Average Rating: 
Rating:  - same game, better graphics
Pros:
- the original game concept still works
- cool and very detailed graphics
- improved micromanagement (challenging!)
- cool new terrain-tools (really amazing graphics and effects)
- new region play allows metropolitan areas
- nice user-interface
- roads are placed automaticallyCons:
- despite graphics, nothing has changed much
- much smaller city-maps
- region play doesn't work properly (it is not like having one huge city)
- I cannot choose architectural styles or landscapes (Palm trees in NYC???)
- building highways is still a PITB.
- houses and roads still stick to the square/block-system
- Incredible hardware requirements
- game crashes often
- no scenarios!!!
- roads are placed automatically (good thing, bad thing) Summary: a good game based on old qualities that impresses through its gorgeous graphics at first. However, it also leaves a somewhat bitter after-taste. Even though it is worth its bucks, more could/should have been possible...I don't think EA is good for Maxis.
Rating:  - Constant Lockups and Crashes
I would wait for a newer version or a patch. I am so disgusted with myself for buying this and wish I could take it back. The game would be wonderful and there are some great graphics in it but it locks up constantly. I have a brand new computer that I had built especially for "gamers" with high end everything on it. But I start to build a city and get excited about it and it either crashes or locks up. I've started saving every single time I do anything anymore and that makes the game not very fun to play. If you haven't already bought this game, don't waste your money. I will only be happy after the first patch or two comes out. Until then, I will be playing something else.
Rating: - A forward backward step.
Sim City 4 has these Pros and Cons:Pros:
Outstanding Graphics
Landscape "God-mode"
Realistic looking terrain
Expansive world in which to create multiple cities and work them in unison.
Import "The Sims"
Stunning disasters (check out the lightning bolt!)
Best Mayor interface ever
Lots of cool features like beaches, new landmarks, and people actually build on cliffs this time.
Whenever the website is up, you'll be able to d/l scenarios. Now for the Cons:
No Building Architect tool.
Buildings are not exchangable or customizable.
The website Simcity4.com is behind schedule. Be forewarned:
At the release of Sim City 3000, we all jumped on it. It was great, but with the arrival of Sim City 3000 UNLIMITED, the first was rendered moot. A lot of things couldn't be done in 3000 which could in Unlimited. The website was a strong point for getting new scenarios and buildings and uploading your own. Sim City 4's intial release seems like a step forward, but backward. I'd wait a few months and see if an Unlimited or Unleashed version comes out. Wait until the websites is ready. I'm sure there is more to it than this basic game. Sim City 4 is like 2000 & 3000 without some perks and with some gorgeous graphics. Simply, the game is fantastic, yet incomplete. Robert Eldridge is the author of: "Amber Spirit: Poems & Stories" (Hats Off Books, 2001) and the dark poetic book, "Offbeat" (Writers Club Press, 2002.)
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