ILL Tonkso's Review of SimCity

[Screwballl 196]

This is why many of us more hardcore players are looking more towards CIM2 (Cities in Motion 2) since they appear to get what the community wants, which EA forgot long ago turning every game into one of 3 offshoots. In this case a "Sims build a city" type game, or as we are starting to call it now, Simcity Socities 2.

[VeritaScientia 150]

This is why many of us more hardcore players are looking more towards CIM2 (Cities in Motion 2) since they appear to get what the community wants, which EA forgot long ago turning every game into one of 3 offshoots. In this case a "Sims build a city" type game, or as we are starting to call it now, Simcity Socities 2.

We? There's no "we" unless you've got multiple personalities.....

SimCity is a city simulator populated with Sims, just like New York City is a city populated with real people, real people built New York City, why shouldn't a true city simulator feature a city built by the simulated residents?

[Screwballl 196]

The problem is that EA is forcing the development of this new game into the economic and society based game which is already being seen as a "Simcity Society meets Sims", not the city builder we have been asking for.

Look at SCS compared to the new SC (2013):

SCS: SimCity Societies has a different gameplay compared to previous SimCity titles with less focus on "stricter city-planner roles", and more focus on "social-engineering". Sound familiar? Thats the same basis for SC13.

SCS: Complexity was reduced by removing the need to lay pipes and power grids. The ability to fund buildings individually, building evolution, and zoning were also not featured in the game

SC13: water and power is now handled by "Agents", but an orange poop is still a poop. SC13 ability for buildings to be turned on and off is just an update to lack of individual building funds (no more lowering power funding when it may be ruining your budget). SC13 forces the zone density based on the road it is placed next to, we no longer have a choice. Building evolution is also very limited, we can add modules to certain buildings, but the RCI buildings can only evolve or grow after we finish the proper challenges/goals.

SCS: The adviser system of previous SimCity games was replaced, with a city's status instead indicated to the player by the behaviour of citizens, with each building having an effect on citizen's behavior. Furthermore, there was an awards system to give players access to new buildings and other features when they meet certain goals.

SC13: look at the videos and blogs and screenshots, same system for SC13. Sims affect buildings, and buildings affect sims. Look at that Casino mentioned in the video. Place train station next to Casino and sims flood in for profits. with such a small city size, you can specifically direct sims where you want to go. So if anything this is automated Sims with ability to build some city buildings that affect them.

This is SCS2. Why else would they have such small and one size city squares, pre-built highways and rail between them, challenges and goals that must be accomplished before your town can grow at all, forced online usage, and such an extremely limited system in place? They are focused on the economics and social aspect of the game, thus SCS2.

[DeepDunker 9]

I really can see this being Sim Societies 2... I will definitly not be getting it as I don't always have internet access so it wouldn't even work!

I have to say that EA's attitude of "What do you do if yoou can't get on line" "c’est la vie" is very disturbing and unproffesional.

So let's look at the evidence:

Must be online to Load/save (and so play - DUH).

No density zoning.

Buildings may spam.

Restricted City sizes.

No modding for the forseeable future (if at all).

Caroony graphics.

Dead zones around buildings.

Dumbed down micro-management.

Limited population (Max 200,000 agents, 1 agent can be coal, electricity, water, SimPerson, vehicle, and more, so do the maths!)

It actually comes over as Sim City Societies with a dash of Cities XL Planet.

It think most hard-core Sim City fans will either not get this (like me) or get it but give up on it pretty quickly.

I have a horrible feeling that this game will kill the Sim City franchise for good (or at least for 15 - 20 years) unless EA folds and a better company grows up and gets the rights.

Oh and despite all their hype this is not a Maxis game, it just a couple of old Maxis people rehired by EA, and the Maxis logo splashed about.

[Mr Whippy 7]

This is why many of us more hardcore players are looking more towards CIM2 (Cities in Motion 2) since they appear to get what the community wants, which EA forgot long ago turning every game into one of 3 offshoots. In this case a "Sims build a city" type game, or as we are starting to call it now, Simcity Socities 2.

We? There's no "we" unless you've got multiple personalities.....

SimCity is a city simulator populated with Sims, just like New York City is a city populated with real people, real people built New York City, why shouldn't a true city simulator feature a city built by the simulated residents?

City planners responding to people's demand built NYC.

Real city planners can do lots more than sc2013 appears to be offering, while also having less clear data about populace desires to act upon.

Given sim city implies simulation, considering sc4 is almost a decade old its striking how much the sc2013 cities are further from simulated than ever. 2km2 size? Regions won't make up for that. My 15,000 pop local town would be 10 regions and its tallest buildings are 4 storey. Widest road 2 lane.

It's nowhere near being a sim vs sc4.

SC4 is still the king simcity.

Generally to all per all the negativity etc, if we are so wrong and it'll all be ok why are Maxis staff on here not clarifying issues? Reassuring our every question?

Nothing good to say and you best say nothing, ergo they must have nothing good to say to us?

All Maxis guys have said on here is vanilla political/marketing responses, no specific reassurances.

How can we expect people here who are here for their passion for all things sc2k 3k and 4 to not be upset that the game they are looking forward to I'd appearing as something entirely not for them.

Might be a good game in its own right but...

Dave

  Edited October 20, 2012 by CaptCity  

[CaptCity 4,893]

Well, this topic has definitely veered into several other areas covered in other threads...

Let's continue those discussions there...

[ILL Tonkso 1,239]

Ok, it has been a while since I played the Eurogamer build. I have noticed that a lot of what I said was missing, is no longer missing. The game has improved, drastically. Still not sure if I will buy (I need to upgrade first anyway) until the game has had time to mature though. There is still a way to go until it reaches the level of depth that Sim City 4 Vanilla offered.

 

I also want to clarify again, I am not one of those boring 'I HATE EA!!' types, they gave us 4, remember? I would love to have a chat with the devs over a beer one day Or skype Hint hint

 

I am still working at Portsmouth University on the Games Research and Development stuff (Pigs will be out soon, by the way) and I would love to build up some contact between Maxis and the University.

People have asked me to do a proper review one day too, when I play it properly, I will. I was a little unfair last time!