Reviews for Sim City Socities (SCS)

[Haljackey 17,398]

Hello everyone, I made some changes to the list.

-Several reviews have changed their rating, so I have edited the list to reflect that.

-Also, I deleted the pocketgamer review, because it is for the cell phone version, not the actual game.

If anyone finds another review or a change in the current reviews, then feel free to post here.

EDIT:  Well, since this is the top of page 2, allow me to repost the reviews for easy reference:

Originally posted by: haljackey Here is a list of scores from various rating websites for SCS.  I have configured the ratings to be out of 10.  As more ratings are posted, this page will be updated and organized.

Anyways, on to the list.  It is organized from the highest ratings to the lowest ratings.

Game Zone: 8.7/10

http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32755.htm

Game Informer: 8/10

http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/73607EF5-DE9B-40F8-9B16-2BBF85FE51C1.htm

NZGamer: 8/10

http://www.nzgamer.com/hub-pc-reviews-589

Gametrailers: 7.5/10 (75%)

http://www.gametrailers.com/game/5289.html

Simphoni: 7/10 (Rexer's review)

http://www.simphoni.net/2007/11/simcity-societies-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness-a-review-by-rexer/

1 Up: 6.9/10

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3163375

Gamerankings: 6.3/10 (63%)

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/939939.asp

Action Trip: 6.1/10 (61/100)

http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/simcitysocieties.phtml

Gamespy: 6/10 (3 of 5 stars)

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/simcity-societies/834994p1.html

Gamespot: 6/10

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/simcitysocieties/review.html?sid=6183059&tag=recent_updates;title;0

IGN: 5.8/10

http://pc.ign.com/articles/834/834720p1.html

Meta Critic: 5.7/10 (review average)

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/simcitysocieties

Eurogamer: 5/10

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=87312

PC Gamer UK: 5/10 (50%)

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=176228

PC Game Special: 4.9/10 (in Dutch)

[junjiang 0]

Originally posted by: rickyh88 YES, I WANT MY MONEY BACK. WHOEVER CAME OUT WITH THE GAME, SHOULD BE FIRED.quote>

And the reactions we who predicted disaster expected have started to emerge LOL

of course you want your money back ....

But my question is: why did you throw your money away in the first place?

We all knew this game was going to be the piece of crap that it has turned out to be.

BUT .... EA have your money ... they will view this as a success, thanks to all those who bought it.

Let's hope it's in the bargain bins by January and consigned to painful memory by next summer.

Bring on Sim City 5!

[Random_82 3]

Sorry everybody, I bought the game. I'm keeping an open mind though...I'm waiting to see where EA's going with this. I've been playing since 1995, so why quit now right? I'm still optimistic that this is just a tangent, and simcity 5 is slowly on it's way. No matter what though, I will always love simcity.

I hate to say this about a guy I revere, but I don't blame EA for this terrible game, or tilted mill, I blame Will Wright for selling Maxis to them in the first place. And of course the folks who apparently keep buying Sims 2 expansion packs. ehh whatever, I just an old fart with backpain and an axe to grind. damn kids and your music...

[6033252485 0]

The game is about a 1 out of 10.  It only played to it's best on my brand new gaming system.  I couldn't imagine playing with the minimum requirements.  Personally, I could only play for a little while each time because I got so bored.  Between boring graphics to a poor functionality It just isn't a fun game!  I'd rather play RCT3 or SC4.  Trust me - Don't waste your money - you'll be disappointed.

[1600610 0]

I've got to admit, I'm not absolutely thrilled about SimCity Societies. It is nothing like SimCity 4.

[Godzillaman 21]

Originally posted by: Random_82 damn kids and your music...quote>

Blame Marylin Mansion....

EA should just...blow up. Honestly. They're afraid that some game will ruin them so they buy out the developer and such...Just honestly. I hope that they read this. Maybe they should stop destroying great games.

I'm so glad that they aren't making the Godzilla series games...

[junjiang 0]

I'm not buying this or any game with EA's name on it. The only exception will be for a real Sim City sequel. They don't deserve any customers, they're a disagrace to the gaming community. Greedy profiteers and nothing more. Dumbing down great games for a bonehead mass audience ..... the same way TV has gone LOL

[Haljackey 17,398]

Originally posted by: Godzillaman

EA should just...blow up. Honestly. They're afraid that some game will ruin them so they buy out the developer and such...Just honestly. I hope that they read this. Maybe they should stop destroying great games.quote>

Thats business, Godzillaman.  EA is trying to make as much money as possible, and that is why they made this game and marketed it the way they did.  In their opinion, it was the best way to maximize profit.  If you don't want it, you have the freedom not to get it.  If destroying great games makes them more money, from a company standpoint, it would mean that they would go with this strategy.  I am a business student, and I know what EA is trying to do with SCS. 

Hopefully they will learn that this strategy was not the best marketing plan out there.  We are their main target market, and, in order to maximize profit, companies target their target market most of the time.  They didn't this time, so time will tell if they made the right decision or not.

Originally posted by: junjiang I'm not buying this or any game with EA's name on it. The only exception will be for a real Sim City sequel. They don't deserve any customers, they're a disagrace to the gaming community. Greedy profiteers and nothing more. Dumbing down great games for a bonehead mass audience.quote>

Um... In a capitalist society, the #1 goal in mind is to make money.  EA is just a company that is trying to make as much pure profit as possible.  It is the backbone of a free-market economy.  You have the freedom weather to buy it or not, so if you don't want it, then don't get it!  If dumbing down great games for a larger target market will help increase profitability, then they should market this towards a larger market.

---

Anyways, I am not trying to defend EA in any way, but you can see why they did what they thought was best.  I don't like this game either.  If this is a mistake in terms of lost profit, then lets hope that EA will learn from their mistake and release a true Sim City game towards their target market.

Best,

-Haljackey

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

i hope that one day soon, ea's tactics will backfire on them, and they'll run out of business damn company ruining our games.

[TheJackalope 0]

I bought the game and it just isn't any good. Not to get off topic but what's all this I keep hearing about EA trying to branch this series out to a larger audience? Simcity is the original cross demographic brand. It's first three versions were the highest grossing games of the year they came out in. It has always been nuanced(for hardcore gamers), educational(for kids to convince their parents to buy), relatively non violent(for the parents of kids to buy), and has appealed to women. What is the fantasy demographic that is being expanded into?

[jeje71 6]

a french review:

http://www.clubic.com/test-jeux-video-8624-0-simcity-societes.html

as it's 2 of 5 stars, so it would translate into 4/10

amusing quote:

"Quant aux possesseurs de machines suffisamment puissantes (Pentium IV 3 GHz, 2 Go de m

[Haljackey 17,398]

Thanks for the review, jeje71! I will add that to the list.

Its, um... REALLY low. A 4/10 on any test is a failure, and in a way, a review is a test for a game. This will significantly lower the game's average score, too.

I guess we are not the only ones that think that this game was a failure, eh? (just look at the community poll LOL!!!)

[tourniquetism 0]

Feel free to add these:

Game Informer (8/10):  http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/73607EF5-DE9B-40F8-9B16-2BBF85FE51C1.htm

NZGamer (8/10):

http://www.nzgamer.com/hub-pc-reviews-589

Action Trip (61/100):

http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/simcitysocieties.phtml

[junjiang 0]

@Haljackey .... eh ..... of course I know all of that!

Doesn't mean I have to like it. It's a pity "capitalists" (a broad term encompassing, among others, people who value money over everything, even loyalty) continue to ru(i)n this world. Screw them .... why should we have respect for people whose only goal is the accumulation of wealth? They have no soul.

Main point: EA could EASILY have stayed loyal to us .... the people who made SimCity profitable ... and STILL made a huge profit .... instead they showed us that they view us as nothing more than mindless consumers.

I am glad I have the brains to see through their shiny glossy bull***** marketing and that I for one, among many here, still value a challenging game .... and that thing called "loyalty" that's so out-of-fashion with the business-suits of this world.

Ugh, I'm so disgusted with everything connected to EA .... vomit.

[Haljackey 17,398]

tourniquetism: Thanks! I'll add those to the list.

junjiang: I agree with you there! The thing is that their marketing approach is not like Maxis, and we have to live with it.

[PatrickToonen 1]

I actually wrote a review myself because I'm working as an editor for a Dutch gaming site. The review is obviously Dutch as well, so I guess very few of you will understand it.

I will translate my conclusion for you guys, it's a summery/ list with the few positive and all the negative things I experienced during my playtests. Almost needless to say, I didn't like the game a bit, I had to give the darn thing a well deserved 49% (so that's 4.9 out of 10)

Positive:

+ Small graphical details

+ Decent Graphics overall...

Negative:

-  ...but way too demanding (horrible performance)

- way too easy

- lots of (crash)bugs

- extremely limited construction options

    (e.g. no diagonal roads, nut much transportation options at all, gridbased,

      no landscaping,  frustrating auto-aligment of roads, etc.)

- non-logical and shallow gameplay elements

- pointless and childish themes (e.g. those Spooky Barns and Ivory Towers)

- Abuses the name SimCity

(Societies has very little to do with earlier titles, but because the franchise sold well EA put the nametag on it, hoping to increase sales. The game puts the once great franchise to a shame as well).

Feel free to add my review to the list. I saw a French review which made it into the list as well, so I guess language is not much of a problem? If so, well sorry for bothering

The review can be found at:

http://www.pcgamespecial.nl/?itemid=7086

4.9/10

[Jman47 0]

i was thinking about buying this game although i already didnt like the fact it was branded simcity and all the other arguments pre-release, i complained just as loud as any other person here on ST. i read reviews when it came out and i personally think it needs alot more work.

i personally will buy it, but only when all the bugs are ironed out and its at a very cheap price. i would never spend 50 usd on this game. i will wait till its about 5-10 usd then buy it.

i dont veiw it as a true simcity, and will not play it as a true simcity, but rather as a toy to keep me from being bored when im done with other games.

I seriously cant wait for Cities Unlimited to come out in fall 08, and i suggest that for all people pissed about the lack of attention EA pays to simcity fans, they should go to a little site called www.cuplanet.com, and register and start posting. monte cristo is doing a SUPERB job of listening to the fans of both CL and SC4, and many members of the CU development team are openly active on the forums. the ball is now in MC's court, and i have nothing but great expectations for CU.

Josh

[Haljackey 17,398]

PatrickToonen: Thanks for the review! This is an international website, so OF COURSE it will be added to the list!

Its very detailed as well, excellent work! Everyone can understand Dutch thanks to Google Translator!

[RJN 1]

Well, the unique thing that I have to thank SCS is that I will have a new PC because my Dad wants that I play it because he thinks that it's educational. But If my Dad haven't bought it I wouln't have a new PC and I will be Trapped in my PC . this is my latest PC but it don't have the capacity for SCS . (where I live , PC are very very expensive and Spares too)(All the PC's that I have had , were problematic and/or a little or much old )

[KnowitallSim 1]

Games for Windows gave it a 7/10, although the review itself was very positive...

[mqduck 0]

<Q>Considering EA's huge fat wallet, as well as their success with the Simcity games and as well as Sims games, you'd think Tilted Mill and EA would be able to come up with something better than this. I mean, this is mediocre at its finest.</Q>

Well, here's what I think... They realized that there was nothing really in SimCity 4 to substantially improve on. Sure, some graphics optimization, better pathfinding etc. would be great, but they don't nearly warrant a whole new game (it'd be nice of Maxis valued its fans enough to give us such updates to SimCity4).

So they did the right thing: They began to think of where ELSE we/they could go with the whole city building concept. They came up with an idea that sounded really good. Keep in mind that whether or not it's better than the original, major SimCity game isn't quite the point. They wanted to provide us with something new, something worth spending another chunk of money on.

Of course, they did really poorly in their new direction. If they'd have bundled an updated SimCity 4 along with it, it would have been enough to make fans happy. Oh well.

[KnowitallSim 1]

X-Play Review of SCS: 2/5

[guidb 1]

The only thing that I liked in this game that's there are buildings with neon lights and other things like 'times square', I like it so much !

[Haljackey 17,398]

KnowitallSim: About those reviews from Games for Windows and X-Play: I need a source confirming that these are the right numbers and so that members can find the reviews.

Please post a link for those reviews so that I can properly integrate them with the rest of the reviews. Thanks!

[KnowitallSim 1]

Originally posted by: haljackey KnowitallSim: About those reviews from Games for Windows and X-Play: I need a source confirming that these are the right numbers and so that members can find the reviews.

Please post a link for those reviews so that I can properly integrate them with the rest of the reviews. Thanks!quote>

I'm sorry, I can't do that.

1. Games for Windows is a magazine

2. X-Play is a TV show

My cousin has the TV show on his TiVo still and I've got the magazine right here, trust me the reviews are completely real.

[tommygecko 0]

Anyone who sees this thread, don't buy it! Not only you will regret, but you will help EA earn more money from selling thrash.

[Sim-Maire 2]

That's a person who don't buyed the game ! Play the game with patch of 21 December, personally i have no problem, the only thing i must do is to set graphics to "low" and even a 1024x1024 with 512x512 used it run smoothly

I have a Core2Duo 3 Ghz + 4 Go DDRAM 800 Mhz + 8800 GTS 640 Mo and it turn well, my three prefered societies are Capitalist, Romantic and Small Town...

Big game, i give it 7/10 with 22 December patch

Strategic mode is really difficult even in Basic !

[SOLDIOR 1]

Ok i have to say that the GameZone review is an utter joke and reeks of being paid... (I am never using GZ again for anything)

The only review worth reading is this one from PC Gamer UK: 5/10 (50%)

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=176228

Now my personal view is that this game should have been called "SimCity Light" or "SimCity KIDS" and then make a normal SimCity 5...

What they have done now is a complete scandal and i a person that buys Sims 2 for the heck of it and simcity's because i love them and what they have did is unacceptable to say the least.... im waiting patiently for a real SimCity 5 if they make it or not.....

[joe2102001 19]

Well I just purchased the game, and here's my view on it. The game in and of itself isn't horrible. I'm not going to go into the "its not simcity so it sucks" rant. The gameplay is relatively simple and yes I have been teaching my 5 year old daughter how to play and she does love it. What the game is really lacking is what everyone has said the lack of transport and the lack of terraforming. However that alone won't make it comparable to SC4 because even with those added it lacks any of the immersive aspects of simcity, there is no way to truly develop mass transit and you get this feeling like it's just animated eye candy because you don't know how many people use it or the roads. The game is quite obviously the same engine as Ceaser IV which is lackluster and upsetting because it should have been made with a NEW engine. Graphically the game is spectacular, the only time it appears cartoonish is with the fun city. This game could have definitely been a lot better than it is, I think because EA rushed TM to complete it for the holidays and it feels unfinished when you play it. As for replayability probably not as I don't see a lot of skilled modders making custom content on this one, for reason's it would be redundant to repeat. As for the technical issues I think the game was designed and tested on XP as most of the problems seem to lie with Vista compatability at least in my case. Overall I think a 5-6 out of ten is an appropriate score for the game. The main problem lies with the fact that its geared at casual gamers who don't spend thousands of dollars on computer hardware to play computer games. Those of us that do don't feel challenged or intrigued by the game. Thus their market for the game can't access it to begin with. Sales on the game have started strong and will probably diminish quickly as those who buy it for the SimCity name learn that its really just a spinoff. I personally have little sympathy for those who spend that kind of money without reading some reviews but thats just me. You know what they say about a fool and his money..... After doing a lot of searching online I did learn that SC4 is NOT currently outselling SCS however. Sorry if I'm a little long winded...

[Sim-Maire 2]

If the rated noted are so low on frecnh websites, it's by french nationalism, they were surely paid by creators of City Life and Monte-Cristo to give bad notes to SCS so you should think to JVM n