for me The sims 2 and the sims 3 have this charm and humor that sims 4 doesn't have. The sims 4 is just way to peaceful and nothing random ever really happens or takes you by surprise like the sims 2 and 3 can. Also, I am more of a supernatural player but I'm also a family player and the sims 4 lacks in both gameplay styles. I loved playing sims 2 and going through the effort to make my sim a supernatural sim as it wasn't easy to become certain supernaturals like a werewolf I've still not been able to get a sim bitten to become a werewolf in 2 as I've not quiet figured it out but I enjoy the struggle (so please don't tell me how)
The sims 3 I love being able to create supernaturals right from CAS or having the option to become one while playing it's a fun experience and journey. Both games also have better gameplay and even small attention to detail that the sims 4 lacks like if your sim is completely happy and needs are all up and they happen to be standing around they'll go over to the window to clean it or if it starts snowing they'll go over to look out the window.
So basically the sims 4 lacks gameplay, lacks small attention to detail things, and it doesn't take me by surprise because of how peaceful it is there are no consequences for sims behavior unless you the player somehow provide consequences.
