Citystate

 PC
Metascore
tbd

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Savoyan
    Oct 12, 2018
    10
    From steam by "Brother Korael"

    "This is an interesting game that works with big ideas, and compartmentalises them into both obvious, and    From steam by "Brother Korael"

    "This is an interesting game that works with big ideas, and compartmentalises them into both obvious, and not as obvious, consequences. The basic idea is that you build a city-state, not simply a city of which you are a mayor but something like Singapore or Hong Kong. You have a range of political, civil, economic, immigration, and legal issues to deal with that have direct consequences on your citizenry, as well as some city-building.

    As far as city-building goes, it's very much like the original SimCIty but simplified further - you plonk down a RCI lot, it builds. There are parks to increase land value, special service and government buildings for different purposes, a basic resource prospecting system and associated state/private mechanic. Utilities are abstracted, as are health, education, "safety and security". The budget window handles taxes and your nominal per capita expense on the abstracts just mentioned. The Stock Market window opens up a government bonds tab where you can get your much needed borrowings at the going rates. The Trade Balance window measures your major imports vs. your exports, which has a direct impact on your budget. It sounds a bit convoluted at first, but it's devilishly simple to use - the learning curve is a gentle slope.

    The political mechanics in the game add a tonne of flavour and real consequences. You can go from "Full Open-Border AnCapistan™", where your dominant political stances emphasize the rights of companies to do as they please (really, a Capitalist Oligarchy is what you end up with), to "People's Heroic Union of Socialist Peoples", where everybody is free to do as they're told (again, the Proletariat Dictatorship might sound great, until you're the one lifting rocks).

    I've played with all the different directions to see how they impact on the society. In my opinion it's very well thought through. The most "popular" legislation is not always the best choice. The impact of legislation on social mobility is clever. For example, a basic student funds system has a negative impact on the lower class and a positive impact on the middle class - this represents additional students accessing education opportunities that were previously unavailable to them because of finance, and as a result they rise from lower to middle class. Whereas, growth in the lower class usually represents a punitive policy that targets the middle class. I've found the upper class tends to benefit the most from harsh legislation.

    All of the choices you are presented with can lead to public disorder, and rioting is common if your society is unbalanced. If you go full AnCap or full Commie, always expect your society to be riddled with unrest and inequality.

    I've found that the easiest societies to build tend to be open, quasi-libertarian democratic societies with a small bit of immigration, lean but effective welfare, a strong and robust middle class and generally free economy with smart regulatory bodies ensuring that people are not exploited by the private sector, but are also free to engage in commerce without a heavy-handed oligarchial government. The challenge is in getting there."    … Full Review »
  2. excal-
    Jul 3, 2023
    7
    Citystate is a captivating and thought-provoking city-building game that offers a unique take on urban planning and governance. Set in aCitystate is a captivating and thought-provoking city-building game that offers a unique take on urban planning and governance. Set in a dynamic and ever-changing environment, the game challenges players to build and manage their own thriving city. With its deep simulation mechanics and strategic decision-making, Citystate provides a realistic and immersive experience. From managing resources and balancing budgets to making impactful policy choices, every decision has consequences that shape the city's growth and prosperity. The game's sleek visuals, detailed statistics, and engaging gameplay mechanics make for an enjoyable and rewarding experience for city-building enthusiasts. If you're a fan of simulation games that offer a blend of strategy and creativity, Citystate is a must-play title that will keep you engrossed for hours as you build the city of your dreams.… Full Review »
  3. Orange-A
    Dec 19, 2020
    6
    A good concept executed good in same ways, and poorly in others. Further balancing required, hopefully this is addressed in the sequel.
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