Others have already advised you on how to run Windows games, but in my experience with these games:
The Sims
I’ve been playing it just fine on Wine, check EA App on AppDB
Cities Skylines
The first game has a native Linux version, not sure how the second game runs on Proton
Stardew Valley
Native Linux
Minecraft
It’s Java so cross-platform, including Linux
Generally you can check ProtonDB for Steam games, and AppDB for others.
Yeah, I do miss that, but idk how much of it is nostalgia and how much is an absolute aesthetic preference. I think the main reason for the change though is Microsoft trying to make Windows work well on mobile devices though, meaning forgoing the aero and more expensive VFX.
Wish some DEs would make their default style more like a win7 era style. Would be nice to have the variety.