While there are a few things I like better in Sims4(mostly in CAS), I feel that Sims2 is by far the better game - whether we're talking CAS, game play, buy/build modes, Body Shop, seamless acceptance of CC (actually encouraged), extensive written documentation that was available when the game/EP was, players actually in control, light years better management of in game snapshots, camera control, everything really. I was one of the first to play Sims1, had every pack, and thought it fabulous. Sims2 came out, and I was on it immediately and it is still my #1 game. Never got into 3, too many things I didn't like. I was hoping that 4 would pick up where 2 left off and make it even better. Wrong. It has potential, but has a long way to go.
There are 3 main issues that bother me, two of which have made the game nearly unplayable. One came with vampires, specifically that even my non Forgotten Hollow neighborhoods are overrun with townie vampires, essentially half the population. Not only is such a ratio unrealistic in vampire terms, but it severely reduces drinking options for any playable vampires one may have, and (my major complaint on this) ensures that the homes of my regular sims are invaded at a ratio of 2 nights in 3 with the sims attacked. There is no defense, not even if one or more household members are vampires. Whether bug or poorly thought out coding, it needs to be addressed promptly. The other major problem affecting playability is that the 'game' is more like a cartoon movie we occasionally may provide input for. All households are running, not just the one being played, which messes everything up royally. The most extreme case I've found to date is that in a household of a married couple I have not played in a while they have managed to add a baby to the family. Thing is, wife was not even pregnant when I last played said household. In Sims2, you saved a household, everybody stayed put until you played that household again, so you could easily pick up where you left off. Now, there is no knowing what you will find, or if the sims will even be there. Note: aging is turned off and there is no CC at all.
The third, while not a stopper, is annoying as I am a writer and like to tell stories with the Sims via taking pictures. Sims2 has an excellent system, linking the shots to the relevant households, displays them in order taken, and has adequate space for caption writing. Sims4 has none of this. To refer to CK213's comment, it doesn't matter if the photos are in the current date system or renumbered into a logical sequence. The 'manager' will still not display them in proper order. Have proven that by experimentation. This is really unfortunate, for back when there was a Sims2 website there was a major section devoted to the stories the players were making by still photos and videos, and there was some very impressive and creative material there.
If memory serves, Sims2 came out while Will Wright was still running the Maxis show, not the 'suits' at EA corporate. Perhaps the various posters commenting on greed and such are onto something.
