login sign up feeds about

SimCity 4

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

Having wasted a large and vital (to my development) part of my youth to this most addictive of games, I felt pretty certain that I could handle whatever insanely addictive freedoms it threw at me, whilst remaining sane and focussed upon the job in hand. Sadly, I overestimated my professionalism wildly, and soon found myself transported backward in time to my salad days, when the Playstation was but a glimmer in Sony’s (or was that Nintendo’s) eye.

• images (25)

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • all 25 images

• game info

  • 

  • Publisher:

    Developer:

    Release Date:

  • more

• related stories

• pc

  • Star Wars: Battlefront III hinted
  • Channel 4 partnering with Introversion on game
  • Technology still vital - id Software
  • Controversial content for Fallout 3
  • EA to create Facebook Scrabble
  • more

This was of course the game that started the whole simulation, sand-pit style, free-form, Tycoon shebang, and it seems fitting that Maxis’ most original creation should still be standing many moons later, as one of the PC’s most impressive and accomplished games so far this year.

Fans of the game, and I’m aware that there are plenty, will be pleased to note that fundamentally very little has changed, Maxis have merely expanded the game in a few areas, made more detailed others, and generally given everything a good spit and polish. The God mode is perhaps the biggest addition, though it’s hardly key to the SimCity 4 experience, it does add yet another option at the players disposal.

Using this mode before your city construction begins in earnest, you can terraform the landscape, making hills, valleys and ravines. Add or destroy forests, and shape the coastline of your land until you’re satisfied by your ideal vision. This new found power is mainly enabled by the true 3D game engine, which whilst still only allowing the player to view from four fixed semi-isometric viewpoints, really does add to the detail and richness of the SimCity 4 world. This is one of the best-looking games ever.

The terrain and the new fangled 3D engine play a far bigger role than merely cosmetic too (not that they fall short on this vital front), as the nature of your city will be shaped heavily by the landscape it is built upon. Some areas of land may be too steep to build upon, whilst ravines may need bridges to pass. All in all the landscape, thanks to the new depths offered by the engine, brings a whole new factor to play in the game – and in planning and building your city.

The graphics are of course incredibly detailed too, which is apparently why you cannot navigate them in total freedom, the fixed viewpoints allowing for far more detail and animation than other wise possible. As your city expands its quite wonderful to watch it come to life as your Sims begin to move around the streets between the various commercial, residential and industrial zones that have remained a stalwart of the Sim City games down the years. SimCity in action has to be seen to be appreciated.

Next

1. I lost a large proportion of my youth to the SimCity series as well. I havn't given this one a go yet (apart from a quick look at some beta code), but I am definitely looking forward to it.

   Jason Tuesday, 28 January 2003, 06:41:57

2. I have to wonder what system the

   reviewer used to allow the game to

   run at its "smooth-running finest."

   On my 1900+, 768mb ram, Geforce 4 Ti system it slows to a

   tedious crawl with cities above 30k people. Apparently, even on 3ghz ninja systems it's anything but "smooth" for still larger cities.

   Chris Wednesday, 29 January 2003, 12:21:47

3. I agree with Chris.

   The minimum requirements should be a P4 2.2A GHz with DDR333 or so... because with my 1.7 with Ti4200 the game slows down when changing the zoom rate... lagging a lot...

   But the game is amazing! You'll be addicted to it! 9/10!

   acgontijo@hotmail.com Wednesday, 29 January 2003, 12:53:48

4. Dude, there are no difficulty levels, no premade scenarios and no internet play (as of yet), the Sims feature is a joke, there isn't enough new stuff compared to SC3000, the game is buggy and the technical reqs are through the roof. You should probably be less lenient with the grade!

   Golron Wednesday, 29 January 2003, 19:51:55

5. It IS good, but once you figure out how to handle the economy, its just way too easy.

   Rob G Thursday, 30 January 2003, 12:09:55

6. This game is great fun but damn, does it slow down. If you got the thing and are looking for some good tips I heartily reccomend this site http://www.simcitycentral.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=21

   Sam Thursday, 30 January 2003, 16:06:38

7. i'm running it on a p4 1.8ghz with 768mb of sdram through a GF4 Ti4400

   all good and smooth untill over 10k then it starts getting painful =\

   thanks for the link sam

   Lo Rez Wednesday, 2 April 2003, 07:52:33

8. necesito la contrasea

   sneyvion Tuesday, 18 February 2003, 12:19:17

9. I'm still finding it rather hard. My incomings are nowhere near my outgoings, anyone wana help?

   Chris K Friday, 28 February 2003, 09:16:50

10. i think that your site would be even better if you had some free downloads that you could like go to for a couple of hours expesially sims it is the best!

    kaola Monday, 14 April 2003, 22:51:2

11. It is abit slow on my machine, but i reckon its the game, not the machine...

    Smashy Al Sunday, 22 June 2003, 08:35:55

12. ttvxv-7w26h-byxk4-fwtt4-4dtrj (age of myth)

    m Saturday, 21 February 2004, 00:28:55