Sim Theme Park
Score: 87% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: EA Games Developer: Bullfrog Media: CD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Simulation/ Strategy
Graphics & Sound: The graphics in Sim Theme Park are VERY blocky and low resolution. I was, quite frankly, surprised to see such low resolution in the park goers when viewing in first person mode. The overview mode is very good, with a nice detail level, but the first person view looks to be zoomed in on the exact same models as the overview. When something is THAT close, it needs to have a LOT more definition. When you build a ride that requires actual creativity, such as a roller coaster or a track ride (you get to design the path [rails or track] for the ride... and then you can actually 'ride' the ride - first person!), this feature makes the game really interesting. You can actually test to see how exciting your rides are.
Gameplay: If you like designing things and tweaking them to make them better... and you've ever been intrigued by the marketing and wizardry behind a large theme park, then you'll LOVE Sim Theme Park (apparently also known as 'Theme Park World,' according to the intro). The familiar cause/effect tweaking is in full effect in this title, allowing you to determine everything from the price of admission to the amount of ice in the drinks. One of the most entertaining features is the ability to create your own roller coaster and then actually simulate riding it first person. The graphics may be less than spectacular, but if you design your coaster right, you can actually get that 'motion' feeling just by watching the screen. Cool. You definitely have to have patience to play Sim Theme Park, as with pretty much any Sim title. But this game is a blast to play.
Difficulty: Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving! The time moves quickly in this simulation game, so try to keep things fresh, or your park will attract fewer people. You'll have to hire and train staff to maintain the rides, clean the park, entertain the crowds, provide security, and research new expansions and improvements for your park. If you're not careful, you can end up with researchers who don't know anything, mechanics who are in the wrong place, and entertainers who don't entertain. They'll even go on strike. Now, ain't THAT grand! If it all seems too complicated, there's the 'Practice Park', that allows you to build and experiment with the rides without the headache of park upkeep. Once you get the hang of it, you can try the 'real' parks again. All in all, this is a game that illustrates that patience (and saving your game at the right points) is a virtue!
Game Mechanics: Sim Theme Park (or ‘Theme Park World?’) has a nice level of simulation detail, allowing 'SIMmers' to control everything from the overview, all the way to the minute details. However, the graphics are not even close to the quality level they should be able to achieve on the PlayStation. If this game were for an older system, this might have been acceptable, but the PlayStation can look MUCH better than this. Also, the rate of progression is very slow. Even if you find the game very easy, it will take you quite a while to 'get enough tickets' to proceed to the next park. I think Sim Theme Park would have had more widespread appeal if the parks could be attempted at any time. As it is, only dedicated Simulation gamers need apply.
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
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