Seems to be more of an RPG/Adventure now

[Ntense]

I just started checking out the new game and have a few points I wanted some insight on.

With fewer needs and a better self aware AI it appears they are taking some of the micromanagement out of the game and putting in more quest type goals. Like how often my sim goes to the bathroom is now much less important than how he affects the neighborhood. I have played so much Sims 2 that I'm ready for a new gameplay style so I might like it. I'm just wondering if they will still have a skill tree (logic, body etc) that improves your sim as you go or has all the tedious stuff been removed. I haven't really seen anything on that yet.

If the clock is now global what happens to my other sims if I follow one into town and leave the others at home. Can I return and find out the house has been burnt down or the whole family is now mad at each other or my wife seduced our neighbor while I was gone. Now that would be realistic drama.

I understand the game now wants you to explore and get out of your house but what if my sim wants to be a homebody will it be to simple to enjoy playing that way now.

How much will the personality traits effect a sim will it be drastic or subtle?

Are groceries still completely generic or does my sim now have to buy specific ingredients for his favorite dish.

Has anyone seen the new UI and what it looks like now. None of the screenshots I have seen have it on there.

Will it be a year and a half and 100 bucks after the base game is released that it really becomes a great game? I don't see how that format works again with our current economy. I really enjoy Sims 2 but I also feel like I paid too much for it.

Please and thank you, sorry I have no cool sig pic.