortunately not a tea set object, rather than a tea TABLE with a tea set on top.  The function of the tea set could be treated similarly like a chess/games table where you can put up to four chairs on the table and have the special interactions with the tea set.

There are only two actions with this set and they are the following:

• Make a Cup of Tea
• Serve Tea

Both have the same interactions and the only difference is that Make a Cup of Tea makes only one cup for you, while the Serve Tea makes multiple cups of tea based on how many chairs are attached to the table.

Sadly, there are no other actions such as "Ask to Join" or "Drink Tea With" as you will have to control the other sim to go to the table with you to drink tea (missed opportunity).  Also, I wished the Serve Tea would give you options on which sims to serve tea too that way the table would put the que into the other sims in the lot.  I find this premium content lovely, but at the same time disappointing and more could have been brought to the table (no pun intended) for a 500 Simpoint premium content item. You can still socialize while drinking tea, which is nice.

There are also no moodlets or anything else other than watching your sims drink tea, and honestly I think the price for this premium content should be 300-400 Simpoints due to the heavy limitations it can bring to your gameplay. 

Below are the interactions your sim makes when performing both actions:

Premium Content: Grandma's Canning Station

The second of the three premium content is the Grandma's Canning Station, which will be sold for 500 Simpoints in the future.  This premium content object is another cooking object that introduces new recipes for jams or preserves. 

Below are the different designs of the canning station:

You can make a whole variety of preserves and jams depending on what harvestables you have in your inventory and the list of different types will be posted at a future date. 

In order to create preserves/jams, you will need three of one harvestable and after you put three of them into the canning station, you can proceed to make your Preserves or Jam.

List of Preserves/Jam:

• Preserves:
• Corn 
• Pickles (Requires Cucumber Harvestable)
• Banana
• Carrot
• Apple
• Maui Bean
• Grape
• Lemon
• Cocoa
• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Blackberry
• Lime
• Lettuce
• Pear
• Blueberry
• Orange
• Kona Bean
• Purple Eggplant
• Bell Pepper
• Garlic
• Truffles
• Pumpkin
• Pecan
• Raspberry
• Plasma Fruit
• Midnight Bean
• Cortado Bean
• Red Berry Bean
• Tomato
• Peach
• Onion
• Potato
• Cherimola Blan Grapes
• Avornalino Grapes
• Cherries
• Cranerlet Nuala Grapes
• Gralladina Fran Grapes
• Meloire Grapes
• Plum
• Pomegranate
• Pomelo
• Pickled Egg (Requires Egg)
• Jam:
• Relish (Requires Cucumber Harvestable)
• Banana
• Apple
• Grape
• Lemon Marmalade (Requires Lemon Harvestable)
• Chocolate Spread (Requires Cocoa Bean Harvestable)
• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Blackberry
• Lime Marmalade (Requires Lime Harvestable)
• Pear
• Blueberry
• Orange
• Pecan
• Raspberry
• Plasma Fruit
• Ketchup (Requires Tomato Harvestable)
• Peach
• Cherimola Blan Grapes
• Avornalino Grapes
• Cherries
• Cranerlet Nuala Grapes
• Gralladina Fran Grapes
• Meloire Grapes
• Plum
• Pomegranate
• Pomelo
• Produce it cannot use:
• Flame Fruit
• Life Fruit
• Forbidden Fruit
• Basil
• Bumbleleaf
• Buzzberry
• Chamomile
• Cinnamon
• Ginsing
• Greenleaf
• Lavender
• Licorice
• Peppermint
• Sweetgrass
• Wonderpetal
• Red Valerian
• Ghost Chili
• Red Toadstools
• Porcini Mushrooms
• Spotlight Mushrooms
• White Cap Mushrooms
• Mandrake
• Mycena Mushrooms
• Glow Orb Mushrooms
• Wolfsbane

Below are the images of most of the jams and preserves included:

Once you open the preserves, you can reuse the harvestable (sadly it's odd that when you open the pickle jar, you get a cucumber and not a pickle) and if you open the jam, you can spread it on toast or a scone (Yes you can have ketchup on a scone... ridiculous!!!).

Other than that, there is nothing else included other than two brand new moodlets that are Jammin' and Yummy Jam. Jammin' is when you create the Jam, an d Yummy Jam is when you eat the food on a scone. 

Sadly, you cannot have a scone with your tea when used together. Wished you could interact and use the Jam in your inventory and have a scone while having tea with your other sims. Another missed opportunity.

Premium Content: Old Mill Water Wheel

The last of the three premium content is pretty much like the Warbling Wind Chimes as it is a premium decor object. It is called the Old Mill Water Wheel.  This object costs 200 Simpoints when sold separately at a future date and has new water sounds and animations.

Below are the different designs of the Water Wheel:

Also unique to this water wheel is that your sims can fish in it (which is interesting). So far you can get random objects and different fish, INCLUDING SHARKS (Makes me wonder what is going on in that wheel).

So far there are no other special features or moodlets and Children to Elders can interact with this water wheel. I did wish there was a "view" animation that is special and your sims can just randomly watch the wheel go round and round or throw sticks and stones onto the wheel (for the more mischievous sims). Other than that, it's a pretty good price considering it's just decor, with working animations and an extra feature.

New Harvestables: Cucumbers and Corn

Two new harvestables that will come installed with the Grandma's Canning Station are the Corn Plant and the Cucumber Vine Harvestables.  Please take note that the corn plant is not the "unlocked" one that comes with Grandpa's Grove.  That particular plant was more of an easter egg and unfortunately will stay locked and will utilize a third-party mod created by one of the simmers over at Mod The Sims.

One negative I found on these two harvestables was that I was not able to so far find any food recipes to make with them... Kind of disappointed that nothing new can be made with them.

I am saddened that due to the restrictions that store content have to utilize base game coding, it seems like both harvestables have to utilize one of the three base game meshes: Tree, Plant, or Vine.  It seems one cannot create a "brand new" mesh for the appropriate harvestable such as a palm tree for bananas or a corn stalk for the corn, but at least we can use the harvestable.  If only there were no such restrictions when it comes to store content, so hopefully it will change when The Sims 4 releases new content. 

Storied Tale Stairs (L-Shaped Staircase)

Included, but will not be sold separately for 300 simpoints in the future are a classical approach towards the L-Shaped Staircases that were introduced in the Prism Art Studio Venue.  The Storied Tale Stairs give more of a victorian feel to these staircases and add some more customization to a simmmer's home other than the modern approach introduced in the other L-shaped staircases that came with that venue.  There is only a left and right piece and the pictures are included below.  

Despite the fact that they were withheld from the Now & Then Manor Venue introduced a few months ago, they should have been sold separately individually and not withheld from individual sale.  Also, I was disappointed that the price was 300 simpoints and should be 200 Simpoints or even less to make up for it being replaced by the chandelier chain and light. 

I'm still glad they were released, but it could have been released in a better manner marketing wise. Nonetheless I'm glad I didn't find any glitches or problems with these staircases being installed.

Build/Buy Content

This set contains 25 other decor objects that can be sold separately (except for the L-Shaped Staircases) and all of them cost 25 Simpoints (except for the staircases). I love the design on some of the objects, and in each of the listed objects below, you will find the image, included designs, and a short review on each object. 

Humble Fireside Circle
Price: 4,200 Simoleons
Location: Build Mode > Fireplaces
Tile Space: 3x2
Review: A very classical and nice design of a fireplace. It's small, quaint and not too overbearing or modern. 

Color Me Chimney Top
Price: 95 Simoleons
Location: 
Buy Mode > Sort by Function > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Build Mode > Columns
Tile Space: 2x1
Review: I am so glad the store team has introduced recolorable chimneys (even though Supernatural should have given us these in the first place). I am saddened these came towards late in the series and would have been very useful in the earlier years.

Color Me Chimney Base
Price: 75 Simoleons
Location:
Buy Mode > Sort by Function > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Build Mode > Columns
Tile Space: 2x1
Review: Even though the size is not as big as the actual chimneys that are created when placing a fireplace, it is nice they are recolorable.  I did wish we didn't have to worry about the overlap issue or moveobjects on as these are a tad smaller than the main fireplaces' chimney bases.

Color Me Chimney Stack
Price: 95 Simoleons
Location:
Buy Mode > Sort by Function > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Build Mode > Columns
Tile Space: 2x1
Review: Works fine, same as the chimney top review.

Stone-Faced Rock Fence
Price: 45 Simoleons
Location: Build Mode > Fences
Tile Space: Fence
Review: I love the detail in the fence, and not to mention the obsidian look into one of the pre-made designs.  I actually like this fence and wished there was a moss-covered version.

The Old Dried-Up Well
Price: 210 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1
Review: Finally a well that isn't tied to the Dragon Valley World.  This one is just decor and there are not extra animations. Not to mention it's not tied to that stone floor like the Dragon Valley one.

Great Grandma's Butter Churn
Price: 210 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1
Review: A nice decor object to add to the kitchen or farm.  Sadly, I wished there was a premium content version where we can make butter, different types of cheese, cream cheese, etc.

Shire Gate
Price: 190 Simoleons
Location: Build Mode > Gates
Tile Space: 4x1
Review: Much like the stone fence, I do like the design of this gate.  Again, I wished there was a moss-covered version to give it that "aged" feel.

Rock Steady Fence
Price: 20 Simoleons
Location: Build Mode > Fences
Tile Space: Fence
Review: I actually find this to be a nice basic fence to put alongside the staircases that come with this set.  I do like the rocky detail on this fence. Sadly the moss is not recolorable for more creative customization.

The Way The Moss Grows Stones Steps
Price: 150 Simoleons
Location: Build Mode > Stairs
Tile Space: 7x1
Review: I love these stone steps and wished these came out earlier in the series.  These make wonderful additions to outdoor builds and the moss gives it a nice touch.  Sadly the moss is not recolorable.

Pebble Henge
Price: 150 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1
Review: A nice decor object to add to surrounding ponds or the yard to give it more of an earthy feel to the lot.

Hay Now Cart
Price: 210 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 6x2
Review: Nice decor object to put in farms.

Tools of the Trade
Price: 250 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1
Review: Nice decor to put in a shack or farmhome.

Clustered Electric Firefly Jars
Price: 235 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Lighting > Ceiling Lights
Tile Space: 1x1
Review: These look slightly familiar to the ceiling lights that came with Country Livin' set, the Repurposed Jar Lights.  Except these are more detailed and have a firefly affect in them.

Grandma's Old Mason Jars
Price: 210 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1
Review: A nice decorative jar holder to put in the kitchen, to give it more of a homey feel.

Jars of Electric Fireflies
Price: 125 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Lighting > Ceiling Lights
Tile Space: 4x1
Review: I like how we get another form of lights that we can dangle around columns or other outdoor builds we create. 

Middle Untamed Wall Ivy
Price: 25 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 2x1
Review: We can never have too much ivy! Not to mention we can purchase it separately along with adding more creativity to our current ivy selection from past venues and worlds.  These are mostly ivy pieces from ceiling to floor and can flesh out and give the home a more "antique" look

Left Untamed Wall Ivy
Price: 25 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1

Right Untamed Wall Ivy
Price: 25 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1

Upper Untamed Wall Ivy
Price: 25 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 2x1

Upper Left Untamed Wall Ivy
Price: 25 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1

Upper Right Untamed Wall Ivy
Price: 25 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1

Window in Untamed Ivy
Price: 150 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 2x1
Review: It's nice that it comes with a windowed version, but I do wish we had a window separately to go along with this set.

Corn Plant
Price: 10 Simoleons
Location: Buy Mode > Decor > Miscellaneous Decor
Tile Space: 1x1 (Can Overlap)
Review: I LOVE having these as decor (even though I wished the harvestable looked like these).  What's nice about this is that it can overlap with itself, creating a "corn field" effect and one can make a corn maze using this particular object. 

Overall Review

Price: 7/10 - I find that the price is pretty nice being 1450/1700 Simpoints, however it is mostly a set of decor objects and overpriced premium content (in my opinion).  Based on what the PC items gave us, the tea set should have been 300 simpoints and the water wheel is more of a tinier form of PC content (even though it is grand).  Considering we are hitting towards a later part of The Sims 3, the price would have been nice if it was close to 1000-1200 Simpoints for everything.  I am saddened that we are still restricted from purchasing the premium content and the L-Shaped Staircases by itself.

Theme: 8/10 - I love the classical feel to an old mill set that includes content that flesh this out.  The premium content and the build/buy items work very well together to bring this sort of theme to life and it was nicely designed.

Lots: 10/10 - Considering that we get a set that has individual items, it was indeed nice to get these lots as extra bonuses and not locked as a venue for other players to not enjoy without purchasing the venue set as a whole.  The old mill lot was creatively designed and not to mention the Stoney Falls Remake was a nice addition to further flesh out the lot. 

Tea Set PC: 5/10 - I felt like there could have been more with this set regarding interactions and moodlets.  Not to mention the restrictions that you cannot invite other sims to join you for tea and do any interesting or funny animations.  It would be nice to see an arguing animation and pouring hot tea towards your enemy, or a horrible batch of tea being consumed.  Not to mention you cannot eat scones with your tea.

Canning Station PC: 8/10 - Jams and Preserves were a nice addition to add in this set and this premium content pretty much delivered the most out of all of the other premium content.  I did find it odd that when I made Pickled Eggs and Pickles that when opening the jar, I get an egg and a cucumber, not a pickle or pickled egg.  I also find it interesting to find different harvestables utilizes as jams, but saddened that the scones/toast being covered in the jam are all the same color. I do believe the content is viable with the bakery collection (will need to do some more testing before I 100% confirm this). One of my favorite PC that came with this set.

Water Wheel PC: 4/10 - It's just a glorified decor object and while it's nice and grand along with some amazing water animations and all, it is a bit odd that you can fish sharks and other random things in the wheel.  While it's nice that it's 200 simpoints and not 500 simpoints, I hope that people appreciate how low of a price it is compared to how worse it could have been sold for.

L-Shaped Stairs: 4/10 - I feel like even though these were held back from the Now & Then Manor Venue, I still feel these stairs could have been a cheaper price, closer to the 150-200 Simpoint mark rather than the 300 Simpoint mark.  Not to mention it's not available for sale immediately.  While I do love the classical design of the stairs, I think it could have been added to the store in a better fashion other than being held back (in some form) again.

Corn and Cucumber Harvestable: 3/10 - It seems that players, including myself, probably made an assumption that the corn from Grandpa's Grove to be unlocked with this set, but saddened to hear that it is a brand new mesh and coding.  Not to mention the look of the corn is tied to one of the base game plant meshes, which is a limitation of the store.  I did wish there was no such limitations, but nonetheless I am glad we get some new harvestables.  I did wish we could make popcorn with the corn or do other things.  Not to mention I can't really make pickles with the cucumbers as once you open the jar of pickles, you get a cucumber. Also, none of these harvestables add any new recipes other than being part of the jam/preserve category. Opportunities were missed with these harvestables.

Build/Buy Mode: 8/10 - While this set consists of pretty much decor objects, I do like the small things that are included in this set and most of the decor has been designed pretty well and I would consider this fleshing out more of the outdoorsy kind of lot.  I think most of the content can be greatly utilized in other types of builds other than the old mill.

Overall Review: 6.3/10 - There were positives and negatives in this set, and I think more could have been given with this set. Nonetheless it is a visually-appealing set to me and I think hopefully we can expand more with what we are given from this set.