SimCity 4

The old favourite returns in one of the biggest releases of the year. Literally.

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The controls of the game are very well laid out, having changed little from older versions, and this will please long-term aficionados. However, for those uninitiated there are helpful tutorials explaining every aspect of the game. The ‘regions’ available to shape and build upon are much larger in this game – allowing you to build multiple cities with ties (based on business deals) between them. This adds greatly to the length of the game, meaning expansion can continue for far longer than older SimCity games.

Maxisland is the default region, but various pre-constructed scenarios and opportunities to create are available in regions based on London, New York, Berlin and San Francisco. Maxis also promise downloadable content of this kind soon.

As ever – creating the ideal city is a balancing act between zones, and ensuring that the whole city is well supplied with various services. Police, hospitals, schools, water, electricity, public transport, roads – all play a very important and time-consuming role from a micromanagement perspective, as you try to balance the books by changing budgets, whilst still trying to keep your city on the right tracks.

This micromanagement can be very taxing, if you’ll pardon the pun, but at least you’ve advisers in SimCity 4 that will help point out where you’re going wrong. Sadly, with number four, it is ridiculously easy to over-spend and end up in huge debt (thanks to some almighty ‘loan’ options), as you race to expand your city. I would advise caution on this front, and to keep a close eye on your monthly outgoings, as you’ll be shocked to find yourself bankrupt otherwise.

Disasters play quite a large role in SimCity 4, from fires and tornados to earthquakes, and giant robot attacks, as Mayor you’ll find yourself managing all kinds of chaos, directing emergency services and generally panicking as your vision crumbles before you. Such events are a visual treat, as are industrial disputes in the streets, and troops moving around their bases. This is Maxis’ most complete vision of a city to date, and its wondrous to see it in action.

All in all then, SimCity 4 takes an already well established and finely crafted game concept that next stage further. Whilst there’s nothing ground breaking here, the improvements and additions in SimCity 4 are nonetheless very impressive, Maxis having created a game of absolutely epic proportions. You may find yourself tiring of the same formula (and the necessities of micromanagement) before you come anywhere near completing or exploring the full potential of the game, but that doesn’t stop it being deeply impressive and very addictive indeed, especially as you toy with your new-found freedom, and relish your world coming to life before you.

A quick word of warning, SimCity 4 is something of a beast in the technical department, so you’ll want to make sure your PC’s specifications are well above the minimum so you can enjoy SimCity at its smooth-running finest.

A veritable feast for the mind and senses.

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By Luke Guttridge