SpecialEddie

Okay, not another "Show us" thread. But this is bound to be interesting, because I've seen in the "Show us your accomplishments" thread, that it's mostly wide-shots of your city. And some of the pics are either in region view or far-zooms, so you only get the general overview of the city, and you don't see any close-up detail. I've looked in the forums, and I there isn't a topic on this. Huzzah! Plus, with SC4 being amazingly detailed to begin with (now with the STEX, it's even more detailed), there's bound to be tons of stuff to see in the closest zooms. Huzzah, once again! Here's some close-up details of my port, in my city called Callisto Coast. A cargo ship docked in the harbor. A crane near the docks. Wow. Look at the detail in those wharves. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN! Show us your city's detail/close-ups!

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.

Originally posted by: purpledaddy Well hey, just a hunch from a bureaucrat, perhaps the nominator meant the whole team and didn't know how to express it! Anyway quote> Trust me. I meant patriots.

Mike's Showcase! Mikeaut's CJs have never failed to disappoint and his Showcase (!) is no different. It makes for an excellent addition to his city journaling resume. Mike's Showcase is a surprising bundle of CJs rolled into one delightful package. But even though Mikeaut's cities closely resemble one another, variety is definitely not lacking in this showcase. That might seem contradictory, but the level of detail and depth that is exhibited in Mike's updates show diversity and as a city-builder, this author without a doubt exhibits great range. Suburbs, beaches, ports, and skyscraping downtowns are just some of the areas that exhibited in great detail. Mikeaut is a master at making his environments, familiar yet different each time. He continues his well-known tropical theme, but branches off into coastal and wooded cities as well (resembling Seattle and Portland, etc.). Trees are abundant in Mike's Showcase and his dense CBDs are almost always surrounded by nature, making for a spacious and natural feel. Though Mike has moved on to more temperate climates, there's always a bit of Cabel Bay in whatever he does. Planning is another plus in Mike's Showcase. The downtowns transition quite naturally into suburbs (dense to middle to low), adding to the journal's realistic theme. Urban centers are planned out nicely and the suburbs (the author's specialty) resembles that of any American city's. His CJ could be right outside your doorstep. Other familiar Mikeaut trademarks include his famous traffic cam gifs, his beaches (which could use some fixing--they're too bland and the jagged edges are really outdated), and the focus put on individual buildings (hotels, residential buildings). However, his Plugins could definitely use updating. This isn't 2004 anymore! Despite some inconsistencies, Mikeaut has done it again. He's made another well-crafted CJ and 30+ pages later, it's a determined effort! Suburbs, snow, palm trees, beaches, and skyscraper--Mike's Showcase has it all. -Highly Recommended

We made it!

Tierra de la Oscuridad, Pg. 19+ BlondeTwiggy's 29 page giant, Tierra de la Oscuridad is a unique and colorful twist on the CJ genre. Filled with winding roads and stunning rural scenery, Tierra definitely stands out within a board of testosterone-ridden city journals filled with mindless violence and explosions (). Drawing influence from Dutch and other European cities, as well as taking note of American suburbia, BlondeTwiggy's CJ is in a category all by itself. It's quite hard to place Oscuridad in a specific genre when the likes of this journal has never been seen before. And in a board suffering from cliches and cookie cutter city-building, the abundance of attention this CJ is getting is rightfully deserved. Tierra de la Oscuridad is a CJ that caters to all tastes. Whether it's sprawling farmland or unpopulated scenic areas to crowded skyscraper-filled CBDS and densely populated rowhouse districts, Oscuridad is a journal that will please the masses. Twiggy's Oscuridad also showcases a varying array of wonderful BATs. Styles range from BSC classics to virtually unknown landmarks that shine when put into her cities. Even Venetian/Mediterranean BATs that would otherwise feel out-of-place in other CJs fits in perfectly within BlondeTwiggy's world. Another great aspect of BT's journal is the creative use of roads and the lack of grids. The reader's eyes run wild as they attempt to follow Oscuridad's imaginative street-layouts. Diagonal roads intersecting at awkward angles and twisting avenues that hug the sides of steep, retaining walls give a glimpse into the crazy but creative inner workings of BlondeTwiggy's artistic mind. Tierra de la Oscuridad is a CJ that caters to all tastes and presents a unique view into the unlimited possibilities of city-building. BlondeTwiggy's CJ is a must-visit and a must-follow. Get to know the author, get to know the city, and maybe--just maybe--you might discover something about yourself along the way... Highly recommended. On hiatus! No more PMs!

Republic of Shagrin Moshi's city, the Republic of Shagrin, is quite unimpressive at first but improves vastly over the next couple of pages (overall, 5). The CJ starts with your cliche disaster headline then right away shows pictures of the city's first development. Though the terrain is quite gorgeous, the city-building is not. The first city overview is riddled with dozens of repeating Maxis buildings. Not a good first impression so far. But Moshi does promise "it'll get better" so let's stick around. Despite the mediocre attempts at making a downtown, Moshi does specialize in making interesting transportation systems. His use of high-speed rail adds character to the city and his freeway interchanges make for some nice visuals. However, the transportation systems still don't make up for the surrounding city, which has an abundance of repeating buildings (the Maxis dinner theater appears 6 times in one block). However, the CJ improves very quickly and the next few updates have more effort and thought put into them. Massive government centers are well-planned and the choice of BATs is quite impressive. Moshi's selection of BAT hints at frequent visits to the Massively Gigantic Japanese BAT thread. The government update is the highlight of the CJ. Well laid-out canals and organized political structures show that Moshi is improving quickly. The Republic of Shagrin shows high signs of promise and at its current rate of improvement, it looks to have a bright future.

Whoah. Well done, Gingerblokey. Nice use of graphics and the writing is top-notch, too.

Mesias-Latin American CJ Mesias by panthersimcity4 was one of the earlier South American inspired CJs (dating back a year). It perfectly captures the feel of a South American city--complete with sunny picture effects and well chosen showcase of BATs. The city-building, despite some minor flaws, is well-executed, and custom lot-editing as well as a sense of originality is what sets this CJ apart from the cookie cutter approach of other journals. Mesias's strength is in capturing the look and atmosphere of a Latin American city. The choice of BATs is excellent--from European colonial-styled buildings to modern contemporary architecture. Mesias has a little bit of everything. It would be impossible to name all the influences, though Guayaquil, Ecuador/Santiago, Chile/Buenos Aires/and Mexico City seem to be the most obvious. Custom lot-editing is a nice touch as well. Parked cars along cobbled streets add a unique touch to Mesias's Latin world though the repeating line of cars take away from the effect. Nevertheless, personal touches such as these serve to personalize the city. Mesias, just like South America, is a place of contrast. Towering skyscrapers give way to small rural villages, while wealthy colonial mansions overshadow corrugated slums. It's these extremes that make Mesias so realistic. panther's CJ perfectly captures the feel of Latin America--it's the closest thing to South America without leaving your chair. Reccommended. Similar CJs Casaneras San Sanderiz

The City Life What's so interesting about a few close-up views of a white van and a couple of cars? Not much. Screamingman12's CJ, the City Life, is a story-based journal which has potential, but is weighed down with weak visuals and city-building. It starts off with a good enough hook and the story flows smoothly, but note that this section of Simtropolis is called a City Journals, not Cars. As I've stated before, the story does have potential. The dialogue is fluid and interesting, while the story itself is somewhat suspenseful. The robbery and connection between the mysterious passerby makes for some attention-grabbing moments. However, the CJ is then bogged down with more shots of cars. More effort needs to be put into the city-building. The entire CJ feels like an empty Hollywood set--as if there's nothing beyond what we see in the pictures. The more time spent on building the environment and setting (adding accessories to the streets, buildings, etc.) the story will tell itself and the characters Screamingman12 has established will feel more realistic functioning in a detailed environment. The City Life is recommended for a light, suspenseful read. Just came back from watching the Bourne Ultimatum? Screamingman's CJ should keep you in check for now.

I just read through all my reviews: 27 and counting! And in about 2 months, The Official City Journal Critics thread will celebrate 1 year of great reviews. Glad to have been here since the beginning.

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 hehe when was this?quote> Page 18.

That'll do for now.

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 do ever do anything but review? your turning this into a one-man (in this case one-women) team lol. Another great one.quote> I never heard anything from you when *I* reviewed 5 CJ's in a row...

Urland a (mostly) rural coastline Nardo69 is bringing the classics back--with a bang. His Trixie winning CJ, Urland a (mostly) rural coastline, is a cleverly crafted city and rural-building masterpiece. With the first updates dating back two years, it's a wonderful glimpse of how much Simcity and its custom content has changed over time. As the title indicates, Urland is not all rural (though a majority of it is). Little towns dot the farm-dominated landscape, which spreads across flat plains and sweep through hilled valleys. The farms and small towns are quite rustic and cozy. Urland is best viewed with a hot cup of chocolate and the orange tinge of autumn flowing through your windows. Yes, it's that good, people. The farms are a wonderful blend of default Maxis lots and BSC customs, which blend beautifully in the setting--not easy to do! In the wrong hands, BSC farms can grow out of control into a mess of over-colorful agriculture. Fortunately, Nardo knows his stuff, and he's also willing to share his secrets (guides can be found on how he builds farms, too). With the farms covered, we now move on to the small towns. No glass skyscrapers here, folks, so if you were looking for some good urban jungles, you're in the wrong place. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't visit Urland, however. Nardo's small towns are a joy to see. With little mom and pop stores in the street corners and tiny residential neighborhoods tightly packed, Urland's small towns make you feel right at home. Spanning 26 pages, it's easy to see why Urland rightfully deserves its Best Rural CJ Trixie. Be sure to have that cup of hot chocolate with you as well because Urland is a long CJ which makes for a great weekend read. It really takes you back--back to the good old days. Similar CJ's: Digby Ralston Metro Area Anduin River Valley

Post card from Aberni crazyyaya's CJ, Post card from Aberni, is a city that relies too heavily on picture editing and not much else. Though there's an interesting storyline, oversaturated pictures really take away from the reading experience. The story, which tells of an all-out war between two religious groups mirrors the current situation in the Middle-East, but with weak visuals, doesn't really impact the reader as much as it should. The title is somewhat confusing as well. The post cards don't even appear until the second page--and who would want to see post cards of heavily armed military bases? "Wish you were here at the Warzone." Right. But the CJ itself has its fair share of positives. The story is well-written. There are few grammatical errors, and it has the feel of a well-made political thriller. That narrative of Amash Noj (the main protoganist) is also one to take seriously and the unique storytelling device of using time to mark entries in a journal-esque style is an interesting one at that. Though the CJ is heavily reliant on Photoshop or other picture-editing softwares and the city-building itself looks weak and rushed, the story of Amash Noj is enough to keep any reader interested and hooked to crazyyaya's political thriller. That's all for now. Wish you were here. -SpecialEddie

Originally posted by: crazyyaya P.S. How do you change topic titles?quote> Edit the first post of your CJ. There should be an option below the title to change the topic.

Wh-when did THIS happen? Welcome to the Critics Thread, blondetwiggy.

Originally posted by: Shingure Glenni does make a good point. Although Im not sure if the author put the implication of a Parisian style influence.quote> He didn't put any implication at all. If it causes this much confusion, it shouldn't be there in the first place.

Vandals Fjella, Page 9 onwards I*** is a censored and forbidden word [here], why you may ask? because it's swedish! quote> The censored word? IKEA. So says Glenni concerning his CJ, Vandals Fjella, a Norwegian-inspired city. Vandals Fjella (Vandal Mountains) is a region heavily influenced by rural Scandinavia and urban Oslo, Norway. Norwegian landmarks such as the Royal Palace can even be seen in his cities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_in_Oslo Speaking of cities, Glenni's urban centers are crowded but modern wall-to-wall towns. His cities glimmer with glass and concrete BAT's (some custom) that blend quite well with older, more historical landmarks. Glenni's CJ is also one of the first to incorporate heavy use of diagonal BAT's. It works well enough, but doesn't fit in as well as other buildings. Sharp angles stick awkwardly into other structures and even into busy streets. A tad bit overused? Maybe. With the urban centers covered, we now move to the rural areas of Vandals Fjella. The small towns are gorgeous in the wooded, mountainous settings, and the scenic black lakes are crossed by long, brick bridges. Custom lot-editing really shine during these updates, as well. The use of curving paths are an excellent addition to the tiny villages, and tours of the lakes and fjords bring Scandinavia right to your computer screen. Boats and cruise ships sail the deep lakes alone, giving a sense of quiet isolation. From lonely houses to small farms, wooded forest to glass and steel cities, Glenni's Vandals Fjella has it all. A realistic portrayal of Norway, Vandals Fjella is Scandinavian to the core... ...it just needs an IKEA. -Highly reccomended.

I don't have the right to approve reviewers (that's patriots' job), but I really like the way you have CJ's of the Week in your sig. They're well written, too. Ever considered being a critic?

The Islamic Republic of Cot'e de Barbare M'oslemakk When is a CJ's title too long? Well with a name such as Cot'e de Barbare M'oslemakk-Islamic Republic of the Barbary Coast, you can decide for yourself. But long name aside, TheSixCents's Islamic Republic is a pretty impressive political city journal. It uses the standard mold for government CJ's (flag, seal, history), but gives a unique twist on the genre. Colorful picture-editing, and a dedication to accurately depicting an Arabic nation make the Islamic Republic of the Barbary Coast a definite read. There's not much to see on the first page of TheSixCents's CJ, but his work truly shines from Page 2 onwards. There's only 3 pages in the CJ, but you get the point. Even though one of the pictures appears as it if it was misplaced in the journal (it looks more like a Parisian counterpart and sticks out like a sore thumb), the rest do just fine of portraying the look and feel that TheSixCents was aiming for. With flaws aside, TheSixCents does an excellent job of custom lot-editing frogface slum lots to give the effect of a dusty, sandy desert. Roads are used sparingly and that's what gives the Barbary Coast a boost of realism. Asphalt streets would look out of place, but with LE, parked cars on sandy roads gives the CJ a whole other level of reality. Along with dusty photoshop effects, the Barbary Coast is establishes itself as one of ST's premier desert cities. Fans of frogface's Emirate of Khaled looking for something to do (or anyone else for that matter) should give Cot'e de Barbare M'oslemakk a look. TheSixCents's stunning picture-editing and good eye for Arabic-looking BAT's makes the reader feel as if he or she were really in the environment. Similar CJ's The Emirate of Khaled

Bayhill by Shingure Shingure's fourth CJ attempt, Bayhill is a confusing jumble of urban concrete, sprawling rural farmland, and oddly sloped cities. That's not neccesarily a bad thing, but the negatives out-weigh the positives in this situation. Welcome to Bayhill. Hey Dont be too hasty.quote> Those are Shingure's first words in his thread, and hopefully you'll stay with this reviewer for the next couple of paragraphs. At first glance at Shingure's city, one notes the pixelated images and the curiously sloped neighborhoods. Buildings are literally hoisted up on 50 foot supports. Realism-fanatics will certainly be leaving the thread at this point. Those who stay however, will be treated to the next batch of images: farms that seem to ''hug'' the landscape and more odd slopes, as well as a couple of normal-looking neighborhoods. The CJ gets stranger after the first update, though. Skyscrapers are plopped in the middle of nowhere, and roundabouts that make no sense whatsoever plague the neighborhood, while a tornado destroys everything anyway. But why would a tornado strike a place with so many hills and mountains in the first place? By now, Bayhill is pretty much established as a series of random, abstract SC4 images. Though it might not be everyone's cup of tea, there will no doubt be those who will enjoy the city. It's odd, quirky and out of the ordinary. It's down-right original, and that's a plus. Bayhill is still in its infancy, but readers looking for something unique will feel right at home in Shingure's world.

Originally posted by: Schulmanator Special Eddie: Trust me, tornadoes *DO* strike mountainous and hilly areas. I used to think they didn't too -- till they started coming in droves around where I grew up about 15 years ago.... and they just keep on coming. Almost saw one myself, F2F. A funny story, actually!quote> Well, okay...but ground elevation usually has a factor in tornados. Where did you used to live? Anyway, new review! Verona: Classical Era UltraGIR XL's CJ, Verona: Classical Era is an extremely detailed historical account of a city's steps towards time. But though it may be detailed in word count, the city-building lacks in quality, and the pictures are somewhat on the small side. Come on! We're here to look at pictures! In the CJ's first updates, we follow the colonization and settlement of Verona, and two characters are introduced into the mythos: Meloy and Brideau (one of whom is a governor). One positive in the CJ is the incorporation (or lack of) of roads. Ancient cities and Medieval towns did not have black asphalt so the use of pedestrian tiles is a plus. The believability of a historical CJ is usually taken away when roads and cars zoom around in an ancient Roman environment. UltraGIR does an excellent job of leaving them out. But soon enough the city catches fire, and it makes to satisfy the pyromaniac in us all. The dialogue during these scenes are particularly rich and realistic. Though not everyone may have the attention span to follow the adventures of Meloy and Brideau (among other narrators through time), Verona has an impressive array of images, small as they may be. The city-building improves through time (and as the CJ progresses) and it is a joy to see Verona develop a history and go through economic and cultural growth. Fans of Schulmania and other historical gems should give UltraGIR's Verona a look.