There’s a lot to discuss for sure here but I will say that I personally enjoy HIMYF more to its predecessor simply because those seem to be much more real and relatable characters as opposed to the original just seem like caricatures of people. While HIMYM people seem more fun and adventurous, I wouldn’t want to hang around any of those people except for Marshall.

I think the dilemma that you are discussing is akin to action movies being grander in the 80s and 90s compared to now. I would say action movies are a little more realistic and explore different genres of action instead of just explosions and blood galore.

All in all, the characters and plot lines may be different but I find them more mature and calming. Plus, and this is a very important detail, HIMYF’s episode count is a little over the halfway mark of season one. This is just my input on the matter and this May all just boil down under different strokes for different folks in the way that 15 years ago people were saying that Cheers and Seinfeld were the peak of comedy to what was modern at the time.