It continues to be Sims (i.e. good)
This is pretty much exactly what you would expect for a Sims 3 game. It is incrementally better than the Sims 2, and does some interesting things with how character's motivations effect your play. Now, each Sim has a set of "wishes" and a lifetime wish that you need to fulfill. It is the carrot on the stick that keeps you playing the game. There are tons of customization options, and the game looks better than ever.. but it is still The Sims, so if you were never a fan, it won't convert you. One of my favorite things personally is the very robust integration with the online EA sims store. You can download and install player created items with ease, as well as buy addons and new items from EA. The ability to upload and share sims and households is really cool and slick as well. I look forward to this game eating up my free time in the future.