Judging and Rating Every EA Build in The Sims 3 Monte Vista

[@sofsof1572]

I've noticed that sims 3 builds are often ridiculously huge. In sims 2 you usually don't know where can you fit a new room for a baby, while in sims 3 you can just use one of the exercise rooms no one needs, or empty big hallway, or an empty lounge.

[@Rekowcski]

i agree.. most houses i could easily renovate for a 6-8 sim household haha

[@xSummeraain]

When I visited Italy I remember that while I was walking around Rome and Florence I thought "yes, EA did a good job when they made Montevista". The interior design though... well, not so much lol.

[@saraa3418]

One of my good friends from high school married a boy from Rome and all of their family pictures the rooms have stone and stucco walls in white, cream, beige, and gold. Floors tend to be terracotta tiles or dark wood. Where their family is, people don't really have yards. They do like to do patios and terraces with like "outdoor living space."

[@Rekowcski]

Thank you sara that's very helpful! I grew up in an italian canadian community... but it was the grandparents from italy mostly so I am more familiar with the people than with the place

[@mygetawayart]

The ONLY one reason i never bought this world, despite being Italian and wanting to play in an Italian type world are the horrible horrible HORRIBLE lots. Even in the promo pictures they looked absolutely awful and it was especially sour for me because i wanted to play in this world so badly. Of course in TS4 we got Tartosa in what is one of the entire franchise's most broken and empty packs. Also FYI, this world is inspired by Monteriggioni, a small medieval town in Tuscany. You can also see it in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. btw, Foosball is REALLY popular in Italy, we call it "calcetto" TBH i wouldnt really be able to tell if bathrooms are big in Italy compared to other countries but they're certainly NOT empty. Lofted bedrooms are not that common but if they're there, they're not usually the main bedrooms. Also don't get shocked about terracotta tiles in every room. It gets really hot in Italy, we need ceramic tiles to keep it fresh. It's actually way less common to find wood floors.

[@Rekowcski]

thank you! this is exactly what i was looking for

[@cicciobello6934]

Sono d'accordo con te , io prima vivevo in Emilia Romagna e non ho mai visto case del genere , ľestate scorso ero andato a Napoli ed era tutta un altra cosa . Monte Vista sembra piuttosto toscana e abruzzese . Comunque c'è Moira Van Cartier che ha giocato in questo mondo e le case le arredava bene ma senno EA arreda malissimo ( tranne le ultimi mondi )

[@mygetawayart]

@@cicciobello6934 eh perchè gli ultimi mondi di TS4 le han fatte i simmers, non EA. Difatti se vedi la scuola di High School Years, l'ha fatta EA E SI VEDE.

[@teresaberkhout9709]

The Terracotta tiles everywhere thing is veeeery accurate (actually for most of southern europe), tiles in general are used everywhere in a house because they are fresh, it was funny when you said like "they are gonna hit it in the morning" because that is the exact idea :')

[@steffstuff2328]

A little note for the Decent Dwelling? (That huge thing like 3 houses together) It's common in Italy to have family business and ither "family" centered things. So it's ok for them to have almost a separate building for the only daughter who is going to take husband IN her family and then multiply people even more) and a separate place for partying is a MUST. You don't have fun in a place where you should have a nap)

[@Rekowcski]

I like the concept! Actually that would work very well in veronaville.. with the open for business expansion

[@diogoazoia5207]

I’m from Southern Europe ( not Italy ) but my aunt has the same type of counters in the dinning room 8:50 to storage fancy china and booze. I think they could’ve put a dinning table to be more realistic. And theses house are giving nans house type of vibes 😂😂. Nonetheless I love this world boc it reminds me of my childhood and it made me feel homesick. Love ur videos x

[@Rekowcski]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the information! I already filmed the second part, but not the third... but in the second there are lots of nona/nono or opa/omo style houses, so i think you will really enjoy the next one! Lots of elder sims with grand kids in this world.

[@whynikkiwhy]

God i want you to never run out of worlds to review, it's so entertaining to watch 😭❤️

[@Rekowcski]

there is lots more to do.. there is still the unoccupied lots and I might roast the sims 4 as well haha

[@Bueno_Y]

@@Rekowcski When you run out of EA worlds to review on the Sims 3, don't forget that there's the custom worlds made by players, you basically have a unlimited number of worlds to review.

[@Life_Universe_Everything]

Monte Vista is fun to make a winery in, as stereotypical as that is.

[@Rekowcski]

Italian culture is a bit of a caricature of itself, so I think it's fine haha

[@MJlena483]

@@Rekowcski what? 🤔

[@federicagenna9757]

I am Italian, but I think it is understood by my name. Mainly Montevista with the landscape and the houses are inspired by Tuscany and its countryside, but it is possible to find this type of houses also in other regions of central Italy, such as Umbria and Marche. The classic houses with terracotta floors in almost all the rooms, even in the bedroom it is possible to find it. The houses painted with these very soft / neutral colors both inside and out, the large open space that can be a porch / pergola, which can also include the vegetable garden, where you can spend your evenings out relaxing. Regarding the house, commendable condo, with that tower / terrace "detached" from the house with the garage underneath, I think they wanted to make a house with a terrace above the garage separated from the house to give it perhaps a little movement (?) But the it turned out a little bad 😅 Of course I really like the Montevista style XD, I will certainly be biased, but there are for example some houses like Decent Dewlling, I really didn't like that, it wasn't functional in my opinion. As for the bathroom, in villas it is very common to find these bathrooms as large but certainly not as empty as these made by EA 😆😆

[@Rekowcski]

thank you this is all super helpful! im excited to explore the rest of the builds, but a few of you have given me some great consistent things to look for!

[@federicagenna9757]

@@Rekowcski You're welcome, I'm glad I can be of help! Now I'm going to enjoy the other part of the Montevista review 😄

[@Harajukubarbie333]

I went to Italy in 2019 and this is nostalgic honestly! The bathroom was bigger than the kitchen in our B&B which really surprised me because Italians love eating but they had a giant dining room instead of a living room which made sense I will say it wasn’t that empty really all ours had was a washing machine and towel warmer There were tiles everywhere too even in the bedrooms

[@Rekowcski]

thank you! everyone seems to have similar experiences with italian homes so i've learned a lot!

[@annysk93]

Well, in Spain at least, and probably in Italy, we don't usually have kitchen + dining room + living room (what a waste of space), we have a room that is both living and dining room (often the biggest room of the house). In Spain we call it "Salón".

[@jamesjacoby4485]

I'm so glad you are doing Monte Vista! It was always my favorite world and it's been long enough that I don't remember any of these builds! I'm not an expert on Italy, but it always gave me Tuscan or umbria vibes. Maybe look up "tuscan villa" or "San Marino" to get more info. I do know that terra cotta floor tiles and dark wood is totally the vibe. Thanks for doing these sims 3 series! 💖

[@Rekowcski]

You are the second person to mention Tuscany, so I'll look into that specifically, thank you! Also thank you for watching im glad you're enjoying them!

[@machadojoel10]

I believe you can look at Tuscany and places like Monteriggioni to have a better understanding of what Monte Vista is supposed to look like 🙂

[@steffstuff2328]

And one of the "family traditions" thing is the waiting room in the entryway, coz you don't want other to sneak around your house if they are not close friends at least, so they would sit and wait for your daughter/son etc. there without going further into the house. But all the members can come to the entry to greet the visitors

[@siriuswinter1065]

The tablesoccer (or whatever ppl call them) fits into this world if Monte Vista is Italy-inspired. Its a big soccer/football nation after all, especially at that time.

[@mothrise1]

Fashionable Farm looks like italian monastery in which they create wine. It even gives that late medieval vibe from the shape.

[@reprolover11]

The houses are kind of obnoxiously inoffensive (if that makes sense), my eyes are burning from all the beige and wood. Enjoying it so far though, Gorgeous greenery and world.

[@Rekowcski]

Yes, very bland and blah... but part 2 i have a feeling we will get some beauty

[@alyson_l27]

I always disliked how empty the houses were, but i just realised they're just TOO DAMN BIG

[@Rekowcski]

i think any good place to start with an EA reno is to cut off part of it haha

[@mygetawayart]

@@Rekowcski lilsimsie be like:

[@mygetawayart]

it's always been a problemn with EA, they always ALWAYS made the houses too big with too much wasted space because they don't know how to furnish them.

[@Rekowcski]

@@mygetawayart the sims 2 has some ghastly giant empty-ish houses in the lots and houses bin...

[@mygetawayart]

@@Rekowcski god knows they did the right thing by asking simmers to build the lots in ts4

[@coreywilson3029]

I’ve been watching someone renovate an old Italian home on TikTok, and the roof living spaces seem to be pretty common in their area. They also have a loft bedroom, and the bedroom has a short stone wall and small windows that almost look over into the kitchen. All that being said, I think this world is really giving a good representation on the exteriors for Italy, and maybe missing the mark on the furnishings due to EAs limitations.

[@Rekowcski]

I think all your points are spot on! People keep referencing that the world is reminiscent of Tuscany, and I do see that the houses are going to improve!

[@gabriel_de_bettin]

Finally monte vista, I’m from Italy and this adorable world reminds me of Tuscany especially Urbino (which is a to un on a mountain full of turrets). The style of houses is spot on 50s Italy and it reminds me of my grandma house, I love this world. Actually I’m going to play in it😁

[@Rekowcski]

I recorded part 2, not part 3 yet... but there’s lots of Nona & Nono houses and lots of elder premade sims to go with them! I think you’ll really enjoy them

[@gabriel_de_bettin]

@@Rekowcski i don’t even think American know that Nona it’s nineth in Italian haha, actually grandma is Nonna with two n. But you’re right I love 50s style Italy, it’s the perfect world to live in, like Roman holidays and all, cont wait for part 2 and 3😁😁

[@Rekowcski]

@@gabriel_de_bettin the demographic of my hometown was 93% italian Canadian when I was growing up... so I was the only student in class who had a "grandma" instead of a nonna haha

[@gabriel_de_bettin]

@@Rekowcski well, I bet you had a fun teenagehood 😂

[@Rekowcski]

@@gabriel_de_bettin i sure ate a lot lol

[@monelmonelmonel]

24:06 I would give that house a 0 only because of that hideous living room. Are they going to do a ritual over that pot of plant in the middle, with the three single chairs oddly placed around it? What's with the sofas on the room's sides? for the audience? That room is so ugly. I want to burn it.

[@Rekowcski]

it's very sims 2 "lots & houses bin" if you ask me haha

[@perfectdark7890]

An uptade for ranking: 1. Riverview: N = 28; M = 7,71; SD = 1,51 2. Moonlight Falls: N = 21; M = 7,14; SD = 2,00 3. Isla Paradiso: N = 25; M = 7,08; SD = 2,23 4. Roaring Heights N = 28; M = 6,70; SD = 2,59 5. Midnight Hollow: N = 24; M = 6,65; SD = 2,10 6. Appaloosa Plains: N = 21; M = 6,64; SD = 1,65 7. Sunset Valley: N = 26; M = 6,62; SD = 1,54 8. Bridgeport: N = 30; M = 6,55; SD = 1,93 9. Monte Vista (so far): N = 9; M = 6,22; SD = 1,39 10. Lucky Palms: N = 26; M = 6,00; SD = 2,28 11. Twinbrook: N = 24; M = 4,96; SD = 1,71 N - lots; M - mean; SD - standard deviation Remaining worlds: Barnacle Bay, Hidden Springs, Lunar Lakes, Starlight Shores, Sunlit TIdes, Aurora Skies, Dragon Valley

[@Rekowcski]

thank you! no surprise that MV has the lowest SD so far

[@butterbeer8651]

"Too busy for women and children"/"too busy for anything" is the most common personality trait I find in online dating

[@Rekowcski]

people too busy pretending that they're interesting when really they on their ass lol

[@CarlDillynson]

Ahh I was waiting to this! Monte Vista is one of the of the most gorgeous store worlds! I haven’t explored the homes tho - hopefully it’s not a Roaring Heights situation where the world is gorg but the homes are lackluster. Will watch and see now!

[@Rekowcski]

I know it seems lacklustre from this episode but I already recorded part 2 (not part 3 tho) and I saw a couple things I think you will really enjoy

[@Bueno_Y]

I love this world is so pretty! I have the physical version that comes with the CD to download it. But I don't play in this world very often because the road layout is terrible, it takes too much time for Sims to go from one place to another.

[@Rekowcski]

I understand what you mean, a couple worlds have this problem haha

[@TownieSimBuilds]

Really interesting seeing this world for the first time! When you do run out of build judging, I would definitely love to see a 'Can I Fix It?' type of series where you tackle the uglier lots with your own remodeling skills. I'd also like to hear your thoughts on community lots as well (they are some of my favorite builds and I don't see enough of them!).

[@Rekowcski]

Community lots are tricky, but I’m working on some in my custom world... then I’ll have a better ideas as to what to look for. Many are just lawns with rabbit holes so I’d have to find a way to make it more fun

[@TownieSimBuilds]

@@Rekowcski Ah I see, I do remember a lot of the rabbit hole objects/buildings from the Sims 3. We'd probably have to look into community lots that do not normally consist of rabbit holes, usually libraries, art galleries, salons, thrift stores, parks, beaches, bars/clubs, etc. Things like the city halls, police stations, etc. are probably ones to be avoided as they usually just have rabbit hole piece with some nice landscaping around it.

[@zestykim]

The 7th build (Deluxe Domicile) has a garden behind the garage. You just missed it.

[@Rekowcski]

oh! I'm looking back and it looks like all the camera angles i chose kept it well hidden! good eye, I still havent found it lol

[@whynikkiwhy]

Haha i knew I wouldn't be the only one screaming about that 🤣

[@VicEclectica]

@@whynikkiwhy Same lol

[@RRSIMMER]

I just bought this house recently along with hidden springs and honestly the homes are so beautiful ☺️

[@Rekowcski]

i love hidden springs! but i havent explored all of the builds, just the two sims i married for the money

[@VicEclectica]

This world is beautiful to look at, but I never play in it; while the world is very cohesive in terms of style, the sameness gets on my nerves rather quickly. And every single house requires an extensive makeover. Once you've done all the EA worlds, are you thinking of doing custom worlds? Oh - maybe a makeover series? I'd like to see you go back to various houses that you just hated and re-do them. While I watch your commentary, I try to imagine what I would do to improve the space. Would be interested to see how you would do it. Another fun vid. :)

[@Rekowcski]

I have a makeover series in mind, where for each world I just renovate the absolute ugliest house. From my comments in each video, there is usually a clear winner for the ugliest build.

[@DizzyBusy]

But to do a makeover other than buy new furnitures, you have to get a city council permit, especially when you live in the historical town centre 😅😅 If you wonder why there are so many dilapidated houses in historical city centres all around Southern Europe, it's because renovation the bones is such a hassle and getting those permits is a long and slow process, many owners gave up midway and simply move to a more practical modern house in another part of town 😂😂

[@mellowwy6]

Okay, I'm a TS2 player but this makes me miss TS3 so much... your video is very fun, I think I just found my entertainment for the rest of the afternoon. Keep it up! :)

[@Rekowcski]

I’m so glad you enjoy them. Honestly I made these so people can just check out which world / houses / sims that they would enjoy in case you get the urge to open up sims 3 haha. My favourite game is sims 2 though, so I know what you mean!

[@emery8329]

I love these series! Thanks for posting so many so I have so many to look forward to!!

[@Rekowcski]

this is the series that brought me into the algorithm so I'm probably going to do these forever haha

[@Milkiebee]

I LOVE to see reviews of these worlds that I used to love!

[@Rekowcski]

thank you for watching im so glad people enjoy the sims 3 worlds as much as I do!

[@Rekowcski]

thank you so much for joining my channel! that is so nice of you, i truly appreciate it x

[@Milkiebee]

@@Rekowcski I try to support creators I enjoy in what way I can

[@matt0310]

Omg the 2 story thing on the garage is so common in southern italy

[@reprolover11]

Babe wake up, new Rekowcski video just dropped.

[@justinjay2318]

Hi Kyle! I always wanted to get Monte Visa, but idk. The world looks beautiful Tho. Looks like it was released about the same time as World Adventure

[@Rekowcski]

It's not my favourite world, I think some are more exciting for my game play... however this one has several Veronaville sims, so consistent lore lovers will enjoy it. They did a good job with them, from what I've investigated.

[@federicao4609]

Hello Rekowscki! 🤗 this world has Tuscany vibes for me. I have italian blood so i can relate with this architecture.

[@Rekowcski]

hi federica! thanks I can totally see that! have a good weekend

[@federicao4609]

@@Rekowcski thank you! Have a nice weekend you too!!

[@jaletu8173]

Thank you so much for the excellent critique of Monte Vista! You reminded me of how beautiful this world is. I used to play in it a lot but have forgotten it lately. The homes are stunning to me. All I can think about is how I would fix this or that and make it better. I love listening to your thoughts and ideas because you point out obvious ways (well, not to me) to make better builds. Learning so much! When this world came out, the dev who showed it off said that the bathrooms were deliberately made bigger because that was the Italian style. No idea if that's true or not. Wonder if that video is still on KZbin somewhere?

[@phoenix_val_games7718]

Amazing series and love watching you tear EA down! BUT don't forget to see the WHOLE builds, house and land, cause we all know how EA likes to hide lore in the most inconvenient ways imaginable. Keep it up!

[@Rekowcski]

I always check for basements now, and read the sim bio before I go in, but of course some things can be missed. :(

[@tannerurbas5586]

Been really liking the videos lately! I’m a newer viewing and such and am just curious. What did little simsie do to you?😂 you manage to mention her every episode lol

[@hodgsonkaitlyn6]

I think the gym being on the top floor is a nice spot for it. The equipment is facing the window for a open view outward and over. I’d much prefer that than ground view personally

[@westanimesims]

Lol the alliterations! However I do like the more subtle tone for most of the houses. As stereotypical as it is they lattice trellis or pergolas are my favorite parts of the builds.

[@Rekowcski]

Only 2 houses don’t have alliteration in their name :/

[@natw821]

Binged your channel every day since discovering you! Been waiting for the monte vista builds, so excited for this video 🥖

[@Rekowcski]

I’m so glad you enjoy them! Monte vista is very popular I never realized!

[@aarachnophxbia]

i discovered your channel like 3-4 days ago and i’m seriously in love with your content, i just can’t help mysefl, since then i watched 2 of your saved livestreams and like 90% of this series, good lord you are so amazing, i can’t stop watching your videos

[@Rekowcski]

that is so sweet thank you!!

[@gingercatqueen4368]

Perfect timing. Just got home from running around all day. Going to chill and watch this video. Hiiiiii Kyle 🐈😻

[@Rekowcski]

kyle jumps across behind me a couple times!

[@galaxy_panda_kat]

About the Fashion Farm at 22:44 I love this house just for how much fun I had redesigning it! I added garage, garden with real plants, a studio and two new rooms because hallway was massive 😆

[@Rekowcski]

the hallways in this world can give you 1 or 2 extra bedrooms lol

[@galaxy_panda_kat]

@@Rekowcski yes! 😂

[@annaamariaa]

This world has a special place in my heart

[@Rekowcski]

Bianca is my favourite sim in Sims 2 and she is a child here

[@missbilbybadinage1199]

23:14 I'll put in the summer festival court from the seasons pack. not that I'll be playing that house, it's for the aesthetics if my sim walks past it.

[@m.woodsrobinson9244]

Wow. Kinda disappointed in Monte Vista (like I wouldn't just tear everything down and rebuild it, anyway), but, from the EA screenshots it looked so pretty! Oh, well. That's a hustler for you. 😆

[@Rekowcski]

The houses in episode two might give you what you're looking for...

[@wisediscernment2403]

Your love for Sims 3 is unsurpassed, congrats! Lol

[@Rekowcski]

It is the superior sims game ;)

[@JBurns2833]

Are you planning on doing lot reviews for Oasis Landing, University, France, China, & Egypt?

[@Rekowcski]

I think I'll get around to everything, i'm almost out of worlds !

[@jonathanraithel5726]

I love Monte Vista, but hate the sameness of the houses. They usually aren’t hideous, but they get boring. The shells do give charming rustic Tuscan farmhouse or hilltop village vibes. But so much of the interiors are ugly, gaudy, or give the feeling of a dated North American Italian restaurant. The shells do create a cohesive style for the world, but the repetitive bad floor plans and interior designs have no excuse. Don’t expect any 10s (or 9s for that matter), I haven’t seen any.

[@littlespoon0393]

Love this series! And that lighting mod is beautiful, I love the blue sky. What lighting mod are you using in this video?

[@briannaleigh5669]

I have yet to play in monte vista but I love the vibe

[@Rekowcski]

it's a totally different style! I love when they do this, I don't like when they make yet another grassy suburban world, i'd rather have a whole other culture, landscape and architecture

[@briannaleigh5669]

@@Rekowcski yess exactly. i really love the more unique worlds.

[@adriannfierro7540]

I love your videos 😭❤️

[@Rekowcski]

thank you ! x

[@alonsojimenezdiaz4140]

cozy cottage deserved better 😫 a 5? i've been seen a lot of your videos lately, greetings from costa rica :)

[@bdm090]

I get so excited when you upload a new video 🥰🥰🥰

[@Rekowcski]

im glad you enjoy them!

[@eliana.playsts3]

13:13 interesting enough... Monte Vista comes with that oven but none of the houses so far comes with it

[@Rekowcski]

I think maybe they built a lot of the houses before the world pack was finished, so they just stick to base game until they can add in the world items

[@eliana.playsts3]

@@Rekowcski mmmm it makes sense....

[@fakhriibrahim6910]

I once play pepe moretti and blown away for his house

[@Rekowcski]

i can see him having one of those Fast Lane cars haha

[@arieltales8952]

I've just noticed my Sims 3 bathrooms tend to be gray, blue with white or beige.

[@Rekowcski]

i think those are all excellent choices

[@PWNDON]

"-or learning the culinary arts on an authenic wood fire oven" [shows a BANANA SPLIT COUCH] (0:14) i feel like this wasnt intentional but it makes me laugh edit: 8:30 that living room gives off granny vibes to me, which im fine with

[@Rekowcski]

monte vista doesnt have it's own trailer really, so i just used KPST lol

[@16taysia]

Maybe it’s an olive tree farm?? I’m American so I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️ lol 😂I’m talking about Fashionable Farm lol

[@jonathanraithel5726]

I’m from California, and we have olive trees. Those definitely are not part of an olive grove, because olive trees are twisted and bent, and the leaves are (shockingly) olive green. It’s just some sort of fake orchard.

[@16taysia]

@@jonathanraithel5726 okay, good to know

[@bfranklin69]

I wanted this world soooooo bad as a kid 😅

[@jadelovespinkxo]

aaaaaahhhhh it’s happening 🔥

[@Rekowcski]

of course it's happening!

[@MikaelaCher]

My house (from the south of Spain) is very similar to these but they are smaller here

[@clementkong8133]

Sims 3 Monte Vista seems to no longer be available for download for PC on The Sims 3 store or on the EA site

[@Liegnitz69]

Decent Dwelling looked like a elaborate mansion at first, but once you showed more it was just three homes connected by some corridors. The most disappointing build in this world so far

[@Rekowcski]

Indecent Dwelling ): ps. just between us i already recorded part 2... and it's got some gorgeous houses to make up for this episode!

[@meggs8346]

This is soo cute! 🤗

[@fizziepop4421]

What lighting mod do you use? That looks great 😵

[@Rekowcski]

I use a variety (I change them in and out for the worlds) but all are from “brntwaffles” try a quick google of that to find a bunch! This one is their “frozen” inspired lighting.

[@alanrecinos7700]

I was wondering if there’s a link to the discord? I need help on how to install mods. I’m not good with my Mac or computers lol

[@Rekowcski]

i dont know much about mac, but maybe someone there knows more about it i assume it's not that different discord.gg/zfakUemq

[@alanrecinos7700]

@@Rekowcski Oooh no worries!!! Thank you so much!!!