The Official City Journal Critics Thread Archive

[cityhawk 12]

Looking at Eddie's latest review, I suggest that all critics do their reviews in bright-colored fonts like the red that Eddie did. It makes it easier on the eyes and attracts more readers IMO (I know I'd rather read a long, brightly-colored block of text than a long, automatic black colored block of text).

I'm loving these reviews, everybody! I MIGHT submit my CJ LATER, but for now I'd rather wait. Good job, everybody!

[DioAngel 1]

Wooho can't wait. :-) I guess we can call you the ST critic. :-)

[DioAngel 1]

Ok.. My CJ is back up in the ring you guys. :-)

[Fairlane500 8]

You may find mine, RollIng Down the Railroad, to be an interesting concept to review. However, you may want to just start with my recent return, since it had beena while previous to that, either way is fnethough, there's definitely much more material by doing the whole thing.

[Palpatine001 57]

Hmmmm, My CJ is undergoing constant updates, so it should make an interesting review as I experiment with game play and urban design, the link is back on page one.

Meanwhile while I wait, these reviews are great, fair yet balanced. I would recommend all to read as it could help your game play.

[SpecialEddie 3]

Sorry--but I have a terrible habit of not asking for permission! If patriots agrees, I have made a banner for the thread--the front page seemed pretty bland to me. 

Just copy it into the first post, and woohoo, we have a banner!

[sanantonio 0]

*dons "the official city journal critics thread unofficial banner critic" hat*

good effort, but can i suggest grouping thoughts together. ie:

The Official

City Journal Critics

Thread

It my just be me, but I read it as:

The Official City

---|---

Journal Critics Thread

What is "The Official City?" Oh, wait...City Journal Critics...

Probably just me, but like I said, It's a really good effort.  Shouldn't be too hard to tweak...If you don't mind, I'll give one a try...maybe tomorrow after work.

Sorry for the centered text, but I can't figure out how (if possible) to only make pieces of my reply centered.  Se La Vi.

*removes "the official city journal critics thread unofficial banner critic" hat*

And now back to our regularly scheduled reviews...

[sanantonio 0]

The Critics are doing a great job here - very informative, unbiased, and well written. Keep up the good work, guys!

[dahawk 0]

Thanks Kram

[dahawk 0]

Feel free to review the USD, really cool setup yall have here, I wish yall the best of luck with your reviews

[DioAngel 1]

Nice Banner Eddie!! :-D

[KRAM4346 1]

Dahawk, I'll review your CJ. I'll get on it a.s.a.p., thanks for the interest.

[Super- Timo 0]

Good idea please can someone review my CJ dusk river. Thanks

[patriots_1228 51]

Hey who said two banners were bad???? Ill have a reveiw in today, probably as will KRAM and Special Eddie.

[crazychickensc12 84]

Yea it needs a table of contents ima bug you about it till it happenes you can also add my CJ to the review list

[SpecialEddie 3]

Originally posted by: sanantonio

*dons "the official city journal critics thread unofficial banner critic" hat*

good effort, but can i suggest grouping thoughts together. ie:

The Official

City Journal Critics

Thread

It my just be me, but I read it as:

The Official City

---|---

Journal Critics Thread

What is "The Official City?" Oh, wait...City Journal Critics...

Probably just me, but like I said, It's a really good effort.  Shouldn't be too hard to tweak...If you don't mind, I'll give one a try...maybe tomorrow after work.

Sorry for the centered text, but I can't figure out how (if possible) to only make pieces of my reply centered.  Se La Vi.

*removes "the official city journal critics thread unofficial banner critic" hat*

And now back to our regularly scheduled reviews...

quote>

 

Eh. I'll leave it as it is. I'm assuming many of us can read from right to left, top to bottom . And I like it anyway, it's more eye-appealing to have the words somewhat evened instead of:

The Offical

City Journal Critics Thread klasdldfjklsdfjskl;dfjskldfj

Somehow...it's not even...

[moganite 4]

I remember your first page has a table of contents you may want to add alink to each review as this thread gets larger i thinks there was a thread that was a tutorial to make make a link to specific posts.

Looks good so far

[Ace_F15 16]

I like it mainly becuase you have to request it. You guys aren't just willy nilly judging people and hurting feelings. Review mine if you please, but be easy.

[DioAngel 1]

Originally posted by: moganite I remember your first page has a table of contents you may want to add alink to each review as this thread gets larger i thinks there was a thread that was a tutorial to make make a link to specific posts.

Looks good so farquote>

 

good idea.. :-)

[Shadow Assassin 336]

A very good idea. I can see this taking off quite quickly. Feel free to critique my CJ, Ensenada

[MayorTim 16]

Originally posted by: SpecialEddie Sorry--but I have a terrible habit of not asking for permission! If patriots agrees, I have made a banner for the thread--the front page seemed pretty bland to me. 

Just copy it into the first post, and woohoo, we have a banner!

quote>

Hey, I was making a banner for you guys! Get with it!

(JK)

I might still continue making my banner, but yours definately looks good - a little competition never hurt anyone, right?

[crazychickensc12 84]

I would suggest just keeping them in order, and reviewing one by one, i wouldnt recommend a seperate thread try to keep it all ine one place or ask for a critic inbox via PM er sumtin not exactly sure...

[crazychickensc12 84]

Table of contents is up now!! Im happy great reviews everyone this is gonna be a hit project!! keep up the great work!!

[SpecialEddie 3]

Wow, so many requests. Cool banner, mayortim, ah hell, either banner works. As for the requests, I think we should have a separate thread for requests, as it seems to be cluttering up this thread. We'll try to review as many threads as we can, but no promises. 

Elbarto is right, by accepting requests to review CJ's--we're feeding the flame. Soon--we'll be overburdened with reviews. Just a suggestion. 

Thanks.

[ElBarto92 7]

I began a critics project about a year ago, and lemme just give you some advice, okay? Taking requests is gonna be tough, because by taking one person's request, others feel that you're obliged to take their's, and it gets out of hand. Now, having several reviewers was smart, and it should help a lot, but just be warned. Good luck with the project, hope it goes further than mine and that you guys don't make the same mistakes that I made. A link to my original critics thread: The Critic. A lot of people seemed to like it, although it didn't make past three or four editions. (There was a resurrection of this project a few months ago, but it's pointless to link to it, as it only had something like two editions due to a general misconception about the reviewing methods used by myself and my partner.) Maybe it'll help. Again, good luck, I'll be watching.

[Dark_Jedi06 13]

I love the banner Tim! Simple yet elegant.

I like the style you guys employ in your writing, providing brief introductions to the CJ then talking about the facts instead of giving blatant opinions.

Feel free to review the Rhineland (link to it in my signature).

Keep up the good work.

[DioAngel 1]

LOL interesting new banner. hehe

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Can you review Zabitake?

Looks good so far!

[pickled_pig 7]

I like both banners, but I'd go with Tim's just for its simplicity. The sub-banner idea's great also.

While you're at it, it'd be great if one of you found the time to review Winston County. It's always interesting to see what others have to say.

[-M- 6]

A CJ by Dahawk

Introduction

Second-time CJer Dahawk this time rounds focuses on an entire nation, the United States of Danka (USD), located on a fictional subcontinent / island off the coast of West Africa. The reader is introduced to the nation by means of colourful maps outlining the country, and also an extensive history of the nation akin to that of the United States of America. The history proves exciting, and innovative, and sketches the background of the nation under the spotlight.

The Concept and Progress

The first page gives a broad, yet detailed overview of the capital of the USD, Lion's Rock, a capital that is aesthetically pleasing and which fits almost perfectly into the African context. Grandeur and compulsive spending on the creation of national monuments to celebrate dots the capital and region, something that is typical of African nations after independence from the colonies. Yet, the nation also retains a very westernised feel, as it was, according to Dahawk, extensively influenced by the USA, which is clearly reflected in many of the aspects of the city, including the layout and over-all architecture.

On page two we find an innovative creation, Mirici, modeled after the South African concept of Soweto. Mirici, just south of the capital of Lion's Rock reminds one even more of South Africa within the African setting, because of its extensive industrial development, akin to that of Isando in Johannesburg. The city has a typical suburbian feel, added to hi-tech industrial development and is not as uncommon as one would expect from an African nation.

Furthermore yet another extensive historical briefing is provided on page two, along with an introduction to the Lion's Rock suburb of Cade Bluff. Cade Bluff is a pleasing area, with impressive cliffs (and great terraforming skills put to the test), yet at the same time it retains the ambience of Africa created by its proximity to the continent. Cade Bluff is a wonderful city / suburb, and features many buildings that would make those "high-rise happy SimCitiers" ecstatic.

Technical Aspects

At first the poorly edited images and text is a bit disappointing, but it improves on page two which does more justice to the concept of the USD and makes it more pleasant to read and monitor the CJ. CJer Dahawk is experimenting with editing and the appearance of his images, something that is refreshing and has proven to be quite an improvement and successful.

The photos depict a variety of in-game aspects and features, and successfully employs various zoom levels - although most of the photos are aerial views.

Dahawk also uses a lot of user created content from the STEX, which further enhances the CJ and adds to the variety.

Conclusion and general feel

The CJ, only in its beginning 'years', will be interesting and worthwhile to monitor as I, personally, believe that a lot can be done with the concept. I for one, as a South African, would like to see what this CJ and CJer can achieve in the African context, and will be monitoring it for that exact reason.

But, whether you're from Africa or Asia, the history and progress of the United States of Danka is an interesting concept and provides a good read, and is easy and pleasing on the eyes.

---

Link to the United States of Danka

Link to this review