SimCity

 PC
User Score
2.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 4557 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 602 out of 4557
  2. Mixed: 428 out of 4557
  3. Negative: 3,527 out of 4557
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  1. dethedrus
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    An absolute travesty. The dumbing down of the single best city building franchise... the one that literally created the genre back in the late 80s. I've played every PC version since the original, and I'm floored at just how much got left on the cutting room floor or badly botched (traffic modelling is particularly abysmal). Or worse, reserved for copious DLC consumption. Add in theAn absolute travesty. The dumbing down of the single best city building franchise... the one that literally created the genre back in the late 80s. I've played every PC version since the original, and I'm floored at just how much got left on the cutting room floor or badly botched (traffic modelling is particularly abysmal). Or worse, reserved for copious DLC consumption. Add in the positively craptastic backend "support" from EA and it's one of the single worst game launches I've ever see. It makes Diablo 3 and Elemental look like shining paragons of good coding and infrastructure.… Expand
  2. wickewitch1983
    Mar 7, 2013
    1
    The game itself is good,actually it is great.I dont mind the addition of "multiplayer" but the always online has made the game not playable.I am not a computer gamer and this has definetly ruined any chance of me buying another one that requires always on internet.The customer service from EA has soured me on them.I will never buy another EA game.i advised a friend of mine who is an avidThe game itself is good,actually it is great.I dont mind the addition of "multiplayer" but the always online has made the game not playable.I am not a computer gamer and this has definetly ruined any chance of me buying another one that requires always on internet.The customer service from EA has soured me on them.I will never buy another EA game.i advised a friend of mine who is an avid simcity player not to buy the game,at least not now, due to the inability to play.If I could return it I definetly would but the gaming industry as a whole has prevented this.I worked hard and saved my money for this game and its gone without an apology or any offer of compensation from the manufacturer about this fiasco.So to summarize please dont buy this game no matter how good it is when you play, it is impossible to even play it.… Expand
  3. drkplx
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    GG ea on blowing the release of an otherwise good game (from what I hear). I wouldn't actually know because I can't even play the game I paid $60 for. Apparently some people have received refunds via their support chat, however I had no luck. Boycott, boycott, boycott.......
  4. Marra82
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    The game itself is fun, but I can't give this anything else than a 0 just because it's basically unplayable for longer periods than a few minutes at a time. Stupid DRM destroys everything for all the honest paying customers who have longed for this game for ages.

    My origin account says I've played SimCity for 14 hours, but I'm certain I haven't been building cities for more than 30    The game itself is fun, but I can't give this anything else than a 0 just because it's basically unplayable for longer periods than a few minutes at a time. Stupid DRM destroys everything for all the honest paying customers who have longed for this game for ages.

    My origin account says I've played SimCity for 14 hours, but I'm certain I haven't been building cities for more than 30 minutes, tops. That kinda sums it all up.    … Expand
  5. Phakt
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Metacritic, how much did EA pay you to write this tripe? Even when the game works it is a baby's toy. It's great for a preschooler. Also, you have to be online to play single player? That is sickening. Sorry, not only did EA lose a customer, you lost a site visitor.
  6. ramonfelipe
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Always on DRM is retarded, and can turn a great game into complete crap. Hopefully they are still in time to reconsider this strategy and apply a patch to allow offline play.
  7. Cannily
    Mar 2, 2014
    1
    SimCity is a great idea with a bad engine.
    Maxis is an innovative developer with an evil publisher.
    So what does this mean? The engine is rubbish because it can't simulate a city. Each citizen lives in the nearest free home in relation to his position at the moment he wants to go home. Thus each citizen lives each day in a different home and because every citizen does this, there is    SimCity is a great idea with a bad engine.
    Maxis is an innovative developer with an evil publisher.

    So what does this mean?
    The engine is rubbish because it can't simulate a city.
    Each citizen lives in the nearest free home in relation to his position at the moment he wants to go home.
    Thus each citizen lives each day in a different home and because every citizen does this, there is always a huge traffic jam, because every citizen goes to the same home, than to the next and so on.
    This is also true for work, shopping etc.
    In conclusion the roads ware always full and a city with more than 10.000 people (which aren't exactly 10.000 units, more 100 or so) will not work, the jams will hold your trucks which are needed for your production line. Of course, fire trucks and the other public service cars will stuck in traffic too. They don't get an extra lane, the even have to wait if the lights are red and no car will make room for them. Thus your city will burn down. Because of the engine, every truck will drive to the next fire, not to a fire with no truck already moving in.

    But never the less this game is fun to play, until you notice, that you can't optimize the roads and your public service because of the broken engine.

    So if this was it, I would give this game a 4 or 5 out of 10, because it will take you a while to notice.

    But EA lied about this game and is still lying because the are selling it as a simulation of a city. But this game does not simulate anything.
    The even bring out DLCs and AddOn which make the problems worse or are simply overprices and/or bring ingame advertising with them instead of fixing the engine (maybe it's not possible).
    The maps are ridicule small sized and the DRM is a pain, because the benefits (trade with neighbor cities) are not working proper.

    So I give this game a 1, it is more a 0 but if you naively think that your city planing is the issue, like me, it is fun to play a while until you notice the limits of this fake simulation engine ;)    … Expand
  8. jimbob2100
    Mar 8, 2013
    3
    Couldn't play at midnight as the servers went down, then I had to wait over 20 mins today to get on. Played for 2 hours, then server crashes and I get kicked out of the game. Actual game is brilliant which is why I'm not giving it a 0 (although the city size limit is ridiculous). I just don't understand why a SINGLE PLAYER game has this NEED to be online. I get they are trying to forceCouldn't play at midnight as the servers went down, then I had to wait over 20 mins today to get on. Played for 2 hours, then server crashes and I get kicked out of the game. Actual game is brilliant which is why I'm not giving it a 0 (although the city size limit is ridiculous). I just don't understand why a SINGLE PLAYER game has this NEED to be online. I get they are trying to force this multiplayer way of thinking into the game. And I actually think that its a good idea and it opens possibilities to expand the game further from a gameplay perspective. But they should have at least given the option to turn it off. I don't know how it works exactly but maybe they could've had like an authentication process that requires a internet connection and after that it doesn't matter, you can play an offline single player mode with an option to turn on your multiplayer when you feel like it. The always on DRM is retarded and will always be retarded. Until game publishers realise this then consumers are gonna get screwed over time and time again… Expand
  9. BrainBreak
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    It's like paying for a lap dance and after 3 days, you still don't get a friggin' lap dance. Not even a comped drink. Just more lies about how they are appreciate you as a customer and that they are working on getting the dancers on the dance floor. Hey, EA, I played for a lap dance. On second thought, just give me my money back.

    The game doesn't work and EA refuses to response or give    It's like paying for a lap dance and after 3 days, you still don't get a friggin' lap dance. Not even a comped drink. Just more lies about how they are appreciate you as a customer and that they are working on getting the dancers on the dance floor. Hey, EA, I played for a lap dance. On second thought, just give me my money back.

    The game doesn't work and EA refuses to response or give refunds. Call your credit card carrier, and dispute the charge with reason "DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, MANFACTERED REFUSING RETURN".    … Expand
  10. AN1NSAN1TYH0UR
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Do NOT waste your money on this broken game. EA's "Always On DRM" has ruined what could have been a great game. Long (and sometimes eternal) server wait times and a broken save system have rendered SimCity unplayable. This is also not a "true" city building game, for you can only build a portion of a city (120x120 square). The true tragedy is it did not have to be like this, for if you areDo NOT waste your money on this broken game. EA's "Always On DRM" has ruined what could have been a great game. Long (and sometimes eternal) server wait times and a broken save system have rendered SimCity unplayable. This is also not a "true" city building game, for you can only build a portion of a city (120x120 square). The true tragedy is it did not have to be like this, for if you are granted the ability to play on EA's servers long enough you will find that there is a fun game underneath all of EA's imposed restrictions. Ultimately, EA has killed yet another one of my favorite series.… Expand
  11. rhiwn
    Mar 8, 2013
    1
    I've been playing games for 20 years. This is the most expensive game I've ever bought. And the worst experience ever. Have sat and waited for hours to play. What a load of rubbish
  12. JJRambo
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Always online DRM means all types of problems, and SC improves on them in the worst way possible with lots of bugs. It also means less play, server's issues are beyond ridiculous. But also cities wayyyyy to smal, it's frustrating the neighbor colaboration. Broken game.
  13. Shallowheart
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    I can not see any other way to rate this game than 0. I bought the game for almost 60€ from Origin and can not even play it. All the European servers are in full capacity so i can not join those, i can join to American ones, but it disconnects all the time so i can not really play. One time i could get into the tutorial part but i could not click anywhere, i had to exit. Hoping to playI can not see any other way to rate this game than 0. I bought the game for almost 60€ from Origin and can not even play it. All the European servers are in full capacity so i can not join those, i can join to American ones, but it disconnects all the time so i can not really play. One time i could get into the tutorial part but i could not click anywhere, i had to exit. Hoping to play this game someday.… Expand
  14. VilePirate
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    So disappointed, but hey it's EA. At the end of the day it's not about the game or experience, but it's about the Benjamin's. The fact that day one DLC and DRM to prevent piracy only proves this point. Hit EA where it hurts and do not buy this game.
  15. ultra-kitten
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    With the always-online-DRM you are at the mercy of EA at all times, given you do have a internet connection. You don't own the game, you rent it on the conditions set by EA. If they pull the plug on the servers, you are no longer able to play the game you bought. The very first Sim City released in 1989 still works today. I have major doubts the 2013 release of Sim City will work in 5With the always-online-DRM you are at the mercy of EA at all times, given you do have a internet connection. You don't own the game, you rent it on the conditions set by EA. If they pull the plug on the servers, you are no longer able to play the game you bought. The very first Sim City released in 1989 still works today. I have major doubts the 2013 release of Sim City will work in 5 years time, considering server shut-downs by EA for games using similar DRM technology.… Expand
  16. OrzoKnight
    Mar 8, 2013
    2
    My number one complaint is that you have to be online to play this game, even if you're playing by yourself. Number two complaint is the city size. They're downright tiny. I would like to be able to build much bigger cities. Lastly, it's a very frustrating process to even try to play, mainly because servers are always busy. It's taken me up to 30 minutes to be able to connect. I know thisMy number one complaint is that you have to be online to play this game, even if you're playing by yourself. Number two complaint is the city size. They're downright tiny. I would like to be able to build much bigger cities. Lastly, it's a very frustrating process to even try to play, mainly because servers are always busy. It's taken me up to 30 minutes to be able to connect. I know this is a launch issue which will get solved eventually, but people who payed $60 to be the first to play this highly-anticipated game probably are feeling cheated.… Expand
  17. Nicke
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    First it took me seven hours to download because of my slow internet connection, and once installed I find out that it has selected my native language for the game, which can not be changed from within the game. I like to use English instead of my native language, but in order to change the language I have to remove the game from my computer, change language settings in Origin and thenFirst it took me seven hours to download because of my slow internet connection, and once installed I find out that it has selected my native language for the game, which can not be changed from within the game. I like to use English instead of my native language, but in order to change the language I have to remove the game from my computer, change language settings in Origin and then download and re-install the game again... wasting another seven hours.

    Once the game is installed I can't actually play because there are no servers available, and since it only plays online I have to wait in queue for a server slot for about 20 minutes... while in queue I can't check for other available servers, or the waiting time will be reset to 20 minutes. Well, I finally managed to get into a server and from then I thought I'd be able to play the game within a few minutes, but with the server connection working randomly from one minute to the next, I never managed to get into the city builder... I tried to start the game for 2½ hours before running out of patience; I've now removed the game from my computer, and regret ever paying any money for it. What a catastrophic release!    … Expand
  18. ryan1923
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    the only thing going for the game is the graphics. everything else is broken. i wouldnt pay $20 for this game, let alone $60. please listen to me dont spend any money on this game. go get sim city 2000 and enjoy sim city, the way it's meant to be. not with DRM that is required. if EA makes it optional, or better yet removes it entirely, and gives us single player, then i might change mythe only thing going for the game is the graphics. everything else is broken. i wouldnt pay $20 for this game, let alone $60. please listen to me dont spend any money on this game. go get sim city 2000 and enjoy sim city, the way it's meant to be. not with DRM that is required. if EA makes it optional, or better yet removes it entirely, and gives us single player, then i might change my mind, but if that doesnt happen, this garbage game is going in the trash.… Expand
  19. shall0917
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    What a joke. SimTown is a completely broken game. If you enjoy error messages, not being able to save, or flushing money down the toilet, then go buy it. If you're the type of person who wants to use something they buy, you might wanna steer clear of this train wreck. This is the first time I've ever rooted for the pirates to win. Always on DRM is a joke, EA Origin is a joke, and theWhat a joke. SimTown is a completely broken game. If you enjoy error messages, not being able to save, or flushing money down the toilet, then go buy it. If you're the type of person who wants to use something they buy, you might wanna steer clear of this train wreck. This is the first time I've ever rooted for the pirates to win. Always on DRM is a joke, EA Origin is a joke, and the biggest joke is on me, since I bought it.… Expand
  20. dme1970
    Mar 8, 2013
    1
    Great game when you can play. I had no problems on launch day other than a random restart. Since then I cant play mostly because the servers keep crashing. Even better yet if I find a server that is working, then I get to go through tutorial again. You would think there would be file that would tell the server you have already done the tutorial, or even better yet a skip option.
  21. giraffe
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Sorry, but if you actually still give money to EA at this point you deserve everything you get.

    They see theirs customers as enemies and don't care about quality of games. They're agenda-driven, corrupt and totally unethical.

    Never buy a game published by EA.
  22. Nanoflex
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Great game but it does not deserve a single point if you are going to shove always on drm down my throat have the decency to DO IT RIGHT. Instead during simcity launch I will be playing Civilization wait doesn't that have online play as well OH WAIT, IT DOES. Enough Said
  23. ryanweb
    Mar 8, 2013
    1
    I can no longer contain my frustration. Between the game's limited features vs previous titles and the nagging, persistent server issues causing both 1) inability to play the game and 2) severe data loss, this game has officially crossed the threshold into awful. They've had over three days to fix these problems and I know that FedEx and UPS can deliver some servers within that time frame.I can no longer contain my frustration. Between the game's limited features vs previous titles and the nagging, persistent server issues causing both 1) inability to play the game and 2) severe data loss, this game has officially crossed the threshold into awful. They've had over three days to fix these problems and I know that FedEx and UPS can deliver some servers within that time frame. Give me a break.… Expand
  24. clikzip
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    The 30 minutes ive got to play this game were fun. Other than that ive spent over 12 hours trying to play it. The always online DRM put in place to prevent the 5% bad eggs has spoiled it for the rest of us. I want my $60 back...
  25. Mujaidin
    Mar 19, 2013
    1
    I have a feeling that the residents in the city will increase beyond the things we do as mayor. I think the game mechanics are too simple and trivial!
  26. sl5581
    Mar 24, 2013
    0
    promised online features don't work until now (no rankings, region play full of errors)
    - tiny map sizes
    - dumped down difficulty (only problem is the fight against bugs) - no logic simulation recognizable (traffic ui terrible, sim behavior terrible, satisfaction system terrible) - less complexity than in sim city 4 (no water, electricity lines, no orders) - much less buildings     promised online features don't work until now (no rankings, region play full of errors)
    - tiny map sizes
    - dumped down difficulty (only problem is the fight against bugs)
    - no logic simulation recognizable (traffic ui terrible, sim behavior terrible, satisfaction system terrible)
    - less complexity than in sim city 4 (no water, electricity lines, no orders)
    - much less buildings diversity (no highways, trails, monorail, fusion power, toll system, one way street, metro, military base)
    - few statistics

    everything i liked in sc 2000/3000/4 has been canceled/dumped down DONT BUY    … Expand
  27. Ripoz4200
    Mar 23, 2013
    0
    Please let this be a lesson to single player game devs. The marketplace does not want DRM. Please do not support Game Companies that are forcing us to have access to the internet to play a game. I love my ISP but I dont want to have to be connected to play a game I paid $60 for. EA sucks and so does DRM... Avoid both...
  28. luquinhass12
    Mar 24, 2013
    0
    The size of the city is awful! It destroyed the entire game, not sure what was going on in the minds of developers to make that decision. Crazy? Who knows!!
  29. Limonka
    Mar 24, 2013
    0
    Too bad they sold (and released) an alpha with a broken DRM system.

    Even if you ignore the overly stupid, useless and idiotic DRM, the game doesn't stand on its own: they haven't made a proper AI for each element of the game, many parts of the game logic/mechanisms aren't even fully implemented and finished. That product needed 6 to 12 more months (at least) to be finished, but    Too bad they sold (and released) an alpha with a broken DRM system.

    Even if you ignore the overly stupid, useless and idiotic DRM, the game doesn't stand on its own: they haven't made a proper AI for each element of the game, many parts of the game logic/mechanisms aren't even fully implemented and finished.

    That product needed 6 to 12 more months (at least) to be finished, but apparently EA just doesn't care.    … Expand
  30. MtaWrldPc
    Mar 24, 2013
    3
    I have enjoyed several of the previous SimCity games (original SimCity, 2K& 3K). I downloaded the game this weekend, hoping the server startup issues had passed. I spent 24 hours with it this weekend, so I have a pretty good feel for it. I will list the major problems I feel are still there at this time.

    (1) The first thing that hit me was the horrible user interface to select a    I have enjoyed several of the previous SimCity games (original SimCity, 2K& 3K). I downloaded the game this weekend, hoping the server startup issues had passed. I spent 24 hours with it this weekend, so I have a pretty good feel for it. I will list the major problems I feel are still there at this time.

    (1) The first thing that hit me was the horrible user interface to select a server. Selecting a server (East 1, etc., is not based on any actual information). Once in the game menu, it is very difficult to find a game. (2) The second and most major issue I have is that I couldn't get a multiplayer game to work. I am not sure if they disconnected the multiplayer functionality, but I was not able to find any active games to join, despite trying for quite a while. (Sorry, I don't have friends who were up for a weekend of SimCity, and I certainly wouldn't recommend that anyone else purchase the game.) (3) So, I just played solo and built multiple cities, switching back and forth which is my next issue with the game, also not a significant. The regional interactions are not very smooth, which I would say is my next issue with the game. This is necessary b/c the maps are to small to have a complete city in one. I think having smaller, specialized cities could be fun, (e.g. one city has as powerplant, the next city has sewer/water, mining, oil, etc.) except the interactions are messy and quite frankly don't seem to work. i.e. I have one city with ample sewage treatement for 4 cities and it doesn't work for the neighboring 2 cities. I was unclear if any of the statistics or trade options are accurate or beneficial. (4) A MAJOR problem: the in-game crashes. In 24 hrs of play I had about a 15 lock ups, error messages, and even a couple "blue screens." Most of these issues resulted in loss of my progress. I have a pretty nice desktop, and I have not had issues with any other games.

    (5) There are a lot of little bugs and annoyences within the game. It is hard to figure out how to plot things out, as just a fraction of a box can cause you to redo expensive building. The budget doesn't account for the trade income, for some reason, making it very unpredictable to budget. Some of the improvements that are costly (e.g. trade buildings) seem to not help at all.

    I would say the graphics are the best of any SimCity game and are pretty impressive. If nothing else, the engine has promise to create a good game in the future. None of the previous SimCities were perfect, but this one has way too many bugs. YOU MAY HEAR PEOPLE SUGGESTING THE PROBLEMES WILL BE PATCHED, BUT I DOUBT IT. If there was a good solution for the server issues I think they would have found it by now. As far as the user interface and in-game issues, it seems like most of the issues would take tons of man hours troubleshooting and rewriting the code. I would not recommend buying it unless you really want to see for yourself. I would at least wait until the price drops to less than $30.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
21
#21 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 75
  3. Negative: 10 out of 75
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Jun 5, 2013
    65
    Given enough patches and DCLs, SimCity might eventually become the game that should have been on its release and justify the ambiguous choices that its developers made. [May 2013]
  2. Games Master UK
    May 9, 2013
    68
    Hints at great things but is limited by small cities and promises it can't deliver on. [June 2013, p.80]
  3. Hyper Magazine
    May 9, 2013
    40
    There's more problems with this game than I have words. Looks great though. [June 2013, p.80]
See all critic reviews »