Level Up Collection Review

Hey guys,

AznSensei here reviewing the recent Level Up Collection Set released in The Sims 3 Store. This Set includes   a small number of 10 items, but costs 1250 Simpoints (Original Price 1600 Simpoints). It is on sale until 9/20/12 *Midnight PST*

Taking note, there are technically "3" Premium Content Objects found in this set. The main 2 are the following:

Buzzer Beater Free Throw Machine: 400 Simpoints

Basically, this Throw Machine has two interactions and 1 new moodlet: Burnin' Up The Hoops

In order to access the Arcade Homes Contest, you must have another Throw Machine next to it. When playing in a contest, both sims will be throwing balls to get a higher score, along with gaining the athletic skill. There is no new skill with this new item. When the person wins, the lights in front of them will flash and both players will clap and applause. The Moodlet has a chance of appearing, but so far it hasn't appeared for me.

Rim Rockin’ Basketball Hoop: 500 Simpoints

Unlike the Throw Machine, this object comes with "2" more moodlets (along with the previous one with the throw machine), total of 3 new moodlets:

- King of the Court

- Rim Wrecker

The interactions involved are also shown below:

The Practice Dunking and Practice Hoops are pretty much the same as working out. However, dunking will involve a sim attempting to jump and dunk the ball into the goal mid-air while hoops is for throwing from the ground. Your sims can fail at dunking though!

Here are some images of Dunking:

Succeeding:

And Failing:

When practicing hoops, there may be some chance that your sim will throw a really fast one, showing a fire basketball animation. Sadly I could not reproduce the flaming ball yet so I'll update when I can.

You can also challenge your housemates or other sims in your lot to a Dunking or Hoops Contest. However, that is all you can do. Taking turns dunking or throwing hoops is their form of  "contest".

Sadly, I do wish there was more interactions for this Basketball Hoop, such as having a one-on-one actual basketball game where one player has the ball, the other tries to get the ball from them and block them from shooting. Another idea was to connect two basketball goals and have a group of 4+ Simmers form a team and having a game of one team against another in order to win. There are many things the Store Team could have done, but alas it's just a goal.

The 3rd Premium Content Object is actually a Clone of the Atomic Jack Planet Attack Pinball Machine:

Galactic Simball Arcade: 400 Simpoints

Other 7 Items included are:

- Foosball Table

- Wall Light

- Wall Decor (3 Designs)

- Sectional Coffee Table

- Sectional Sofa

- Flatscreen TV

- Gaming Console

Pictures of All Content and Stencils:

 

 

 

 

All of this for the price of 1250/1600 Simpoints. Now the question is, is it worth it? Well if you consider that you are getting pretty much 3 PC Objects, totalling at around 1300 Simpoints, then you are pretty much getting the rest of the content for free when purchasing the set. Since Premium Content has been priced at 400-500 Simpoints each this past year, I think it would be worth getting some of the extra stuff, as they are nice too have also ^_^

Overall basically the review of the entire set is as follows:

Price: 9/10- Some of the items are not worth the price such as the sectional sofa for 200 simpoints, but other than that the price seems pretty reasonable when purchasing as a set. You get 2 PC Items, and one clone of a previous PC Item included.

Theme: 10/10- I do enjoy a new set that isn't focused on modern clothing or world styles, and a sports-themed set hasn't been made a while. Props for the idea of adding this theme this week.

Design: 7/10- I do wish that a Basketball Hidden Skill or actual skill was included, much like how the Casino Items give the Gambling Skill. Although, the athletic skill is good enough for me as it's normally used for all sorts of sports activities. The Basketball Goal does seem a bit disappointing because there's nothing really interesting about it or anything fun to it. Earlier, I suggested some other functional gameplay like having 4+ players play against each other in teams to win a game, or having a one-on-one actual game on the basketball hoop.

Overall: 8.7/10 This set was small and another set should have been released alongside this one, but other than that I'm pretty much happy with the price and the content that comes with it. Now Schools and homes will have Basketball Goals to have outside, new decor for the outdoors. ;)

Coming Soon

Coming Soon to this blog ^_^

Click for Expanded View ^_^

Sunlit Tides Review Part 3 - Steam-It-Up Sauna

Hey guys,

This is Part 3 of the Review featuring mostly the Steam-it-up Sauna Premium Content Object that is exclusive to only this world.

Basically this item provides a combination of both a mud bath and also a sauna. Unfortunately, they are not separate objects but one entire object. However, the store team has created so it can be easily customizable for players to put one next to each other, or use it whether outside, fenced, or in a room. The creativity can be utilized with this particular item.

Below is a picture of the customization of the Sauna with four channels:

When you first click on this item, you have multiple options to use found in the picture below:

The first interaction called Hydrotherapy is pretty much a sim bathing in the mud bath using "clear" and clean water. They also get a chance to play with a rubber ducky, adding some humor and fun to your sim.

The next interactions is called the revitalizing mud bath. Basically, your sim will be taking a mud bath instead of an actual bath. The sim will wear cucumbers and sit there and relax. Once completed she will be "revitalized" and feel younger (in this case Mary Sue had gotten 2 days younger).

Next we have the "Make Steamed Vegetable Interaction." Notice how the option is greyed out for my sim. Thankfully, this interaction will NOT happen autonomously unless your sim has vegetables and if there is another cooking object somewhere else in the lot. I added some lettuce in Daniel's inventory and he had steamed some vegetables.

NOTE: It does NOT contain Sim Sweat

A small, but nifty feature added to this is the use of water particles and a player can turn on or off the waterfall effect. Below are the effects of what you see with and without the waterfall:

The last interaction is self explanatory. 

There are some extra features with the Sauna too such as it can accommodate up to three people, with one in the tub and also provides a new "Woohoo" interaction, exclusively new to the Sims 3 Store.

When you have two sims that are romantic enough in the Sauna (of course them being the only ones in the room), you have the option to "Sauna Woohoo" and the options are Woohoo, Try for Boy, and Try for Girl. The Try for Gender interaction is brand new and also provided in this premium content item for the first time.

You will also see below of what the Sauna Woohoo interaction looks like below:

Last but not least, it provides some new moodlets found below. I wasn't able to get all the moodlets, but these are some examples. More can be found in the Premium Content Item Guide attached here.

Now the question is whether or not this item is premium content worthy. Below is a simple and hopefully straightforward review on the Sauna as a Premium Content Object:

Design- 10/10 This Sauna was created with some creative new interactions, something to add to Spa Community lots, and also the fact it's easily customizable! Also it is the first one to provide new romantic interactions such as choosing a boy or girl, along with the fact it provides a new woohoo, exclusive for the first time.

Function- 10/10 So far no glitches have arrived, and thankfully there is no issue with it like the Ice Cream Maker/Deep Fryer that many simmers experience. It was well thought out and I will enjoy using it ^_^

Price- 8/10 Unfortunately, it would have gotten a 10/10 if it was bought individually. Since it is exclusive to the world, one must fork either 2450 Simpoints or 3700 Simpoints in order to get this item for their personal use, regardless of whether or not they want Sunlit Tides. If one enjoys Sunlit Tides, then it would be worth having this item. If one doesn't care for the world and want this, it isn't worth money to get the world just for this. 

Thankfully, I enjoyed both of them so in the long run, it was a good price for me ^_^

Hope you enjoyed Part 3 of this guide! Stay tuned for Part 4 =D

Sunlit Tides Review Part 2- Serenity Retreats

Hey guys,

This is Part 2 of the Review of Sunlit Tides. In this portion of the review, I will be going over the Serenity Retreats Venue Set that is exclusive only to the Gold Edition of Sunlit Tides. I will also be going over some of the PC Content that comes with Serenity Retreat.

Plus there will be a mini review of the "Gold" Edition of the set which will make you decide whether or not it will be worth it.

First off, Serenity Retreats is a 30x30 Community Lot. Basically, it serves as pretty much the Spa Rabbithole and can definitely replace it if needed. With the items involved, it will provide special career bonuses for those sims in the part-time career of the Spa.

Here is where it should be placed, considering it's the only area that is 30x30:

Now here are the screenshots of Serenity Retreat:

Front View

Back View

Interior:

Back Area:

The Wedding Area:

Pool Area:

Featured PC Item: Massage Table

Featured "Mini"-PC Item: Outdoor Shower

What makes this particular venue portion so special is that at the moment, it will be exclusive to the Gold Edition of Sunlit Tides. It comes with a Premium Content Item, and a "Mini" Premium Content Item (as stated by SimGuruSarah). Basically what comes with this pack are these two items:

Infinite Zen Massage Table

Basically this Massage Table performs multiple functions. First, you have the option to Give or Get a massage. After that, there are five different options listed below:

1. Deep Tissue- Where your sims will get one type of hand massage where your sim will use his elbow and hands and try to dig deep into massaging the sim. Basically it's more of a rough-style of massaging. After completed, the Sim will gain a "Loose and Limber" moodlet.

2. Amazing Romantic- This is where if you massage your partner romantically. There are two moodlets that will happen with this particular function: The "Tranquil" moodlet, and the "High Fertility" Moodlet. With the High Fertility moodlet, it will only occur on a female sim (of course) and by having this moodlet, they have a chance of obtaining twins, or maybe even triplets.

3. Hot Stone- The use of stones to massage a sim. The moodlet given for this particular massage is called the "Pebble Prepped" Moodlet:

4. Acupuncture- The use of needles on a sim. The Moodlet obtained is called the "Finding Nirvana" Moodlet:

Also, your sim has a chance of failing, showing an animation of needles dropping on the sim all at once, providing intense pain and a moodlet called the "Pinched Nerve" moodlet. 

5. Swedish- Another type of hand massage that's more gentle than the Deep Tissue one. It also provides the Loose and Limber moodlet.

That is basically it for the Massage Table

The Second Item included is the Mini-Premium Item known as the "Keep Me Clean Outdoor Shower"

It functions the same as a shower, but used mostly for the outdoors. Simmers will just change into their swimwear and shower in it. It is NOT possible to take the shower in the nude. 

 After looking at those two items, there isn't much added to the item list other than a couple of new items:

- Tropical Hot Tub
- Tropical Dreams Wedding Arch
- Tropical Aquarium
- The Clever Curtain
- Sunny Days Lounge Chair
- Implements of Relaxation (Decor Shelf)
- Wooden Spa Column

Also included are three new Build Mode Plants:

- Swiss Cheese Plant
- Birds of Paradise
- Giant Fern

After seeing all of these items, some of them are made beautiful and will make nice additions to any future venues a player will make, but other than that, it wouldn't justify the 1900 Simpoints for this Lot, considering it includes one PC Item, one mini-PC item, and a bunch of other stuff.

Based on how The Sims 3 Store Team prices their content, the price breakdown will be as follows:

Massage Table- 500 Simpoints
Outdoor Shower- 400 Simpoints (like the Toilet)
Hot Tub- 300 Simpoints
Wedding Arch- 200 Simpoints
Aquarium- 100 Simpoints
Curtain- 25 Simpoints
Lounge Chair- 75 Simpoints
Decor Shelf- 25 Simpoints
Column- 25 Simpoints
Plants- 175 Simpoint each x3

Total cost: 2175 Simpoints, but if in the future the Store Team reduces the build mode plants to around 100 Simpoints each, that would roughly make this venue cost 1950 Simpoints, which you're only saving 50 Simpoints. Personally, I don't find it worth it and this was the "unworthy" part of the Gold Edition. compared ot Sunlit Tides, this was a tad steep versus a world with multiple lots and many more objects for only 2450 Simpoints.

Scores:

Premium Content Objects:- 10/10 The massage Table and the Outdoor Shower are nice editions! Plus they both can be modified and adjusted to work well for builders, especially the shower.

Theme- 10/10 This lot fits Sunlit Tides very well, along with the fact it can definitely replace the Spa Rabbithole and makes a nice addition! ^_^ Add a couple of registers and you can make those NPC's the "masseurs" if you wish to =D

Pricing- 6/10 A Venue Set should be much cheaper, but it looks like I'm paying more for the objects than the actual venue itself. Sadly, not many simmers view it that way and they think they are paying for the venue set. The Build Mode Plants are seriously overpriced, so I hope a small reduction is in order, I won't mind paying 75-100 Simpoints as they require more tech than normal decor, but shouldn't cost 5x the amount of regular content. Combining this price with Sunlit Tides forms the price of 4350 Simpoints for the Gold Edition, 3700 on sale. To be honest the price isn't worth it when getting both of these, but if the Venue Set was priced much more less (probably maybe 1400-1500 for the venue set) then I could see it being 3850 Simpoints for both and around 3100 Simpoints on sale, making it better than the initial prices.