The Sims in the mainstream media

It depends what aspects you want to control. For me, it gives me more control over the things I want to control, like the relationships they have etc. In Sims 2, for example, it's a lot harder to get them to fall in love with someone they don't match with. I hate the attraction type system for this reason. Sims 4 gives me control there. I don't seem to have too much issues with my sims jumping up mind you, I like autonomy on but I micromanage and if they do get up, I just sit them back down, that doesn't bother me.

I don't pllay it as a level up type game either though.. in fact, when I play sims 4 I immediatly cheat needs to stay full, cheat up their career to the level I want, turn off whims, etc. Those things don't interest me. I just like to watch them spend time together, building sand castles, tucking in the kids, playing with friends, stuff like that.

I like my sims to be happy at all times, and don't like it that in sims 2 that if they fight, then they stay angry, I want them to quickly make up and be happy again (though I prefer not to let them fight usually, I aim for a zero drama game). I like my sims to tell stories I write, but happy ones. The nice scenes only.