Weighing in on the Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff - is it Worth $20.00?

Like any Sims 3 fan, we would rather see a new expansion pack added to the mix, than some low grade 'Stuff Pack', as we all sit back, scratch our heads and wonder why they just don't add these stuff packs to their online store for easy purchase. Instead EA gets their fans in a frenzy awaiting these packs, and when we pick them up and plop them into our PCs we usually walk away disappointed in how lackluster the 'stuff' really is.

However, lately EA has released some pretty decent 'Stuff Packs', and when this weeks release of Outdoor Living Stuff hit shelves, I picked it up hoping that it would be just as fulfilling as the last stuff pack; sadly I am pretty miffed at the fact that I spent $20.00 on this one. In fact it's been the most disappointing.

What You Get:

No new game play folks, but as you know, stuff packs never feature new additions as far as game play goes. Stuff packs are basic compilations of stuff for your Sims homes. This pack however focuses more on outdoor decorations and additions, only you will be weeding through your catalogs of stuff to find such a small addition for your outdoor living.

You got a new grill. Yay! But seriously who cares? My Sims barely even use their grills anyway unless it is to cook hot dogs for some outdoor community party.

You will find an umbrella that will look nice on patios or poolside, but truly I think I downloaded 3 different types of umbrellas from third party designers, and those umbrellas actually look more decent than the one EA packed up in Outdoor Living Stuff.

Next is the outdoor wrought iron double seat. Its nice, it's cool, but it would have been even better if it were, you know, a porch swing, which I would have loved to see. This one basically just steals outdoor real estate, and your Sims will never sit on it anyway; unless of course they are directed to do so, or you lock them out of the house and they are forced to nap there.

You will also find a new reclining outdoor seat, that resembles the other outdoor reclining seats all too much. So no awe there, or hooray in that department.

There is a new telescope that looks more like an old fashioned studio singers microphone. I found it to be so ugly I didn't even want to place it anywhere in my yard or balcony.

Next up we have a new art easel, which is also decked up using the same type of iron look the porch chair has. I guess they garnished it up to look more presentable outdoors, than say the old fashioned ugly wooden one that came with the game. Now I like this addition, but it's features are the same. I personally like it because it takes up less bulk in real estate in my home than the original easel. I use it inside, and it looks suiting.

There are new hairstyles, but none given to toddler. Clothing, as with every stuff pack is not impressive either. Things are too lackluster.

There are a few other random things included in the pack, like outdoor lights, a fire pit, new Jacuzzis, and new potted plants and hanging plants. I like these additions, and would have liked to see more, but this pack is very limited, and truly what I loved about the Sims 2 was that I could decorate my homes and outdoor areas originally. I didn't have a backyard set up that looked all too much like a neighbors set up. There was more variety.

While I of course, appreciate the new additions, I do not at all, see this one as being worth half of what I paid for it.