I will agree that the Sims is a simulation game. The difference between RPGS is that the Sims are based in the consuming need of people. You know, we work hard, we make money and we buy things to make our life better. There are no surprises in the game actually. You buy certain things and the interaction with the NPCs (btw you do not understand what they are saying to you), serves only one purpose : to have more friends, or get married and have children. There is a basic story line -as HandEfoood pointed out- but it is very poor IMHO. On the other hand, RPGs are based in the need we have to be "heroes just for one day" (D. Bowie knew what he was talking about <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />). You know, be strong, fight the evil, save the world improve combat arts, and belong to a different race than human.
Do not get me wrong here. The Sims is a really amusing game but it needs more elements in order to be consider as an RPG. I have played both Sims and Sims 2 and I have to admit that the Sims 2 is a very well made game. Still it does not have the "magic feeling" that RPGs have. This is my opinion only.
