The 1989 city-building classic, ported to the web
SimCity is a free-to-play online port of the classic simulation experience. Known for popularizing and laying the groundwork for the city-building subgenre, this 2D game was originally and independently developed by Will Wright. As the mayor of a small municipality, you are tasked with maintaining order while finding opportunities to improve your domain. Build the city essentials and start attracting new investments.
Its dated graphics and challenging time limits make SimCity a lot harder than the succeeding titles in the subgenre. You can also check out another game from the same period, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
Grow your own city
One impressive aspect of SimCity is that it lets you customize your city. You have the final say on when or where to place specific buildings. While best practices dictate zoning your city effectively through residential, commercial, and industrial areas, you are virtually free to do as you please. Additionally, the game is virtually endless; you can build a self-sustaining city and continue working on your citizen’s longevity.
It’s worth noting that the game can start out challenging. Most initial scenarios are inspired by real-world cities, with layouts mirroring those of cities in the United States. This makes the simulation effective in illustrating issues in terms of logistics and accessibility. Combined with catastrophes, fictional or inspired, you have unpredictable challenges up your alley. More than that, it allows players to tackle historical instances in their own way.
It retains the 1989 graphics, which is a top-down map view of the city. The colors are limited and the visuals are pixelated. Also, unlike its more recent entries, the actual Sims — the small people inhabiting your virtual city — are too small to see. Also, the disasters are mostly randomized and can also lead to other problems, such as tornadoes triggering train crashes, which means more trouble.
A city-building classic you can enjoy anywhere
SimCity offers an immersive experience where players can grow and customize their own cities. Despite initial challenges, the game provides endless possibilities for city development and management. Through realistic scenarios and unpredictable challenges, players can tackle logistical issues and historical instances creatively. While retaining its classic 1989 graphics, SimCity remains a timeless simulation game that continues to captivate players with its intricate gameplay and endless potential.
