Well its less of a game and more like a chat room, except you can walk around. You can play games in there, but you don't have to. I like the clothes because I can express myself in ways I can't in real life, and do things i can't in real life, i have been to concerts, disscussions, support groups, art galleries, poetry readings on there. I went the other day to the autism awareness center, which really just had some panels up with some facts about autism, they had a displays set up that illustrated some of the techniques that used to be used to treat autism. You can build stuff and create your own clothing. Really its just like any other chat room program, except more visual. The reason I think some people get too wrapped up in it, is the same as anything people use to escape, but anyone who isn't accepted by the rest of the world may find it easier in second life. I knew a transgender woman who was taking hormones, was planning to have surgery i believe, and but she found herself easily accepted as a woman on second life, and less so in real life, and so second life was just easier, she could didn't have to worry about if she looked feminine enough and no one questioned it. The problem is that she had a daughter, that her girlfriend was taking care of, she didn't have a job and spent all her time on second life, because she was accepted.
For me, its because I am afraid to leave the house and have trouble interacting with people, and I can wear clothing I can't in real life (lack of money and the figure). The problem is the people I used to talk to, the support group i used to go to aren't there anymore. and despite my lack of social skills, I do desire social interaction, so when I go on there now, I feel lonely.