Different from modern Create but still an interesting experience

Firstly, it's worth noting that I did quit playing this modpack around the second chapter as I was playing with a friend and we found something more interesting to do.

To those coming from modern Create (around 1.20), the modpack can be pretty different, as it's on 1.16 and features a more unpolished version of the mod. Bear in mind it hasn't been updated since 2021, so it's not going to recieve any updates. Overall though the modpack seems pretty decent, I love the integration of different mods (Kelp-based items from Architect's Palette are used to make Andesite Alloy), and although some of these recipes do depart from base Create, it's probably to be expected in an expert pack and is a welcome experience. There's also some random systems like a barrel you need to place down and open, with there being a chance for treasure or just another of the same barrel, which seem pretty fun.

The quest book is really helpful and informative, and the farms involved in progression are pretty satisfying to make if you're into automation.

I did encounter some weird chunk generation issues around spawn, but they weren't super annoying to traverse.

This modpack was my first experience with TConstruct, which was really fun to play around with.

Alongside a lot of tech mods integrated into Create, the modpack has a few random mods such as Buddycards, Darker Depths, Occultism, and Forbidden & Arcanus, and while some of these are quirky little mods to add to the game experience, the larger magic mods particularly feel unintegrated into the modpack experience, like they were added only because they add one specific item.

The textures of some of the original Create items and the Storage Drawers mod are a bit ugly in my opinion, and could benefit from resourcepacks, but they do also have a certain charm.

I'd overall recommend the modpack to fans of the earlier Create mod (from 1.16), who prefer automation-based packs. As an "expert" pack, it didn't seem to have a particularly steep learning curve either.

The modpack also has a remaster named CABIN, which may be worth checking out, as well as a few other similar modpacks such as Arcane Engineering and Advanced Industries.