Oh dear, so many things.
Sims 4 is the best game in regards to graphics and build mode. If you are a builder and/or a story teller-player, sims 4 is the game for you. Sims 2 is the gameplay-game. If you play generations, rotationally, or just simply like _gameplay_ sims 2 is the winner. I think the difference between sims 2 and 4 is like the difference between an IPhone and an android. Sims 4 is the IPhone: it has the beautiful graphics and is more user-friendly, but it is completely restricted and you can’t customize anything. You have pre-made beautiful small sandbox to play in, and as long as your needs don’t stretch beyond that sandbox it’s great, but the minute it does you realize you are very very limited. Sims 2 is the android: not quite as good looking, but man you can do ANYTHING.
I can create any world I want and any number of worlds. I can decorate the neighborhoods to my liking. I can build as many lots I want wherever I want. When I build apartments _they are actual apartments_ and not just a shell with some space in it. They are real buildings with a lobby, 20 floors or more if I want with playable apartments on all of them, a basement with a gym if I want, a rooftop were I can barbecue with my neighbors if I want. The entire building is real and accessible.
I can set the seasons for all the hoods. I can build my own dorms. I can control everything to my liking, which is something I never feel like I can do in sims 4.
And the gameplay. The lack of proper memories is something I can never get over with sims 3 and 4. Wants and fears. Animations. Personalities. Realistic aspirations. Some challenge to keeping them happy (though nowadays I find it too easy).
