rikc's Full Review: RollerCoaster Tycoon Gold Edition for Windows
OK, since I loved RCT2, I decided I must purchase RCT3. Right from the start I had a problem. No, not with the graphics cards and other stuff that has been mentioned, although I’ll touch on that later, the first problem that arose was the CD key code to install the game that is printed in the box was WRONG. I checked this out on line, and it appears I am not the only one to have this problem. Some people said their games came with an insert of a different key code that did work, however, most did not have this insert with their game. Just a heads up if you are considering buying this game. I wish I had known before hand about the key code problem. Since it’s nearly impossible to return software, I had to “find” a key code on line that eventually DID work. Atari would cooperate, sending a key code in a few WEEKS. Since you bought a new game, and the company gives you a faulty key code, they SHOULD give you one ASAP, not in a few weeks. OK, so like I said, “found” a code on line and got the program installed.
The object of the game is basically to see how good you are at running an amusement park. You have a list of scenarios you must complete, with three stages in each scenario. When you reach the last stage, Tycoon, you will then unlock the next scenario. When you reach Tycoon on the last scenario, you are basically done with the game. On some scenarios you also have to have a certain amount of shop sales, so your shop placement and pricing figure into the game. You can make your own games with the sandbox mode, where you have unlimited everything, or you can also use the scenario editor to come up with your own versions. You can build your own rollercoasters, just like RCT2 although I’ve found it to be more tedious building in this version. It just seems to take much longer building in the new game. Also I’ve noticed that in the previous game if you wanted to place a ride over scenery, it would automatically delete the scenery, in this game you have to manually delete it.
My computer has all the right cards and stuff to run the game. Frankly, it runs well on my desktop, but slows down to a crawl in some of the scenarios. A reboot usually fixes the problem, although for some reason the second scenario crawls no matter what. Yes, I had all the “requirements” for this game to run well, and it’s about a 60-40 chance that it does run well. I’ve noticed the problems begin after I’m playing the game for a longer period of time. I have only had the game crash once on me, curiously enough it was while I was coloring a cue line. However, talking with other owners of the game who have frequent crashes, I’d say to save your game as often as you can, just to avoid the frustration of losing your major work you have done. I have also run into the problem of the larger your park gets, and the more rides you install, the game begins to choke up. However, if you are simply playing the game to finish off all the scenarios, you can keep your parks on the small side. In fact a few of the scenarios I was able to finish off to Tycoon level in about 20 minutes or less, it just depends on how the scenario is set up.
All in all, I’m not too disappointed with buying the game, but I have no desire to replay it. I wish I could put my finger on the exact reason RCT3 isn’t as fun to play for me, as RCT2 was, and still is, but that is my opinion. I have other friends who thing it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Unlike RCT2, which I still play after a couple of years, RCT3 will not be a game I’ll be likely to replay any time soon.
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