From my experience flying and instructing students, the extra sensory input from a real airplane makes it more difficult, not less, than flying a simulator.

It’s easier to get task-saturated, random things such as sun glare on your instruments, a bug-spattered windshield, crummy radios, etc all contribute to a more challenging environment.

Simulators can be a useful training aid and are a good tool for mission rehearsal but no replacement for the real thing.