I got it yesterday and I've been playing a while, so here's my opinion if anyone is interested:
First of all I don't think it's such a giant leap as the enormous difference between Sims 1 and Sims 2, the graphics are pretty similar and gameplay is different but many improvements (like kids actually
growing up) are not new. I remember when the Sims 2 came out I just couldn't go back to Sims 1, it was just too lame all of a sudden. I don't feel the same way about the Sims 2. I think those of us who like to build and create Sims and custom content will stick to the Sims 2 for a while.
I like:
- The fact that a Sim can move freely through the neighborhood, and that time goes by for the entire neighborhood, regardless if you enter a lot to play or not (well actually, you don't "enter lots" anymore, really...) I used to find it annoying that it was monday for one Sim and friday for another, and I had to write the days down to keep all my families in the same time line. I think the best idea is to maybe create a few families you like but stick to playing with just one and use the others to build relationships.
- Create a Sim is not bad, the facial features are OK but imho they all look sort of the same. I like the way you can personalize the hair and make-up colors and the voices. And I
really really like the different body types.
By the way I had a very blonde moment because I set my game screen resolution to 1024x768 instead of 1680x1050 and it was all stretched out, and I kept wondering why they were all so chubby and had these round faces...
I don't like that much:
- The meshes are very limited in the catalog, most of the stuff is over-decorated or country looking, no simple counters or doors, it makes it pretty difficult to decorate, and the new pattern tool doesn't really make up for it.
- Sims can't really visit community lots or their work place, they just go there and interact with the lots as if they were objects (but I'm pretty sure that's what the EPs are going to fix).
- The game doesn't seem as creator-friendly as Sims 2, except for the pattern thing.
- The game menu is a bit confusing but maybe that's just something one has to get used to...
Oh, one thing I was nicely surprised with: I had two male Sims flirt with each other (I gave them the same traits, it was easy, haha!), and finally they got the Marriage option, not the Joined Union you had in Sims 2 for same-sex couples. I wonder if it's the same in all countries or just here because it's legal in real life? (Oh, and really I don't mean to start a discussion on this issue, I assume we all respect each other's opinions... )