Probably because you spent more time in the aircraft than you did in the sim?
The simulator allows you work on your scan,and set up your method how to deal with a crosswind,possibly a decreasing crosswind as you go down,hence a possible quick change in track required to maintain the centerline..the requirement to focus inside and outside....
The feel of the pants i believe is only a benefitial aid during low visibility,poor lighted runways manual landings...the rest is all about scan,looking outside including for the flare (pitch up),rudder input to straight up the nose and sink rate the rate at which one should decrease the thrust...
A croswind requires in general a longer landing distance as the pilot decrabs and the thrust stays in a tad longer...
I know how to do xwind landings. I've been flying being paid for 11 years and although I learn every day, I know I am (was) proficient in xwind landings up to and including 38kts, as was the limit on my last type.
However all that experience and skill has not helped me make 1 decent xwind landing in any sim, on any type, or any sim. After every type qualification I dreaded my first landing, fortunately until now unnecessary.
Could it be some people actually do landings different than others? While some can see how and what to do, others feel it?
I really am not joking, I can't land the sim and had problems on earlier types too.
While the various posts indicate some concern about the validity (fidelity) of simulators in crosswind landings, maybe they are better than the alternative ie nothing. Can you just imagine the OMG reactions of the captive audience down the back when a MPL cadet pilot is given his first 30 knot crosswind landing in the real aircraft without the benefit of previous simulator training to get the technique right? He may be nothing more than the captain's apprentice yet he is legally second in command.
While I will not disagree with "some is better than none", I am glad my company enforces the rule no xwind >15kts the first year.
While the sim might teach you the actions (which you already should know), line flying will teach you the skill, or at least it was that way with me, every time on every type.