I played many of them up to that point (even the SNES version), and 4 left a discernable source taste in my mouth. I could see the potential, and it was at time

I played many of them up to that point (even the SNES version), and 4 left a discernable source taste in my mouth. I could see the potential, and it was at times fun. But, for me personally, it just never hit the right notes to harmonize all of the good mechanic additions. I think part of it also was the more realistic progression you would follow (i.e. start with farms, work up to towns, etc.), but maybe I just never gave it a chance. I just expected a better version of 3. But yeah, the successors to 4 were undoubtedly a dumpster fire.