The Official City Journal Critics Thread Archive

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

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

[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!

[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!

[GreekMan 246]

nice review

[GreekMan 246]

nice reviews

[Giligone 10]

Hey RHF, are you still on for reviewing my CJ?

Nice review btw.

[Narya 14]

OMG, this is sooo exciting! And I even didnt prepared the speeach... I guess I will need to improvize... so here we go:

First one needs to bow before RHF and thank him for wonderful review of ones CJ that was and is so masterfuly writen. Thank thee very much, honorable RHF. Order of Dragon, EarthSea people, mystical and non-mystical creatures and one decided that thee is a friend of EarthSea and to honor such person as thee is, we have decread that thee shall be given the title of Duke, so from now on, thee, honorable RHF shall be known as Duke RHF in EarthSea. With title also a piece of land shall be given to thee. All shall happened in next update when the ceremony shall be hold.

On second note  one needs to thank to Lady and Sirs and to other wonderful people who visit us! If thee would not be there to support us we would never become so big. Thank thee.

One also needs to thank the people of EarthSea for their loyalty, to dragons for their protection and to all other beings for deciding to dwell in land we call ours.

Thanks also goes to ones sweet dear mother wich allows one to use her internet connection and with that makes EarthSea posible.

One is much overwhelmed by this wonderful review! Thank thee all from the deepths of ones heart!

[RushHourFreak 1]

EARTHSEA – MYSTICAL LAND - by Narya

Started on: December 30, 2006   Status: ongoing

 

This CJ is an accurate recreation of what I can call a medieval themed region. Narya has showed her skills for making this type of cities, each one featuring it feeling and natural style.

 The region is a beautiful valley surpassed by rivers, with some little hills and relatively big mountains. It features almost all sceneries seen on this world. Beaches, forests, prairies and a variety of flora that is masterfully used in such a space like that. Rocks, trees, animals, it seems to be planned just to perfection. Those waterfalls at the very beginning are obligated to watch with care. Every detail is charm fully planned, with flowers, streams, ponds, pleasant meadows with fauna. Excellent use of Peg’s.

 

The mystical theme of this one, is showed through the fauna is spread over the region, Dragons, Unicorns, etc… and the narration of the origins of human specimen, so creative and such historical images she uses on there.

Primordial aspect of this CJ, that probably wouldn’t be the same if it doesn’t have the breathtaking use of Adobe Photoshop. The effects are used in the precise moment, diverse textures, colors and shapes are managed in the correct way. Two thumbs up for that.

 

Another excellent idea from Narya, is the system of orders. A way of motivation for visiting her CJ. There are four, and each one corresponds to a specific number of visits and comments. The Earth Sea land, also gives some visitors the title of “Sir” or “Lady” if the order of Dragon finds them friendly to he.

 

The city is a little town, well organized with a nice dragged road network and good STEX selections. Excellent green areas, which merge inside the urban zone.

 

Another important fact to say, is the usual appearing of The sims 2 for some dialogues between the characters that are now part of the CJ itself, such as the Sirs and Ladies, complementing a great plot to follow everyday.

RHF

[Camaron 1]

Good review on Los Coastas ilikehotdogsalot, very fairly written.

[patriots_1228 51]

me no comprende espanol! lol thanks good taste sculmanator.

[sanantonio 0]

Is this thread still alive? There have been quite a few new CJs popping up, and it would be a shame if the bulk went un-reviewed.

[Yoman3 5]

Is this dead? I hope not.

You can review my II version of Ankara here - https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=36&threadid=85296&STARTPAGE=4&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

[Narya 14]

wOW! That is one h*ll of a review. Masterfully writen, but hey, since Eye Canfy is a masterwork itself... Congrats on it ilikehotdogsalot!

[patriots_1228 51]

double review for hot dogs lol.

[patriots_1228 51]

i met a stranger named skippy in a dark alley yesterday, he said he was willing to help out. kinda creepy, you know, being in a dark alley with a stranger named after a jar of peanut butter, but he wrote a great review. look for mine later today or tomarrow.

---

 EYECANDY

- ilikehotdogsalot

review by skippy

Two days before Christmas this past year ilikehotdogsalot, a newer member of ST (joined June, 2006), started his current city journal:  EYECANDY. 'hotdogs hails from West Palm Beach, Florida, but his CJ hails from somewhere deep in his very, very creative mind.  In a little less than three months, EYECANDY has gained about 250 comments and a very respectable 3,500 page views, a rate of about 40 each day.

The first post is a Table of Contents, a feature immediately placing our author on Skippy's good side.  In tasteful block letters, and noted individually by date, each one of 'hotdogs' posts are cryptically, and almost poetically titled, and dressed up in colors that range from red through orange all the way to brown, with an occasional blue and green to tart things up.  Unfortunately, these entries are static (i.e.: not hotlinked to the post itself), but that would be relatively easy to correct.

Our author heavily PhotoShops his pics, and in the case of this journal that's a good thing.  This is telegraphed starting with Page 1, where his first four posts each present a single mosaic pic, each in its own way stunning.  Here's an example, which 'hotdogs titles "NIGHT."

These pics present an almost cartoonish, but very visually appealing vision of SC4.  Right from the start, EYECANDY began to collect a very respectable number of comments.  Our author, ever few pics, generally provides brief responses to each comment.  Page 1 concludes with a nicely 'Shopped pic of green fireworks to wish all a happy holidays.

Starting on Page 2, our author begins to vary things.  His first pic is a great black-and-white of Fukuda's BLaM Akashi Kaikyo Bridge placed in rugged terrain in our author's region.  There's just one other mosaic on the page, but 'hotdogs puts up several posts responding to commenters and being very helpful with questions that are asked.  He also posts an interestingly PhotoShopped "Night in the Big City" genre pic that he says he found at the bottom of his PhotoBucket account.

Page 3 begins with a mosaic pic that responds to the comments of several readers that EYECANDY'S pics were just too "squeaky clean."  'hotdogs "dirties thing up," starting a "orange" phase that continues on through the rest of the page, although things trend toward brown at the end.

'hotdogs continues treating his readers right by making nice responses to each comment  On the downside, a number of those readers are beginning to grumble about the kilobyte size of EYECANDY's images- a deficiency our author obviously stuggles to correct.

Page 5 starts with the brownest pic yet.  It's probably one of the least effective images in a CJ otherwise filled with stunning pics, and there's a sense that our author needs to take a break and work on some new material...which he does, returning after a break of several weeks to post responses to comments, then several days later posting a pic he calls "Cosmopolitan Colors," which is a PhotoShopped riot of bright jazzy colors against a darkened cityscape.  While the colors are completely unrealistic, it doesn't matter as the pic works on its own as art.

Page 5 starts with a scare.  Faced with what seem like insurmountable computer problems,'hotdogs is ready to quit...but then posts, "Fixed..Hehe."  The next pic is probably EYECANDY's best yet.  It's entitled "Eastern Wharf" and, while the bright touches of color previously used remain, they are much more in keeping with a realistic portrayal of bustling downtown.  It is in this pic, too, that our author's nice use of custom content isn't overshadowed by his choice of color.  He returns to brown, but a sunny warm brown, in his second and final pic of the page.  By this time, though, it is clear his readers are hooked no matter what colors he uses.

Page 6 commences with a good long set of responses to comments, then gives us yet another "brown" pic.

If Skippy wanted to see smog, he'd go visit Los Angeles.

'hotdogs must have been thinking the same thing, because his next pic tops everything to date.  Entitled "W2W," it's our author's signature dark cityscape, but brilliantly colorized.  'hotdogs "makes his bones" as an artiste with this one.  After  a rather ordinary next "brown" pic, the reader is blessed with another masterfully colorized pic of an interesting city square.  At the end of Page 6, his best yet, 'hotdogs notes that he's continuing his CJ over at SC4Devotion, but will mirror it at ST.

Page 7 starts with bombs, explosions and fire.

Skippy finds this interlude, which is unexplained...

...mustard and relish induced mood swing, perhaps?

...less than tasteful, but lots of readers applaud.  'hotdogs bounced back with two colorful pics of what he terms his "New City," then finally makes the "brown thing" work.  His pic of "Construction" may be the best in the entire CJ.  It's marvelously composed, the brown color enhances the effect, and the colorization is perfect.  It could be a construction zone in hell- it's riveting.  Our author doesn't stop with the pic- he immediately launches into a long list of comment responses.  Skippy reached the end of the page and said, "Bravo!"

'hotdogs' first post on Page 8 is a third of the way down.  He asks whether the ST audience is up for a new CJ 20-30 years in the future.  His two pics on the page are called "Canalside."  These show both a great implementation of tightly integrated custom content and superb PhotoShopping, somehow making a pic with predominately red and tan colors work with a greenish cast.  These pics are also, if you just have a minute or two to look, worth checking out ahead of most everything else.

Page 9 starts with a great night shot of "Holman Cathedral."  Here, 'hotdogs makes a dark pic work in his favor, as it sets off the few stunningly illuminated buildings that inexorably draw the viewers attention.  He tries this again in the next pic, "Typical Neighborhood," but the effect does not work nearly so well.  Following another great set of comment responses, our author returns to reds and tans in an almost perfect mosaic entitled "House of Worship."  Strong custom content elements and meticulous coloring and detailing place this pic among the CJ's best.

Page 10, the current page, has one pic, entitled "Teaser."

Skippy notes that it is brown, as he hurries back to look at other pics he liked a whole lot better.

This reviewer has looked at a lot of CJs over the years- EYECANDY ranks right up there with the best of them.  It shows invention, innovation, and a great grasp of the basic mechanics of the game.  There is never any sense that our author simply zones and lets things grow.  EYECANDY is the result of a loty of hard work, and it has clearly paid off.  If 'hotdogs can keep up the pace, this CJ will be a strong contender at the Trixies.

'Til next time- good luck!

Skippy

[patriots_1228 51]

im doing a review this weekend, some critics just go in and out, im really busy though so i dont pay much attention. greekman- advertising is against the rules.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

EDIT: wanted to add some things, hehe.

WOW! SKIPPY! Thank you kind stranger! That was the nicest, most pleasing review I have ever read, You captured exactly everything I've been trying to do in EYECANDY, The mistakes, challenges, fixes, and the wins, It's almost like your inside my mind, A little creepy but hey! I really like those little captions you put about the Bombs lmao I'll try to improve some of the things you said you dislike, Like the static table of contents. I can tell you spent a lot of time working on this review, and I certainly appreciate the kind words, It was extremely helpful, sincere, kind and inspiring, even though I had to use a dictionary to find out what some of the words you used meant

I'm extremely inspired to keeping on with the CJ, and I'm very glad you really like it! Keep on reviewing Skippy! 'THANK YOU!'

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

I don't think this thread is dead yet, us reviewers just have been very busy with RL, expect a review for me in the upcoming days.

[SpecialEddie 3]

EYECANDY by ilikehotdogsalot

Are you blue? Deppressed? Sad at the lack of good CJ's these days? We're here to help. Take Via--er--What we mean is, take a look at ilikehotdogsalot's CJ, EYECANDY. This CJ is sure to please fans of all sorts. EYECANDY has a plenty of everything: Explosions, desert metropolises, postcards from Venice, and hot dog stands in New York. Once you're through with EYECANDY, you'll need a dentist (and maybe a trip to the gym). 

At first glance, ilike...'s images are dark and full of contrast, so tune those computer monitors to "EYECANDY Bright." A small price to pay to see these fantastically edited images. Color schemes range from cheerful autumn days to dim, depressed New York nights. Mood is an important aspect in this CJ, and ilikehotdogssoveryverymuch captures the look and feel of all these settings.

Just like Mini-Earth, EYECANDY also focuses on vague recreations of real-world cities. However, unlike Mini-Earth, EYECANDY is more detailed and the city building is more a sight to look at. Some obvious recreations (though never named) include Dubai, New York City, and the best of them all--Venice. Hotdog's Venice is a sight to behold, with its canals, massive churches, and Mediterrenean homes hugging the canals. 

Though all the color schemes seem to be different, there seems to be that same consistency in EYECANDY--grim and hazy. Almost all of the pictures seem to have been taken on a dark, cloudy day. It almost makes you wish for the sun to come out. But will this little aspect throw off the entire greatness of this CJ? Nah. EYECANDY is where your dreams come true. Where else can you see Venice and the White House blow up in the same place? 

It's time to bring those treadmills out from the basement, because you're eyes will need the work-out after eating all that candy.

[sanantonio 0]

I'm a victim of RLS myself. Once I feel my CJ is a little more fleshed out, I will submit it for review.

[GreekMan 246]

patriots: you need some reviving on this thread. i suggest putting an ad or something on the front page of ST.

[patriots_1228 51]

FAITHFULLY FOLLOWING FLYING ELVIS?? WHO MADE THAT??

my review.

but first couple of things. Our Mini Earth is a very unique kind of journal, plus it is on Devotion and ST, so this review is very long and also, i tried to be more critical(this is city journal critics, not city journal praisers) Still, this was the most fun i have had since i  began reviews and i couldnt help giving a rating at the bottom(this is a onetime only thing).

hehe thnx for the pic........

Part 1: Overview

 

---

 

 

Unlike my other reviews, this review will be split up in three parts, because of the unique style used in Our Mini Earth. Our Mini Earth is a project lots of the community probably knows about, created by HabLeUrG, which showcases the world in a scaled down SC4 map. A member of the Mother Earth Project, Our Mini Earth is a spectacular showcase of mini-cities, or citys of 10-20 buildings that represent reallife places. This CJ showcases the best that our world has to offer, even Hableurgs avatar is a symbol for a realife place(madagascar) lol you may or may not get that joke, but lets move on.

Part 2: The simtropolis portion

Our Mini Earth is posted on two sites each with some differences. One, obviously, is Simtropolis. The massive table of contents on page 1 makes it easy for you to find an area you like, but the updates aren't directly link, so if your lazy you will not like the fact the you have to click the page number first. A minor detail, but i need to take some cheapshots at hableurg or this review will be too positive. Hableurgs map looks exactly like earth, in fact i could almost point out my town. First Hableurg shows off the nature, from the amazon to the sahara, and since krio missed the update, not one negative comment was made.(ok sorry i just took another cheapshot, this time at krio).

Now hableurg starts to show some citys. Even for mini Citys, these citys look nice, like los angeles featured the library tower(signature skyscraper) and of course, the hollywood sign. However, somtimes, the cities are not produced so carfully. lots of buildings don't match with the road, zots show up all over the screen, and windmills, in LA??? wheres the smog? (okay that last one wasnt serious just having some fun, dont take it seriously hableurg). but each city is a small little peice of eyecandy that if you are from that area will make you proud. Another thing that could easily be dealt with is the u-drive-it icons showing up. moving on , we head to egypt, where we see mostly a showcase of a great STEX collection. lighthouse of alexandria, pyrimads, you name it. once again foolish errors(omg i said foolish, someone shoot me) are made. zots being the error im talking about. if the zots all jumped off a cliff, this CJ would win 62 and a half trixies. But as i said before, its easy to forget about these things because hableurgs cities really do showcase parts of the world.(its like a vaction where you dont have to leave your computer)

Hableurg continues to showcase landmarks from all over the world, and shows some nature for the tree huggers.Although i have never seen many of these nature spots, each one, like the hymilayas, looks just like its described. His tropical tiles are amazing, complete with a collection of tropical flora that could rival any fulltime tropical CJ's collection.As he moves into asia, zots become a problem, but the citys go from being clusters of buildings that dont exactly look the best, but show the highlights of a region to larger citys that could be in any CJ. I would do a full CJ on his mini hongkong, anyday, mini hongkong is so far my favorite.the journal now not only becomes an innovative way of journaling, but also a ton of great cities. its hard to explain what im trying to say, but ill get back to the reviewing. His transit systems are perhaps my favorite, because hes mushed the world into a region, its very hilly and tough to find building spots, but hableurg has master the terrain quite nicely, with hongkong being a good example again. Sometimes the buildings themselves may be poorly  BATed(look whos talking patriots!! I probably murdered then chopped up mini boston into peices. in other words, cant wait to see it) but hableurg takes the lemons and makes lemonade(my favorite saying that i dont get), taking what arent always the best BATs and making them look spectacular in his mini citys.

The "lol moment" award goes to...... Hableurg for making Taiwan one building, Taipai 101. his excuse.....taiwan was about 10 squares by 10. anyway it was funny, but i cant critique it cuz once again, he took the lemons and made lemonade. no we move on in my long long story, to somemore places. but lets do that on the other site this CJ is posted on, SC4 Devotion.

Part 2: Our Mini Earth @ Devotion.

          To avoid server errors and long loading times, devoted(get the pun) fans of our mini earth can come to the devotion journal, which is loaded with pics and loads as fast as that cheetah from Harold and Kumar go to Whitecastle. Its a good option for those with dial-up or no time on there hands. Mini Madrid is another excellent example of the hilly terrain thing, but the city still looks great, minus a few wacky BATs. Another thing i forgot to mention was the excellent collection of BATs from around the world, fans of Mbears meditterean stuff or the HongKong BAT team will be in heaven. 

once again, Hableurg has an amazing collection of STEX items. The updates are ten times longer here, and you'll see about 3 citys per update. Hableurgs Europe aint half bad, considering the fact that he has to do about 6 or 7 major citys per tile. His citys have become amazingly awesome, you cant spend less then 15 minutes per update. Sometimes its hard to tell which citys which, like paris and athens, and I think ive seen onlyplace 4's carlton House about 22 and a half times, but once again, your going to find an awesome amount of custom content, plus hableurg has tons of flora and great water, and also terrain, which makes this journal about 5 percent SC4 Vanilla, minus roads and transit about 0.001 percent simcity 4 Vanilla, meaning almost 99.999 percent of his citys are filled with stuff we made(we meaning simtropolis, nothing but my estimation can back up those numbers). Londons downtown is probably the best place for skyscraper lovers in this journal, But the nederlands is an awesome collection of apartments and stuff. regardless, everyone can find a city they love in Our Mini Earth, which is as the title says, ours, by 99.999 percent.

Sidenotes- SOme pics of Dubai are blurry, but aside from that, this has to be the most fun ive had reviewing a CJ. Great job Hableurg. If we were able to give ratings without hurting feelings, this would have a 10/10.

[patriots_1228 51]

hey my review will be up tomarrow.

[patriots_1228 51]

so two reviews more info!

my review of our mini earth is a littled delayed, im about halfway through with it. After my homework(whichs takes only a few minutes since im only in 7th grade) I finish it.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

OH MY!!!

TWO REVIEWS?!

you guys are insane, and awesome! thank you specialeddie, that was a great review, i really can't tell you how much it is apreciated, oh my, i was not ready for this!

i would like to thank all of the commenters and reviewers here for checking out my CJ and writing these marvolous reviews, they are really helping me deciding how to steer my CJ! i think i'm going to have to make a special mosaic just to thank everyone, i think i'll do that right now.

i cannot say this enough, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to specialeddy, skippy and the kind commenters and lurkers who visit eyecandy!

-poofs-

[SpecialEddie 3]

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 so two reviews more info!quote>

 

Yes, but for the people who never got their CJ reviewed, to see someone else's journal to be reviewed twice would be dissapointing for them.

[SpecialEddie 3]

Well I already finished the review, so I thought "To hell with it." and I posted a second one.

In the future, try to ask just one reviewer.

[HabLeUrG 32]

thank you alot for taking this review!! will be waiting for it for my next update

nice work guys for those incredible reviews.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Great review on mini-earth, that CJ is simply fantastic, such good work.

On a second note how long do you need to wait to have ur CJ reviewed??? Been a month since I requested it

[belfastuniguy 18]

Great reviews for Eyecandy, it really is a stunning CJ