I didn't fully comprehend the game I was being shown when MySims was presented to me at E3. I'm not sure I could have in such a poor environment and limited time. That I owned the game for more than a week before opening the shrink wrap is proof of lack of understanding. That it's taken me three weeks to rip myself away from the game in order to write a review says something else entirely. I only hope I can impart this to you in fewer than 10,000 babbling words.

This is not a Sims title. I fully understand why it was branded as such: The Sims is the most popular franchise on the PC. Period. That being said, with so many expansions to each title and each person buying X-number of expansions it would be difficult for the franchise not to appear so. Some of us — me — just don't care for it. If you are like me, do not make the mistake of confusing MySims for The Sims. They are not the same.

MySims is based on the premise that a city — you name it so let's call it Youville — was once a thriving mecca but has lost its residents because the master architect left. This builder could create wondrous buildings! Each was perfectly suited to its resident. What's more, he/she was a carpenter, plumber, cooper — if a resident needed an item for their home, he built it.

These items weren't just your every day Wal-Mart items; they were built with Essences, the magic of his work. Essences take color, pattern and property of everyday items and imbue an item with that property and color. I know, you're scratching your head. But imagine you wanted a table for your ice cream parlor. Would you want it to have the essence of something nerdy like an action figure? Or something studious like a globe? Or perhaps you might want something tasty like an apple?

Whatever the preference of the tenant, the builder designed not only the form, function and color, but the "essence" of person inhabiting that space. Paint it with apples and you could have it red, pink or one of two apple patterns. It doesn't matter — it's a tasty table! Perfect for that tasty ice cream shop!

However, Youville has fallen on hard time. No architect, no items, not essences and well…who would want to live in Youville? Over time, all of the residents but a select few have left. Now it's up to you to save the day!

First, you must decide who you are!

MySims is entirely built on the premise of blocks. Not necessarily square blocks, but stackable, interlocking blocks. Your character is no different but luckily, comes in premade format and you get to decide what you will look like.

There is no choosing of gender, you simply choose your appearance: hair, eyes, mouth, clothing, glasses, two facial features (tattoos, glasses, et al.) and your voice. Yes, your voice … hang on. All of your choices are big broad strokes. Hair is the easiest to explain but eyes, mouth, glasses and facial features follow the same pattern.

Hair style differences are not subtle. There is no change from short to medium to long hair. You can go from a bald head to long hair to stuck-your-finger-in-a-light-socket hair. Each has five to seven colors to choose from ranging from blonde to red to black along with a unique "odd" color (such as green, blue or perhaps pink). While some are distinctly male vs. female, changes in facial features can make any character look exactly as you wish. And nothing is permanent — not even your name.

Clothing isn't a matter of picking from a few shirts, pants and shoes. You pick from a broad assortment of outfits that are mind-boggling. If you can think of a stereotype, there is an outfit to fit. And then there are two to three other outfits as well. Again, the changes are anything but subtle and it is can be quite difficult to choose the single outfit to wear. Later, you receive reward outfits; and, if you move in the storefronts, a boutique and costume shop with additional choices.