The Official City Journal Critics Thread Archive

[patriots_1228 51]

ever growing mines....you are so right dude. post in a journal and one hour later it will go from top of page 1 to middle of page 2.

[octaves 4]

Great reviews, guys!

[fledder200 5]

Great reviews connor and specialeddie!!!

Keep it up!

[david1314 44]

Wow... thanks for the kind CJ review....

I'm quite proud of this one: "david1314 has revolutionized the way of building on curved roads. Though it's obviously been done before, david1314 has perfected the craft of curved city building. Not a grid in sight!"

I must admit though, I've seen a very good effort on a Paris Map about a year back (the author escapes me)... That was certainly my inspiration for this.

[KingTitan 6]

Great reviews everyone. Definitely I can see what the critics see. Great Stuff.

[waway625 72]

how do i get my CJ reviewed? i mean do i have to PM a specific critic or can i just request one here?

[pipishere 3]

Aww Thanks for a great review -M-!! I'm doing another one this weekend and, thanks to your review, i will be adding a few varying zoom shots.

Thanks again

[seemurray2 21]

connor_v - Thank you for the great review!  That was completely unexpected, I thought you had to make a request to have your cj reviewed!  But it was a wonderful surprise and you did an excellent job! 

[ajay_law 1]

Very good reviews, now where is mine? lol

[Narya 14]

Lovely Review!

[KingTitan 6]

great review RHF.

[RushHourFreak 1]

Simtropolians Guide to the Virtual World

 

By, cowcorn

Started on: December 11, 2005            Status: Ongoing

 

A great storyline introduces this CJ as an isolated virtual community. He describes his first town as a picturesque center port, which is surrounded by a charming community, with hills and shorelines. The pictures he takes of the town are in plenty autumn, and thus, the shots are actually for exposition. Everything is very colorful and very well organized. The region is a great demonstration of how you can play with the Terraforming tools of the programs development, a Huge area surpassed by rivers and touched by hills. A hill overlooking the city, is one of the most scenic landmarks in there. Everything is red, yellow and orange because of the trees that of course will change until the next season: Winter.

 

In this part, he combines the RL with the Virtual World, and describes the feelings of the person who is reading: Wayne. That reminds me a little bit of the Neverending Story.

 

The transportation layout is griddish, with some cul-de-sac endings. The roads are mostly covering the towns and some highways connect the cities over passing the vast region.

 

He also wants to show the rural management. Pleasant places which are a good showing of a relaxation and charming ambient. He makes an Excellent use of Pegasus instruments; ponds, streams, overlooking Tower. It is a pleasure to see that distribution in such a way like that.

 

Pictures are very scenic, pretty aesthetical. A nice showcase, that could be for exposition.

Thanks cowcorn for sharing.

RHF 

Originally posted by: waway625 how do i get my CJ reviewed? i mean do i have to PM a specific critic or can i just request one here? quote>

No you should PM an active Critic, and give the premission he asks to you, what is that? That if you Pm a critic who uses pictures in reviews, you might give him/her permission for using that.

[patriots_1228 51]

Wow amazing job here well saidly i wasnt getting my pm notifications. im thinking i may review sometime soon, you know, just to pop in. in the meantime, i need to orginize the TOC, been a lnog time.

[cowcorn 11]

Well thats a great review! Thanks RHF. Nice comment on the Neverendingstory, I didn't think of that when I wrote but it very possible that it infleunced me somehow.

I was away because (yet again) RL and my internet connection.

[patriots_1228 51]

thanks for doing that SpecEd. I was gonna but then I decided to stop reviewing.

[SpecialEddie 3]

*grin*

[SpecialEddie 3]

Viceroyalty of Dominea by Slann

The Viceroyalty of Dominea is one of the last remaining historical greats in the CJ forums. Dominea showcases the complex, realistic growth of an ancient city into a modern metropolis. Though the city building is weak at first, slann makes up for it with stunning graphics that eventually win it a 2005 Trixie. 

The journal begins with a detailed historical overview of how Dominea started as a sort of Aztecan/Roman civilization. Some unique photoshopping can be seen in these first images--including a mix of SC4 images/real life pictures/and a screenshot from Rome: Total War. Fans of battle scenes will rejoice as there is plenty in the beginning updates of Dominea. It all makes for a complex, rich history lesson on how this city came to be.

 

The first set of images (not from the historical overview) of the city are not very impressive, as there is little custom content and an odd assortment of Maxis buildings (A castle next to a fast food joint?).  But as Dominea progresses and slann's city building skills improve, we finally get to see Dominea's potential as a great governmental center. Right before our eyes, we see the city transform from an ancient civilization to a modern metropolis, complete with skyscrapers and large political structures. There's even an election going on, and of course, Naomi Watts wins! To back up the election updates, slann adds some impressive charts and graphics to keep the geek in all of us entertained. 

The later pages of this city journal feature some very different city building from slann's first attempts early on. We now see glittering glass towers and impressive palaces nestled on mountainsides (as seen above). And if you're looking for a good read, slann has also created some realistic newspapers with detailed information, incorporated as the Imperial Times. 

Don't miss out on this great empire!

[slann 0]

Wow...

Thank you so much SpecialEddie!!! *grin* what a wonderful review...

Am really glad that you think my city building skill have improved *grin*!!!

[SpecialEddie 3]

Chula Vista by Greekman

There's a lot of room for improvement in Greekman's creation: Chula Vista. To name a few: the constant repetition of Maxis regulars, the lack of custom content, EL trains going through quiet suburbs...There's an array of problems, but they can all be fixed one way or another. 

Despite its appearance Chula Vista is actually a pretty complex CJ. With careful planning, GreekMan is able to expand and beautify, all in a realistic manner (SC4-wise). He's added events such as elections, sports-events, and transportation enhancements. Transportation is one area of expertise GreekMan thrives in. His EL trains are strategically placed so they are in constant use (a thumbs up from the transit department). 

Chula Vista could obviously be improved upon, but in the direction GreekMan is going, there's no need to be worried--this little city is doing just fine.

[patriots_1228 51]

my first review in months will be......

by RushHourFreak

although i do not review much anymore, when one of my favorite CJers, RHF, asked for a review, I had to do it. Its been delayed, but i am glad to present you a review of SeirreMonte, by Rushhourfreak. SeirreMonte is a south american style CJ with many great moments, and some parts of the region may never leave my mind. Each update is a solid mix of rural and urban, photoshopping and vanilla pics, and up close or far away, making each one exciting with each pic. One of my favorite parts of this fabulous CJ is how RHF deals with the hilly terrain of his region. Masterfully, he uses retaining walls and other neat tricks to make the slopes look amazing. thats probably number 2 on the best things about this journal. 

Number one? that would be the religious landmarks. From the Santacruz de Togores, holy cross of Togores, an amazing cross situated on the peak of a mountain that will be in my memory forever, to the remote churches and cathedrals on the hillside, RHF knowns how to worship! he has excellent ability with photofiltre, a program similar to photoshop, and often adds little effects to his pics, making them more pleasing. A range of Climates can be found in Seirremonte as well, as the shores are tropical but the hills are a more continental i guess climate. RHF cant seem to do anything wrong, with amazing parks,flora,and monuments. He even tried storytelling, which is very daring for someone who doesnt have english as a first language. once again, RHF delivers, with an intense storyline fill of murder and violence........just the way i like it! 

Rushhour uses the STEX to his advantage, and his city has so many landmarks my head hurts.sometimes there is a little repitition in the comercial zoning, but its hard to notice, and it doesnt stick out like in some CJs. SeirreMonte by RHF is a CJ full of eyecandy and classic moments. It shows expert city making skills in a difficult region full of challenges. Great job Jaun, keep it up!

[patriots_1228 51]

dio there is no waiting list. you must pm a critic now. we got rid of the list a long time ago.

[patriots_1228 51]

another nice review!!!

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

I haven't done a review in a while so if you want your CJ reviewed, Send me a PM!

[GreekMan 246]

thanks a lot

[DioAngel 1]

Originally posted by: Narya As far I understand you need to ask a critic to do a review if you want. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welll....... I've been in  the waiting list since it started

[UltraGIR XL 3]

Ah, Ebert weeps in envy.

Keep up the good reviews.

[GreekMan 246]

nice review

[Schulmanator 5,810]

Two of my favorite CJs get good grades in their reviews!! I must have excellent taste in CJs! Great job/buen trabajo, Alfred & Juan. You two rock!

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

Los Coastas by patriots_1228

Los Coastas is a wonderful, well thought out CJ. The City Journal begins with a well written story about a rich, proud, top CIA agent moving into a tropical jungle of crimes and drugs. Here, He begins talking about riots, and the jobs he has done around the city while cleverly showing Los Coastas famous sites. The pictures are bright and colorful, showing a tropical metropolis full of resort hotels, palm trees and beachside condos. There is a great use of custom content, eyecandy, and good city planning. It's always a treat to come in and check out the latest developments. Patriots mixes football, war, and crime in a one of a kind setting that reminds you of Vice City/Miami. Although, like most Story Journals, the story is quite long at times, however there are plenty of interesting pictures that keeps you hooked wanting to read more.

In Conclusion, Los Coastas is def. a most-see and read CJ. The story is very well done, comical, and interesting and the pictures are colorful and fun to look at. This CJ is still under development and constantly gets updates, I recommend checking it out, Keep up the good work Patriots!

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

didn't want to put this in the review post, i was wondering if any critics could review my CJ?