The Official City Journal Critics Thread Archive

[patriots_1228 51]

lol great review.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

belfastuniguy: My apologies for not reviewing your CJ! I have been extremely busy with RL, Just got back from the NY and D.C trip, Very sorry once again, I'm sure you'll get a fantastic review from Special_Eddie though!

[SpecialEddie 3]

belfastuniguy: Don't worry, I'll review your CJ for you, since you've been waiting so long.

[SpecialEddie 3]

Ensenada by Shadow_Assasin

I expect it would be quite difficult to make a story-based CJ where half the time, the people are underground, but Shadow_Assassin pulls it off quite well. Ensenada, a complex city journal focusing on mysterious organizations, darts to the councillor's head, and odd tremors underground, is an entertaining read (and view). The first area of Ensenada showcased, Brackenfell, is suburban sprawl with an Assasin's touch--curved roads and railroads added a realistic effect and unique approach to this familiar style of city-building--onethat has become all too common in the forums. 

The story plays out like "Run for Your Life" so fans of hamster's CJ rejoice, a compelling and strange story awaits. But since the characters are mostly underground looking for hidden tunnels, the pictures in the CJ seem to have nothing to do with the story, so we assume that the characters are under all those buildings. However, the story is the heart of Ensenada. The tale requires careful inspection, and many questions are raised about the story. Who is the "Good Doctor?" What is the Omega project? What are the causes of the tremors? What happened at Broken Mesa? We must know, pwesus, we must know...

Now the city building is also a plus. Shadow_Assasin's style is seen once again, with his sprawling region views, spacious suburbs, and dense CBD's. His familiar curved roads and railroads are present as well. The suburbs are reminiscent of Wisteria Lane--Shadow even mentions an Adultery Semi-Finals, just some examples of his twisted humor. And speaking of "haha's" a personal favorite of mine was "I grabbed a crowbar that just happened to be lying there for its inclusion as a plot device." Slight giggles resulted in that, and CJ's don't usually make me laugh (as I usually don't see anything funny about SC4). God, I'm so dull.

Ensenada has it all--a compelling mystery story, some attractive eye-candy mosaics, and cozy images of suburbs. Oh yes, and you get to read how someone is hit with a dart at a golf course. For those waiting for the next episode of LOST, Ensenada should help fill that empty void between Wednesdays. By the way, Claire and Jack are half-siblings.

[SpecialEddie 3]

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

 

It depends, who did you PM?

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: SpecialEddie belfastuniguy: Don't worry, I'll review your CJ for you, since you've been waiting so long.

quote>

 

That would be fantastic SpecialEddie and greatly appreciated

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: SpecialEddie

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

 

It depends, who did you PM?quote>

 

I asked ilikehotdogsalot, should I ask someone else or has he been really busy in RL

[UltraGIR XL 3]

Hahaha, you guys roooock.

Do you have to be asked before you review? pfft. How un-Ebert and Roeper.

I say go forth and criticize!

-Cough-likemine-Cough.-

[patriots_1228 51]

dont worry i made that mistake once in a review.

[patriots_1228 51]

nice reviews guys!

connor- sounds great exspecially since i have a new CJ.

im doing a review of Oylmpus City probably this weekend.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

Galesfe City by Leech10

A review by ilikehotdogsalot

Leech10, a veteran of Simtropolis, being in the site since 12/11/2004, has created another one of his intriguing and entairtaining Science Fiction City Journal. The Setting takes place in millions of years into the future in planets and cities that are really hard to pronounce. Page 1 begins with a nice little page of Contents showing about 30 updates, Quite a respectable amount, I might add. Leech begins by showing us the terraformed planet, filled with trees and water that resembles a Modern Day Earth. As you get to Page 2, You begin to see development of cities filled with walls and security to protect from invadors during heavy storm, As the storm passes you begin to see many beautiful parks and plazas. The next few updates continuing showing the cities, which look like modern day suburbs, very calming to know they're not going to build those hideous 4 mile towers in the future everywhere, heh. The page continues with shots of nature and a very professionally done newspaper and one of my favorites...a shot of a bomb

Page 3 begins with a shot of 'Chinatown', a dense asian city that is very well planned filled with parks and plazas.

In the next update, The story of the CJ begins, introducing a 16 year old Binashu Kaja [i don't think i spelled that right...] It shows where he lives, a fancy upscale neighborhood that resembles a sunny tropical suburb along the coast of Florida.

In the next page, There is an update of a wealthy hong kong-like area, once again, showing Leech's attention to detail and hard work.

Update 11 picks up where the story lefts off, with an ominous storm approaching the city. The next few updates continues with updates of the story, it's mostly text, however, very witty lines at that

The next update shows a mosaic of a huge tower in the center of the city that looks very futuristic and interesting, once again with diagonal streets and great buildings filled with hidden details Leech sneaks in make for an amazing scene.

Update 15 shows the celebration of Union Day with parades, balloons and partying and a very well done newspaper that commenters applaud.

The next updates continue with the story, bringing on the real Science Fiction Theme with huge spaceships traveling through space, A very nice read, If you have some time, I'd suggest you check out these updates.

As the page continues, There are now many updates filled with pictures where the story begins to subside, and Leech shows some huge mosaics of large towers.

All in all, This is a fantastic CJ, Leech puts in alot of time and details into his updates, and it shows! There are many humorous text if you read closely, and this is truly one of the best Science Fiction Journals in simtropolis, I applaud your work Leech, I'm sorry it took a month for the review, but it was a pleasure reviewing for you

- i likehotdogsalot

[belfastuniguy 18]

I thought as much, don't worry about it mate. I know RL can get in the way of all this.

[connor_v 3]

Laurie : a City Journal by Shanna

Laurie is a breathtaking CJ with picturesque nature shots, serene farmland, and beautifully terraformed hills and cliffs. 

Shanna starts her CJ with amazing shots of wilderness that Laurie encompasses. Utilizing various mods of the STEX, Shanna brings together a marvelous masterpiece with serene valleys, rocky brooks, cliffs with wildflowers clinging to thier bases, and forests that look as if every tree was given it's own individual attention. And this is only the start.

I have watched this CJ from the start, and not once has it ceased to amaze me. Water plop mods are used very well, snaking through the very forests I just wrote about. Fishing villages are simple but detailed, and very pleasing to the eye. Agricultural areas are very realistic, with fences, barns, stables and divided field, a look that cannot be achieved easily. As always, these places just take your breath away. Another thing I liked were the windmills, a very nice addition. 

As for the Saint Felicity's Crypt update, I have to say "evocative" does sum it up. The forest path mod is used very well here.

The vinyards are equally amazing. Modelled in a Mediterranean style, the areas bright coloured buildings and surroundings are done very well, and as always, there is a beautiful amount of detail on every street corners and in every field.

Laurie is, as I have said before, breathtaking in the least and a great read. Shanna is a kind host, who replies to every comment so personnably. The CJ is going strong, and it is my hope that it will continue to go on strong for a long time coming. 

Buona fortuna Shanna, grazie per portare alla Comunità così giornale bello della città.

Good luck Shanna, thank you for bringing the community such a beautiful City Journal.

Reader Review : All of the readers enjoy the CJ, and like the author Shanna. I can only assume there are no negative comments.

Review No. 10 - 03/19/07

---

On an unrelated note,

To the critics of the OCJC, and to patriots, I was thinking that it would be great if I could publish a weekly section on new city journals every friday. I think it would be great to get new CJ's names out amongst a larger crowd, and to help showcase budding new masterpieces. Tell me if you like the idea, or if you have any suggestions.

Thanks, Connor.

[connor_v 3]

The City of Texca - a City Journal by Jesusnavidad

The City of Texca is the capitol city of the United Cities region. It is built with a large amount of Maxis supplied buildings, with a strong central core and vast surrounding suburbs.

Jesusnavidad takes you on a tour of the city, pointing out major landmarks. Overall, the pictures are good, but photo finishing and titles are done, presumably, with the Paint program, leading to a somewhat fuzzy look. 

At the centre of the city sits a ridiculously large tower, modeled after the "Burj Dubai" tower in Dubai, UAE. Surrounding that are the droves of towers and offices. Other than the tower, the city centre has no real interesting parts, so I will move on.

As in any CJ, Jesusnavidad needs to eliminate brown boxes. I believe he does later on, but I am not sure. The suburban areas are vast and impressive, but have little detail. 

In a later update, the author starts to get some sort of story going by using a tornado warning, and later a tornado (of all things). 

In the end, I think the Cj has potential. Jesusnavidad is a capable city builder, and with fine tuning, his cities could be vast, breathtaking city scapes. Some advice I'd like to give to Jesusnavidad is to add more unique details to smaller parts of the city and the countryside, and to add more backstory to buildings and neighborhoods. I believe this CJ will get better, and will be a good one to watch in the future. Thank you for your request as well, Jesusnavidad, you're actually the first person to ask for critiqueing by me. Good luck in the future.

New! Reader Review : Readers and followers of Jesusnavidads CJ like the skyline, and have posted positive remarks across the board.

Review No. 9 - 03/19/07

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Nice Review! Yes, you spelled Binashu's name right.

I'm not a girl but you're not the first person to think I am.

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Heehe, I see you noticed my little references to TV shows.

I'll let the others make their judgement.

[Shanna 1]

OMG!!! Thank you my friend, i'm without words...

It is an honor for me to have my cj rewiwed from you, thank you for the wonderful comments!

When I've started Laurie, two months ago, I didn't know to arrive until here, so I thank you all for the fantastic welcome and for your nice hospitality! Here i'm found many friends and, even if I speak an english not good, all have always received me with smiles and warmth!

Thanks to all my friends, 'cause it is your merit if Laurie will continue to go on!

[IDS2 3,428]

Great reviews everyone, I see they take a while but eventually they're done. keep up the good work!

[homeandaway 1]

I try to make my cities, if they are based on real-life cities to the full, such as Athens, Rangoon, Warsaw, Venice, Seoul and Johannesburg. Which i think all of them could be improved abit better!.

I alos love the pics Special Eddie - have you ever considered doing a CJ on it?, or have you got one?.

Take care

~Alex~

[patriots_1228 51]

that made absolutly no sense man.

the first sentence was a fragment end you never finished it

and that is a real CJ, its belfast's CJ. We review CJs in this thread so others no about them. Hence the name CJ CRITICS.

[patriots_1228 51]

Okay thats it.

your fired for promoting drugs to teenage boys!!!

actually there was an NBA player who told kids to do drugs as a joke a couple days ago, on live TV. but great review keep it up guys!

[SpecialEddie 3]

Sorry, homeandaway, I have no idea what you're talking about. I do have a CJ, though, it's a little one called Oasis.

[SpecialEddie 3]

The Imperial Kingdom of Atlantis

With Chaumont undergoing an uncertain year-long hiatus, you may be craving that drug that is the political city journal. Belfastuniguy's Imperial Kingdom of Atlantis should help that addiction for wide open plazas, majestic government palaces, and planned out political districts. With some of the most impressive city layouts on Simtropolis, Atlantis is a drug that'll keep you coming back for more--and it's legal, too.

Though the Imperial Kingdom of Atlantis is only in its youth stages (page 2), the first sets of images are already impressive. Atlantis is built in a unique style, with diagonal avenues intersecting in massive governmental sectors, suggesting a massive Washington D.C. The symmetry of belfastuniguy's cities are so eye-pleasing, you'd begin to wonder if he carefully designed it to follow a golden-rectangular pattern. Flower gardens galore and towering monuments grace the city's avenues which are lined with grand political structures.

The Imperial Kingdom of Atlantis has that atmosphere of grandeur that only comes once so often in a city journal. Atlantis is a kingdom worthy of a great emperor, but humble enough that anyone can belong.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Many thanks SpecialEddie I'm very very pleased with the review. I do try to work hard on creating a city that looks good, my cities don't always look realistic but I like Imperial styles of design and planning and I enjoy making these cities. I wasn't expecting to see that the city planning is some of the best on Simtropolis (I say as everyone starts to argue for or against!!!). As mentioned it is a young CJ but I intend to keep this going I'm extremely pleased with my work and many who comment also enjoy it.

I also want to thank those that do comment, it doesn't take long and is greatly appreciated, I also want to thank those that come by and look.

Again my thanks for the review, readers can look forward to more eyecandy and majestic planning!!!!

[connor_v 3]

A Whole New Section on Up-and-Coming City Journals!

This week in Journals:

Preston by Patriots 03/18/2007

Patriots fifth City Journal, inspired by "Lloyd, Ontario" and "Schulmania", is looking bright. Preston, a fictitious Californian city, is a metropolitan masterpiece with colours that feel like Sim City 3000. I'd definetely check this one out.

Gibson Lake, Ontario by CrUnChBiTe 03/18/2007

Based on a Northern Ontario mining town founded in the forties, Crunchbite has started a walk through the history of the town. I can't see the pictures, but maybe you can. Check it out.

---

Sorry to cut this short, but my computer is making me angry.

I can't see any new pictures. I will post a better one on Friday the 30th. Sorry.

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Oooh, that's a great idea. It'd certainly increase the profile of many new city journals that have come out over the last week or so.

[connor_v 3]

New Alton - a City Journal by Dalton

Dalton's first CJ is an excellent portrayal of rural and oil boom towns. His realistic city building leads to excellent results at the end of the day.

His boom town update portrays a typical boom town, full of oil workers and thier money. The town is put together very well, with absolutely no repeating grid patterns. Dalton's refinery is very well done aswell, utilizing Maxis buildings and a wide variety of resources off of the STEX. But, this area had to be abandoned in later updates due to it's large size.

Dalton starts off his tour of the rural Cornwall area with one of the largest mosaics i've ever seen. There is a subtle beauty in the way his townships are laid out, and every one is unique. The town is also a very realistic rural hamlet, situated off the highway with a rough downtown core that has seen better days. Later on we get to see the forests, which I believe are made with Jeronij's Seasonal Woods. 

Overall, I think Dalton's first CJ is a success, it is above the normal "first CJ" level and I hope it will continue it's success for a long time coming. The only thing I don't like is Jeronij's Street Tress, but Dalton uses them well, utilizing other trees of the same type to make it work well.

Reader Review : All of Dalton's readers like the CJ for it's rural feel. 

Visit New Alton Today!

Review No. 11 - 03/25/07

[crunchbite 0]

Sorry about that. Problem with my webhost saying i was over my bandwidth (dont host anything but a couple picture) if you refresh the page they should come up now.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

WOW! The crictics are on fire, Great job on the last review guys!

[patriots_1228 51]

wow thats cool thanks.

oylmpus city review coming soon