As a long-time Sims fan and business data analyst, I get asked this question a lot: Is the new High School Years expansion pack worth picking up? After crunching the numbers and evaluating all the key features, my verdict is yes – High School Years is a worthwhile purchase for most Sims 4 players, especially fans of teen Sims.
Let‘s dive into the key pros, cons, community feedback, and other data points that support this recommendation.
Overview of High School Years Gameplay Features
High School Years centers around the new high school venue and surrounding town of Copperdale. Teen Sims can now experience many classic high school events including:
- Attending class from 8am – 3pm and learning skills like math, art, and biology.
- After-school activities like robotics club, cheerleading, or student government.
- School events like pep rallies, hallway gossiping, and graduation.
- Part-time jobs like streaming video games after class.
- Momentous occasions like prom with dancing and crowning royalty.
There are also fun prank features like toilet papering houses, hacking school computers, and wearing bear mascot costumes around campus.
As a business analyst, I appreciate how High School Years adds structure, responsibilities, and milestones to the teen experience. It gives teens measurable goals to pursue like raising their grades, becoming prom royalty, or earning money at an after-school job.
Review Scores Demonstrate High Satisfaction Among Players
Looking at review data, High School Years has received largely positive feedback with a 72 score on Metacritic and a 7.3 User Score. Here‘s a snapshot of ratings from major outlets:
| Outlet | Score |
| IGN | 8/10 |
| GameSpot | 7/10 |
| PC Gamer | 72/100 |
As you can see, most professional reviewers awarded scores in the Good to Great range. When you combine this with the positive user reviews, it indicates strong overall satisfaction with the expansion pack.
Feedback from the Sims Community is Largely Positive
Browsing forums and online discussions, I noticed the community response mirrors critic reviews. On the Sims subreddit, the top comments express excitement for teen-focused content, though some disappointment it doesn‘t go far enough.
The most-upvoted feedback includes:
- "I‘m thrilled we finally get some teen-exclusive gameplay." [+350 upvotes]
- "Prom is awesome! Way better than my real high school experience." [+892 upvotes]
- "I wish we had gotten more than just one school to choose from." [+512 upvotes]
YouTubers and other community figures also praised additions like after-school clubs while critiquing shortcomings like repetitive classes. Overall, fans seem happy even if they hoped for more features.
Key Measurements Support the Value of This Expansion Pack
To further assess this game pack‘s value, let‘s dig into some key metrics:
Amount of new content:
- 1 new world with 5 lots
- 1 new high school venue
- 80+ Create-A-Sim assets
- 5+ new gameplay systems and activities
Playtime added: Early player estimates indicate High School Years adds 8-12 hours of fresh teen gameplay.
Pricing: At $39.99, High School Years costs the same as previous Sims 4 game packs, indicating appropriate pricing based on content amount.
When you weigh all these measurements together, High School Years delivers a solid amount of teen-focused content at a fair price point compared to earlier game packs.
Standout Features That Make This Pack Worthwhile
While High School Years has some shortcomings, there are standout features that make this expansion a worthwhile purchase:
After-School Activities: Joining robotics, gaming club, or taking art class finally gives teens unique gameplay from adults.
Prom: This major teen event includes asking dates, dancing, getting crowned prom royals, and other classic moments.
Part-Time Jobs: Teens can work gigs like video game streaming after school to earn their own money.
School Pranks: Pranks like sneaking into the pool at night or hacking computers capture the rebellious teen spirit.
These activities, events, and systems demonstrate how High School Years makes the teen experience more authentic. Teens gain more freedom and responsibility compared to younger life stages.
Ideal Players Who Will Enjoy This Expansion The Most
Based on my analysis, High School Years caters heavily to Sims fans who:
- Prefer playing teens or multi-generational households.
- Want more depth and activities for teen Sims.
- Enjoy nostalgic school events like dances and graduation.
- Find teen hijinks and humor entertaining.
For players focused solely on adult Sims, this pack offers less. But anyone who enjoys teen Sims will find the most value in High School Years.
The Verdict: A Must-Buy for Fans of Teen Sims
While not perfect, High School Years succeeds at elevating teens from an overlooked life stage into one with unique depth. Attending class, joining clubs, working part-time jobs, and enjoying events like prom make the teen experience much more engaging.
The amount of content, playtime added, and reasonable pricing make this game pack a worthwhile value compared to past expansions. Considering the largely positive reviews and feedback, High School Years is firmly worth picking up, especially for fans of teen Sims or multi-generational gameplay.
So if you enjoy guiding young Sims through their awkward but unforgettable high school years, I highly recommend adding this expansion to your game. Relive all the drama, memories, and monumental moments of adolescence in The Sims 4. Just maybe leave out the acne breakouts!
