No introduction is needed for "SimCity" most gamers know the basics of the game, and have tried it, even if it was only the classic or 2000 version. If you are completely new to the concept of "SimCity," keep reading to get a feel for the game.
"SimCity 4" Gameplay
After starting "SimCity 4" you'll be presented with a region. Regions are divided up into smaller cities that are interconnected and in ways dependent on each other. Cities come in three sizes - small, medium, and large. Regions tend to have an overall feel to them - mountainous, plains, etc, but you can edit the terrain in God Mode to make each city special.Essentially the basics of "SimCity 4" are the same as previous versions, including "SimCity 2000." As the mayor, you build services and zone areas. Nothing about that has changed. "SimCity 4" simply has new tools for you to work with. Instead of making deals with unknown cities, you make business deals with cities you created! Cities can now be dependent on each other if you like. You can have an industrial park city, and bedroom communities - communities with just residential and commercial zones.
God Mode in "SimCity 4"
After choosing a city to play, you enter God Mode. In this pre-establishment mode, you have the opportunity to mold the terrain to your preference - this is called terraforming. You can create volcanoes, plains, craters, beaches, and so much more. The range of options surprised me and makes me wish God-Mode could be used on an entire region instead of one city at a time.Once you are done fiddling with your terrain in God Mode you establish the city by entering mayor mode. Just be sure that you are completely done with your terrain, because the god mode tools are limited once the city is established.
Mayor Mode
Mayor Mode is just what you would expect - all the tools to build and run your city. The interface is user friendly, intuitive, and color-coded. The game starts out just as you would expect. Buying a power plant, laying down residential and industrial zones, and then watching them grow. This is where the challenge is. No longer will cities grow at fast rates, instead you must build slowly and gradually build a thriving metropolis. In this mode you'll do 99 percent of the work. The services provided are similar in previous versions. You'll build schools, colleges, libraries, water buildings, firehouses (large and small), and police departments to name a few. Each building's funding can be and should be changed, especially when you have a small budget to work with. As your city grows, you'll earn the opportunity to build reward buildings, such as, cemeteries, research buildings, farmer's market, minor league stadium, and many more. Each of the rewards is part of a tree that will unlock other rewards. For example, in order to get the University, first you must earn the Private School; both are for cities where education is high.Every mayor wants his or her city to be profitable. "SimCity 4's" budget screen let's you change tax rates, funding for services and utilities, and enact city ordinances. Tax rates are not only set for each type of zone, but you can now tax each income bracket a different rate. I love this future, and wished they had brought back the ability to tax each industry differently.
