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SimCity 3000 Unlimited

Score: 100%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: EA Games
Developer: Maxis
Media: CD/0
Players: 1
Genre: Simulation


Graphics & Sound:

The graphics in SimCity 3000 Unlimited are pretty good, even for a 2.5D simulation. There's nothing amazing here, but the detail level is amplified when you zoom into street level and see your Sims walking around town.

Depending on how you like to play games, you may enjoy the background music or you may be totally annoyed by it. I personally don't mind it and have never turned it off. In the Unlimited version, you can actually even select from a playlist which songs you want to include or dismiss. The sound fx are quite good, although limited. You will easily hear when you have created or demolished something, as well as when disaster strikes.


Gameplay:

When playing SimCity 3000 Unlimited, don't expect stellar graphics, maximum sound, or fragging an opponent, but do expect unprecedented gameplay! If you are into simulations, slower-paced family games, or have ever said 'If I was in power, things would be different,' then jump into SC3K Unlimited right now! The object of the game is simple: build a city and maintain it to the standards your Sims request. If you do this, you will succeed. One thing that sets this game apart from others is that there is no clear way to win or beat the game. Success is up to you. Maybe you want to build a small little village or maybe you want to build the biggest metropolis ever... it's your call, Mr. Mayor. SC3K Unlimited offers a very complex game in the form of a very user-friendly, simple interface, making it easy for beginners and yet yields variation for resident experts. In the simplest terms, your goal is to keep your city growing and your Sims happy as you expand your city with Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Zones. You will also be able to increase the livelihood of your Sims by adding 'fun' things like parks, ball fields, playgrounds, marinas, and much more! Don't forget to also put in schools and colleges, police and fire stations, and hospitals to keep your Sims smart, safe, and healthy.

Without actually playing the game, it is hard to describe the experience. This game may not be for everyone. But, seeing as how it is one of the best-selling games of all time, there must be something about it! If you do decide to buy it (and I recommend it as a must-buy game!), just remember to always watch the information notes flashing across the bottom of the screen. If you do, you will become the talk of the town. If you don't, you may want to move to the country, or the riots may be on your front door, Mr. Mayor!


Difficulty:

Anyone that has ever played any of the previous SimCity games will be able to fairly easily jump right in and start your mayoral duties. If you have never played before, it won't be long until you are having a holiday named after you, but you will definitely need some time to learn both the concept and also the interface behind SC3K Unlimited. Either way, the simplicity of the game works well within the depth of the gameplay, and anyone should be able to build the metropolis of his or her dreams. The only real difficulty settings within the game are that of how much money you start out with and which year you choose to begin. Other than that, difficulty is solely based on your skills as mayor, and the decisions that you make.

Game Mechanics:

Everything you do in SC3K Unlimited is based on mouse (and keyboard, if you choose) movement, so there isn't anything you have to learn in the way of controllers. The basic premise is to build the best city that you can. It's up to you how big you want it to be or how many people you want to live there. My tip is that when you start building, begin in one corner of the playing grid and connect roads to your neighboring cities as soon as possible. Sometimes you can strike deals that will land you some much-needed cash in exchange for services. This is a quick way to build up your funds for immediate use. Anyone that likes to be creative and construct things will love Sim City 3000 Unlimited. It is a game for all of the family.

New Additions:

As many of you know, SC3K Unlimited is an extension of the hugely popular SimCity 3000. Below is a list of new additions making this Unlimited version better than the original.
  • Select from hundreds of buildings from SimCity 3000 and all-new Asian and European buildings.
    SC3K Unlimited allows you to place custom buildings into your city. It's your option, replace one or a few buildings, or use an entire grouping to give your city a whole new look.
  • Play any of 13 preset scenarios or make your own with the SimCity Scenario Creator.
    Scenarios are pre-built mini-games, in which you are given a goal and a time frame to complete it in. With your ingenuity, you can create an unlimited number of scenarios, giving the game an even bigger replay value than it already has.
  • Inflict 9 disasters, including 4 new ones: toxic clouds, plague of locusts, space junk, and a whirlpool.
    No matter how you look at it, disasters are cool! When building your city, you can choose to be chicken (like me!) and disable disasters, or you can even launch them on your own. Now, where did I leave that bulldozer for cleanup?
  • Create unique masterpieces for your metropolis with the Building Architect Plus Tool.
    Feeling a little creative? Try your hand at making a few new buildings for your city. Feeling a lot creative? Make an entirely new city!
  • Use the direct link to the

-Woody, GameVortex Communications
AKA Shane Wodele

Minimum System Requirements:



166MHz (233MHz) or faster Intel Pentium or AMD K6 processor running Windows 95/98 only; 32MB (64MB) RAM; 4x (8x) CD-ROM using 32-bit Windows 95/98 drivers; 450MB free Hard Drive space (plus additional saved game and swap file space); High Color (16-bit) capable 2MB PCI or AGP video card with DirectX 7.0 compatible driver; DirectX 7.0 compatible sound card; Keyboard & Mouse; (Internet connection for uploading/downloading on the SimExchange)
 

Test System:



Pentium II 400MHz CPU; Windows 98 (upgrade version); 128MB 100MHz SDRAM; Quantum's Raven 16MB 3D-Accellerator AGP Video Card; Ensoniq AudioPCI sound card; DirectX 7.0a; using Hewlett Packard CD-Writer Plus 9100 (reads 32x, writes 8x, rewrites 4x) as main CD-ROM; 1 gameport; 2 USB ports; Saitek's P2000 Tilt Pad (*USB*/gameport connection); 500kbs Cable Modem

Sony PSOne Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 2 Windows SimCity 4

 
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