7.4 - Ain't No Mountain High Enough

We're gonna focus on this guy for a bit. I'm really keen to finish his aspiration and discover more of what the expansion has to offer.

Kiyoshi: 'Sweet! Can I, uh... finish this cake first?'

Sigh. And maybe get dressed? Since it's clear you and Asherah misused the sauna. Again.

It's time to climb! Honestly, figuring out the whole mountain thing was not intuitive. You have to do it like a party, which is dumb.

Also, building rock climbing as a skill sucks. It takes forever on the machine and going on this long, singular trek just to build up skill is lame.

Kiyoshi invited his parents, since they're the only other people with experience he knows. The smelly lines are from his mother. Clearly, they didn't get the preparation memo beforehand.

Honestly, it wasn't tough at all. Anyone who played World Adventures in TS3 will find this child's play. The hardest part is simply having the skill.

They make it to the top and immediately build snowpals together. Why? Because there's nothing else to do. I feel like, in TS4, everything is half-assed. Like, hey guys, here's a great idea... but let's not finish it. Cool.

Kiyoshi is quite proud of himself, however. And this wasn't the end of the aspiration, so there's still more work to be done.

Kiyoshi: 'I'm a mountain climbing bad ass.'

Sure, buddy... but after nearly forty-eight hours away, it's time to return to domesticated bliss.

Despite climbing mountains and generally chasing his next rush, Kiyoshi continues to be a doting dad. Yoko makes for a tough crowd, however.

Kiyoshi: 'Santa is real. How else would we get presents?'

Morgan: 'Give it up. The kid is just too smart.'

Kiyoshi: '...what?'

Morgan: 'You're not serious, are you? Oh... if only Tomax were here. Our daughter married a moron.'

Yosuke, meanwhile, keeps really strange hours. He's often found snacking with ghosts in the early am. What's your deal, kid? Aren't you scared?

Yosuke: 'They're just our ancestors.'

Yeah, well that one is scary. Shanice is crazy.

When he's not bumming around with the incorporeal, Yosuke lazily lounges in the pool. You're an enigma. I can't figure you out.

Yosuke: 'You're trying too hard.'

It's a shame he isn't the heir. I'm looking forward to seeing how his eventual mean and romantic traits work out.

The house is an absolute wreck. Welcome to having too many kids for me to bother micromanaging them. It's madness. Even the robovac can't keep up!

Uh oh, Morgan... I know that look.

Morgan: 'I see a bright light... but there's no studio lights in my bedroom.'

Shockingly.

Morgan: 'Ahh... I always knew I'd go out in the spotlight.'

You sure did, kiddo. Time to rest.

Asherah: 'Mom! Oh no...'

Kiyoshi: 'She's not faking, is she? This is not the type of adrenaline rush I like!'

Asherah: 'Can you not be a giant baby? My mom is dying!'

Kiyoshi, shrieking: 'AHH! The reaper! I'm out.'

Asherah: 'Kiyoshi! Sigh... useless.'

Let's face it, Asherah. You didn't marry him for his brains.

R.I.P. Morgan. Your career and aspiration were a thorn in my side, but you weren't that bad, despite being a near-clone of your annoying father, Glaucus.

Enjoy your retirement in the sky with your beloved.

Asherah isn't dead, she's just stupid. She failed making the potion to take away negative moodlets five times. I didn't think it was possible.

So much for a strong bloodline.

She did eventually manage it, though.

It's vacation time! The whole family gathers in the hot springs and relaxes. It's just a good thing Kiyoshi and Asherah can't violate it this time.

I drug everyone out to get Kiyoshi's requirements for his aspiration completed only to realize they require inclement weather and wildlife attacks. Sigh.

Even if the expansion wasn't as meaty as I'd like, I definitely appreciate the aesthetics. The vacation homes are so nice. I love that there are no televisions/etc. It makes things like this happen! Everyone gathered together, chatting.

Kiyoshi takes Nanami hiking with him. He doesn't get attacked. Even so, Nanami gets a negative sentiment about a terrible hike. Ouch.

There's plenty of sledding to be had. It's an easy thing to have them continuously do safely while I'm busy elsewhere.

I wish there was more variety, though. Everything is so... basic.

Asherah takes all of the kids hiking while Kiyoshi tries, again, to get attacked. Unlike him, she runs an inspiring hike that all the kids recall fondly.

Because of course she does. #momskills

Yosuke becomes a teenager! He's a pretty good blend of his parents. Again, I'm sad he's not the heir. He gets Mean to add to Creative. He'd be an interesting heir to have.

Yosuke: 'Sucks to be you, loser. I'm outta here the second I hit eighteen.'

Yes, yes. Provided nothing happens to your brother, that is...

The Night Out holiday pops up and I decide to let Asherah and Kiyoshi go out. They stop by the local longue and have a couple of drinks... though Kiyoshi's enthusiasm is hard to ignore.

Kiyoshi: 'One of these is for Asherah.'

Sure, sure...

Kiyoshi: 'You think I'd drink all these empty calories? Get real.'

Asherah: 'Hey, what are you trying to say?'

Kiyoshi: 'Uh, nothing, babe. You're gorgeous.'

Yeah, I'm gonna let you two work that one out... bye!

Back at home, Yosuke is already up to no good. I'm going to have to move that bar...

Asherah: 'Just because you look like an adult, doesn't mean you are.'

Yosuke: 'Pfft, then why can I use the bar?'

Asherah: 'Because the creators have a sick sense of humor. Now, give me that drink.'

Nice try, buddy. We're gonna have to keep an eye on you.