I actually like the art style of the Sims 4. I don't want overly realistic Sims; for me, the Sims 4 is a fantasy world where there is no racism or sexism or homophobia or the other troubles that plague Real Life. The bright colors and graphics fit that view well. The game has also progressed well from the early days, as the developers learn more about the game structure and what can be done within it. We're never getting a full open world, but Jungle Adventure was pretty plum close.
One thing I appreciate most is that you're not stuck in one location your entire life. In my main save, I have 3 households I rotate between: my main family which is my Sim, Selena O'Dourke, her wife Michaela (nee Munch), her eldest son Nicky and her adopted son Gage. Second family is Nicky's twin brother Kris (born when Selena got a bit frisky with Father Winter on Winterfest) and his wife Susana (game generated townie), and finally Selena and Michaela's daughter Kayley who married her alien boyfriend Castor Cline and just had her first baby, Stella. Selena and her family live in Newcrest, Kris is in Windenburg, and Kayley is in Willow Creek after starting out in Oasis Springs. I can move my Sims anywhere and they don't lose any of their relationships. And I don't have to have every venue in every town; technically you can get by with a single venue of each type but I like variety.
I know a lot of people are upset with all the Gallery updating thinking of it as a "useless feature", but for those of us like me who can't build worth a lick we appreciate the talents of all the gifted bulders out there willing to share their crafts with the wider community. The ease of adding new houses and venues while still in game is delightful. I've been able to make a Craftsman neighborhood in Willow Creek and an Eichler neighborhood in Oasis Springs, thanks to the Gallery.
