15th November 2007, 6:51 AM
Quote:EA's novel new approach to the SimCity franchise does away with all the minutia of urban planning and instead invites players to create a city with some real personality. You'll be able to create anything from a grimy factory town to an Orwellian police state to a fairytale land with gingerbread houses and chocolate bunny statues. The emphasis here is on the character of a city. It's less about the reality of urban development and more about creatively defining a city's culture.
On the plus side, the result is unlike any city builder to date. The building choices are wildly diverse, and players can create "themed" towns like never before. Unfortunately, SimCity Societies veers a little too casual, lacking any real depth or gameplay for gamers to sink their teeth into. If you're looking for a predictable toy sandbox allowing you to craft a variety of different towns, the title delivers. But if you're looking for something meaty -- a real game with tough decisions and unexpected surprises -- this isn't the game for you.
Translation: EA is lobotomizing one of the oldest and most revered video game franchises in history.
I sure hope this isn't what I should be expecting for SimCity 5...hopefully they have another, <i>competent</i> team on that one.
The Earthworker Race has ended. Everybody wins.