SimCity 4 Software

Average Rating:

The biggest improvement would be the graphics. They are truly STUNNING! However, you need a fast computer (i mean at least a 1.4 GHZ) to play it. Even my 1.7ghz computer gets bogged down when the cities are big. Unlike previous versions of SimCity with the ... "module" land characterisics, SimCity 4 now has very realistic terrain that moves in almost any direction up and down, and even portrays shadowing and includes night and day fucntions.

The music in the game is a HUGE improvement as well, with songs you actually want to listen too!

The gameplay is excellent, much funner than previous versions, but there are more limitations on what you can actually do. The usual progression of games means that they become more simple, yet more sophisticated. Unlike previous versions where you could build almost anything your imagination put forth, this one limits you with its extensive realism. You now have to make monthly payments on almost everything (hospitals, power, water, schooling, everything but zoned buildings!).

This game is very smart, but you are limited with what you can actually do. Almost any services you put in your city (if small) will bring your monthly spending over your monthly income. Again, realistic, but not as fun..

Another big drawback with Simcity 4 is the lack of the "i am weak" cheat from SimCity 3000 which made everything free. Yeah, call me a cheater, but it sure was a fun little cheat code. With simcity 4, you can only increase your simoleans by increments of $1,000. So, if your idea was to just build a huge city without paying for anything, sorry, go back to SimCity 3000....

Overall, a very classy game, but too realistic for my taste. SimCity used to be a game that you could spend all night and day playing because of its endless possibilities... now you must actually build realistic cities... Good I guess for progress, but bad for that "kid in you" spirit.

I would recommend this game however, because of the outstanding graphics and sound improvements, but if you do end up buying it, I recommend waiting until the price goes down.

I had read all the ballyhoo about it and it was perhaps my heightened expectations that ultimately let me down when I first started playing it.

First of all, it's pretty much the same game. The core values are the same, the way it works is the same; not much has changed from 3000 to SC4.

Yes it's prettier graphically ... I like to equate it to the changeover from Windows 3.1 to 95 -- but only on a visual level. The add-on functions of SC4 are pretty slim. The game playing changes unnoticeable.

One of the "changes" is the importation of your SIMS from The SIMS. Before I purchased this game I had visions of watching my imported SIMS walk into stores (like in Hot Date) in SC4 and see them go about their daily lives, but on a much bigger scale -- a whole growing city.

Be warned, this is not the case at all. You import your SIMS, they live in a neighborhood and then proceed to bug the hell out of you about various things they're thinking. Import one and he's a chatterbox. Import the six they offer and it's a veritable zoo. You know how annoying pop-up ads are on the Internet? Think that. It's about the same.

Don't even think about installing pipes in your city. They'll spring a leak every two seconds (even if you have water utilities fully funded) and destroy surrounding neighborhood housing.

Fully funded police stations are lazy. You have to direct them to the crimes and have them pick up the criminals. There's no patrolling with these boys.

Drop funding a tiny bit for the firestations and they're out protesting with picket signs. It's cute for the first five minutes.

It seems that Maxis has forgotten what was attractive about its games in the first place and is now only after a buck. This trend started with the runaway smash hit that was The Sims and followed with (what? we're up to six?) upgrade packages -- all providing extras that should have been in their initial game in the first place -- or at the very least combined into one extra service package upgrade ... six is tantamount to exploitation of its consumer's wallets.

The same goes with SC4. While it is prettier visually, it's not the blowout wunderkind game you're expecting. Get it only if you're a HUGE fan of SimCity, or if you've never played SimCity before ... otherwise, it'll likely let you down the same way it did with me.