Sims 4: A Disappointment?

I had left Sims 4 a few months ago as I got so frustrated with the lack of depth of gameplay. I gave it a really good run, playing it for over a year, trying the new packs and looking forward to the updates. But I would still get bored easily. I went back to Sims 3 and I should have never left. I had tried mods with Sims 3 years ago and it broke my game so I have not used any mods since and have been skeptical of them. I know there are some great ones out there but I still worry about having to reinstall everything if a mod breaks my game again. The thing is, we really should not need mods to make a game enjoyable to play, especially at the prices we are paying for the games. I always saw mods as something to enhance the game beyond the basics, not bring a game to a baseline that existed in the prior franchise. I watched the forum for feedback on Cottage Living and based on the reports of improved, enjoyable, challenging gameplay, I purchased it and tried again. I spent 2 hours before I got bored. I was amazed at how quickly my sim was gaining skills compared to how hard you have to work at them in Sims 3. I am not necessarily sure that this is a good thing.

I appreciate the attempts at improving the game, but frankly, I don't think it is enough to keep me going with Sims 4. I remain hopeful and check the forum daily for updates and the types of feedback that all of you provide. I find it very helpful to read the positive and negative. I guess we have different expectations and perhaps those who were not as entrenched in Sims 3 (or Sims 2) before Sims 4, this game is fun to play. It was just that Sims 3 had so much more, more depth, more challenge, more choices. There are things in Sims 4 that I do like, don't get me wrong, it is just that they are not enough to sustain me as a player. I know that the developers, artists, etc are working hard to produce a good product, but I wonder if the expectations from the top are too low - that they only look at the bottom line rather than the loyalty of the users. I appreciate their hard work and am sure they get frustrated seeing all of the negative comments. I can understand how that can get demoralizing, and I am not trying to pile on.

I will keep trying to play Cottage Living after I paid so much for that pack, but it just feels like I am wasting time compared to when I play Sims 3 and can get so engrossed, I do not even notice the hours slip by (which was the same when I used to play Sims 1 and Sims 2).

I remain on the fence with Sims 4, hopeful but realistically cynical.