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. carr857
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    Half of the time I cannot even play the game. The always-on online DRM ruins games. This is terrible, and when I can play sometimes the game crashes.
  2. Skyrik
    Mar 6, 2013
    5
    The game is great... if you can ever get to play. Mandatory server access is really stupid for those who want to play alone and really just screws this game over.
  3. kajota
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    I understood that this game had annoying DRM when I bought it. What I didn't realize is that it would make the game unplayable. Literally. It's not that it's bad (or could be, I don't know), I couldn't actually play the game. I couldn't connect to the server, couldn't load a city, or the controls wouldn't work once I did load a city. There was no playing to be had. Just an hour and a halfI understood that this game had annoying DRM when I bought it. What I didn't realize is that it would make the game unplayable. Literally. It's not that it's bad (or could be, I don't know), I couldn't actually play the game. I couldn't connect to the server, couldn't load a city, or the controls wouldn't work once I did load a city. There was no playing to be had. Just an hour and a half of time wasted installing and trying to play this junk. These guys owe me a refund.… Expand
  4. JesseG
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    Ok, let me just start with this, I am creating an account on this site for the sole purpose of letting people know how bad this game has been so far. There are so many server issues right now its ridiculous. I know a lot of people are complaining about not being able to connect, which, yeah sure that's not good, but I am going to talk about something worse than not being able to connect.Ok, let me just start with this, I am creating an account on this site for the sole purpose of letting people know how bad this game has been so far. There are so many server issues right now its ridiculous. I know a lot of people are complaining about not being able to connect, which, yeah sure that's not good, but I am going to talk about something worse than not being able to connect. Losing mass amounts of time and progress because the game loses connection to server while playing. This in all honestly has to be the most frustrating thing to happen to me by far. I would much rather just not being able to connect than to lose half my city because EAs crap servers took a dump. Normally that wouldn't be much of a problem because you could just upload data from local storage to the cloud but guess what, this game has no local save feature. That's right, none at all. Whoever made that bonehead decision needs to be fired on the spot. I honestly have a ton of gripes about this newest iteration on one of my favorite franchises(been a sim gamer since Super Nintendo and original Sim City) but I don't want to spend all my time being negative. The only other negative thing I will say is that the city plot sizes are terrible. I didn't think that they would bother me that much but they do, a lot. Only a short while into my cities life and I have already used up half the real estate. This game forces you to cram everything in the most efficient spacing possible just to get to a decent sized city. It really takes the wind out of your sails when you realize your almost out of room and you have not gotten a tenth of the things you had planned in to the city. That said, this game has sooooo much potential. The infrastructure and groundwork have been laid out to deliver one of the best city simulations of all time there are just too many things wrong at the moment to waste your time on it. I am severely regretting buying this game. Has the time come to stop pre ordering games? I think so. To many bad decisions in game making over the past year or so has left me jaded towards developers and publishers. Im looking at you Blizzard, Bioware, EA and Maxis. You all know better but we keep taking the crap you are shoveling and asking for more so why would you ever stop? Nah, not gonna happen until we, the consumers, start speaking with our wallets. I for one WILL start speaking with my wallet from now on. No more good faith purchases for this video game nerd.… Expand
  5. Ateerix
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Long time fan of the series, this game is great, the mechanics and all, it is just so unfortunate that EA and Origin are the ones behind the wheel. What with it being DRM, once it stops making them as much money as they want, it will go the to the same place The Sims Online was sent.
  6. bluerazor
    Mar 6, 2013
    3
    Ive seen some bad launches before but this launch takes the cake. The DRM is woeful not matter how much spin they put on it. Simcity is not a multiplayer game no matter what they say. "Always online" will ruin Maxis. The game is basic and looks pretty, when it works. Thats about it. Geez even the tutorial dosen`t work.
  7. Vincent81
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Dear EA,

    Sadly your company has again pushed me away from the right path. I realize after a friend has told me that Sim City 5 was released. First thing I thought was its EA..I don't want to support you but the second thought came into my mind was, its Maxis. A company who was created by a brilliant programmer Will Wright (which to be honest I look up to and hope to one day achieve    Dear EA,

    Sadly your company has again pushed me away from the right path. I realize after a friend has told me that Sim City 5 was released. First thing I thought was its EA..I don't want to support you but the second thought came into my mind was, its Maxis. A company who was created by a brilliant programmer Will Wright (which to be honest I look up to and hope to one day achieve something great like him.) However after downloading the game and unable to play after 8 or so hours after I paid $80 (in support to Maxis) I am still unable to create one single city. Its either server are down, unable to login to server please login again, and unable to claim city (this was earlier in the day.) This is a horrendous experience for any customer.

    How does a large company such as yourself able to pour so much money into marketing a game yet unable to provide the support or infrastructure it needs for it to work? Its like Lamborghini made a new car and once they give you the key you can't drive it anywhere. How worthless is that to the buyer?

    Anyways, to go on with what I want to say, you have my $80.00 keep it for your unemployment checks once people are finally fed up with your B.S. I hope every single one of your executives that have had any say in pushing this product out, loose their job, loose their wealth, and have to go live in a homeless shelter. Maybe then that they would learn how to earn a respectable living before falsifying a product and shamelessly using a dearly beloved brand name to fill their pockets first.

    Also I'm probably no longer going to wait for EA to fix this crap. I'll wait for one of the hacker groups out there who are only a team of 10 or so or less able to throw in some codes to make it work offline. Seriously a group of hackers can make this game offline and a GIANT Fing company can't make a mode for offline gaming.

    P.S. If there was an offline gaming, there wouldn't be this rant, SimCity was an offline game. You want online fine, make it an option not a NECCESSARY!

    P.S.S. Comments on hackers, I really hope EA reads it and learn that hackers are going to be this brand savior instead of the opposite. We(consumers) buy legitimate games that we can't play(because of the company foolishness) but if they(pirates) get it illegitimately they will be able to play it...that is one @SS backward way to sell your games! All I can say is I root for the pirates this time all the way!    … Expand
  8. ScytheNoire
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    Take the Critic Reviews with a HUGE grain of salt. These "professional" reviewers are very biased and want to stay on EA's good side. There have been too many documented cases of publishers influencing reviewers and we see it at play yet again.

    The launch has been a disaster. My internet connection has been steady, but the servers are constantly going down. Lost multiple cities that the    Take the Critic Reviews with a HUGE grain of salt. These "professional" reviewers are very biased and want to stay on EA's good side. There have been too many documented cases of publishers influencing reviewers and we see it at play yet again.

    The launch has been a disaster. My internet connection has been steady, but the servers are constantly going down. Lost multiple cities that the game just doesn't save. The stability is absolutely horrible. This game drastically requires an offline mode. So far server stability for a single player game has been the biggest problem.

    The game itself has some major issues also. The RCI isn't accurate at all. Many of the stats are inaccurate. The traffic design is illogical, firetrucks won't pass each other to get to a fire?! The city areas are not just small, they are tiny. The idea that it was system requirements keeping the size small is a lie. They are most likely going to try to sell larger city areas in the future as DLC.

    Overall, I cannot recommend any one buying this game. It is a rip off right now because you can't even play the game, and if by chance you get on, the stability is horrible.    … Expand
  9. NoImagination
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    By far the worst launch of a game... EA makes Blizzards handling of D3 look great.

    A) Obvious server issues: This is NOT a surprise for EA. They knew EXACTLY how many people ordered the game on day 1 (all pre-orders). There was NO REASON they should have been unprepared for the stress on the servers. B) The only reason this is an issue is due to the always on DRM. The only people    By far the worst launch of a game... EA makes Blizzards handling of D3 look great.

    A) Obvious server issues: This is NOT a surprise for EA. They knew EXACTLY how many people ordered the game on day 1 (all pre-orders). There was NO REASON they should have been unprepared for the stress on the servers.

    B) The only reason this is an issue is due to the always on DRM. The only people playing SimCity right now are the pirates... the people who payed are the only ones suffering (and yes, they already have a sandbox version up and running; completely offline)

    C) Even if I wanted to forgive EA for the server problems, their handling of this is completely poor. Their tech support forum help consists of some guy from China (yes, he cannot speak halfway decent English) directing people to ANOTHER forum... where there are NO EA Moderators.

    D) EA hasn't even been honest about the problem. They still have (10 hours after the initial problem) an update saying "We are aware that some individuals are experiencing server connection problems, and we are looking into it" EVERYONE is experiencing connection problems... Most people can't even get to the server selection.

    I know a lot of people keep saying "but its the servers, not the actual game"; well WAKE UP... the Servers are NEEDED for proper game play. Its like me saying "Well, the game is GREAT, its just a problem with the code that makes everything purple and the AI buggy"... its the whole damn game.

    Will not support EA and hopefully will be able to get a refund.    … Expand
  10. sota767
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    I was able to play the game a few hours after it released, and since then it has been nothing but connection issues and server errors. This always-on, cloud-saved, server-side-only design is completely terrible. SimCity always has been a massive game you played by yourself. Introducing a multiplayer mode and these other online components would have been fine if you could simply ignore themI was able to play the game a few hours after it released, and since then it has been nothing but connection issues and server errors. This always-on, cloud-saved, server-side-only design is completely terrible. SimCity always has been a massive game you played by yourself. Introducing a multiplayer mode and these other online components would have been fine if you could simply ignore them and play offline if you still wanted, but forcing everybody to go this route is insane and is causing the release of the game to be a utter failure.

    EA you're not defeating piracy, your defeating your customers. If there ever becomes a way to bypass the online component of SimCity 2013 (crack, private server, whatever) I'll use it in a heartbeat instead of dealing with this crap.    … Expand
  11. Calqless
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    I didnt mind th always on DRM, as i never unhook my OC from the net. The forum moderators, that say the servers are up and working... that i have a problem with.. The game crashed out of nowhere last night and havent made it back on since. Even then the server connection was tentative at best and non existent most of the time. ITs pretty but its a single player game that doesnt needI didnt mind th always on DRM, as i never unhook my OC from the net. The forum moderators, that say the servers are up and working... that i have a problem with.. The game crashed out of nowhere last night and havent made it back on since. Even then the server connection was tentative at best and non existent most of the time. ITs pretty but its a single player game that doesnt need online activity, you want to make me register online to play it not a big deal, but its not a MMO...… Expand
  12. mgblair
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Thank you for erasing my 10 hour old city. Thank you for forcing me to play that stupid intro scenario again. I genuinely wish nothing but the worst for the entire corporate staff at EA. There's such a thing as making money, and there's such a thing as being a perfect douche about it.
  13. WebMaster2000
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Spent $90 on this against my better judgement. Never again. Can't even play the game. Like buying a luxury car and having it breakdown before leaving the dealership parking lot. Since when is this acceptable?
  14. sagor
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    Very small area for the actual city, comparing to previous versions of the game.
    Graphics is not as good as it was in the video (and I play on ultra high).
    And you cannot even play it right now, as all servers are down, even though official response is they are up and running. EA in all its glory!
  15. sdmccrimmon
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    I bought the deluxe d/l of SimCity 5 (2013) on Origin ($80!) and it was unplayable. Servers were overloaded and I was never able to log on. There also is no option to play offline and save the game locally on your computer, a fact I had been unaware of until I tried to play the game. At this point, anyone lucky enough to get on a server and play would have to have a Midas touch of luck toI bought the deluxe d/l of SimCity 5 (2013) on Origin ($80!) and it was unplayable. Servers were overloaded and I was never able to log on. There also is no option to play offline and save the game locally on your computer, a fact I had been unaware of until I tried to play the game. At this point, anyone lucky enough to get on a server and play would have to have a Midas touch of luck to get back on to that same server to retrieve and play their saved game later. After more than two hours on hold with customer service (in queue with other dissatisfied customers), a refund was issued and I unhappily uninstalled the game. I have been a fan since the first iteration of SimCity, and would consider a repurchase IF, and only IF, EA provides an offline, single player option.… Expand
  16. jaxbert
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    I have had this game for 2 days now, and I still have been unable to play because of a "Network Error", or busy server, or other error. I hope to be able to try it out soon, but most of the reviews from people who actually can play are negative as well...
  17. Troa
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    The game is unplayable at launch. The number of servers was low, and now even though they claim servers are up they are not allowing authentication to play. This game needed much more time in beta before this horrifically flawed release, and should be taken off market until they get it working. To someone who has seen computer releases since the 90's, this is unforgivable.
  18. MERC123
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    I can't believe how horribly EA trashed the venerable Simcity series. The DRM makes the game unplayable. No matter how many times you restart the game, you won't be able to build a city for more than an hour or so (if you're lucky). Thanks for screwing over the law-abiding people of the world by not letting them play a game that they purchased EA. You've successfully converted me into a pirate.
  19. adamcb
    Mar 6, 2013
    2
    I went to the trouble of creating an account just so I could warn folks not to buy this game. A persistent online, single-player game where the servers do not work is a setup for failure.

    Now, granted, when you do get in (for me about 15/100 times), the game is very good. Visually a delight. But from server issues at launch to ongoing issues on the first and second days post-launch, I    I went to the trouble of creating an account just so I could warn folks not to buy this game. A persistent online, single-player game where the servers do not work is a setup for failure.

    Now, granted, when you do get in (for me about 15/100 times), the game is very good. Visually a delight. But from server issues at launch to ongoing issues on the first and second days post-launch, I just cannot recommend this game. And this comes from someone who has played every SimCity since the first in 1989 when I was still in high school.

    I play games to relax and unwind. And this game has been an utter frustration instead. I'm going to return this game for a refund and hopefully re-purchase in a month or two when either the servers get better or EA realizes the DRM and persistent online scheme appropriate for a MMORPG is not appropriate for a single-player city simulator.    … Expand
  20. G8tor
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Will not load, EA reps say all servers are online, yet can not connect to any server. There is no customer support to speak of. EA will not offer any refunds for their defective products.
  21. Fenris13
    Mar 6, 2013
    2
    Probably nothing more to add than anyone else did. Could be a great game, but the ineptitude of EA and Maxis could be a brand killer. I don't mind the smaller city sizes as much, but to require that the player have to be connected to servers and then not to have them ready to go is just ridiculous.
  22. Audiejo0117
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Awful, awful game. I have yet to even open the game because of all the issues going on. It is completely unresponsive, will not connect to any server or give me server options, and I feel like I just flushed $60 of my hard earned money down the toilet due to EA's lack of response on the issue. Several people are recommending you buy an older version of SimCity, and previously I was all forAwful, awful game. I have yet to even open the game because of all the issues going on. It is completely unresponsive, will not connect to any server or give me server options, and I feel like I just flushed $60 of my hard earned money down the toilet due to EA's lack of response on the issue. Several people are recommending you buy an older version of SimCity, and previously I was all for Sims and Simcity, but Ea has burned their bridge with me. I previously purchased Sims, expansion packs, etc and am infuriated by the fact that I can't even play my game. Do NOT by this game!!… Expand
  23. Khouns
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    Always stuck on Authenticating with servers, even If I do get passed that I get an Alert window to retry or cancel. Hitting cancel makes the launcher close. I only played the game for about 4-5 hours. From what I'm reading on the forums and other websites, players haven't been able to play. DRM killed the game already. EA ate their own words when they said that they wouldn't have a launchAlways stuck on Authenticating with servers, even If I do get passed that I get an Alert window to retry or cancel. Hitting cancel makes the launcher close. I only played the game for about 4-5 hours. From what I'm reading on the forums and other websites, players haven't been able to play. DRM killed the game already. EA ate their own words when they said that they wouldn't have a launch like D3. As we can see that didn't happen here. Good luck to any players that still want to play the game. I'm getting my money back. Sorry that was my rant on not being able to play. Sim City 5 is also dumb down. You have no control on piping(Water, Sewage, or Strom drains) You don't have to put up electrical poles. Everything is base on roads, they lay down everything under the roads (Which I do anyways in sim city 4). The maps are very small very very small. I understand you get to play with other players, but why Do I have to rely on someone else to build something I can't fit in my city. Oh also I forgot you can lay down tracks, or highways. Server side saving, I lost a lot of cities from this... I might be missing stuff here, but you get the picture.

    I did love that you can set your city to specialize in mining, oil, trade, tourism, and/or casinos. the road designs are really good as well, straight, cruve, square, and wave roads. The building design for the medium to high wealth sims are cool looking. You can upgrade some of the utility buildings. Addons like more buses, more rooms for clincs    … Expand
  24. encryptid
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Like everyone else, I have not been able to play this product due to the inadequate servers. My friends and I woke up early Tuesday morning to start the download since pre-loading was not available, only to find that the game servers were completely bugged out and overloaded. This problem continues tonight, and I have given up hope and have been biding my time trying to spread awareness ofLike everyone else, I have not been able to play this product due to the inadequate servers. My friends and I woke up early Tuesday morning to start the download since pre-loading was not available, only to find that the game servers were completely bugged out and overloaded. This problem continues tonight, and I have given up hope and have been biding my time trying to spread awareness of EA and how terrible they are. This isn't the first release they have had these problems with (Bad Company 2), and I'm sure it won't be their last. One thing is certain... I'm done buying titles from EA. Done.… Expand
  25. shorekent
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    I paid $80.00 for the "Limited Edition". Two days later I still haven't been able to play the game due to server errors and other bugs in the program. I did not realize there would not be an option to play offline. Do NOT waste your money on this game!
  26. Fudman
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    For a primarily single player game to have ALWAYS ONLINE is a crime against video games, this game deserves a 0/10, EA and Devs deserve jail time.
  27. EAFail
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    It is absolutely unacceptable for a single player game to be unplayable more than 24 hours after launch. The city sizes (the few hours I actually played) are tiny compared to last titles, filled with bugs, and my City has been totally lost due to the server issues. A disastrous launch and title that, to me, is worse than the Diablo 3 debacle because this is a single player game withIt is absolutely unacceptable for a single player game to be unplayable more than 24 hours after launch. The city sizes (the few hours I actually played) are tiny compared to last titles, filled with bugs, and my City has been totally lost due to the server issues. A disastrous launch and title that, to me, is worse than the Diablo 3 debacle because this is a single player game with multiplayer mechanics forced on the player in an attempt to justify the 'always online' requirement. Shameful.… Expand
  28. robmcg125
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    I really enjoy paying 60.00 for broken games that when they do actually allow you to play them on their serves the game was coded like such crap it crashes every 5 minutes. No other brand new game I play does this..... wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiierd
  29. OnenOnlyWalter
    Mar 6, 2013
    0
    Marking it as a zero for the easy fact that this game launched but I have yet to play it. It's not like I haven't tried. Server queues, buggy city creation and an inability to complete the tutorial means I haven't actually started a real game yet.

    For that reason I have to give it a 0/10 No Show
  30. notu
    Mar 6, 2013
    1
    Takes "Always On" to a whole new level in the time it took to play the opening cinematic, the game has lost connection to the servers. After clicking 'Getting Started' several times and being booted because it was unable to load the map I had nothing left to do except browse the settings menu for fun, then quit.
    The most I've gotten out of the game so far was -almost- into a city. It    Takes "Always On" to a whole new level in the time it took to play the opening cinematic, the game has lost connection to the servers. After clicking 'Getting Started' several times and being booted because it was unable to load the map I had nothing left to do except browse the settings menu for fun, then quit.
    The most I've gotten out of the game so far was -almost- into a city. It showed me the name of the city and a picture of it while loading, then halfway through loading said it had lost connection to the servers. 2 points for the cover art and nice menus, -1 point for less than helpful "network error" error boxes. I haven't found the easter egg yet, apparently some people have found a way to build cities but at the moment that's an unconfirmed rumor. Maybe I need to enter a cheat code for that or something.    … 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 »