Info about House Flipper - Garden DLC:

Official game description:
Special Edition
===============
About the Game
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Have you ever thought of becoming a gardener? Thanks to Garden Flipper DLC it is now possible!  
Before you'll start planting trees and plants you'll need to get rid of trash and rubble.  
Mow the lawn, hew unwanted trees, tear out weeds and prepare your garden for a complete makeover! Map paths out, plant new trees and bushes and set flowerbeds.  
Explore completely new orders and discover innovative mechanics, which we've designed in association with professional gardeners!  
Step by step, sink in the world of plants. Transform desolated gardens into beautiful masterworks - let them shine under your management.  
And when you'll be ready to create your own garden…  
In Garden Flipper, you're the one who decides how your garden looks like!  
Do you prefer widespread gardens of the Palace of Versailles or the minimalistic style of Zen gardens?  
Don't limit yourself! Let your garden shine for you and make your neighbors jealous of it! Make appraisers fight for it!  
And if you like, put your feet up and relax in the sanctuary of silence and peace which will calm your senses and will give you the energy to implement new ideas in the next houses!  
The new expansion is not only about plants and flowers. We've prepared hundreds of new items which will make your garden look even better!  
**Features:**  
\- 18 brand new orders,  
\- 3 brand new houses,  
\- more than 600 unique items in many variants including more than 250 plants,  
\- 8 brand new mechanics.

Release date: May 16, 2019

Categories: Simulation, House Customization, Gardening, Job Simulation, Sandbox, Relaxing and Cozy Gameplay, Inventory Management

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Traditional Paid DLC; No In-Game MTX Evidence; summary: The reviews focus almost entirely on a paid House Flipper Garden DLC/expansion, criticizing its price relative to content, the feeling that base-game yards are locked behind the DLC, and a re-release that asks buyers to pay again. There is no evidence of in-game microtransactions, paid gacha, loot boxes, battle passes, or a real-money shop. Under the audit rules, traditional DLC/expansion complaints cannot by themselves exceed a score of 20.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently treat the base game as the stronger and more complete experience, while the add-on is compared unfavorably and said to contain content that belongs in the base game. This suggests the community values the base game as the main worthwhile purchase. With the current base game price at $14.99 and no direct objections to that price in the evidence, a fair base-game range is likely around $10 to $15, with lower prices seen as better value.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.5h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 5.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: One reviewer states that getting the basic content out of the DLC takes five or six hours, so gameCompletion is estimated at 5.5 hours. No separate story or campaign completion figure is given; the scenarios are described as short tutorials without a numeric time, so storyCompletion is null. A German review says they have been playing the Garden DLC for 5 hours today, indicating a sessionLength of about 5 hours. Other time mentions are per-garden work times rather than full completion or endgame metrics. No numeric endgame playtime is provided for Garden Contests or post-completion activities, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Most player reports describe the Garden DLC as tedious, repetitive, and not fun, with awkward placement controls and bugs. A few note that tutorials and the later lawn mower reduce specific friction, but the dominant profile is that enjoyment does not arrive for many players.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Tedious mowing with a weed whacker; Unit-by-unit gravel and sand placement is painful; Digging and planting require about five clicks plus more steps; Weeding requires clicking small hitboxes; Rolling turf and placing individual garden tiles are inexact and tedious; New Garden Competition mechanic has an absurd learning curve
  - Unlock drivers: Lawn mower obtained by the second or third commission removes the need to use the weed whacker; Built-in scenarios provide a full tutorial that introduces expansion mechanics without confusion; Repetitive tasks can become methodical and calming for some players
  - Conditions: Enjoyment depends on tolerance for repetitive tasks; Players who enjoy the base game may recommend the DLC; Garden Competition mechanic has an absurd learning curve; Tutorial scenarios ease introduction to mechanics; Some players find repetitive tasks become methodical and calming; Mowing with a weed whacker is tedious until the lawn mower is obtained after the second or third commission
- Player Archetypes:
  - Relaxed Garden Decorator (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxing creative garden design and beautifying yards.
    - Playstyle: Plants, decorates, and cleans outdoor spaces at a leisurely pace.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Sale-Waiting Base Game Completer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Completing the base game experience without overpaying for an incremental DLC.
    - Playstyle: Integrates outdoor tasks into existing flips and waits for discounts before buying.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Mechanics-Critical Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: Demanding polished, interactive outdoor mechanics that improve on the base game.
    - Playstyle: Tests new garden tools against familiar base-game mechanics and avoids tedious grind.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Achievement Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: Achieving 100% completion and full game content.
    - Playstyle: Grinds all tasks and achievements, including frustrating grass mowing, to complete the game.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Achievement Hunters; 100% completionist
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Positive DLC Reception (weight 0.51): Reviewers widely enjoy the House Flipper Garden Flipper DLC and consider it a great or nice addition to the base game. Many describe it as fun, satisfying, and worth the purchase.
- New Gardening Mechanics (weight 0.41): The expansion introduces many new tools and mechanics such as mowing, weeding, tree chopping, digging, watering, and laying turf. These additions make the gardening experience feel fresh and involving for players.
- Missions and Orders Added (weight 0.38): The DLC includes 18 new orders and several missions that let players satisfy clients with varied requests. These jobs extend the base game and teach the use of new tools.
- Extensive Customization Options (weight 0.37): The DLC offers over 600 items and 250 plants, enabling deep garden personalization with trees, flowers, pavements, furniture, and decorative objects. Players can freely arrange gardens and choose from a large catalogue of garden accessories.
- Transforms House Exteriors (weight 0.36): The expansion allows players to fully customize and improve the exteriors of houses, turning messy yards into beautiful havens. It makes properties feel complete and greatly enhances curb appeal.
- Satisfying Garden Design (weight 0.35): Players derive satisfaction from creating beautiful gardens and seeing the results of their work. The process of decorating yards with trees, plants, and furniture is highly rewarding.
- Substantial Content and Value (weight 0.34): The DLC adds a large amount of content, including new properties, skill tracks, and gameplay features, effectively doubling the base game's playtime. Many consider it excellent value for money, especially on sale.
- Therapeutic and Relaxing Gameplay (weight 0.3): Many reviewers find the gardening activities therapeutic, calming, and a great way to relax. The methodical planting and mowing create a satisfying and immersive experience.
- Garden Contests Increase Value (weight 0.27): Players can enter Garden Contests with multiple categories, and winning can boost a property's sale value by up to 50%. The contests are repeatable with a short cooldown and provide a fun competitive element.
- Fun and Creative Outlet (weight 0.26): The DLC provides a fun and creative outlet for players who enjoy making houses look beautiful. It offers a lot of creativity to be unleashed and is enjoyable for fans of the base game.
- Well-Received Music and Graphics (weight 0.23): Reviewers praise the relaxing music, immersive sound design, and high-quality graphics, including realistic grass textures and good-looking models. The overall visual and audio presentation enhances the experience.
- Few Bugs and Smooth Renovation (weight 0.22): Some players report completing all jobs without encountering bugs, and the renovation process is generally smooth. The developers have listened to community feedback and addressed issues.
- New Tools and Perks (weight 0.22): The DLC introduces new gardening tools like the bush trimmer and power mower, along with a perk tree that improves speed and efficiency. These upgrades provide a good sense of progression.
- Works Well for Existing Properties (weight 0.22): The DLC allows players to maintain and improve gardens on existing properties, adding functionality to previously neglected yards. This feature is appreciated for making the base game feel more complete.
- Additional Houses and Furniture (weight 0.21): The expansion adds new houses to buy and a wide range of outdoor furniture, from pergolas to playground equipment. Two of the three included houses are particularly well-received.
- Value on Sale and Worth Money (weight 0.18): Many reviewers consider the DLC worth the money, especially when purchased on sale. It is often recommended as a good investment for those who enjoy the base game.
- Completes the Flipping Experience (weight 0.17): Garden Flipper completes the house flipping experience by allowing players to renovate both interiors and exteriors. It feels like a natural extension rather than a tacked-on concept.
- Variety of Garden Styles (weight 0.17): The expansion supports diverse garden designs like Japanese gardens, American BBQ areas, and botanical gardens. This variety encourages creativity and lets players personalize outdoor spaces.
- Tutorials Teach New Tools (weight 0.11): The DLC includes 18-20 tutorial jobs that effectively introduce players to all the new tools and mechanics. These missions are motivating and help players learn the basics.

Common complaints:
- DLC overpriced and poor value (weight 0.59): Many players feel the DLC is overpriced for the content offered, costing almost as much as the base game. They report the DLC is not worth its price, even on sale, and consider it a poor value.
- DLC should be base game (weight 0.38): Many players believe the DLC content, especially mowing and weeding, should have been included in the base game or as a free update. They feel it is unfair to charge for basic lawn care features.
- Mowing is tedious and frustrating (weight 0.3): Mowing the lawn is widely described as tedious, annoying, and frustrating. Players find it slow, boring, and a headache, even with upgrades.
- Bugs and stability issues (weight 0.3): The DLC suffers from numerous bugs, making it almost unplayable for some. Players report a bug-ridden mess, sloppy performance, and game-breaking issues.
- DLC appears rushed and unfinished (weight 0.22): Many players feel the DLC is rushed, unfinished, and unpolished. They describe it as an afterthought that is far less polished than the original game.
- Mowing controls and visibility issues (weight 0.19): Players find mowing disorienting and difficult due to poor controls and visibility. The need to look down at the grass to mow makes it hard to see where you are walking.
- Missing sound effects and odd behavior (weight 0.16): Players note missing or unrealistic sound effects, such as a silent brush cutter and a ridiculously loud hose. These issues detract from immersion.
- Mowing locked behind paid DLC (weight 0.15): Players complain that lawn mowing and landscaping are locked behind the paid DLC. Without purchasing the DLC, yards cannot be landscaped and grass cannot be cut.
- DLC purchase not recognized (weight 0.14): Some players report that after purchasing the DLC, it does not appear in the game or is shown as not purchased. They demand refunds and note the DLC seems unfinished.
- Difficult turf and grass placement (weight 0.14): Lining up turf grass and rolling it out is incredibly difficult. Players also report grass often bugs when placing, such as around tree trunks, and cannot be made to look nicely trimmed.
- Limited content compared to base game (weight 0.14): Players feel the DLC has far less content than the original game, which already had little content. They find it expensive for buggy and unfinished content.
- Worst DLC and lazy effort (weight 0.14): Some players consider this the worst DLC, describing it as horrendous, mediocre, and lazy. They feel it is a poor addition to the game.
- Not worth paying for (weight 0.12): Many players state the DLC is definitely not worth paying for, especially at full price. They consider it a waste of money.
- Quests cannot be completed (weight 0.08): Players report that some quests or missions cannot be completed, blocking progression. This is a significant gameplay issue.
- Weeding requires precise clicks (weight 0.08): Weeding is frustrating because players must click on small hitboxes of weeds. This leads to furious clicking on every flower for a chance of it being a weed.
- Poor integration with other content (weight 0.08): The DLC feels disconnected and not tightly integrated with the base game or other DLCs. Players find it poorly tied into the rest of the game.
- Mower clipping and clunky mechanics (weight 0.08): The mower clips through everything and the mowing mechanics feel clunky. This contributes to an unpolished experience.
- Grass cutting not registering (weight 0.08): Players report that grass can be cut to a lower height without the game treating it as cut. This bug leaves large swaths of uncut grass despite appearing cut.
- Gravel disappears after restart (weight 0.08): Gravel placed in the game disappears after restarting, which is frustrating for players. This persistence bug affects landscaping efforts.
- Trees cannot be chopped or moved (weight 0.08): Players report that trees cannot be chopped, moved, or removed, limiting landscaping options. This is a notable restriction in the DLC.

Gameplay feedback:
- Mowing and weeding tasks (weight 0.73): Players can perform yard work such as mowing, trimming, and weeding using tools like lawn mowers and weed whackers. These tasks are often part of jobs or missions within the DLC.
- DLC adds full garden mode (weight 0.43): The expansion introduces a comprehensive gardening system, allowing players to design, renovate, and personalize gardens. This includes a variety of garden-related activities and competitions.
- New missions and jobs added (weight 0.41): The DLC includes several new missions and jobs focused on gardening tasks, such as planting, gravel spreading, and lawn care. These provide additional content and objectives.
- Outdoor decoration and landscaping (weight 0.34): The DLC enables exterior house and yard decoration, including placing furniture, ponds, gazebos, and other landscaping elements. Players can also renovate and beautify outdoor spaces.
- Planting trees and flowers (weight 0.22): The DLC allows players to plant trees, flowers, and bushes, and includes a weeds mechanic where players interact with flowers. Planting and rotating plants are key features.
- Garden competitions and sale value (weight 0.22): The DLC introduces garden competitions where players enter their property into contests with star ratings. Winning or acing categories can increase the property's final sale price.
- Garden tile and paving placement (weight 0.21): Players can place garden tiles, pavement, and floor tiles to create paths and outdoor flooring. This allows for detailed customization of garden surfaces.
- Turf grass rolling mechanic (weight 0.19): Grass can be laid down using turf rolls that must be unrolled in straight lines. This adds a realistic planting method for lawns.
- Lawn improvement and modification (weight 0.18): Players can improve and modify lawns, including clearing grass and laying down new grass. This is a core aspect of the gardening DLC.
- Mowing can be upgraded (weight 0.11): Mowing tasks can be improved through skill upgrades, increasing speed and enabling straight-line mowing. This adds a progression element to the gardening gameplay.
- Outside modification requires DLC (weight 0.08): Without the DLC, players cannot modify the exterior of the house. The DLC unlocks the ability to interfere with and renovate outdoor areas.
- House extensions via shacks (weight 0.07): The DLC allows adding extensions to the house using shacks, expanding renovation options to include both house and garden.

Performance notes:
- Gravel causes severe lag (weight 0.05): Placing gravel significantly reduces FPS from 60 to 20-30, indicating an optimization problem. This directly impacts gameplay and player experience.
- Performance issues with lawnmower (weight 0.05): Players experience dramatic FPS drops when using the lawnmower, but the issue resolves after restarting the game. This suggests a temporary bug or memory leak.
- General stutter and lag (weight 0.04): Players notice slight stutter or lag, but it's unclear whether this is due to their own PC hardware or poor game optimization. Without more specifics, this feedback is vague but still points to potential performance concerns.

Recommendations:
- Recommend buying on sale (weight 0.41): Many reviewers recommend purchasing the DLC but only during a sale or at a discount. Some suggest waiting for a 70-80% discount or half price to make it worthwhile.
- Not recommended (weight 0.41): Some reviewers do not recommend the DLC at all, citing issues such as lack of polish, frustrating mechanics, and it being a nightmarish experience. They advise avoiding it.
- Recommended overall (weight 0.39): Despite mixed reviews, some reviewers recommend the DLC overall and find it worth buying. They consider it a good purchase and suggest it enhances the base game.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.36): Several reviewers state the DLC is not worth the full asking price and recommend against buying it at current price. They suggest waiting for a price drop or fixes.
- Recommended for garden lovers (weight 0.24): Reviewers recommend the DLC for players who enjoy gardening and landscaping and want to decorate gardens. It scratches the itch for those passionate about plants and design.
- Wait for fixes or updates (weight 0.17): Reviewers suggest waiting for the DLC to be updated, debugged, and fleshed out before buying. They advise patience and note the DLC feels incomplete.
- Adds necessary content (weight 0.16): The DLC is considered necessary content for the base game by some, enhancing the overall experience. It makes the game more complete.
- Improves property exteriors (weight 0.07): Reviewers recommend the DLC specifically to improve the look of yards and house exteriors. It prevents properties from looking awful.
- Overpriced even on sale (weight 0.07): Some reviewers feel the DLC is overpriced even when discounted. They do not recommend buying it at the reduced price.
- Required for completionists (weight 0.04): A reviewer notes the DLC is required for achievement hunters aiming for 100% completion. It is necessary for those seeking all achievements.

Other player notes:
- DLC price considered too high (weight 0.32): The DLC is priced almost as high as the base game, leading many reviewers to consider it expensive for an expansion. Some feel the price is unjustified given the content.
- Sold separately, not in base game (weight 0.28): Many reviewers point out that the DLC is not included in the base game and must be purchased separately. It is an expansion pack sold as a separate product.
- Adds new jobs and tools (weight 0.26): The DLC adds new jobs, tools, and mechanics such as mowing and weeding. It includes more jobs and content than most other DLCs for this game.
- Developer engagement and improvements (weight 0.23): Developers are seen as caring and responsive, adding a lawn mower after feedback and improving the game over time. Some issues are expected to be fixed soon.
- Adds garden decoration and contests (weight 0.23): This DLC introduces garden customization, decoration features, and a garden contest mechanic that increases sale prices. It is focused on landscaping and outdoor design.
- Mixed reviews and launch issues (weight 0.19): The DLC received mixed or negative reviews initially, with some calling it the worst among the DLCs. It had a dicey launch-period reception and still has basic bugs.
- Known as Garden Flipper DLC (weight 0.19): Garden Flipper is the first DLC expansion for House Flipper, expanding gameplay to landscape design. It was often bought to see how the game would grow.
- Limited integration with base game (weight 0.17): Reviewers note that the DLC is not tightly integrated with the rest of the game, with limited crossover to the house flipping aspect. Integration is mostly a flat increased sell price for contest participation.
- Good value for increased playtime (weight 0.17): Some reviewers find it a good value for money, especially if it doubles or triples playtime. It adds a lot of content comparable to a new game.
- Compared unfavorably to other DLCs (weight 0.16): When compared to other House Flipper DLCs like HGTV, Luxury, and Pets, this DLC is seen as smaller in scope and lacking in some areas. Some reviewers rate it the worst of all DLCs.
- Short and limited replayability (weight 0.14): The DLC is considered quite short, with basic content taking five or six hours and limited replayability. Most gardens are similar, and only a few can be built nicely.
- Content details: items, plants, mechanics (weight 0.14): The DLC includes over 600 unique items, 250 plants, 18 orders, and 8 new mechanics. It also adds 17 orders, 3 new properties, and a separate catalogue with 500 entries.
- Addresses base game yard issues (weight 0.14): The DLC addresses the problem of terrible yard shapes in the original game and adds the ability to landscape yards and cut grass. Curb appeal is emphasized as a major part of selling a house.
- Mowing mechanic criticized as stressful (weight 0.13): The mowing mechanic, while revamped, causes nervous tics according to some, detracting from the game's relaxing nature. Basic lawn care is not included in the base game.
- Refund issues and price changes (weight 0.13): There are mentions that the DLC cannot be refunded or was refunded, and that prices changed according to Steam's recommendations. Some suggest contacting Steam Support for discounts.
- Localization and translation issues (weight 0.11): Reviewers report poor Chinese localization and that the German translation feels like Google Translate, with errors and bad grammar.
- Contests easy and limited integration (weight 0.11): The garden contests are considered super easy, and integration with the house flipping part is limited to a flat increased sell price. There are no new clients for gardens.
- Achievements and base game improvements (weight 0.11): Achievements for the DLC are included for free in the base game, and the base game has been significantly improved after over a year. However, the trailer is not representative of the product.
- Comparison to Sims and other games (weight 0.08): The DLC is compared to The Sims 3 for garden customization and creativity, with some noting more fun in build mode and direct effects. Others compare prices and content with other games.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.29): Players are frustrated by tedious and imprecise mechanics for mowing, weeding, and placing gravel or fences, with many bugs causing progress to reset or orders to become impossible. The Garden DLC is also seen as overpriced and poorly integrated, forcing players to pay extra for basic features while the mower clips through objects and the narrow POV makes lawn care a chore.
- Disappointment (weight 0.27): The DLC feels unfinished, overpriced, and lacking in content that should have been in the base game, with poor integration and repetitive tasks. Bugs and missing features persist, and garden work has little impact on buyer satisfaction, making the experience feel like a wasted opportunity.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the ability to decorate yards, create zen gardens, and transform neglected outdoor spaces into beautiful areas. The DLC adds substantial content and customization options, and the developers' responsiveness to feedback, such as adding a lawn mower, contributes to a satisfying experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.06): Mowing remains tedious and annoying even after upgrades, and assembling items like gazebos or spreading gravel is time-consuming and imprecise. Poor translations and overlapping garden areas further hinder completion and enjoyment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players find enjoyment in the gardening mechanics, varied tasks, and the relaxing atmosphere of transforming overgrown yards. The ability to trim grass and customize exteriors brings out their inner gardener and adds new content to enjoy.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): The DLC is considered overpriced for its content, offering only a limited number of missions without proper integration into the base game or other DLCs. Players feel it is not worth the cost.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Players are confused when the game fails to recognize purchased DLC as owned, and why mowing remains a point of contention when it should be easy to use. Machine-translated text and unclear task completion criteria add to the confusion.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): The DLC is seen as unpleasant to play compared to the base game, with small misaligned details and a sense that it will be resold in a redone version. Players are disgusted by being charged for content that feels inferior.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players are angry when the DLC is not present after purchase, leading to refund demands, and when broken job logic and house reset bugs occur. Charging for content that should have been in the base game feels scummy and exploitative.
- Motion sickness (weight 0.01): Using the grass eater at certain speeds or mowing with the weedeater in first person causes motion sickness for some players.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the DLC as a whole and the game overall, appreciating the ability to practice garden design with different ground coverings, plants, and furniture.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Mowing the grass for extended periods becomes boring, and the game feels monotonous when players realize detailed work does not matter. Yard work commissions involve tedious back-and-forth walking.
- Uncertainty (weight 0.01): Players are uncertain whether lag is due to their PC or the game's optimization, and whether the DLC is worth its high price depends on individual preferences.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): The game serves as a great way to relax for some players.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the DLC's exterior customization and the doubled content it brings.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in mowing all the client's flowers along with the weeds and still getting paid.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the DLC, considering it very good.
- Skepticism (weight 0.01): The Garden DLC's poor execution makes players skeptical about whether the Farm DLC will be enjoyable.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Players fear the nightmarish experience of potentially having to completely change a garden because of one small issue.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): The renovation process for each new house is exhausting, and rebuilding a garden costs at least an hour of tiring work.}