BlondeTwiggy

Sorry this review is a little short. (The CJ isn’t very big so I didn’t have much to go on, but that’s fine! I enjoyed reviewing it.) Unfortunately, I cannot be a critic anymore, since moderating and other stuff takes up a lot of time. I had a great time reviewing though and hopefully one day I’ll get back to it! At only five pages long, Estepaflip’s HESLAND is what I like to call a “hidden jewel” of the CJ section. An IPON member, Hesland offers a wide assortment of eyecandy, including mosaics, captions, maps, and news reports. Wow! Farms never looked so beautiful. Located near Poland on the Baltic sea, this varied region boasts Dutch, English, German, and French architecture, although its inhabitants speak French. A typical HESLAND scene. Strong points: Clean & open layouts, excellent BATs, and European architecture characterize this CJ. Suggestions: Sometimes the transitions between modern and old buildings are abrupt—don’t know if this is incredibly realistic as I have never been to Europe! (Ah, one day!) This mix can be refreshing yet startling, in a good way. You decide. I can just feel the trains rushing by in this picture…or I have an overactive imagination. Bottom line: Sharp, polished, and colorful, this journal certainly displays gem-like qualities. Stop by for a worthwhile visit!

balkair: PM one of the critics. Thanks all.

Well, I’m a little rusty on my review writing! Empire - The Beginnings DocRorlach DocRorlach’s city journal, simply dubbed Empire - The Beginnings, is only two weeks old on Simtropolis and already contains more than one can absorb at once. Doc (may I call you that?) executes stimulating Photoshopping with preciseness. Not merely over-saturating, transforming into 3D, or adding borders—he takes picture layout to a whole new level. There is so much going on in these cities it will make your head spin. I sat there for a few minutes, noticing all the little details of Brideshead, the capital city, and suddenly received a few jolts of inspiration from these beautifully divided avenues and canals. Several “tours” of Empire walk the reader through a certain city or section of a city, highlighting special buildings and offering sweeping views filled with animated boats, cars, and trains. Astounding. Strong Points: Superb mass transit systems – Doc plans and builds thoroughly. I especially liked the trams. Suggestions: The amount of text can be overwhelming, although Doc employs excellent grammar and spelling (something I, the English grammar obsessive, can appreciate). Bottom Line: To quote Schulmanator, “This CJ is destined for greatness.” Count on it, if Empire keeps up these kinds of updates.

DocRorlach: Your welcome Thanks for the link. I will definitely check that out! Amerikaner [Luke]’s SCJU journal Lorraine, influenced by Domena Lorella (Dark_Jedi06), has so far been consistent in its five pages of existence: predominately orange- and blue-roofed W2W buildings, accompanied by canals and wide plazas, dominate the spotlight. A crowded section of Gardens District After overcoming a line issue in his mosaics, Luke’s mosaic-making skills have become even more envy-worthy, incorporating horizontal flipping and breathtaking scenes. “I would give up my family’s prized goat if I could have your ability to make mosaics!” tigerplayer91 confesses in an early comment. (Indeed.) Lorraine’s Chloé-based newspaper, the Embassy, concerns itself mainly with SCJU affairs, fashion, and city expansions. “Tree-filled parks” in the Grangesteig District. I approve. Strong Points: I think Luke has a previously undiscovered knack for creating rural scenes. His island castle and Baron lac Rouge area are absolutely stunning. Suggestions: Although punctuated with diverse styles, endless W2W can be repetitive, IMO. However, Luke displays a new direction in his latest updates, stating that most residents of Lorraine live in the rural areas and not the bustling cities we have seen. Bottom Line: Characterized by bold colors and shameless photo editing, Lorraine is worth your time (and a comment).

I will, if it's all right... For the record, please PM reviewers for reviews

The Big Z: No problem! Kyle: Thanks! I like those CJ's too, so I guess you could say I was a little biased Haha, yeah, I still have more reviews to do, but keep an eye out, I should be done somewhat soon

Edit: Having problems. Sorry if there's another post by me under this. (The forum hates me tonight.)Drswhat316: That would be great. The Big Z: It certainly is amazing! Hope you liked yours. 2nerdy4u: Thank you so much The Empire of Garland - The Big Z Since its birth in mid-November of last year, The Empire of Garland, a journal by The Big Z, has been delighting and entertaining CJ frequenters. A fabulous French photo lights up Christmastime. A first look is highly promising: lively colors and cozy small-town scenes entice the reader to delve further into the journal. And Z usually includes only a few pictures per update, leaving us continually thirsting for more. (Perhaps a good business tactic on his part, no?) Color + detail in Z’s suburbs Suggestions: Although some pictures are irritatingly tiny, they make us appreciate the depth and beauty of the 800x600 ones more. Strong points: Crisp, clear colors are not distastefully over-saturated but add a cheery liveliness to Garland’s atmosphere. Bottom line: Don’t say I didn’t warn you: viewing of The Empire of Garland may be addictive.

The Republic of Bevelle – Bolder Than Ever! (Pages 5-25) In the previous review of Drswhat316 [Dan]’s CJ The Republic of Bevelle – Bolder Than Ever! (found on this page of the CJ Critics Thread), I praised its collaboration of the old and new. Continually deserving of the new name “bolder than ever,” Bevelle has significantly improved since my last visit. Have you ever seen such a beautified airport? Although Dan displays skill at making ports, parks, and populous areas, his earlier work (pgs. 5-7) is somewhat lacking in color and intensity, in my opinion. However, as you hit page 8, the atmosphere seems to shift: perhaps a premonition of greater talent that lies ahead? But in the latest updates (pgs. 20-25), no one can question the strikingly modern beauty of Bevelle’s cities—a visual proof to how subtly Dan has improved his developing building style in the past few months. Balancing stately architecture with tasteful parks is one of Dan’s trademarks. Suggestions: Even after the switch to Photobucket, the pictures loaded slowly for me, which is only a small problem, but still slightly annoying. Strong points: True to his nature, Dan displays creativity in his road/mass transit systems. After the glorious debut of his GLR slope (lol) and numerous inquiries about it, he graciously made a tutorial for us (find it here). Aurora is one of my favorite cities. Bottom line: After an incorporation of top-notch custom content and photo editing, along with Dan’s natural talent for citybuilding, Bevelle is highly worthy of your viewing time.

Haha, interesting read! I love Condor Bay.

England! That Green Pleasant Land! by Callbat England! That Green Pleasant Land! basically sums up Callbat’s artistic mission in the title: this recreation of his beloved country has managed to capture a pleasant and distinctly British atmosphere. Formal houses row on row and rolling green hills give way to busier sights: a “London-esque” activeness and majestic buildings permeate the latest updates. After overcoming a plug-ins issue, Callbat has continued to improve and expand his British cities. Suggestions: Try to stay away from the closest zoom for pics. That’s the only thing I could find wrong. Strong points: A refined taste in custom content and a well-organized, detailed look are Callbat’s trademarks. Bottom line: Although I have never visited the “green pleasant land,” I believe this journal is a beautiful representation of England!

The New Carpathia Confederation of Planets II: Destiny’s Call A CJ by zelgadis The New Carpathia Confederation of Planets II: Destiny’s Call by Zelgadis opens with a dramatic, well-made video and a thorough introduction of characters. Although I’m totally lost already (reading sequels with no knowledge of the background can be confusing!), it definitely looks exciting. Carpathia II seems to embody the whole sphere of sci-fi: starships, Trek references, subtle Star Wars themes, superdense cities, and advanced technology blend together to form the desired otherwordly feel. A highlight of this futuristic CJ is the hilariously “warped” sense of humor (according to some of the commenters) that Zelgadis sprinkles into the dialogue. From traffic-jam UDI jokes to “cocaine from heaven,” I could hardly keep from falling out of my chair laughing! Even if you don’t especially enjoy story CJs, Carpathia II has something to offer in the way of eyecandy. Although some of the cities are packed with grids and skyscrapers, Zelgadis incorporates a surprising amount of greenery and parks. Detailed, bright, and colorful, close-up shots display the time and effort the author has put into his work. Special attention is given to important buildings such as the Carpathian Embassy, Parliament Building, Finwe Manor, and the fantastically tall Velascoma Associates Building. Strong points: Zel combines interesting city planning and storytelling with the funny and dramatic episodes of his lovable (well, and a few not-so-lovable!) characters. Suggestions: Perhaps not so much Maxis, although I know how annoying repeats and Maxis BATs can be. Bottom line: Polished, witty, and full of surprises, Carpathia II’s story is a compelling read.

Good first review! One suggestion, Use "paste from word" or "paste as plain text" button (I think that's why those smilies are there! Edit: nevermind,they are gone, lol) But otherwise it was very well written. That sounds like an interesting CJ to visit. Masochist: That's what I thought, lol. So what's the difference between unactive and inactive?

I got 5, it's crazy , and haven't really had time to view CJ's lately. Fortunately people don't seem to mind to wait, at least, I hope not, or I'm going to have a lot of angry CJers lol

Awww hot dogs! lol Yeah, nobody uses the planning thread.. Is there a list of active critics at the beginning of this thread ?

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..

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!

^^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. :/

Preston: 1789-1822 by Shingure The introduction to Shingure’s Preston begins in 1789 with only small black-and-white photographs to give us a glimpse of its early life. Gradually, Shingure expands his little village through reader involvement, magnificent population increases, and social reforms. Excitedly one watches the infant town grow… Promptly an election is held for the Mayor’s office; the two opponents, 2nerdy4u and bighaben, show promising potential as the excellent leaders of Preston and Olney respectively. Disgruntled citizens even get to send letters complaining to the newly elected Mayors. Realistic, no? Strong points: I especially enjoy the readers’ participation in the progression of the CJ. Shingure incorporates polls and asks his commenters how the journal should continue, giving Simtropolians a say in the fate of the, uh, Prestonians. The "election" was also a great addition, in my opinion. Suggestions: Although I realize Preston is a small town, perhaps there could be more variety in the pictures (commercial, parks?). Bottom line: Preston is a realistic, entertaining read.

Congrats patriots!!

The Mayors of Ellis Valley by Benedict Benedict’s CJ, The Mayors of Ellis Valley, is a wittily-written account of various mayors’ lives in Ellis Valley. Juicy gossip, hilarious narratives, political scandals, startling secrets, and insanely minute details make Benedict’s storytelling fascinating—not to mention addictive. The soap-opera style drama and political corruption begins with somewhat insignificant agricultural town mayors. But in this place where “every Sim has a secret,” no city is safe from their laziness, hunger for power, and dishonesty. Although Benedict does not use mods or BATs, he makes good use of existing Maxis buildings and embellishes with photo editing so that the pictures are realistic and directly related to the story. His fantastic region boasts over 100,000 Simcitizens—aka 100,000 secrets. Or more. Oh yes, because in this Valley, nothing is as it seems. Strong points: I love how Benedict uses the game’s original features and tiny details (that most others would not notice) and spins an intriguing tale around them. Suggestions: Well, I would say “Use custom content,” but most readers do not realize that this is a purely vanilla CJ. Bottom line: Pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show!

I know Im lazy patriots haha, but i'll be posting some reviews soon Awesome, Eddie, I always enjoy reading your reviews! Mikes showcase is great! I must visit again sometime, haven't done so lately.

The Republic of Bevelle – A Blend of New and Old a CJ by Drswhat316 Dsrwhat316’s relatively new CJ, The Republic of Bevelle, is a perfectly balanced showcase of the “old European feel” with “new, cutting-edge” style. Clean, sharp lines seem to represent the modern aspects of Bevelle, while older yet still-beautiful buildings add an unexpected flair of traditional architecture. Combine that with ingenious mass transit—think sunken highway, crazy intersections, even a beautiful GRL underpass—and you get a wonderfully well-rounded city. Interspersed with the mélange of buildings are fine details: park trails, canals, colorful trees. Many before/after pictures give us a peek into the constantly evolving skyline of Bevelle. Suggestions: Hmmm… Maybe more green, you can never have enough of that, I don’t think. But really, I can’t think of anything. Strong points: Drswhat’s downtown, mass transit, and scenic areas are all excellent. Bottom line: Classic citybuilding at its best makes this CJ enjoyable.

Constitutional Monarchy of Mackinac - A CJ by sEAhAwk fAn121 sEAhAwk fAn121’s latest City Journal, the Constitutional Monarchy of Mackinac (yes, name change), is the vast accumulation of much hard work. After the untimely death of Meadowlark Falls, a promising endeavor, Seahawk decided to approach a different style for his Pacific Coast CJ. After the former St. Helena (an impressive city), the new and improved Mackinac seems, in my opinion, wishful in its attempts to reminisce scenes of its predecessor. However, the citybuilding is well-done, and Seahawk’s fascination (…ok, “healthy interest” ) with airports and airlines is prominently displayed throughout the pages. Seahawk’s spontaneous posts, mammoth airports, and sometimes-experimental photo editing make for exciting updates at times. Suggestions: Sometimes photos need “finishing,” or filling in the plain, open green spaces. Even if it is just temporarily with Maxis trees or something, it's usually a good idea. Strong points: When Seahawk channels his creativity on one project, the results are quite impressive. Bottom line: From dual downtowns to detailed airports, Mackinac is always worth a look.

Oh, thank you, Eddie!! I adore the review haha, "testosterone-ridden journals"

^^ if the author wants a review, he can PM a critic belfastuniguy: No problem, Im glad you liked it Everyone: Thanks, Im trying to improve my writing style, (ah English class lol) The Making of Brookeshire – a CJ by crazyyaya Somewhat of a tutorial-type journal, The Making of Brookeshire is based on crazyyaya’s structured citybuilding and organizational skills. Literally taken from the ground up, Brookeshire begins with an awe-inspiring transportation system consisting of road networks and a cleverly sunken railroad. He gradually works his way into a downtown, adding details and showcasing interesting buildings. Actions are shown step-by-step as crazyyaya slowly builds his metropolis. Suggestions: Turn off the grid when taking pictures, and be wary of repeat Maxis (or even custom content) buildings. Strong points: I rather liked the detailed sunken mall—a very unique idea in my opinion—and the step-by-step approach to building the city. Bottom line: The well-planned Making of Brookeshire is an innovative outlook on CJing.