I think the Sims games are an individual thing and not a particular formula to follow - like life is different for every one or can be. I can find almost as much enjoyment in anyone Sims games as I find in any of the others with hardly no effort at all just by playing my way or varying the style entirely - and never letting the games dominate my choices. I have only been limited by my imagination eventually once we have enough stuff in the games. At least that is my experience. I will say the first Sims game was the hardest for me to find that place in Simming - but I truthfully love them all and my 20 years of playing them. This is MY opinion; no one else s - - nor do I suggest it is for anyone else. It is how I play and spend many enjoyable hours more days and weeks and years than I care to discuss. LOL.