The game has gone so backwards and barebones its unbelievable. Yes, its a base game and we all know the Sims expansion pack routine, but its still no excuse for number 4.
It's depressing because there is the intuitive Create A Sim, refined Build Mode and of course the new Mood system and enhanced social interactions it brings. I have had fun in Build Mode and actually think its the best iteration yet, despite the questionable lack of the beloved Create-A-Style tool. However, as the sum of its parts, it is simply not worthy of the Sims 4 name and definately not worth the ridiculous full retail price.
Go to TS4 news and look up the "89 Features Missing in Sims 4" page. That alone will be enough to deter you. I can say though the #1 thing that personally pisses me off is the revert back to Sims 1 style job rabbit holes. And no family trees, no distinction between teens and adults, no story progression or cars, what a joke.