To Buy or Not to Buy The Sims 4: Growing Together (Review)

Hey, boo! The Sims 4 Growing Together is the latest expansion for The Sims 4. If you're wondering if you should buy it, have a look at my review!
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⭐ How to download & install mods for The Sims 4 ➼ • How to Download/Instal...
⭐ Where to download mods for The Sims 4 ➼ • Where to DOWNLOAD the ...
TimeStamps
00:00 Intro
00:38 CAS
2:08 Build/Buy
4:13 World
7:59 Gameplay
17:16 Additional Thoughts
18:45 Outro
💜 Music Credit
---------------------------------------------------------
🎶 Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com/)"
🎵 Intro Song "Written in the Stars" - Asta
🎧 Listen Here: tinyurl.com/y69ljzrl
The Sims 4 is a 2014 life simulation video game developed by the Redwood Shores studio of Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It is the fourth major title in The Sims series and was originally announced on May 6, 2013, and was released in North America on September 2, 2014 for Microsoft Windows.

[@itsmeTroi]

I need my sims to STOP dropping these infants on the ground tho.

[@nicki001130]

They said f dem kids blickblock is more important 😂

[@hazelbutler6193]

They said they trying to start their disney/anime sad backstory

[@jaycharnee1628]

Yes!!! You'd think they learn their lesson! Every Sims game they do this 😂 could've gave us a stroller or something. Who doesn't sit their infant in the ol faithful stroller when out and about!! Great vid tho Troi you always on it 😊

[@nicki001130]

@@jaycharnee1628 it doesn’t come with a freaking stroller 😒 I’m so sorry I preordered this omg 😭 sims 3 for the win once again damn it

[@CassitySimmer]

🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@Teaduplalavideos]

With this pack I think they should have gave us new family relations like mother in law and step father or mother

[@jadagreen7356]

Facts

[@calmandfree]

Exactly, as usual, this pack could have been so much more, but they never are😂😂. It still looks like a fun pack, but something I would get during sales

[@promisedmysun6044]

I thought they did? I feel like a clown 🤡

[@beans7860]

That literally makes no sense that already happens in game?????

[@Angelicaremy]

@@beans7860 you need a mod for that. Sims should’ve added that in from the base game.

[@maryselachavez6196]

i wish they added a stroller so your sims could walk or jog with their babies

[@sunluv1544]

I wish they added strollers too.. but they did add infant carriers that you put on your back and carry the infants in and you can walk or jog with them in the back carrier .

[@TiffanyEdmonds1867]

There will totally be a mod for that at some point.

[@zandileike]

There’s a mod being developed for that right now

[@ceemoney5309]

@@zandileikewhat’s the name of the mod

[@itsmeTroi]

same! a mod creator is working on one. so maybe we will get that later on when mods are more compatible.

[@JoeJB1227]

From what I’ve seen people say, there’s A LOT you miss out on by not having the pack. You don’t get the function of family dynamics, no milestones, and your baby can essentially do a lot of the firsts instantly. You lose a lot of the gameplay to “teach” skills since as an infant they can’t do anything yet until a toddler, such as potty training. I’m a long lifespan player so I see how people were saying how you get through the firsts very quickly and then there’s no reason to keep them in that stage for a long time because there’s nothing to do. I’ve gotten moodlets, notifications, and sentiments about compatibility between sims but it doesn’t show in the relationships panel like it does in this pack. There aren’t even baby showers for base game! I’m definitely buying the pack because there’s a lot missing that I personally want for my gameplay/storytelling. There’s so much involved in it that I think I’m too impatient to hold off on my legacy because I want the memento box!

[@NerdyPanda-td1tz]

You miss everything… I thought my game was broken when I went to play infants yesterday. There’s ZERO to do with them. EA took all the infant gameplay away from the update and locked it behind 60$ paywall. I was livid… watching all the videos before the update, I thought yay for fucking once EA wasn’t going to fuck us. NOPE…. They did us sooo dirty, worse than ever before. Complete lie. They sold us growing together as a family pack, and the infants being the update. Turns out growing together is an infant expansion, with a tree house for the kids. That’s pretty much it, oh and the world… they were so lazy they didn’t put fishing spots or swimming spots on a map surrounded by water… All we got was moveable babies… they is nothing to the infants, your REQUIRED to buy growing together inorder to have proper gameplay with the infants. No changing table either. It’s a total joke. Shadiest thing EA has done to date.

[@faeraindrops]

I've heard about that too tbh

[@JoeJB1227]

@@faeraindrops I’ve been playing with a family to test all the features out and I’ve seen some people talk about how all this advertising for the update and features being put into base game too was misleading. There’s a lot excluded in the base game that’s all streamlined into having people buy this pack, which I agree. I think it’ll be like seasons, where it’s one of those essential packs for gameplay that everyone recommends to new players.

[@grae_x]

I tried playing with just the infant update (no expansion pack) and was SO underwhelmed. No changing tables, no carriers, no play mats, or gameplay like teaching the baby to sit up or roll over? What’s the point in adding the infants with barely any gameplay 😭. I already pre-ordered the expansion pack so I’m not too bummed, but it does suck how cheap EA is being, especially since it’ll negatively affect players who can’t/don’t want to buy the pricey expansion pack.

[@JoeJB1227]

@@grae_x no changing tables!! You get baby bottles and diapers on the ground every time you interact with the infant and even newborn. We’re actually missing out a lot of essential items and elements for base game players because it’s all in this pack. One would have every right to complain about this new life stage being added but not changing much to the game itself without having the pack.

[@neorosesims]

Waiting for it to go on sale! EA never getting full price ANYTHING from me lol. The gameplay looks cute, especially to fill out a life stage during family legacy stories. The world though, so many empty buildings! They could have even done what they did in cottage living and make them clickable clothing store etc or at least the option to turn them to usable lots. So much wasted space and the layout is Del So Valley BAD! Happy simming!

[@purplepantha11]

CDkeys it’s £10 cheaper

[@DominantBtch]

​@@purplepantha11what's that

[@bmaria7990]

As a mom of 2 trust me when I say there is infants in real life that don’t like to be held at all & those are the ones that love to crawl or scoot everywhere and explore lol and then you have the infants who love to be held and cry every time you try and put them down or try to leave they’re sight for even just a second lol.

[@couragecrusader7649]

I wonder if that’s a predictor of personality or not

[@itsmeTroi]

bruuuuh! they just mean mug me when i hold them. like damn! lol

[@cuphead_bone]

Are you talking about pixel infants or real life infants?

[@bmaria7990]

@@cuphead_bone I’m talking about real life infants lol I’m a mom to a real infant not pixel infants.. all though I do think the sims team did a good job with the pixel infants they’re spot on to the tea .

[@bmaria7990]

@@itsmeTroi lol I have two daughters in real life & one of them is a 9 month old infant and she loves to mean mug everyone 😂 so I’m happy that the sims team did a real good job with the infant update, they’re spot on.

[@faeraindrops]

Im just kinda confused as to why they didnt add changing tables to the base game with the update? Makes no sense

[@melodydomain3487]

Bc EA just cares about their stupid money and not free things

[@Miandey]

@@melodydomain3487 indeed Money is the answer :)

[@HarlequinHeart16]

​@@melodydomain3487to make you buy the new pack... which is exactly what I did... I don't regret it tho!

[@JxBunzy]

I never buy a pack until you do a full and through review on them!

[@itsmeTroi]

💜💜💜💜 don’t make me cry on a Thursday

[@huansonnig7198]

same here! 🫶🏻

[@TanayaxSerenity]

I do like this pack but, yeah as always the modders have to come and save the day and fix some things 😐 also waiting on the cc creators to come up with some cute stuff for infants

[@itsmeTroi]

cc creators already on it!

[@ItsjustAja321]

I’m really not impressed by the world as a Bay Area Native and resident. One of the coolest things about SF and the Bay is that it is very versatile. You can drive across the bridge (15 mins or so) from your residential area into the city and the surroundings will be completely different. Even the temperatures lol. I wish they would have made it so that one area was a bustling city with apartments and condos and the other neighborhoods could be more like traditional residential homes. Think SF vs Berkeley or Oakland. There was so much possibility with this packs world but they decided to go the lazy route and copy and paste a world we already have. I am excited for milestones especially for infants and kids, since they usually fall on the back burner for me lol. Still very upset that there isn’t more cross pack compatibility with parenthood and high school years. Still on the fence with purchasing it, I’ll see how it works for everyone with all packs installed.

[@sobruhkey]

I've been disappointed with the worlds lately. Wish we have more variety. For example, Moonwood Mills could have given more of Colorado mining town vibes (think, "LIS True Colors") with a small downtown, or Copperdale could have been more like Santa Monica. The potential is there. SO close but no cigar, EA.

[@MizzSweetz18]

My thought exactly! I've only been to the Bay area once and loved it for that reason, and the architecture is to absolutely die for. I wanted close houses and apartments and an actual city. Not just another boring suburban town with way too much space around the actual city area. There could be at least another lot or two there.

[@ItsjustAja321]

@@MizzSweetz18 that was what I was expecting when they announced the works would be based off of the Bay Area. After seeing the world I’m not sure what part of the Bay Area let alone Northern California they are referring too lol. Hopefully next pack will allow for some diversity in worlds, but I won’t get my hopes up.

[@hai632]

I’m also a Bay Area native. I was raised in Oakland and I heard this pack was based on SF which … I’m not really impressed .. they could’ve introduced so much since sf is sooo versatile and has so much to offer 😭

[@hazelbutler6193]

I want them to add mommy bikes cause baby bike rides are great

[@dollparts466]

regarding sims worlds, i wish they gave us more worlds in the city like city living or get famous like im tired of small towns lol

[@itsmeTroi]

thissss! i would also like to see them update those worlds to add more to them

[@ImRaeSims]

I’m a big family player, soo I already pre-ordered this pack ❤️

[@summernowalker2795]

The shell homes look better than the lots that can with the game. I want town homes/homes built next to each other. I'm tired of the suburban houses.

[@itsmeTroi]

the shell homes make the world look fuller but at the same time makes it look less. I need more lots!!

[@robertkeane9393]

The limitations on this game is mind boggling. A rec center? You could do that without this pack!

[@DM-bt5kh]

We are never getting 20 lot worlds again lol like never ever. We're gonna have to let that one go

[@itsmeTroi]

Yea. Think they said it’s because of performance

[@blckgrlwriting253]

I want this pack - but I will wait for my mod creators to do there magic first before I even think of getting this ep. I just got my game acting right lol great review.

[@itsmeTroi]

ty ty!

[@MylingCyrus]

There's no cas items and they're also all hideous??? Eye----- Wait....wait.. They put the change table behind a paywall??!? Dude.. wtf is this nonsense. The hefty EP price is not worth it IMO

[@pippin106]

yes!!! the fact that infants are just so empty and not exciting unless you buy this pack is so disappointing. i was looking for a changing table for a hot minute and looking for the quirks and realized it wasn’t there lmao. disappointed but not surprised

[@DM-bt5kh]

Chnage tables have been behind paywalls before, it was in the sims store in sims 3.

[@theemidas-]

Thats EA for you unfortunatley

[@DM-bt5kh]

@@theemidas- yeah it's quite unfortunate. They could've easily put something as essential as a changing table in base game, and put an upgraded version in the pack. Like maybe the one with the diaper genie is in the pack, and the regular changing table in base game.

[@OlexiVR]

In Sims 5 they will add only young Sims, and all the other generations will come in a paid pack, too 😂.

[@Mellie]

Thanks for the review Troi. I'm glad they have milestones/memories now but putting those behind a paywall is complete bullsh*t, Also, if they are going to include midlife crisis, they should include a middle aged life stage. I never buy packs until they go on sale, this one will be no exception to that.

[@ash-jj2vm]

you can buy on instant gaming it's cheaper

[@SeanKuder]

Isn’t the “middle age” life stage just the Adult life stage?

[@dranimsay1963]

The images section 💀

[@Mellie]

​@@SeanKuder I'd say adults are like 30 to 45/50. Mid life is like 50 to 70. But in the Sim adults go from like 40 to 70 in one birthday. One day you're jogging around the block no problem, the next you're hunched over, boobs down to your knees and dying from too much woohoo. It's be nice if there was a stage in-between that. They also need to add pre-teens and make teens look younger than adults.

[@holy9781]

We get a base game world with base game features,for 40 bux...sold 🤣

[@Charlee1776]

Oh no! You can literally just leave the infant on the sidewalk out front of the movie theatre and enjoy your popcorn knowing that little Johnny is enjoying the benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and Nancy Landgrab! 🤣 As for your question: I pre-ordered this one. It just has a lot of my boxes ticked for the kind of gameplay I want built on to more, personally.

[@itsmeTroi]

yeaaa my sim was about to head into the thearer and took the baby out of the carrier to drop them on the ground lol

[@jsalam4298]

Lumpinou has a memory panel mod that is exactly like the milestones in the game so I guess that mod is no longer needed seeing as how it’s now incorporated into the game

[@ken-fv9cz]

lumpinou saves the game

[@jsalam4298]

@@ken-fv9cz naw fr

[@itsmeTroi]

it can still be used. especially for those who didn't or can't get the pack just yet

[@jsalam4298]

@@itsmeTroi you sholl right I didn’t even think about that

[@danique9461]

Thank you for reviewing 🌺 I’ll probably wait for a sale.

[@chrisyroche7633]

I just want to be able to play my game again lol

[@HvneBvnn]

That part lmaoo 😭

[@AG-cy3kb]

Same here I need my mods 😂

[@warzshadow9701]

Ima wantin that Piano! 😂 Changing table! I live for Family Game Play 😊.

[@itsdiamondnicole]

hmmm still on the fence because of how the sims interact with toddlers seem pretty buggy and irritating. I was very interested about the family reunion event but hearing that it didnt work for you is disappointing. I really want my sims to know and keep in touch with their relatives especially ones that are distant cousins. I really don't like how my sims don't recognize their 2nd or 3rd cousins/uncles/aunts. I havent explored the new free update yet but has the family relationship options updated to have step-family members/cousins/in-laws ect. when creating a family? And have they updated the sims genealogy window?

[@nailswithStoney]

I haven’t watched yet cause I can’t do captions but best believe my lunch break ima watch cause I been waiting on this 😂💕

[@jennifersmith5622]

The clothes look like they will be not fitting for elders, or the shirts could be better maternity shirts. Right now there's not a lot that realistically looks good with a pregnant Sim.

[@briaroyal]

Thanks for the simple and clean info! seems like this pack is selling new tuning settings moreso than what I would consider brand new gameplay… but still would be more convinced by EA if this was a game pack (if they still do those) instead of expansion. I don’t need all the redundant cas/objects at this point, it’s just more to scroll through for me (I hate digital clutter lolz). Hard to buy anymore sims 4 packs after switching back to sims 3 recently but I will just see if I’m drawn to complete the collection retroactively after the next base game drops.

[@itscyberqueen13]

Well done review. I preordered because of the systems that look like sims 2 gameplay.

[@huansonnig7198]

fingers crossed they made work rivals possible for interactive jobs as well

[@velizadine6337]

I’m excited for this pack it’s cool I love the tree house but I wanted them to put like drum kit that adult sims and kids can use that would be so cool some new traits and aspirations you know

[@Nicci_Blaze]

And new careers!

[@samml3566]

Wait the first blowout is wild lol. Like I actually have kids. I play the sims to escape things like that. I like realism but could do without the blowouts lmao. But in all seriousness I love the detail put into the milestones and the quirks. I think the quirks and also the unlocking traits or preferences thing based on behavior is a great touch. I really love the world from what I’m seeing but that’s probably just because I lived in the San Francisco for years and it’s pure nostalgia lol. It’s pretty accurate too so that’s cool to see. But I agree with all the criticisms about it. Not sure why they can’t give a decent amount of lots as well as lots that are usable like in HSY

[@SunyCartoons]

I'll definitely get this pack but I'll probably wait for a sale like Highschool Years.

[@day3620]

Yasssssss so happy Troi got to be a EA game changer!!

[@zink0soutlawed79]

so changing tables wasn’t apart of the update

[@hellobot67]

nope

[@theemidas-]

unfortunatley no

[@OlexiVR]

And omg, milestones. I missed the memories. And cutscenes from Sims 2

[@itsmeTroi]

THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS they were iconic

[@TiffanyEdmonds1867]

I bought the pack literally one minute before I watched this. Not surprised by the super limited world, but I really wanted the new interactions. It looks better than High School Years, though. We'll see how bad the bugs get.

[@benirpierre2671]

Verdict?

[@TiffanyEdmonds1867]

@Benir Pierre It's good, despite the glitches. They did great with the infants, but Thursday's update screwed up the high chairs again, at least on my (freshly made) save. One thing is: how many unusable North American port towns are they gonna roll out? Give me the Australian Outback or somewhere else-not more suburbs-and places the sims can go besides a library, rabbithole or not.

[@benirpierre2671]

@Tiffany Edmonds so true. I have some great community lots in my game but wish I didn't have to try so hard

[@TiffanyEdmonds1867]

@Benir Pierre Hey, do you know how to find the debug movie theater? It's supposed to be placable in other worlds. Also, is it me, or are they giving less lots? I'm not trying to super complain cause we're buying the packs willingly, but yeah.

[@TiffanyEdmonds1867]

@Benir Pierre I wish I was a better builder, but I have found some epic lot builds.

[@LaDomiiT.O]

Finally I can’t put my baby on the floor 👏🏼

[@cathih3105]

I already pre-order this pack.

[@tamikkajackson4214]

I was waiting on you

[@hikikomori278]

I like the pack a lot but I'll wait till next month when it's on sale or smthing.

[@SimlyEv]

More like next year for it to go on sale.

[@hikikomori278]

@SimlyEv didn't highschool years get a sale the month after though??

[@SimlyEv]

@@hikikomori278 35% off. Not 50% off like the EPs usually are. Reason why I'm still not buying it until I can purchase it for the same price as I did with the others.

[@hikikomori278]

@SimlyEv oh I'm still purchasing it 35% off, it's just an 10 dollar difference anyways.

[@SimlyEv]

@@hikikomori278 you're better than me 😅

[@realsimwives]

Great review!

[@itsmeTroi]

Ty ty

[@kiraworthington]

I can't wait for mods.

[@stephanieshorty7320]

I think this is the best one so far ,I have all of the packs ❤

[@ElvisLivesUpstairs]

I usually play heavily modded. I had fun playing this without mods.

[@davionmceqwan3031]

@itsmetro idk if you could help sorry to bother but since the switch to EA I haven’t been able to play my game. I’ve tried everything nothing works. Just say an error on their end . Idk what to do.

[@KM-pr5vd]

They could have done the word like they did with Tartosa, and have vendors built into the faux buildings, like an ice cream shop by the pier, and a few more rabbit hole shops. Too much of a missed opportunity.

[@shenettacollins9162]

So far the only thing I don't like is, when I moved my step children no longer appeared as step children. They were no longer my children's half brother/sisters. Kind of starts messing up the family dynamics with extended family.

[@malasyamcdonald8689]

can you go in the treehouse and decorate? it looked like you couldn't. if not that would be cool for them to add, a real hang out spot for kids.

[@itsmeTroi]

you can't decorate inside the treehouse but you're able to decorate the outside with certain items

[@dagoatt23]

It an underwhelming pack so many details could’ve been added and the lots as well. They definitely could’ve added apartments , strollers , walkers , more clothing and NEW furniture.

[@gameoftomes14]

Some babies start crying as soon as you (or specific people) pick them up. This trait would be good for me recreating my family because my sister cried all the time over everything and so much of an infant’s life is being held.

[@kyla6149]

Is the house your filming this in one of the houses in the new world ???

[@sages999]

i only pre order packs/kits/expansions i want because i'm not a patient person 😅

[@ninisdilemma]

when is it gonna be available for download

[@katie6213]

​@@ninisdilemma today already out it came out abt an 1hr ago

[@Miandey]

As it is. right now it seems they need to fix bugs. I wait until that has happened and get it on sale.

[@Tezah89]

I don’t know what to do 😩 I want to get this pack but, I also want to wait for mods…. I never got HSY and won’t even get it if it on sale…. I definitely shouldn’t have bought my wedding stories and eco living 😩😩😩 The milestones mod is so better than this 😭😭😭

[@shaudaeyoakumify]

“There’s a new….” (Troi what did you say 😮) lol oh a bench… 😂😅

[@itsmeTroi]

LMFAOOOO

[@astoldbyketogirl2557]

❤❤❤❤

[@MoscowundeadPlayground]

This world is terrible

[@shaqkiamahoney8722]

lmao it was the you go Glen CoCo for me i love that movie lolololololol 4 for you Glen Coco you go glen coco lol im weak

[@negcleted]

5:10 how did she get that camera perspective ?

[@itsmeTroi]

Shift + tab

[@nae8786]

Does anyone know what mods are broken with this new update?

[@mannxel4748]

Pandasama cribs mess up the infant cribs

[@warzshadow9701]

Damn, poor lady running in High Heels 😢! She got her workout 😅

[@itsmeTroi]

Gotta keep the arches arching

[@melodydomain3487]

I wished they focused on teens too

[@cerseisandalwood5688]

I'm disappointed entirely with this add on. It's 40 and I find myself Wondering where the 40 pack is. There's a new but same old town and barely anything else. The tree house and the changing table and diaper disposal is not worth 40 at all it feels like a stuff pack to me.

[@Tasha9315]

I can agree that it lacks but to be fair, it has more than just a stuff pack? Aside from the things you mentioned, it has family dynamics, milestones, mid-life crisis, learning to ride a bike, more in depth infants, more traits that can acquired based on actions, events like sleepovers and baby showers and being able to invite othersims to stay over, etc. Even if not 40, at least worth half off for those who like family game play.

[@goated3285]

Why they be giving us clothes like we are all 40 year old men lol they want my money then go partner with Supreme, Nike, Jordan, Dior etc because EA already has the license to those brands on NFS Unbound & Heat. Help us, help you EA. I’ll gladly preorder 😂😂

[@melodydomain3487]

I don’t like infants at all so I just skip that stage and age them up

[@beloooga_whale]

The itsmetroi placard jumping around was so distracting 😢

[@ariellamananangla1035]

Does anyone still have wickedwhims in their game? Because the animations make the infant baby mobile upgrade disappear from the crib and I don’t know how to fix it

[@Teaduplalavideos]

Lols

[@stasii_a]

First❤️

[@loony6073]

FIRST

[@melodydomain3487]

Is this pack good for someone who hates infants especially in the sims 4 lol

[@miramarsebastien7970]

No imaginary friend so not interested.

[@gaminghub2472]

nah, I pass.