I prefer a bit more realistic than the Sims 4. I found Sims 2 had the most realistic detail with clutter on objects especially with books having titles you could read off of them. Plus had the most round objects too. <3 Sims 4 is lower poly, so I wouldn't consider that cartoon either, but more Lego like with all the edges. Sims 2 just had a nice mix of cartoon and realism that I prefer. My favorite water in a Sims game is the Sims Castaway Stories on laptop. Sims 3 I didn't find realistic either since I've played games far more realistic than any Sims games, but I do find the Sims Medieval the most realistic game in the franchise. Sims 4 does share the Sims 1 Lego art style with hard edges.