i don't like most sim games either, i only play this coz its browser and only takes about 5 mins a day, though i have been playing the new sim city societies which is pretty good, unlike most sim city games i've actually managed to get a city going this time
, and there are special actions certain buildings can do, like an ice cream parlour can send out ice cream vans, a music shop can host concerts, and the house of horrors has 2 actions, it can unleash ghosts, or unleash zombies who turn your other sims into zombies too which is ace.
Also giving assassins creed a go, i'm enjoying it so far