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. ZoltyKot
    Mar 10, 2013
    1
    Piece of crap. I just lost my 5h city and since then i can't even login into that damned thing. Last night i managed to play for entire of 15min before it disconnected me from server. WASTED MONEY don't buy it!. Fok you EA!
  2. amelendez
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nice promise, terrible deployment and planning! After managing to play about 3 days later from its launch, you get really dissapointed to see how your time and effort spent in building your cities is lost due to server problems. I don´t care about the online requirement to play, but EA, or Maxis, or Origin (I don't know who is responsible and don´t care) should have done a staged deployment to control all these mistakes. When you can actually play, the game is great although still has some bugs (overlaping homes and problems with borderline streets). I would not recommend this game, its just a general frustration, that is not worth the money payed for it. The EA support is terrible. I don´t get why my games end up saved on one server, and if I move to a different one I lose my progress done in the other server? What kind of implementation is that? Its a terrible design or terrible sync implementation. Overall, don´t buy this game... not yet! Its not worth your money.… Expand
  3. justindp86
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    Have to login to play a private game... which is stupid. Have random zombie attacks which I cannot do anything about and the maps are pathetically small. Played for 6 hours over 2 days, lost all my progress twice due to server issues.... so I'm not playing anymore.

    EA, go f u c k off
  4. Kicki2000
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    Frustrated!
    Bought the game 4 days ago, have only got to the tutorial wich I played 3 times before the game lost connection. If i knew before what i know now i would never bought the game.Now i play simcity 4 instead.
  5. Joe_Dalton
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    After trying to connect for almost a week i could finally try the game. Created a city after the tutorial however when i tried to resume the game a hour later i again could not reconnect to my server. Tried another server and about 20 min i could reconnect to EA en start simcity.. however my previous game/city was lost in space.. 30min game and about 10u trying to get connected. I have noAfter trying to connect for almost a week i could finally try the game. Created a city after the tutorial however when i tried to resume the game a hour later i again could not reconnect to my server. Tried another server and about 20 min i could reconnect to EA en start simcity.. however my previous game/city was lost in space.. 30min game and about 10u trying to get connected. I have no words for this disaster.. and they still are selling the game while you cannot play it. A worldwide SCAM just to get money from users… Expand
  6. Attanar
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    Bought the game before it was released. HUGE MISTAKE. Have been having lots of problems to even start a game, when I eventually did I lost all progress because it wasn't saved properly.

    EA tries to sell it as a "multiplayer" game, but its clearly a single player with just a few limited (and completely unecessary) interaction between cities. Clearly a poor excuse to get you eat the whole    Bought the game before it was released. HUGE MISTAKE. Have been having lots of problems to even start a game, when I eventually did I lost all progress because it wasn't saved properly.

    EA tries to sell it as a "multiplayer" game, but its clearly a single player with just a few limited (and completely unecessary) interaction between cities. Clearly a poor excuse to get you eat the whole huge DRM.

    Tired of stupid game companies forcing you to deal with even more stupid DRMs? Then DO NOT buy this game. I'm asking for a refund, that's the only way these guys will ever stop treating us like idiots.    … Expand
  7. frame
    Mar 10, 2013
    1
    I'll adjust my rating once offline mode got added to the game. Currently it's unplayable and way too small. I did expect a lot more from this franchise.
  8. GildaTheGriffin
    Mar 10, 2013
    9
    Really do love this game. Played 4 hours straight and didn't have a problem with the servers. It's not perfect, but it's better tan ever. Making connections between cities is a nice feature. I understand the DRM, even though it's not working properly, but even EA needs to protect their product just as anybody. I feel as this game gets bad reviews just from EA haters and DRM cryReally do love this game. Played 4 hours straight and didn't have a problem with the servers. It's not perfect, but it's better tan ever. Making connections between cities is a nice feature. I understand the DRM, even though it's not working properly, but even EA needs to protect their product just as anybody. I feel as this game gets bad reviews just from EA haters and DRM cry babies. But once more servers get implemented and possible single player, then we will see a larger population of players.… Expand
  9. tigule
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    I managed to play for a while on one of the new servers. Today I go back and "I'm in a Queue". OK, Ill try a different server! Wait... no I don't want to play the tutorial again, and where are my saved games? Oh, they're on the other server? WTF EA.
  10. Karonic
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    What can I say, EA is absolutely the worst publisher of all time, has no business ethics, bribes critics for inflated review score, cash driven who cares nothing about the quality of its game, how many more series that we love and enjoy will have to be ruined by EA before players realize that EA is nothing but a pile of dog and stop patronizing their atrocities?
  11. fenderjaguar
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    Hey EA, thanks for ripping me off. I couldn't even play my game, because you seem to think that paying customers need to be tied up by a dog leash connected directly to your iron grip, all to prove that we didn't steal the game. At least Ubisoft learned eventually that this kind of DRM will MAKE PEOPLE VERY VERY VERY ANGRY. You'd think that after the Spore debacle, EA would never haveHey EA, thanks for ripping me off. I couldn't even play my game, because you seem to think that paying customers need to be tied up by a dog leash connected directly to your iron grip, all to prove that we didn't steal the game. At least Ubisoft learned eventually that this kind of DRM will MAKE PEOPLE VERY VERY VERY ANGRY. You'd think that after the Spore debacle, EA would never have pulled this crap again. So yeah, boycott EA. Do not buy any of their games until this stupid DRM is truly stamped out for good. It might take a while, but they'll get the message if enough of us have the balls to do the right thing. I know I personally boycotted a lot of Ubisoft games, and Far Cry 3 is the first one I've bought off them in years (excellent game btw, and none of the stupid always online crap).… Expand
  12. Demon_Shinigami
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    Well... This is not even worth pirating. I recommend that everyone get a refund, you can as the game is BROKEN, and BROKEN goods can be returned, I did it.

    What else can be said, other than... always online DRM, tiny plots of land to build on, EPIC wait times for the servers (my 'best' was 3 hours and 47 minutes), lost many saves due to my Scottish internet being bad as always, day 1    Well... This is not even worth pirating. I recommend that everyone get a refund, you can as the game is BROKEN, and BROKEN goods can be returned, I did it.

    What else can be said, other than... always online DRM, tiny plots of land to build on, EPIC wait times for the servers (my 'best' was 3 hours and 47 minutes), lost many saves due to my Scottish internet being bad as always, day 1 DLC, idiots on the forced multiplayer making anti-progressive moves on neighbour plots, overly simplified gameplay that rivals facebook games, etc etc

    To elaborate on the simplified gameplay, this makes the Super Nintendo version seem far more innovating, infact I'm going to play that right after this review, I don't need Origin or an internet connection to play that.

    I guess this adds to the list of franchises EA has utterly destroyed.

    I give the servers and few months before they are shut down, might do the world a favour.    … Expand
  13. ShadowBlade72
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    After hearing all of the negative reviews about SimCity, I was still interested in at least purchasing it and trying it out once the issues were resolved. I went to the Origin store and added the game to my cart. I entered in all of my payment information and... "Payment Authorization Failed." I tried this several more times with different cards, and even a direct bank transfer fromAfter hearing all of the negative reviews about SimCity, I was still interested in at least purchasing it and trying it out once the issues were resolved. I went to the Origin store and added the game to my cart. I entered in all of my payment information and... "Payment Authorization Failed." I tried this several more times with different cards, and even a direct bank transfer from PayPal.

    After finally realizing that it was their site that was broken, I decided to contact their support. After waiting for nearly 45 minutes to reach a representative, they told me that I would be unable to purchase the game because my transactions were showing up in their system as "At risk", and the only thing I could do was wait for 3-5 days and try it again. So while everyone else is unable to play the game, I am unable to even purchase it.

    What a disappointment. This is why I refuse to use any distribution platform other than Steam. At least Valve seems to care about their customers.    … Expand
  14. davejohanson
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    I am completely disappointed in what EA (Maxis) has developed for a game upgrade that I have waited almost 10 years for! I am shackled to a an overburden and sometime unavailable DRM server to even play this game in single play mode!! I cannot play the game if my Internet connection is down or if the EA servers are unavailable!! This seams to be the future of software "in the cloud".I am completely disappointed in what EA (Maxis) has developed for a game upgrade that I have waited almost 10 years for! I am shackled to a an overburden and sometime unavailable DRM server to even play this game in single play mode!! I cannot play the game if my Internet connection is down or if the EA servers are unavailable!! This seams to be the future of software "in the cloud". You do not have the ability to run it on your own PC when you want unless you are shackled to the EA servers. The size of the city you can create is also very limited and EA will probably take years to update it. Thank you EA for completely ruining my expectations for this new game release!!!… Expand
  15. falc0nit3
    Mar 10, 2013
    8
    Please fix the damn servers. I'm unable to play this game. So many negative reviews. Oh EA, when will thou learn? Tons of problems in the game as well. Sigh!
  16. Muffinrex
    Mar 10, 2013
    9
    I can't understand why people are giving this game so much hate, just because of the DRM! Sure, it's annoying as heck, but the game itself is brilliant, in fact: it's a masterpiece!

    EA is fixing the servers, the game is being fixed guys! Stop the hate, the game is awesome!
  17. neisep
    Mar 10, 2013
    0
    There is just way to much server issues to even ENJOY this game, and Electronic Arts takes this as a joke, to make a pirated protection that is so strong that normal buying customers can't EVEN play the game makes me think i do not wanna buy a game from Electronic Arts or Maxis ever again,
    Frustration when contacting EA support they do not even listen at all, you get threated by EA    There is just way to much server issues to even ENJOY this game, and Electronic Arts takes this as a joke, to make a pirated protection that is so strong that normal buying customers can't EVEN play the game makes me think i do not wanna buy a game from Electronic Arts or Maxis ever again,
    Frustration when contacting EA support they do not even listen at all, you get threated by EA support instead not funny.
    Overall i don't know since i can't even start the game so my enjoyment is stucked with the protection so i would like too give a big thanks to Maxis and Electronic Arts for making a great game suck THANK YOU    … Expand
  18. ezioauditore
    Mar 9, 2013
    1
    I have been waiting for this game for a long time, waiting for innovation and an entertaining, LARGE city-building game. This is a horrible game. And I'm saying this not taking into account the million problems I have had trying to play online. Not expecting this many players is a horibble excuse Maxis and EA. I severely recommend that nobody plays this game. The graphics, I don't evenI have been waiting for this game for a long time, waiting for innovation and an entertaining, LARGE city-building game. This is a horrible game. And I'm saying this not taking into account the million problems I have had trying to play online. Not expecting this many players is a horibble excuse Maxis and EA. I severely recommend that nobody plays this game. The graphics, I don't even want to talk about it, I recommend Cities XL. DO NOT play this game, do yourself this favor.… Expand
  19. SooNotFunny21
    Mar 9, 2013
    1
    EZ, simple review here: Bought the game and paid $60 for me and another $60 shot for my son... thinking father and son game play, right? WRONG! 4 days later, still no servers available, network down, lost connections. In short not ready for prime time.
    **They even had a beta period to test this thing unbelievable screw up on many fronts. The game is just not ready save your    EZ, simple review here: Bought the game and paid $60 for me and another $60 shot for my son... thinking father and son game play, right? WRONG! 4 days later, still no servers available, network down, lost connections. In short not ready for prime time.
    **They even had a beta period to test this thing unbelievable screw up on many fronts. The game is just not ready save your money.
    What I have been able to see graphics are stunning and game play looks great if it works. City sizes are limited and small too bad, and offline mode is a must. Wont ever buy a game with this platform again and will definatelt think hard and probably decide against anything with EA on it On top of all the issues, they disabled your ability to contact them for help. Pathetic.    … Expand
  20. elmergu
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    Is sad how Electronic Arts DRM, and servers removed the fun for such a good game, I wanted to play while I was offline in my free time and got surprised when I wasn't allowed to play and when I got online the servers where down EA has lost a user today the only good thing about this is that I got my money back
  21. mikednkc
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    Where to start. Always online, small maps, frustrating game play, inability to control saves. Inability to alter the landscape. Make a mistake and you will have to basically start over. I built a high school and it didn't show up except for a little access road that I can't delete now. Building roads is so frustrating. Upgrading placed buildings is a great concept, but they require spaceWhere to start. Always online, small maps, frustrating game play, inability to control saves. Inability to alter the landscape. Make a mistake and you will have to basically start over. I built a high school and it didn't show up except for a little access road that I can't delete now. Building roads is so frustrating. Upgrading placed buildings is a great concept, but they require space outside their footprint, which F's up your entire layout. And the map, the tiny little city size I filled it up in a couple hours, and now just sit and watch as it progresses. This game would be great if they had just improved the deficiencies of the last Sim City game without dumbing down the parts that made it challenging. A complete and utter disappointment on so many levels. I waited for over 10 years for this game and they ruined it. Any of the "professionals" who gave this a 10 are either high, stupid, or just easily entertained. Farmville was more challenging. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME! If you must own it, wait a week, they will selling used for 10 bucks. I think I will use mine for a coaster.… Expand
  22. Griffyn
    Mar 9, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Perfect game, if EA can fix the server it would be 10/10. The mode of game is creative but it needs better servers. It is kinda unfriendly to single player who just wants to play himself.… Expand
  23. Critical_Fun
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    The New Coke of computer gaming. Suck on this rating EA. Let this be a message to all the other game companies that try to overreach with DRM and online connection requirements for a single player game. Even without the DRM and server issues, who wants to play simCity with only small maps? Who the hell is making decisions over there? We thought we were getting SimCity and we getThe New Coke of computer gaming. Suck on this rating EA. Let this be a message to all the other game companies that try to overreach with DRM and online connection requirements for a single player game. Even without the DRM and server issues, who wants to play simCity with only small maps? Who the hell is making decisions over there? We thought we were getting SimCity and we get farmville for $60. Video gaming does not have to be a social activity. Especially a game like this.… Expand
  24. mrjd
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    There are many reasons why I think Maxis and EA have ruined simcity for me. First, server issues, I (and lots of other people) would much rather play simcity as a single player game. They force us to always be connect to their servers to play, not a deal breaker for me but when their servers can't handle the traffic it is. Next the game itself, they removed some of the best features fromThere are many reasons why I think Maxis and EA have ruined simcity for me. First, server issues, I (and lots of other people) would much rather play simcity as a single player game. They force us to always be connect to their servers to play, not a deal breaker for me but when their servers can't handle the traffic it is. Next the game itself, they removed some of the best features from previous simcity games, you can't create your own regions or cities and terraform the land, making hills and rivers ect. The size of the cities is ridiculously small, the whole city can be filled up in an hour, so you have to choose what to demolish to continue building.
    Also there are very limited public transportation options, I'm sure they will have DLC with more in the future, but for the price of the game, more options should have been included. One of my favorite features of SC4 was that it allowed modding, the community created some amazing mods for the game, that's why it has been around and popular for over 10 years. I'm also worried about money hungry EA and their "micro-transactions", what happened to expansion packs, rush hour was awesome and totally worth it. I guess for now I'll just have to stick with SC4 until Civitas (moddable, DRM free, city simulator on kickstarter) is funded and released.    … Expand
  25. Mo-teur
    Mar 9, 2013
    8
    This Review is purely based on when I am able to play, which is NOT that hard to do, you had to work a little bit day one but yeah, had problems with almost every Multiplayer servers on day one. When you get to play this game, it's pure fun, it's not half as complex as the 4th was yet has a really nice dept to it. Maps are Smaller but adds to the difficulty, you can't pop 20 nuclear powerThis Review is purely based on when I am able to play, which is NOT that hard to do, you had to work a little bit day one but yeah, had problems with almost every Multiplayer servers on day one. When you get to play this game, it's pure fun, it's not half as complex as the 4th was yet has a really nice dept to it. Maps are Smaller but adds to the difficulty, you can't pop 20 nuclear power stations anymore just because. you have to THINK about where you will be planting every little ''paid'' buildings since you wont want to destroy it and leave your city without water for 1-2 hours. Didn't have the chance to build a great work yet but i think it's a really nice idea to have such thing, great boost for the ''region'' yet you need to work for it. Regions are not a bad idea and I think even solo players will enjoy it. If we take Sim city5 against the 4th without any mods and patches (the current state of the 5th) The newest title has no need to be jealous and is a really good game if you give it a real try.… Expand
  26. tigerpapa
    Mar 9, 2013
    1
    Damn online DRM I hate you When you bought the game and play it at once you will find the server error will make you mad Just like Diablo 3 ,I think it's not worse to preorder for the game Just wait to the discount
  27. F1aw1ess1
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    I hate EA since a while back when they up Madden past like 02 or 05 or something, and also did the license thing. At that time, I thought that was really messed up because I thought they are forcing you to buy their games (always more of a 2K guy( then they up battlefield 3 for PC (always online DRM also). Since then my hatred has turned into a passionate hatred. I HATE EA. I did not buyI hate EA since a while back when they up Madden past like 02 or 05 or something, and also did the license thing. At that time, I thought that was really messed up because I thought they are forcing you to buy their games (always more of a 2K guy( then they up battlefield 3 for PC (always online DRM also). Since then my hatred has turned into a passionate hatred. I HATE EA. I did not buy this game, (was not even interested because it's EA anyway and once I seen the artwork I knew it was just going to be The Sims, City) But since I hate them so much. I'm taking the time to hop on the bandwagon and add fuel to the fire. YOU SIM CITY AND EA! MUAHAHAHHA ENJOY YOUR 0… Expand
  28. ferenyx
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    Haven't been able to play at least half the time I've wanted to because the servers were down. These issues they are having are well known and have been solved by tons of other companies. Incompetent developers spoiling an amazing series.
  29. erik2472
    Mar 9, 2013
    2
    The game is fine, I mean, it works for the most part. The layout is bad, control over the cities is limited. City size is too small. It has crashed 2 times. Certainly not worth $80. Maybe worth $25. This is the last time I will ever pre-order a game. I think I will go back to sim city 4.
  30. bthomas
    Mar 9, 2013
    2
    Server overload can be a bummer when you try to play the new SimCity, along with the myriad of different bugs that will probably break most complex cities on their attempt to succeed.
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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 »