I wouldn't say it's a new SCS but I also wouldn't say it's a new SC...it's something between these two...and that needn't be bad. For me, the main problem in SCS was, that you had to build each house by your own, there were no zones, and here, it seems like there are zones again, what's very great I think. It isn't that bad, that sims will be "clever".
I think, we should give the game (and MAXIS) a chance!