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. RaptorJesuss
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Everyone has been talking about the online always DRM, which is a terrible business practice. I want to talk about the gameplay. The city size is absolutely horrendous. They might as well have renamed the game to SimTown, because you will never get a fun and thriving metropolis like you had in SimCity 4. They day 1 DLC is another absolute terror. This game is not SimCity, its FacebooksEveryone has been talking about the online always DRM, which is a terrible business practice. I want to talk about the gameplay. The city size is absolutely horrendous. They might as well have renamed the game to SimTown, because you will never get a fun and thriving metropolis like you had in SimCity 4. They day 1 DLC is another absolute terror. This game is not SimCity, its Facebooks Cityville with better graphics.… Expand
  2. iHateEA
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    EA has ruined SimCity. Thanks guys for the worst game of the year all thanks to DRM.

    Send money from city to city no.
    Log into play game no.
    Want to play a single player game no.
  3. Ruseman
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    What the is this piece of EA pls stahp. This is a bunch of bull****, most players cant even start up the ****ing game without it crashing, not to mention the fact you need to be ONLINE TO PLAY ****ING SINGLEPLAYER.

    DRM/10
  4. DavidCaron
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Just absolutely terrible! You can't play at all. When you do get into a server, the city is so small, you can never have enough zones. And when you try to import workers from other cities in the region. The servers never recognize any other city in your region. Just absolutely crap!!

    I give a 0 because I can't play the game that I paid for.
  5. osage888
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Unfortunately the game crashes while loading, so I can't really comment on what remains merely theoretical gameplay. I should also mention that I installed it on two different systems, both running MANY other games successfully. Without any response (at all) from EA, I can only conclude they released it prematurely. Too bad too, since I'm a long time SimCity fan.
  6. docdoc
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    People please do not spend your money on any more EA games, they are total BS. The company used to make good games but since 2007 something changed and EA became a greedy cash making machine. This game is so overhyped, it does not even deserve 10% of attention it is getting. Micro-transactions is just the tip of the ice berg. EA I hope you Banckrupt nice and slowly for turning your marketPeople please do not spend your money on any more EA games, they are total BS. The company used to make good games but since 2007 something changed and EA became a greedy cash making machine. This game is so overhyped, it does not even deserve 10% of attention it is getting. Micro-transactions is just the tip of the ice berg. EA I hope you Banckrupt nice and slowly for turning your market towards 8 year old kids, who do nothing except crying out the money out of their parents wallets. SHAME ON YOU EA.… Expand
  7. tokyo_hot
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    this game too many problems. please dont buy, thanks all for reading. Server reached maximum capacity and so I was placed in a queue and was not allowed to play a SINGLE PLAYER GAME because it forces me to constantly be online. So despite my flawless internet connection, EA's incompetence has forced me to postpone playing a game I'd like to play on my own anyway. I have played the beta andthis game too many problems. please dont buy, thanks all for reading. Server reached maximum capacity and so I was placed in a queue and was not allowed to play a SINGLE PLAYER GAME because it forces me to constantly be online. So despite my flawless internet connection, EA's incompetence has forced me to postpone playing a game I'd like to play on my own anyway. I have played the beta and the city size limits are awful. But it isn't all bad,… Expand
  8. tigraner
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Preordered the game and for that Origin decided that I can only download it on march 7 2 days after initial release. Also people who were lucky to be able to download cannot play because of the server problems. Big FAT Fail on the franchise!
  9. wingman2
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Always-Online DRM requirements made me be put into a queue to just play by myself! This game is going to flop and then my money will be wasted even harder when EA eventually shuts down their servers and I'm not allowed to play the game at all.
  10. skimmedmilk
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Terrible game overall, here is why:

    - Obtrusive DRM which requies you to be online AT ALL TIMES to play this even single player - The city size is far far too small, this is more like "sim small town" than "sim city" - Limited compared to previous simcity games, im all for new games but they must improve on what came before, unfortunately this game does not, there isnt even    Terrible game overall, here is why:

    - Obtrusive DRM which requies you to be online AT ALL TIMES to play this even single player

    - The city size is far far too small, this is more like "sim small town" than "sim city"

    - Limited compared to previous simcity games, im all for new games but they must improve on what came before, unfortunately this game does not, there isnt even subways in it!

    - Possible the absolute worst most damning thing... there is a good game in there somewhere but it is utterly handicapped by the previous points this is IMO the worst thing. I wouldn't mind so much if it were complete garbage but it could have been so much better than what it is.    … Expand
  11. Bisonman80
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    I made the effort to create an account just to express how terrible it is that we actually have to boycott what looks like a fun game developed by Maxis simply because EA is making worse and worse decisions every year when it comes to DRM. This could be a great game but we in the community have been forced by EA to think about the fact that buying this game is supporting a direction inI made the effort to create an account just to express how terrible it is that we actually have to boycott what looks like a fun game developed by Maxis simply because EA is making worse and worse decisions every year when it comes to DRM. This could be a great game but we in the community have been forced by EA to think about the fact that buying this game is supporting a direction in anti-piracy that absolutely harms the paying customer.

    As gamers, we have to put a stop to this Paying customers are getting screwed over by companies like EA in an attempt to curb piracy, but it's not working, and EA executives refuse to accept this reality. Instead, they continue to wrap the games their developers create with terrible, often-times game-breaking DRM (as many owners of this game have already reported), with absolutely no concern for their actual customers and what they want. As of this moment I am so appalled by how far EA is willing to go to fight piracy, that I'm leaning towards never buying another EA game until they show some kind of wisdom and understanding of the reality of gaming as it is today. Piracy exists and it will always exist. The one thing that will never change is that good games that treat it's customers with respect will sell and make the producers a lot of money. This is what EA needs to do, stop fiddling with game-breaking DRM and just produce the games that we want to buy and play. EA, over the last decade or so you've shown us customers decreasing amounts of respect and faith, so you no longer deserve ours.    … Expand
  12. Weiseth
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Being Simcity the original fan, simcity 2000, simcity 4 fan this game sucks. It takes everything that was good with simcity, makes it smaller, more simple, easier to master and more stupid. The graphics looks horrible and there is no immersion or feel that you are actually controlling a city.

    This is a feebleminded game.
  13. dexter1983
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    I may be going out on a limb, but I think most people play Simcity to build a huge, populated city.. Limiting everyone to a 2x2km map has to be the most ass backwards idea ever imagined. Forcing me to go online to play a single player game tops it all off... Can someone else take over the franchise?
  14. Speaker-o-truth
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    To everybody that is criticizing people for giving bad reviews of this game maybe you are the ones way too "understanding" of EA. It is one thing for a game to be required to be online, yes fine. You have to be online at all points. Wonderful. No problem.

    Where the problem comes in? The problem comes in when the fact you can't even PLAY the game because of this online server even if    To everybody that is criticizing people for giving bad reviews of this game maybe you are the ones way too "understanding" of EA. It is one thing for a game to be required to be online, yes fine. You have to be online at all points. Wonderful. No problem.

    Where the problem comes in? The problem comes in when the fact you can't even PLAY the game because of this online server even if you are intending to play SINGLE PLAYER. I understand they are trying to take measures against piracy but seriously, this is the wrong way to do so.

    You should not be charging people full retail price of a game so they can sit there and be told that "oh hey the servers are full, we took your money so it's okay but as soon as some server space frees up you can gladly enjoy the single player experience."

    Absolutely pathetic on EA's behalf and they should be ashamed of this launch. I'm giving this game a 0. Why? Because I was in queue for 4 hours and still have NO IDEA WHAT THE GAMEPLAY IS LIKE. I didn't pay money to be thrown into a queue.    … Expand
  15. Icewind31
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    People say that you can't review a game if you haven't played it... but being able to play is an absolute criteria to be able to review. Even the tutorial doesn't work. Would I be wrong to give a car a bad review because it doesn't start? You should be allowed to create regions locally and have your own pc keep track of single player regions. Doing that alone would reduce a great deal ofPeople say that you can't review a game if you haven't played it... but being able to play is an absolute criteria to be able to review. Even the tutorial doesn't work. Would I be wrong to give a car a bad review because it doesn't start? You should be allowed to create regions locally and have your own pc keep track of single player regions. Doing that alone would reduce a great deal of load on the servers, not everyone is looking to create a region with 10 other people.… Expand
  16. Emhster
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    This launch is a disaster. You can only play online, your cities are saved on some server which hasn't been stable on day 1. I'm usually forgiving when I encounter those problems on a MMORPG, but Simcity isn't.

    Please skip this game. At least for few months.
  17. TheBrit0n
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    I am so dissapointed I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt but they have let us down proving once and for all that always on DRM can never and should never be industry standard on anything relating to single player content. This I can only assume is a an antipiracy counter measure that is about to backfire massively the only thing that this will achieve is to encourage piracy.I am so dissapointed I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt but they have let us down proving once and for all that always on DRM can never and should never be industry standard on anything relating to single player content. This I can only assume is a an antipiracy counter measure that is about to backfire massively the only thing that this will achieve is to encourage piracy. Also on the TOS claims I haven't read them personally but I can assure you I will be checking my games in future I have never rented games I do not intend to start now I would rather quit the medium than allow these major corporation dictate how and when I can play my games. I realise a lot of you are enjoying this game and you have to understand no one is saying its a bad game there saying it's bad business and bad practice and just saying oh well that's the way the industry is headed is just burying your head in the sand gamers are an extremely powerful group unfortunately we are fractured it is time we took a stand stopped fighting ourselves and put our consumer power to test against these people it is the only way things will ever change.… Expand
  18. harderjw
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Unskippable tutorial that doesn't run correctly. Completely unplayable. I understand that glitches happen in games, but I'm sick and tired of this garbage getting released while clearly under tested.
  19. freddieanto
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    I would love to give you a great review on game play, but due to DRM, needing a constant, always on internet connection, and server management, I CANT EVEN PLAY THE GAME!! I already lost the first town I had because the server that I started it on was gone, so I had to start another. Now I cant play because the game can't find any servers. The game times out and quit's.

    Great job EA!    I would love to give you a great review on game play, but due to DRM, needing a constant, always on internet connection, and server management, I CANT EVEN PLAY THE GAME!! I already lost the first town I had because the server that I started it on was gone, so I had to start another. Now I cant play because the game can't find any servers. The game times out and quit's.

    Great job EA! With DRM, the ONLY people you screw are the people who pay for this game. The PIRATES already have this game cracked and are building themselves great cities.    … Expand
  20. Kelukan
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    City size is inexplicably small. I was able to fill 5 entire plots in about 4 hours of play. Unfortunately, it took more than 8 hours to get 4 hours of play, due to the servers constantly crashing. And even though the game is usually played solo, you have to have an internet connection and connect to the servers in order to play. Utter failure. Ill be seeking a refund as the game has noCity size is inexplicably small. I was able to fill 5 entire plots in about 4 hours of play. Unfortunately, it took more than 8 hours to get 4 hours of play, due to the servers constantly crashing. And even though the game is usually played solo, you have to have an internet connection and connect to the servers in order to play. Utter failure. Ill be seeking a refund as the game has no replay value whatsoever.… Expand
  21. Trustme_imaDoct
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    I literally made an account to give this game a 0 and tell everyone it sucks dick. Forced online and so many great features gone, leaves this game to be known as one of the worst in Sim City history...
  22. LegalEagle2
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Extremely unimpressed by the changes made to a once loved franchise. Smaller "cities" (towns), DRM that requires me to be connected to the internet (what?! SimCity was what I went to play when I wasn't able to get online) horrible servers, DLC available on day one (if we're required to get onto your shop just to play the game, why didn't we get all content for the game on day one? AnythingExtremely unimpressed by the changes made to a once loved franchise. Smaller "cities" (towns), DRM that requires me to be connected to the internet (what?! SimCity was what I went to play when I wasn't able to get online) horrible servers, DLC available on day one (if we're required to get onto your shop just to play the game, why didn't we get all content for the game on day one? Anything after that point I understand, but shoving DLC we have to pay for down our throats when we're supposed to be enjoying our brand new game? Your ads are on my main menu for Christs sake, I expect that from a free to play game, not one I just dropped $80 on.

    The new SimCity literally a better looking "Farmville". Get rid of the online DRM so people can play and get out of those massive queue's, enlarge cities so we can build what we want, and please let me save to my hard drive so every 15 minutes I don't get disconnected from your sub-par servers.

    Signed,
    A long time fan utterly disappointed    … Expand
  23. Drew0927
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Can't play single player because you have to have a connection to the server. Brilliant. I hope heads are rolling at EA. So concerned about "piracy" you make game play impossible for cash paying customers. Super smart.
  24. tifunkalicious
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Impossible to rate above a 0 because the game is impossible to play.

    Get kicked off because the servers are down. Unable to create new cities on different servers due to a vague error.
  25. adiliyo
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    great game, runs smooth, excellent graphics and well tuned game mechanics.

    HOWEVER with the way DRM is worked into it, you can't play w/o an internet connection, which is a pain in and of itself, but if EA's servers are down or overloaded (like now, at launch) you can't play the game at all. it will also randomly delete your regions and cities that are not saved at all locally, so there    great game, runs smooth, excellent graphics and well tuned game mechanics.

    HOWEVER with the way DRM is worked into it, you can't play w/o an internet connection, which is a pain in and of itself, but if EA's servers are down or overloaded (like now, at launch) you can't play the game at all. it will also randomly delete your regions and cities that are not saved at all locally, so there is no way to recover them.

    great game hampered by a complete waste of a distribution/play model. i'm getting a refund.    … Expand
  26. Seagoon
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Unplayable. Completely ridiculous to pay 60 bucks for what is really a single player game and then not be able to play due to server issues. EA are thieves
  27. tspjunk
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Sad, just sad. Zero depth compared to SimCity 4, or even SimCity 2000! Puny cities, no offline mode, none of the complexity of a SimCity. I loved this game until this horrific game came out. I only wish I could get my money back from Origin. I hope EA properly responds to this tragic game by recalling this game and starting over from scratch with a competent team!!!
  28. KaerosD
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    To deserve a rating higher than zero only requires the game to function. EA has reached new levels of incompetence, I'm ashamed to have wasted money on another one of their nonfunctional abortions of games. If there's a line for refunds, point me to it.
  29. us3th3forc3
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    This game is terrible. Actually, I don't really know if the game is terrible or not since I haven't been able to play it. EA's decision to make me play online the entire time has made it impossible to play the game at all as the servers are busy. And when I sign in it makes me do a tutorial that I cannot even do as the controls are grayed out. So my tutorial is me just sitting thereThis game is terrible. Actually, I don't really know if the game is terrible or not since I haven't been able to play it. EA's decision to make me play online the entire time has made it impossible to play the game at all as the servers are busy. And when I sign in it makes me do a tutorial that I cannot even do as the controls are grayed out. So my tutorial is me just sitting there waiting for something to happen. I LOVED SimCity 3000 and was so excited about this game, but now I am really disappointed that I bought this game at all. Maybe someone will let me know if this game is fun or not once they get a chance to play it.… Expand
  30. Whitemare
    Mar 5, 2013
    0
    Be aware that this is a 100% online game. i only discovered this today. not only are people having to wait to log on to servers like an MMO launch, but i actually got booted and now i can get back on for more than a few seconds. There are no save games and no loading. you have no control over this. the game let me play for about 30mins offline. then it wouldn't let my place buildings orBe aware that this is a 100% online game. i only discovered this today. not only are people having to wait to log on to servers like an MMO launch, but i actually got booted and now i can get back on for more than a few seconds. There are no save games and no loading. you have no control over this. the game let me play for about 30mins offline. then it wouldn't let my place buildings or advance time etc. i restarted and it didnt save anything since my last connection. I haven't played EA games for years because of crap like this and now i returned for this 1 game and i get screwed around again. Its my own fault for trusting them again. Such a shame… 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 »