I also don't want to New Horizons Items discount your preferences, but I simply can't personally see the things that made previous entrances magnitudes better. I feel like I have stuck with NH for much longer then NL or WW.
Then that complaint also applies to the other matches except maybe the original. Every time a new AC comes individuals look at the older game's villagers with rose tinted glasses. In addition, I feel as though people are missing/ignoring the new dialogue added every month ingame and the simple fact that villagers will usually say something special if you speak to them more than 2-3 times. It is not like older games didn't have the difficulties of dialog repeating villagers of the same type feeling like the same person.
The situational conversation the first 2-3 times is definitely the worst part of talking to villagers and probably why people believe they have no personality. The humorous and interesting dialog being hidden behind it makes it so tedious sometimes. I really don't care that someone saw me burying cash again yesterday, I wish to hear about your wacky antics!
They are also all a little too sweet, which looks kind of bland and generic. But frankly I have never been randomly told off by a few of my friends/neighbors IRL so it is sensible in a way. Just a little sass wouldn't hurt, however.
I don't feel like villagers were really that more diverse in older games. Realistically it comes down to having things to do/reasons to test in on the game which keeps people playing. I am not convinced a bit more dialog is the gap between 50 hours and 500.
I would really like to see some data on this. It feels like there is more varied dialogue in this one than at any the previous person's to me, and I've got hundreds of hours in each game. Only difference is the absence of meaner villagers when compared with the cheap Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles Ticket first. However, I seriously doubt that's the difference maker between 50 and 500 hours for many people in any way.