The Sims 4 may have done too much with Movie Hangout Stuff, but even with a deceptive title the general consensus is it’s well worth $10.
While The Sims 4’s fifth Stuff DLC dubbed “Netflix and Chill” may not be essential as far as gameplay and objects, it certainly adds flair to “Create A Sim” and “Build Mode” that the game doesn’t yet have.
Let’s cut right to the chase. Here’s what the latest DLC Pack doesn’t include:
- CAS kids options
- Home movie theater furniture that makes sense
- Movie lighting
- Funky Carpet & Wallpaper
If you like bohemian style decor, then you are in for a treat. For everyone else, the wild selection could make you mouth “WTF?” But don’t freak out right away, each crazy looking piece of furniture has a plain off-white/light brown option. The psychedelic color waves are overwhelming and I personally don’t have a use for such a theme. However, it could look nice in a kids room. Oddly enough, the pack doesn't include retro carpet or wallpaper to match the furniture which would have brought the boho theme full circle.
The Lazy Gamer calls Movie Hangout “one pack with an identity crisis” and he may be correct, but don’t X it out right away. The large projectors and gameplay involved make up for the weird, funky furniture. There are two projectors: one for indoors made of metal that mounts on the wall, and one for outside that comes with a wooden stand. The DLC pack comes with 10 original Sims films which all have their own storyline. Unfortunately, the projectors have a grainy quality that is a bit underwhelming. Official movie posters are included for decoration.
Social interactions will vary based on the specific movie you choose to watch. Your Sims will also react to the movie. If they are watching a horror movie, one may jump up startled by the zombie. If it’s a depressing movie, one of your Sims may start crying. Sims may feel bored or angry depending on their traits and the film they’re watching. Dominique aka LittleMissSimmer from the Sims Community blog reports mischievous Sims may reveal spoilers to Sims who haven’t watched the movie yet.
Lazy Gamer points out that your Sims may not sit down and watch the movie the whole time. Instead, they could seem disinterested; constantly standing and walking in front of the screen or switching seats. Your Sims may also talk loudly and spill their popcorn if they get startled or laugh too hard. Sims can declare their favorite movie and discuss it with other Sims. If you have Get Together installed, a movie-watching club awaits.
Cute dresses, hairstyles and bell-bottom jeans spice up the wardrobe options for women. The men get a much-need long hairstyle but no jaw-dropping shirts or pants that add a completely new style to CAS. If you’re an artsy Simmer, you’ll enjoy these clothing options but your kids will not-so-surprisingly get the short end of the stick in this category.
The best objects in the pack aside from the projector are the beanbag chair, big tree with lanterns, popcorn maker, paintings, mirror coffee table, rugs and movie posters. There are also three styled rooms. One has a subtle, simple design while the others honor the boho theme.
Enjoy buttered, cheddar, kettle or caramel popcorn while watching a horror movie on your new beanbag chair. The one downside, be ready to clean up popcorn. The Sims will naturally pick up each kernel with their hands and toss pieces into their mouth.
The goal of Movie Hangout is to give Sims a place to meet up, chill together and watch a movie. While this Stuff pack fulfills its purpose, the angle the Sims 4 developers chose to achieve that goal is odd. You can already gather your Sims to watch TV together and create a big-living room feel with existing furniture. The large indoor/outdoor projector is the heart of this pack, but little is done to directly support the home-movie theater feel that the title suggests. It would have been more fitting for the creators to hold off on the bohemian objects for some sort of ‘nature lovers’ pack. A focus on big L couches, sink in love seats and theater-style chairs instead of including the entire color wheel on one sofa would have given the pack a clear identity.
Given the cool new hairstyles for both sexes, original films, and interesting new gameplay Movie Hangout Stuff is still an obligatory buy.
