readnbead's Full Review: SimCity 3000 Unlimited for Windows
While a round of Simcity 3000 unlimited won't exactly lead to delusions of grandeur...it is a fun, violence-free (most of the time, anyway) engaging way to exert total control over your little slice of the world!
As you can see, by looking at my Epinion of the original Simcity 3000, I like the Sim series to begin with. This "upgrade" to Simcity 3000 adds some exciting new features, and enhances gameplay. While I do NOT believe that it is worth going out and buying if you've got a perfectly good copy of Simcity 3000 already, if you're buying for the first time, I would definitely look for the "Unlimited" version rather than the basic. I was lucky enough to get this FREE using Pepsi points on their website promotion, and am very pleased with the upgrade.
Rather than go into an extensive description of what's in the Simcity 3000 game, I will focus on the differences between the basic, and Simcity Unlimited. For a description of Simcity 3000 in general, you can read my Epinion, or one of the other many great reviews on Epinions.com.
What does Simcity Unlimited have, that the basic game does not? You are getting everything available in the original, with the following extras:
1. New landscape options that let you choose from the basic "green" terrain, with grass, trees, etc. But, now you have the option of snowy terrain, or even desert or jungles. A nice addition, giving you even more control.
2. You have the choice of 3 basic building sets, rather than the 1 available in the original. You now have the 2 additional European and Asian building sets to choose from.
3. One of my favorite additions is the new scenarios! There are scenarios for the beginner up to expert, and are great for the player who likes to have an "end" to the game. With a scenario, you have the chance to fulfill a series of requirement for the city, meeting the scenario goal. You can even create your own scenarios, if you wish!
4. My SON'S favorite new feature, is the addition of 4 new disasters to the game. (these are the ONLY violent elements to the game, and can be turned off if you find them objectionable. They are cartoonish, rather than graphic, but can be turned off!) New to Unlimited are: locusts, space debris, toxic clouds or a giant whirlpool!
5. For the budding architect there is the Building Architect Plus tool. Create your own buildings to use in your games, and gain even MORE control over the look of your city!
A great game made better...but there are always a few areas in need of improvement! For instance, I don't like that in the closest zoom, you can't really see people very well. And, the scenery is very pixelized and choppy in the closest view. I'd like to really zoom in...maybe not to "the Sims" level, but closer. I'd also like to see an "EXTRA easy" gameplay mode, where you start with a little more money. We find it very hard to get started, even at the easy level, without using the "cousin vinnie" cheat code for more money!
In my original review of Simcity 3000, I had a much slower computer, but I'm pleased to report that on my new computer, the game runs very fast, with no noticeable video or audio lag. Check with maxis and check the box for PC requirements, or you may be disappointed with your computer's performance with this game!
In short, a GREAT game, but I would not upgrade unless you can get it very inexpensively (or FREE!). I would, however, purchase the Unlimited rather than the basic, if I was just starting out with the Simcity 3000 game. Enjoy!
Features two completely new building sets - Asian and European Add color to your city by incorporating quaint European-style cottages or high-tech gla...More at Amazon Marketplace
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