Well this is different...
Even though the characters can not be changed as much as any of the other Sims games, you can still change their clothes. And now buying the items is a lot different too, instead of going to the menu you have to go to the shop you want to buy something from and buy it there. Also in The Urbz you can change your house, but you cannot custimise it at all besides putting different furniture. Plus you can get pets you never dreamed of!
But after all these changes I think that the new Sims is still really good.