EA announced yesterday that two new kits will be coming to the Sims 4 later this month – the Urban Homage Kit and the Party Essesntials Kit. I’ve had a look at the items and I’ve got a few things to say about these kits, so stay tuned!
I guess I should be grateful to EA for giving me something to write about so soon, but I can’t say I’m excited about the prospesct of new kits. I’m sure this isn’t an unpopular opnion, but kits to me have always felt like the most low – effort attempt at monetiseation possible. I don’t personally buy kits, but I’ve had a look at the items, so here’s what I think!
Urban Homage Kit
This Kit is inspired by London in the 90s and 2000s. It’s definitely a cool concept, and some of the items from the kit do look nice! It looks like there’s also a nod to London’s rich cultural diversity with items such as the head wrap, but I do wonder – can a kit properly do this justice?
I appreciate that EA is working with simmers for their DLC, like Ebonix on this kit, but it’s a massive task to take on to try and represent London’s mix of cultures and the unique culture that come from this with just a few CAS items. It’s great to see EA working with a Black simmer, but it also feels like Black simmers are being treated like an afterthought here. I mean, a kit? Not to mention the skin tone update that people had to beg for. I’m not Black myself, so I may not be able to offer as much of a nuanced opinion on this issue, but it seems only right that all players should be able to represent themselves properly in the game. I’m conflicted on this one, because I think the concept has a lot of potential, but I don’t know if a kit is the best manner of execution.
Urban Homage Kit. Picture from ea.com: https://www.ea.com/en/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/urban-homage-and-party-essentials-kit
Party Essentials Kit
Yawn. We already have Luxury Party Stuff! The items themselves don’t excite me either, I don’t feel like this is bringing anyhting new or interesting to the game. Even looking at Luxury Party Stuff compared to the new kit, I feel the items don’t look that different – they may as well be from the same pack!
Party Essentials Kit. Picture from ea.com: https://www.ea.com/en/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/urban-homage-and-party-essentials-kit
Build/Buy items from Luxury Party Stuff. Picture from ea.com: https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/store/addons/the-sims-4-luxury-party-stuff
Honestly, I feel this is quite lazy from EA, and does beg the question – Who asked for this?
I know this may sound harsh, but I love the Sims and have high expectations from EA, which makes me so critical of it. When something feels like such a blatant cash grab as this, you can’t help but feel disappointed. However, this is just my opinion! You may agree, you may disagree, but either way, feel free to share your own thoughts!
If you want to know more about the kits, check out EA’s website: https://www.ea.com/en/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/urban-homage-and-party-essentials-kit
Until next time 🙂
Social Bunny Sims 
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