The Official City Journal Critics Thread Archive

[anarchy0029 2]

Thanks for the info. Looking forward.

[anarchy0029 2]

Hey i was also wondering if you can do a review of my CJ, give your honest thought of the city. Click on the link below and maybe some improvements that can be made. Thanx. & Happy Holdiays.

[patriots_1228 51]

just thought id say to those i promised CJ reviews that they will be up tommorow or monday, i didnt have the time i expected today.

[patriots_1228 51]

anarchy, bbfan. Please pm critics for reviews, thank you

[SpecialEddie 3]

Waterfalls by patfirefghter

Pat's CJ Waterfalls is one filled with inconsistencies, but if worked upon shows much promise. Similar to other nature-based CJ's such as Jacqulina's Waterfalls, pat has created a semi-realistic rural setting, filled with rushing rivers, flower-filled riverbanks, and rustic logging factories. 

However, the bodies of waters in Pat's CJ is not as convincing as one might hope. Using Peg's pond kit, the water's edges are very jagged and quite unrealistic. However, with a bit of tinkering and exploring of custom content, the kinks can be folded out. 

Though it has its problems, Pat's Waterfalls is (are) steadily improving and with a bit more time, it shows steady promise. Definitely worth a visit.

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

To all the hard working CJ Critics - Especially the "King of The CJ Critic Section" ;-)...

Jest a quick note to say...

Good work - keep it up...

Can't wait for more... (XD)

[anarchy0029 2]

Thank you kindly. I will consider the advice of it. And devise a creative way.

[patriots_1228 51]

unfortuantly, I've been very busy lately, and won't have time to review for a while. So, to those who have requested reviews from me, im sorry but i won't be able to complete them unless your willing to wait for a month.

[patriots_1228 51]

Hypertrophy
by anarchy0029

Hypertrophy, by anarchy0029, is a young CJ with an intriguing story. The pictures are average, with a handful of gems, but a handful of not-so-gems also. As a new CJer, anarchy does just enough to keep the reader intrested though. 

Hypertrophy, pulling a page from Georgias book, is about a settlement where the US sends all its prisoners. The Story isn't "War and Peace", but it is interesting and fun to read, as well as very creative. The City building starts off slow but begins to show signs of improvement during the CJ. For example, at the beginning, there is a severe lack of custom content, zots, and zones. The ideas of anarchy keep this CJ flying though. The Military base is not the most well built, but it is once again something that you'll spend time looking at. Besides, as long as you capture the readers attention, who cares about anything else?

As the CJ Progresses, it begins to show mild improvements. We start to see custom content, textures, water etc. Toolbars and zots show up less. Something anarchy does very well is utilize diagonal roads/avenues very well. If he could mix in some variety, like streets and one ways, he could have some top notch transit networks. Repition, maxis,and zots continue to remain as problems in this journal though. Hypertrophy is not a great looking city from afar, but there are some nice closeups in it, usually which focus on custom content. Later on in the journal, anarchy really starts to show some promise. His downtowns are more of the Build 1000 skyscrapers variety, but i don't think there is anything wrong with that if you use custom content and make it vary. Early on, we had 20 of the same maxis building on the same block, but, by now, its a good fantasy skyscraper city.

The problem is, our maxis repitition problem comes back to bite us in the ass every time we think its gone. Anarchy, this is a key area to work on.

Good:
Transit networks
Story
creativity

needs work:
repitition
maxis

o, and don't reply after each comment, it gets annoying

[patfirefghtr 160]

Eddie thank you for the review and I will be improving most defintly.. Thank you again - pat

[Abc987 3]

Just so everyone knows, I'm still up for reviewing, so PM me!

BTW, am I allowed to ask people if they want their CJ reviewed? I haven't reviewed in a VERY long time!

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

What? Patriots having a life? Unacceptable!

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Originally posted by: waway625 how old does a CJ have to be before it can be reviewed?quote>

 

Your CJ is 4 pages and some nice shots... plenty for a review... give one of the critics a PM... Blonde Twiggy or jrhnemo are looking for CJs to review. 

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

I don't see a problem PMing someone and asking if they would like a review.

[waway625 72]

how old does a CJ have to be before it can be reviewed?

[patriots_1228 51]

The Republic of Solomon
by connorc24




The Republic of Solomon, by connorc24, is the largest country in the Adrian Union. around 3 months old, this huge country provides a taste of everything our world has to over, from booming asian metropolises along the east coast, to historic European cities on the western parts on the country. Well organized, this political journal combines great pics with great entertainment. 

Solomon contains some great examples of city building.No areas stand out in particular, everything is rock solid. Unlike some CJers (cough, patriots, cough) there is a huge variety in the pics. We see stunning nature scenes that could be confused for paridise falls, and then two pics later we are in a dense asian metropolis. Your always on your toes in this journal, wondering whats next. The european cities, like Orel, contain a variety of european architecture, Which looks nice alot, although some times america, germany, and britain don't fare too well together on the same block. Connor does alot of interesting things that aren't often scene in most journals. His parks are actually made out of seawalls, only we see the top part so you cannot tell.Not only does this journal entertain, it educates. Its like PBS, with 50 percent less suckage. As ive said before, controlling the different styles of architecture can be a ***** for this journal sometimes though. For example, a bright blue carriblean tower and some arabian concrete apartments really take the "oomf" out of A beautiful european area.

Architecture aside, the cities are really fantastic. The Roads are going to knock your jaw off, but they are an effective mix of grid and anti grid, street and road, etc. Connor has a beautiful el-rail running through his city, and does an excellent job of presenting the Trans Jintu rail line, a rail line being constructed that connects the Adrian/Jintu world. The flora matches perfectly with the terrain, i bet it's because connor likes to plan fashion outfits (jk).

Connors Asian cities are just as good. They are super dense, which may be a tad unrealistic, but i guess a lot of people like that stuff. One city, Akita, (my favorite) is like a asian manhatten. Its a sea of skyscrapers, and then theres a huge park in the middle. If that doesn't turn you on, you need to ask your doctor about viagra. A lot of people are attracted to a certain genre of CJ's, wether it be asian, paris style, european, american, or w/e. Well, connor is a master at them all. You cannot pick between his paris city (genoa) and his asian city (Akita). They are all fantastic, exhibit great BATs and city building, and will leave you wanting more. Im not going to go on mindlessly ranting about how much i like this journal. Just click the link already!

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

^^Me neither. I got only 2 lined up (that I know of). And one is from like last November. But I think the CJ is dead, so I'll PM the author and ask if he still wants the review or not.

So sorry I haven't been posting here as much. :/

[connorc24 2]

Wow patriots! That was quite a heart warming review!!! lol. Thanks so much for that. I didn't know people liked my journal that much.

Thanks again!

[NMUSpidey 3,956]

It's pretty easy to spot the difference between greatness (The Republic of Solomon) and mediocrity (Port Matthew and Vicinity). Keep up the great work!

[bbfan02 23]

Wow, great review! It really tells the truth!

[anarchy0029 2]

Nice review of the CJ.

[patriots_1228 51]

and use pink fonts because it makes the updates stick out

lmfao, good review twiggs, although my eyes kill.

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Tigerplayer91 asked for a few pointers on how to make his new CJ better, so I wrote this review a bit differently than usual.   I hope it is helpful to him and any other new CJers!

---

Tigerplayer91’s fledgling CJ, Crystal River, is astonishingly sophisticated in its approach.  His illuminated downtown and solid citybuilding style testifies to a grand source of potential in this new journalist.

I especially liked the parks (of course! ) and the Photoshopping here. 

Random Comments:

My personal advice as a newspaper-maker myself (albeit not necessarily a good one, so do with it as you will!): take advantage of the full 800x600, and use different fonts, sizes, and colors to attract readers’ attention. (Ah, variety!)   If you desire realism, I’ve found that obtaining a copy of your city’s newspaper and trying to imitate its appearance in Photoshop can improve layout.  Otherwise, be as crazy, or organized, as you wish. 

Turn off the grid (hit "G") for prettier pictures.

Final Conclusion:

There aren’t many updates to critique, but Tiger appears to have the willingness—and ability—to be a fantastic CJer. 

My general suggestions to any CJer are as follows:

1.  Stick with it.  Don’t give up because of negative comments, failed cities, or lack of recognition for your journal.  I've seen many CJ's that would have been great, if their authors hadn't given up. 

2.  Treat commenters courteously.  Who doesn’t like getting comments? Obviously, commenters are a very important part of your journal.  Reply to them thoughtfully, answer questions, & be respectful, even when they aren't respectful to you, lol. 

3.  Do your best.  I get inspiration from the Show Us Your… threads and the other CJ’s.  You would do well to notice their city layouts, details, and any other interesting ideas used.  Ultimately, always try to outdo yourself with each new update. 

Lastly, remember that having fun is the most important part of making a CJ! 

[GreekMan 246]

nice review!

[tankmank 853]

very nice review

[PhilsCafe 8]

Great job with the quality reviews you guys. It's a good mix of praise and constructive criticism. Way to go!

[GreekMan 246]

great review pats

1. pick a different color other than grey

2. that is not a bad pic!

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

LOL Patriots, that was a great review

DioAngel: *cough*PM a reviewer*cough*

Anybody got a cough drop?  We appear to have a lot of sick people over here..

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

My god, I'm flattered! I had to drop my banana that I was eating down when I read that review, It was extremely funny! Thank you so much for the review

BTW, Why'd you have to pick that horrible harbor mosaic?

[patriots_1228 51]

Please pm critics for a review, thank you.