The Sims 4: City Living

The good stuff

Man, the apartment system is solid. You can start in a tiny studio or upgrade to a penthouse with a view of San Myshuno’s skyline. I loved how each floor had different neighbors - one guy always played jazz at 3 a.m., another left trash in the hall every Friday. There’s actual tension and humor in those interactions. And the festivals? They’re not just eye candy. I joined a street fair where my Sim won a cooking contest by accident after tripping into the judging table. It felt spontaneous, not scripted. Also, the new careers like Urban Artist or Nightclub DJ actually fit the setting - no more pretending you're a lawyer in a skyscraper when your only job is yelling at coworkers on Zoom.

The not-so-good

It’s not perfect. The game still feels a bit light on content compared to the base game or other expansions. Some of the new lots are small, and you’ll hit the same walls on decor choices pretty fast. Also, if you’re used to deep story-driven gameplay, this one’s more about vibes than plot. And honestly, the Xbox Series X version doesn’t do much to fix the older-gen performance issues - frame drops happen during big events. If you’re looking for something with tons of customization or deep mechanics, you might be underwhelmed. Plus, no major multiplayer features, so solo play is the only option here.

Bottom line

If you’ve got a few hours to spare and want your Sims to live like real people in a crowded city, The Sims 4: City Living for Xbox-series-x-s delivers a fun, low-stress alternative. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a nice change of pace. Worth the download if you’re already invested in The Sims 4. Skip it if you’re chasing depth or online co-op. But if you just want to watch your Sim stress over rent and make friends with a cat who hates them? Boom, you’re golden.