So I’m thinking of finally giving it ago and play the last iteration of the seriea. The base game alone bores, so I’d be interested to hear which packs are worth getting/buying (the list os overwhelming and I might not have enough hard erive space). Do note, I had a taste of vampires, realm of magic and I remember visiting San Myshuno. Should I get these again or should I save my money/time before installing some others first?

(I'll work on this overtime. It's a lot lol)

Keeping in mind that no matter what you buy, the game will still feel incredibly hollow, I will make this tight but very comprehensive, giving feedback for each non-kit piece of content over the past decade.

+ Positive
~ So-So
- Negative

Overall, packs feels very "Different Ways To Play With The Base Game" instead "Play With New Content." You'll notice a pattern...

Is this the whole list of EPS/GPS? I think I’ll go first with City Living, as I feel like Business and Hobbies doesn’t (seem to) bring any World to explore and gameplay depented on other packs, while Life and Death might be boring to play as first EP.

On second thought, I’m on a fence with these three: Get Together And Getaway. I guess what I value in a sims game for me is for my Sims do more stuff, gain skills and make a change to the world.

There are more. I got tired and had to go to work lol this is just EPs. There are around 100 pieces of DLC.

Personally, I hate Get Together but it has items I like and use often (closets, DJ booths, etc.). Adventure Awaits has a TON of every day gameplay items but only offers getaways and custom venues. The items carry the pack a lot. You can also make your customized venues.

Life & Death is a bit boring but doesn’t really kick in until someone dies. However, this is important for wills, ghosts, funerals, etc., which feels necessary now that it exists.

Business & Hobbies has a world but is focuses on business ownership, not exploration.

While I agree with the vast majority of @matrix54 evaluations, there are a few oddities depending on what type of player you are. If a builder, then it's true that For Rent sucks as a Landlord simulator, as well as being buggy, but it has what I've come to regard as a builder, essential items that every venue whether residential or community requires. The water boilers, central heating, air conditioning, electrical box, all that jazz. Every build, needs them, as standard, certainly once you do have the otherwise awful For Rent pack installed. Likewise all the Eco living solar panels, water collectors, wind turbines, all that jazz, as the best complement to the For Rent plumbing and electrical essentials. But only if you are a building nut who needs each job done finished and correct... as standard

Almost forgot, of course Seasons also required, for the all important Thermostat gizmo that ties all of the above mentioned electrical and plumbing essentials together. Plus the hot and cold weather to make all of the above have an actual point. Yep, cannot deny that. If you don't have Seasons, everything I've just said above is pretty much worthless.

I’m also a builder. I enjoy For Rent for the build items. I’m an absolute slut for the cabinets in For Rent. However, I can’t recommend it on good faith.

I also like the build items in Strangerville… but… yikes

I'd look up on Instant Gaming (as Snatch promoted, suggesting it's possibly the only platform that sells the dlc at cheapest price) and so far the affordable for now that might keep me interested I can see is City Living. So I probably will be installing this one Hoping the eye-candy city keeps me entertained, as I heard there's little to do and festivals are annoying.

Though I wonder If I should refrain from purchasing GPs first before expansions packs, or no? Werewolves seems like would be a fun thing to play from the start, than any other pack because I do remember Vampires and ROM kept me hooked to play TS4 at all (Parenthood would be my other vote, but for that I'll have go the cumbersome process of building a family to get the mechanics running). Other packs seem to be very niche or very situation-specific to even start playing them

The only game pack I'd recommend is Dine Out. Maybe Parenthood.

I love Spa Day, but it's very niche. It's very build mode focused, but the gameplay is not for everyone.

I heard running a restaurant is buggy/broken, isn’t it? P.S. Enjoying CL so far. Might post a review about it.

There's Carl's Dine Out Reloaded mod that fixes ALOT of the issues with Dine Out and makes the experience a lot more smooth.

I never bought For Rent and from what I hear I dodged a bullet there with how badly that pack might corrupt your game. Enchanted by Nature also have its annoyances with the Balance and Ailment system. Love Struck has its issues with how it changes the romance system.

I'd recommend Seasons myself. Having weather and holiday events makes the game feel much more alive. I personally think Crystal Creations is a hidden gem, pardon the pun. It pairs nicely with Realm of Magic and the things you can make can help your sims a lot. I also like the Home Chef Hustle pack because it with it, your sims can make pizza and waffles!
I feel like Cottage Living is a nice pack to have if you enjoy gardening and farm life. Growing Together adds a lot of family gameplay and pairs nicely with Parenthood if that's your cup of tea.

I use the Blooming Rooms kit a lot when designing greenhouses myself. I love the flowers and living things it contains The Paranormal game has some fun concepts with haunting houses and being a medium, if you like that. It also adds Bonehilda which is a bonus. Meanwhile Vintage Glamour pack adds butlers... though not much more than that gameplay-wise.

For gameplay, I'd prioritize Seasons, Get Together, and Growing Together. They add features you'll notice in almost every save. If you already enjoyed Vampires and Realm of Magic, they're definitely worth picking up again.