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. joasoze
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Lets take a single player game, shrink it, make it multiplayer og always online. Great idea. This is one of the worst reboot a game series have ever had.
  2. Keengerm
    Mar 7, 2013
    2
    Unfortunately, the game remains unplayable. An unplayable game (3 days after launch), gets a 0. Even if all were fine, the manual indicates a dumbed down city building experience.

    Given Spore, and The Sims Medieval, it really looks like Maxis is slumping. Also, given the revenue EA has made off The Sims DLC, I suspect they intended to make Sim City a cash cow with similar add-ons (and    Unfortunately, the game remains unplayable. An unplayable game (3 days after launch), gets a 0. Even if all were fine, the manual indicates a dumbed down city building experience.

    Given Spore, and The Sims Medieval, it really looks like Maxis is slumping. Also, given the revenue EA has made off The Sims DLC, I suspect they intended to make Sim City a cash cow with similar add-ons (and attempting to "protect" it through ridiculous DRM). Who knows, maybe they can turn it around. I know other games that required always on Internet, and they changed it. But, I doubt EA will, even if their game tanks.    … Expand
  3. 0M9H4X
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    This is an offline, single player game that one plays ALONE in front of their computer. I have played Sim City 4 and Sim City 3000 before, and enjoyed them for quite some time. This one however forces you to connect with EAs Servers in order to do anything such as playing an offline game by yourself. That alone is almost reasoning enough for a 0 rating, but it gets better. EAs servers DOThis is an offline, single player game that one plays ALONE in front of their computer. I have played Sim City 4 and Sim City 3000 before, and enjoyed them for quite some time. This one however forces you to connect with EAs Servers in order to do anything such as playing an offline game by yourself. That alone is almost reasoning enough for a 0 rating, but it gets better. EAs servers DO NOT WORK. They cannot be reached, and even if you manage to connect to one (so it lets you play AN OFFLINE GAME) it crashes after taking 10 minutes to load the tutorial which you cannot skip. I have literally not played a single game yet because I AM NOT ABLE TO. This game is a waste beyond believe, I would not recommend it if you can find it for $10. Although I haven't been able to play the game yet, I heard it's not even that good. The CITYS you are supposed to be able to build are supposedly more like nano-villages, and if you want to build bigger and wider you will have to start a new city and connect the two. Online or something I don't get it. Maybe I'd be able to look into it, if the game would function. A definite 0/10.… Expand
  4. Chongychoo
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    What a crock. “Generating wave of unhappiness”? indeed
    So much for confidence in fixing the problems b4 the UK launch. I can’t get in to play at all. I have every error imaginable
    Failed to load Friend Unable to load region and city data at this time SimCity server are down attempting to reconnect Thousands of very angry and frustrated customers. Nice going EA. Heads must roll for    What a crock. “Generating wave of unhappiness”? indeed
    So much for confidence in fixing the problems b4 the UK launch. I can’t get in to play at all. I have every error imaginable
    Failed to load Friend
    Unable to load region and city data at this time
    SimCity server are down attempting to reconnect

    Thousands of very angry and frustrated customers. Nice going EA. Heads must roll for the millions you have made from the real hard working sims out there. Shame on you. Oh btw. Fool me once.... nah NEVER again. Nil point    … Expand
  5. SandMan13
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    Pretty terrible game to put it nicely. Small city limits, dumb sims, broken region interaction and much much more await you in this joke of a game. Not only do you always have to be online, but the servers can literally eat some of your cities so that they no longer exist. Oh, you spent 5 hours on that city? Too bad it's gone. Save yourself the trouble and just avoid this game. So manyPretty terrible game to put it nicely. Small city limits, dumb sims, broken region interaction and much much more await you in this joke of a game. Not only do you always have to be online, but the servers can literally eat some of your cities so that they no longer exist. Oh, you spent 5 hours on that city? Too bad it's gone. Save yourself the trouble and just avoid this game. So many game breaking problems it's unreal.… Expand
  6. TorKallon
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Two days since launch and it still takes hours of trial and error to even launch the game client. Once on, server outages while playing have lost all of my city progress twice. I'm done. I wish I could get my money back. Unacceptable for any game, but doubly unacceptable for a single player game.
  7. TheFandango
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    I've tried to play this game a few times now. Like everybody else is saying cannot connect to the server. DRM is the worst idea in the world. I'll be asking for a refund.
  8. Alphabrava
    Mar 13, 2013
    0
    Let me state before you read this review that I have not been able to play this game. I want to play this game. I was ready to purchase and had been awaiting release until I found out about the always online DRM. Now I can't buy it because I can't play it in many areas that I travel to. I find Sim City 4 a good escape and a continuing puzzle for me to solve whilst i am on the road. AnLet me state before you read this review that I have not been able to play this game. I want to play this game. I was ready to purchase and had been awaiting release until I found out about the always online DRM. Now I can't buy it because I can't play it in many areas that I travel to. I find Sim City 4 a good escape and a continuing puzzle for me to solve whilst i am on the road. An upgrade would have meant hours of boredom in hotels eleviated whilst I work away. But alas no EA not only wants my money it wants to get into my house and start controling where I can be and when I can play thisis no good. Therefore i have to score zero.… Expand
  9. 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.
  10. pfunkbizunk
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Always online? More like, always offline and unplayable. Personally, even if the game did work properly, its a major reach to have a quality multiplayer experience in this type of game. Don't let them fool you, EA stamped the online only on this game for DRM purposes. GREED! Judgement day is finally here EA!
  11. wpenris
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Unplayable... server overload stuff... What if you have a Green Wheels plan and you cannot get a car due to server overload... Ridiculous! Get your stuff in order before you launch! Always have surplus server capacity or emergency backups ready. I just paid for a game I cannot play. And the best of it is that I am unable to send a complaint for the website is also overloaded. :S:S:S Wait,Unplayable... server overload stuff... What if you have a Green Wheels plan and you cannot get a car due to server overload... Ridiculous! Get your stuff in order before you launch! Always have surplus server capacity or emergency backups ready. I just paid for a game I cannot play. And the best of it is that I am unable to send a complaint for the website is also overloaded. :S:S:S Wait, don't buy it yet. All other buyers should get a 10 euro or dollar refund.… Expand
  12. chrispyer41
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Ok the game is fun when you can play it. The always on DRM is killing this game. Servers are down 99% of the day. I would hold off on buying this game until EA can get their act together.
  13. vposta
    Mar 7, 2013
    3
    The fact that I cannot play what I paid for because the servers are overwhelmed, is a total fail. And even when I managed to start a city today, the game crashed twice, not saving the progress, so I am not even trying to load anymore. what a shambles.

    However, when I did manage to play for several hours yesterday, it was pretty obvious that the city size is just too small. Even without    The fact that I cannot play what I paid for because the servers are overwhelmed, is a total fail. And even when I managed to start a city today, the game crashed twice, not saving the progress, so I am not even trying to load anymore. what a shambles.

    However, when I did manage to play for several hours yesterday, it was pretty obvious that the city size is just too small. Even without trying to fill the space, 2h down the line and you will have nowhere else to build. So once your city is full, you have to move onto another one and start from anew. In the end, you will just end up with several cities across several servers and that's where it all stops making sense...

    As for the multiplayer, everyone seems to be doing their own thing anyway, no interactions, and because I cannot rely on purchasing water/electricity/other utilities from other players once your city gets too big, I rather build all the utilities myself, so I can be in control.

    Very disappointed with how the trade port and big ships look, was hoping for a proper pier with loads of cranes, similar to the concept art.    … Expand
  14. dockan
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    This had the potential to be a great game, but short sighted business decisions made sure that potential was thoroughly wasted. The DRM system requires you to be connected to the internet at all times, but the problem is the EA servers don't seem to be. After several beta testing weekends for load testing they still didn't get the required infrastructure in place to ensure a smoothThis had the potential to be a great game, but short sighted business decisions made sure that potential was thoroughly wasted. The DRM system requires you to be connected to the internet at all times, but the problem is the EA servers don't seem to be. After several beta testing weekends for load testing they still didn't get the required infrastructure in place to ensure a smooth gameplay experience at launch, or any gameplay experience at all for that matter.

    I wish I had made this purchase with my credit card, so I could cancel the purchase, because this is a disaster.    … Expand
  15. danp33
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    game would not load city. switched servers and was able to load a city but crashes constantly and i have to restart my computer and start a new city. because it does not save my city. EA needs to get all bugs worked out before they launch a game. wish it had an offline mode.
  16. payonel
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    The dev team did an AMA on reddit which I missed, and I wish I had not. The ama got less than half as many upvotes as did a single comment in the ama which collected all the other redditors questions/concerns/comments regarding online-only for a single player game. The dev team completely ignored this majority; they are ignoring the fans. I LOVED previous simcities; imo no other gameThe dev team did an AMA on reddit which I missed, and I wish I had not. The ama got less than half as many upvotes as did a single comment in the ama which collected all the other redditors questions/concerns/comments regarding online-only for a single player game. The dev team completely ignored this majority; they are ignoring the fans. I LOVED previous simcities; imo no other game delivers the same experience. But this game is just The Sims with a few more houses (far too small for real city planning/late game) and curved roads. You won't be seeing any user generated mods, you can no longer terraform, no farms or subways. After first installing the game I had to wait 30 minutes just to play it the first time (servers were full). After that I got in, but the game crashed so I got to wait another 30 minutes (again, servers full). I never wanted to play multiplayer with this game, and now I'm not even allowed to play singleplayer. Epic waste of money. Please...please do not buy. I've emailed my rant to EA do the same.… Expand
  17. bubbers214
    Mar 7, 2013
    1
    I typically have no issues with DRM, but when it makes a game I just purchased unplayable for what's going on 2 days now, it's impossible not to have problems with it. It's a shame that EA has ruined what could be and probably is actually a good/great game. The times I have been successful at actually playing, I have enjoyed it. However, the current server situation has made me decideI typically have no issues with DRM, but when it makes a game I just purchased unplayable for what's going on 2 days now, it's impossible not to have problems with it. It's a shame that EA has ruined what could be and probably is actually a good/great game. The times I have been successful at actually playing, I have enjoyed it. However, the current server situation has made me decide to abandon my attempts to play at this point and with my current backlog, that may mean never picking up this game again. It's a shame for Maxis and EA. One lesson that companies like EA still aren't learning is that stress testing involves much more than a closed beta limited to a small number of people. There is no way this will replicate what will happen on launch day. Companies like these need to understand that adequate testing is paramount for a successful launch and take what you feel to be reasonable performance with load and double it. If you're enough to admit in an interview that you are beyond ready for what's to come, you better be ready for it.… Expand
  18. asmodian3
    Mar 7, 2013
    2
    Too much forced structure to be SimCity as we knew it. Cities are very small and meant to rely on each other for services and buildings. Once city cannot do more than one or two things. Even "sandbox" mode doesn't change this. No way to save a city, try something out, and then go back to the earlier version if you don' t like it. I am very disappointed as at the start of a new city itToo much forced structure to be SimCity as we knew it. Cities are very small and meant to rely on each other for services and buildings. Once city cannot do more than one or two things. Even "sandbox" mode doesn't change this. No way to save a city, try something out, and then go back to the earlier version if you don' t like it. I am very disappointed as at the start of a new city it feels like a great update of the old games. Social should have been an optional extra not forced to be the entire game. They broke the game for single player because they needed the restrictions to get multiplayer to work. If you don't want multiplayer this SimCity (5) is not for you.
    I do not like that it requires a constant connection to the servers, if it loses connection it doesn't save and it will eventually kick you out of your city (and not save it). Someone took a great game and broke it trying to figure out how to make more money out of it.    … Expand
  19. moproblems
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Ridiculous that you cannot play this game offline. I understand the always online philosophy but at what cost. This experience has soured my taste on constantly online DRM. EA is large enough to know better and if someone didn't understand the possible server loads for this game they should be fired. The graphics on this game are a little underwhelming as well. I wish there was a wayRidiculous that you cannot play this game offline. I understand the always online philosophy but at what cost. This experience has soured my taste on constantly online DRM. EA is large enough to know better and if someone didn't understand the possible server loads for this game they should be fired. The graphics on this game are a little underwhelming as well. I wish there was a way to give a negative score because this debacle sure deserves it.… Expand
  20. ZodiacThriller
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Can't even connect to be able to play SINGLE PLAYER. Garbage. 0/10. Going back to Sim City 4, atleast I'm able to get into that game to be able to play it.
  21. Whaletailign
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is a ripoff I hate this game it sucks total garbage fest I want my money back. The critic journalists feel they must cram it down our throats because they don't want to burn a bridge with ea. I get it, but its a crime. This game is a waste of money.… Expand
  22. actionbob
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    I am truly let down with this entry into the Sim City series. Maxis/EA have systematically destroyed a gaming franchise that many, like myself, have loved for years. Although the game may turn out to be decent after all of the horrible launch issues, that does not sweeten the sour taste in my mouth. EA This was the first, and the LAST game I have ever purchased using your OriginI am truly let down with this entry into the Sim City series. Maxis/EA have systematically destroyed a gaming franchise that many, like myself, have loved for years. Although the game may turn out to be decent after all of the horrible launch issues, that does not sweeten the sour taste in my mouth. EA This was the first, and the LAST game I have ever purchased using your Origin platform. Promised refunds by high officials in the company are downright lies. They never intended to refund anyone. Lesson learned though, fool me once... Maxis Please; if you can't get out from underneath the tyrannical reign of EA, just close the doors and stop developing. This is beyond disappointing, it's a down right disgrace to the gaming industry as a whole. Pardon me while I climb down from my soapbox now...… Expand
  23. Mavericknz
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Downloaded the game this morning after getting the available email from Origin.
    Started the launcher and took a while to connect to the server, then by the time you get past the annoying introduction (which isnt disableable it seems but you can skip once it starts), and to the menu, the game loses the connection to the server, and the only way to reconnect it seems is to exit and start    Downloaded the game this morning after getting the available email from Origin.
    Started the launcher and took a while to connect to the server, then by the time you get past the annoying introduction (which isnt disableable it seems but you can skip once it starts), and to the menu, the game loses the connection to the server, and the only way to reconnect it seems is to exit and start the launcher again! Got about 2 minutes tutorial time before losing connection and kicking me out and have not been able to get back in since! UNPLAYABLE at this point!    … Expand
  24. SirBunnyEater
    Mar 7, 2013
    1
    Complete failure of EA servers makes the game unplayable. The actual game is great from the little I've been able to play. Alas the constant failure to get in game and when I do I get booted crash has caused me great frustration. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. A waste of I understand there may be issues on release day but to have even worse issues after 2 whole days is unacceptable. They claim theyComplete failure of EA servers makes the game unplayable. The actual game is great from the little I've been able to play. Alas the constant failure to get in game and when I do I get booted crash has caused me great frustration. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. A waste of I understand there may be issues on release day but to have even worse issues after 2 whole days is unacceptable. They claim they have offered a refund but many people who have tried have been denied and have posted their conversations with EA tech support online. You can rest assured that this is the very last EA game I will purchase in quite some time. Maybe someday they will redeem themselves but that will take quite a bit of work to accomplish.… Expand
  25. BillyBrinks
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Always online DRM should be illegal. Saying otherwise is like saying 'we don't need the FDA! I'm petitioning food and drug companies that sell harmful products by not buying from them!'

    Guess what? That didn't work. It kept happening. We need to sign this petition (https://www.change.org/petitions/electronic-arts-inc-remove-always-online-drm-from-simcity-and-future-games#) en masse, by    Always online DRM should be illegal. Saying otherwise is like saying 'we don't need the FDA! I'm petitioning food and drug companies that sell harmful products by not buying from them!'

    Guess what? That didn't work. It kept happening. We need to sign this petition (https://www.change.org/petitions/electronic-arts-inc-remove-always-online-drm-from-simcity-and-future-games#) en masse, by the tens, or hundreds of thousands. Then, once we've won this battle, we need to create a White House petition calling for legislation against this business practice.

    It should be illegal to sell a product to consumers which said consumers will not be able to use. Refusing to buy the products won't fix that. The market very rarely actually corrects itself.
    Sign the petition, make it blow up, and then let's take this to the consumer protection agency and get legislation passed to see that it never happens again.

    Or just put your feet up and kick back with the smug "I'm not buying their games!" Excuse. Yeah. We needed labor, voting, food and drug, and countless other kinds of laws in the past. This, unfortunately, is yet another problem that will ultimately require a law to fix it.    … Expand
  26. dr_skegg
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    When you pay a great deal of money for a game you should at least be able to play a single player game. But that is not the case here. EA forces you to always be online when you play the game but fails to offer enough server performance for all it's paying customers. I will never buy a EA game again that forces the user to be online when it shouldnt be necessary, just because they insistsWhen you pay a great deal of money for a game you should at least be able to play a single player game. But that is not the case here. EA forces you to always be online when you play the game but fails to offer enough server performance for all it's paying customers. I will never buy a EA game again that forces the user to be online when it shouldnt be necessary, just because they insists on puting an always online DRM protection in the game… Expand
  27. klenodder
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    I am sure this game is good, the problem is that I have not been able to logon since the release last night so I havent even been able to try it! I have seen all different kind of errors. Once I could at least connect to a server but after choosing the area to play with it would not open it. On https://twitter.com/simcity they write the following "We are working on the servers 24/7 expectI am sure this game is good, the problem is that I have not been able to logon since the release last night so I havent even been able to try it! I have seen all different kind of errors. Once I could at least connect to a server but after choosing the area to play with it would not open it. On https://twitter.com/simcity they write the following "We are working on the servers 24/7 expect performance fluctuations. Our fans are our number one priority. Thank you for your patience.". First of all, I am not yet your fan since I cant even play the stupid game. You have to earn fans you know!… Expand
  28. PieSnatcher
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    A horrible game mechanic masquerading as a "feature"- the always-on connection is a hurdle for would-be pirates, and at least for now, a game-breaking blemish on EA's rather terrible reputation. While the game in and of itself has the potential to be an improvement in the series, the inability to play it makes this a moot point. Were it nearly any other publisher, I would be cautiouslyA horrible game mechanic masquerading as a "feature"- the always-on connection is a hurdle for would-be pirates, and at least for now, a game-breaking blemish on EA's rather terrible reputation. While the game in and of itself has the potential to be an improvement in the series, the inability to play it makes this a moot point. Were it nearly any other publisher, I would be cautiously optimistic about this game's future. But I can't help but feel constantly cheated by a publisher that constantly dilutes great games with policies that hurt consumers. Combined with horrible customer service on EA's part, I recommend this to exactly zero people.
    If you want to be able to enjoy a single-player game at your leisure, this one isn't for you, at least not yet.
    If you want to play this game a decade from now, tough luck. You can always buy access to the next one.
    If you want to actually own the game- well, see above.
    If you have a solid internet connection and you want to play with others, are okay with possible future micro-transactions, don't mind occasional server maintenance, and don't care if the game can no longer be played once EA takes the servers down, then you just might have the most enjoyable SimCity experience yet.
    I hate to base a score partly on the publisher, but in this case it directly impedes my enjoyment of the game. So despite the talent that went into making this game, the experience as a whole is not something I enjoy in the least, nor will I support in the future. Score: 0/10. Chances of future revenue lost from this customer? 9/10.    … Expand
  29. Branden3113
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Gameplay is great, but you can't even play the game. Terrible DRM and server issues. PLEASE AVOID, DO NOT BUY!! EA has really ruined this game, as the continue to do with most games nowadays. Please avoid all EA titles, or give them a call and let them know how you feel! Oh wait, I've been on hold for an hour now.
  30. hifenix
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Hi, I bought the new'' SimCity'', my judgment is bad bad, always online?? To date I have not yet to play a minute.
    I am hoping for your immediate response to the problem.
    Please do not reply with email apologies if not accompanied by a solution to the problem.
    Signed: fan so disappointed!    … Expand
  31. FirstAidErrata
    Mar 7, 2013
    1
    So I just bought this game with my hard earned money and just want to enjoy a night of SimCity on my day off. Guess what, oh yeah I can't play a single player game because EA's crappy servers won't let me. So what did I pay for? Not only are you shoving this DRM "social experience" crap down my throat but you won't even let me play a game on my own that I paid for? The game itself is alsoSo I just bought this game with my hard earned money and just want to enjoy a night of SimCity on my day off. Guess what, oh yeah I can't play a single player game because EA's crappy servers won't let me. So what did I pay for? Not only are you shoving this DRM "social experience" crap down my throat but you won't even let me play a game on my own that I paid for? The game itself is also bugged. Since you can't save due to server issues but also the game itself feels unfinished. The city maximum is SO SMALL! WHY?! Is it also due to server capacity?

    This year seems to be the biggest debacle for gaming fans from EA. With microtransactions and now always online bullcrap. I was already skeptical of EA since you guys ruined Mass Effect and Dragon Age. I don't think I'll buy another piece of your crap products again.    … Expand
  32. ncc1701jv
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Cannot review what I cannot play. This is ridiculous.

    Also, I still play SimCity games from 10+ years ago. What happens when I want to play this game I purchased with hard-earned cash in a 10 years after EA shuts down the servers? I can't play it? Seriously, screw online-always drm. This has to stop.
  33. AshFA
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Do not by this game. You will be burned. I am asking for a refund. I am so disappointed. After all these years.

    The game is unplayable and likely will have periods of unplayability far into to the future. At the end of its life, EA(being EA) will likely shut down the servers without releasing an offline patch or the source, thereby locking out legitimate buyers from playing it. Might as    Do not by this game. You will be burned. I am asking for a refund. I am so disappointed. After all these years.

    The game is unplayable and likely will have periods of unplayability far into to the future. At the end of its life, EA(being EA) will likely shut down the servers without releasing an offline patch or the source, thereby locking out legitimate buyers from playing it. Might as well pirate it. Which is shame for the developers who put such hard work into this game.

    How could they do this to Simcity?     … Expand
  34. Aquilifer
    Mar 7, 2013
    2
    First, let me begin by clarifying that a product should be reviewed in all its functions. If I enter a restaurant and the food is excellent but the service is terrible, I can factor the poor service in to the review because it is certainly part of the experience. In the same way that if a game has a bug, it can rightly factor in to your review.
    The game play is good, but not    First, let me begin by clarifying that a product should be reviewed in all its functions. If I enter a restaurant and the food is excellent but the service is terrible, I can factor the poor service in to the review because it is certainly part of the experience. In the same way that if a game has a bug, it can rightly factor in to your review.
    The game play is good, but not earth-shattering. The mechanics are polished but 'softened' enough that veteran players may feel unattended to. Not getting to play a game that I purchased because of issues I have no culpability for, is NOT okay. As consumers, we continue to capitulate more and more and accept this as standard practice. We shouldn't. This is ESPECIALLY true when they make no attempt to compensate you for lapses: "Couldn't play for a week? Here's a free dlc item." Ultimately we continue to send a message that we will digest anything regardless of the flaws.
    I'm sorry but an amusing game in no way makes up for a product that is too broken to properly work. All moral context aside, my score is a reflection of SERVICE LEVELS and GAMEPLAY combined. I'm rating the 'experience of investing my time in to simcity', and so far, it sucks.    … Expand
  35. liamfabri
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Unable to play due to server at capacity. In a single-player game. This is ridiculous. Simplified gameplay that does not provide as deep an experience as any of the previous SimCity games. While I'm sure that the server errors will be ironed out over time, the simplified gameplay will not., never more in my life I will buy a game from maxis.
  36. Virfolf
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Bought the game today, can't play it because of the server load. The only server I'm even able to choose is Oceania 1, and even that has a 30 min queue, and I live in Europe. First Mass Effect 3 and now this; I'm seriously considering of avoiding EA in the future.
  37. tenkemann
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    EA u can go f... ur self, Server reached maximum capacity and so I was placed in a queue, afther 18min of wait, request fail, and placed in new queue SRSLY, i have tryed to play my new game for 12 hours an can get in to try my game!! common, EA YOU NEED TO FIRE THAT IDIOT WHO DESIDED TO MAKE IT AN ONLINE ONLY GAME.. AND FIX UR F...ing SERVER!
  38. umbriele
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    the game does not work at all.Lots of people cannot play their single player game poor customer service and delivery of product (waited almost an hour to connect to my single player game)
  39. Essex85
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Game Seemed fun on the beta. Haven't been able to play since then though. Failure as per typical EA business model... terrible. If a company is to release a pathetic excuse of an online game requiring DRM perhaps they should be able to support said requirements before launch. Oh I forgot, THEY DON"T CARE! Never mind.
  40. josrm
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Bought the game launch day, and I'm still waiting to play for the first time! Servers have not allowed me to play at all. This is very disappointing especially with a company as big as EA. These issues should be non existent.
  41. bayareaartist
    Mar 7, 2013
    2
    Loaded the game the night before, took an HOUR at least to load. Then it updated another hour, THEN the servers were busy.
    Finally got on in the morning. Slow and clunky. Servers busy AGAIN, then the game drops the connection to the server??? did I lose my information???
    Simcity 4 was great, I eventually had to cut the disk in half because I was spending TOO much time on it. With this    Loaded the game the night before, took an HOUR at least to load. Then it updated another hour, THEN the servers were busy.
    Finally got on in the morning. Slow and clunky. Servers busy AGAIN, then the game drops the connection to the server??? did I lose my information???
    Simcity 4 was great, I eventually had to cut the disk in half because I was spending TOO much time on it. With this UNPLAYABLE game my time is my own. A $60 game should not have you waiting in a que. With all the power of computers and memory and gig's one should be able to play stand alone and then go to the server to update WHEN I WANT TO. where can I get my money back???
    and supposedly my graphics card is not powerful enough also???

    Real Amateur hour Maxis...    … Expand
  42. dwob
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    It took 2 days for me to be able to log on at all and then I was booted from the server and all my play was lost. When they say it's constantly online, they really mean it. It is NOT just log-in authentication DRM where you log into origin and are then allowed to play. Everything is stored server-side. While this mode (I say mode because I believe it should be one mode out of severalIt took 2 days for me to be able to log on at all and then I was booted from the server and all my play was lost. When they say it's constantly online, they really mean it. It is NOT just log-in authentication DRM where you log into origin and are then allowed to play. Everything is stored server-side. While this mode (I say mode because I believe it should be one mode out of several choices) does offer something new in terms of potential with the global market (it is merely potential as inter-regional trade is actually buggy and poor performance), it creates many more problems. The most heinous is the lack of ability to play at all because their servers are overloaded. It also means that you can't play in a bubble. You are forced to rely on the play of others. This means that if your neighbor messes up, and you were relying on them because you thought it'd be interesting to take advantage of the trade features, you are equally screwed. While the servers are cross-regional, your city is held to one specific server. If your server is full, you either can't play, or you're forced to start a new city in a different region. This will lead to ghost cities popping up, which hurts the game for the surrounding cities.

    Many tools that are in SC4 that made city management easier are missing, making micromanagement tedious. They've made transportation terrible since there's no proper pathfinding to choose fastest route, just shortest. This means you can't set up main roads and side streets. Everything needs to be the maximum road because otherwise your sims will try to get from one place to another using the side streets. This is obviously very expensive. There are no highways to be built, the best you get are the avenues. People are hypersensitive to crime. One crime a week is considered crazy and terrible, and it plummets property value. When something stops working, there's no easy way to figure out what exactly the problem is. Also, you can't save and experiment. If you want to experiment, you have to start an entirely new city. There's no saving and then creating a series of disasters just to see if your city can handle it, then loading after having a chuckle. The map sizes are also pitifully small. If I am ever allowed to play for a significant period of time, I feel I could fill it up entirely within one day of playing.

    The game is also plagued by bugs, but that's come to be expected with games on launch. My only concern regarding them is the game's online has created so many problems, fixes for the bugs may be slow in coming.

    While the online mode potentially adds to the game, it's poorly executed and causes more problems than anything else. The rest of the game is a step backwards, with many losses in quality of life features. My rating for this game is 0, simply because it's unplayable. If it weren't for that issue, it would garner a robust 4.    … Expand
  43. Slaunyeh
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    With a gameplay so shallow it could be a facebook game an obligation to have internet connection to play sigle player, all this under the patethic excuse its how "modern games are", once more EA is cheering a boost in sells while a brand has been thrown in a pit .
    Microscopic cities, pretty grafic and dumbstreamed gameplay doesn t cut it. EA is as Ubisoft, are a cancer for the future of    With a gameplay so shallow it could be a facebook game an obligation to have internet connection to play sigle player, all this under the patethic excuse its how "modern games are", once more EA is cheering a boost in sells while a brand has been thrown in a pit .
    Microscopic cities, pretty grafic and dumbstreamed gameplay doesn t cut it. EA is as Ubisoft, are a cancer for the future of gaming. And once more it is clear you can ttrust the corrupted payed to review gaming publications.    … Expand
  44. Susperio
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    It is just this simple: EA is essentially selling hot air, and making HUGE profits on gullible people like me. Do not buy this game. Do not be swindled out of your hard-earned money like me and so many other gamers.
  45. tomke78
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    For DRM Online i will never buy this game, await for scene release then play as well as other EA games never buy again, waste of money. Simcity sales would be down below forecast for this.
  46. Orphanmaker
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Ok, I bought it and I can't play, so my score 0... simple like that... Need to be online to play single player? Oh, "internet and providers never fails..."... what a joke...
  47. udine
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    As the other users already said, the game is currently unplayable and in the future you also have to rely on EA to be gracious enough to let you. Maybe if we all sign the petition at:

    https://www.change.org/petitions/electronic-arts-inc-remove-always-online-drm-from-simcity-and-future-games

    EA and other publishers will realize that we will not accept their behavior!
  48. adw123
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'd love to rate this game higher than a 0 but after 36 hrs of trying to log in I've been able to do little more than get to the title screen. The launch thus far has been an absolute disgrace.

    To start with it took over 3 hours just to kick off the download for the game which should've been pre-loaded days a head of time. Servers have been down consistently since the launch making it impossible to get into this single player game. Rather than overestimate the number of servers needed to launch they low balled it and so tens if not hundreds of thousands of players are trying to log into two servers setup for the NA launch. Other servers exist for Europe and Asia but they are equally jammed, and will in all doubt get worse as other international releases take place without additional servers allocated. Furthermore cities setup in these regions can not be accessed from other server regions once things calm down, and who wants to be playing from a server ten thousand miles away.

    The game looks like it could be fun despite the smaller maps, lack of subways, terraforming and numerous other things removed from the previous version but at this point I can not even give my honest opinion on these things. It has been a long while since I've seen a game launch so thoroughly mismanaged. I can accept a couple patches or instabilities the first few days, but not complete inability to play whatsoever. If I am unable to get in to play by the end of today i will be back-charging my credit card and finding something else to spend my $60 on.    … Expand
  49. Icely
    Mar 7, 2013
    1
    I think when the servers are up and running this game will be one of the best. But as of right now it is busted. I would suggest waiting on buying the game as of right now. if one has bought it and is not happy. dont bother trying to go to EA for a refund they will just deny you. I would call your credit card company and ask for a Charge Back. Its to bad EA is greedy they could of had aI think when the servers are up and running this game will be one of the best. But as of right now it is busted. I would suggest waiting on buying the game as of right now. if one has bought it and is not happy. dont bother trying to go to EA for a refund they will just deny you. I would call your credit card company and ask for a Charge Back. Its to bad EA is greedy they could of had a great game. Would have worked allot better with Steam.… Expand
  50. luist3k
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    I bought a game that I can not play. I am dumb. After all the hype created, and the cost of $60. EA has once again destroyed a successful franchise because of their greed. When is it gonna be over?
  51. Bdubs
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    No Farms. No Terraforming. No Single Player. No Subways. No Water Pipes. No Power Lines. No Medium or Large Cities. No Local Saves. No Density Zoning. No Highways... The sequester is really hitting simcity hard.... lol, but seriously this game is actually a pretty simplified and boring version of Sim City. I only recommend buying it if you are between 11 and 14 years old, then you mightNo Farms. No Terraforming. No Single Player. No Subways. No Water Pipes. No Power Lines. No Medium or Large Cities. No Local Saves. No Density Zoning. No Highways... The sequester is really hitting simcity hard.... lol, but seriously this game is actually a pretty simplified and boring version of Sim City. I only recommend buying it if you are between 11 and 14 years old, then you might enjoy it as long as you can stomach the 20 minute wait time to log in.… Expand
  52. Toughbeef
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    The stupid servers are down all the time... thanks to the even more stupid always online DRM. The game isn't that bad but it's so annoying to get thrown out of the game every hour.
  53. Yohan17
    Mar 7, 2013
    1
    Game has been unplayable since launch. Dont buy this game until EA gets their heads out of their nether regions. I did successfully log in for about 20 minutes before I went to work the day it launched and it was fun for that 20 minutes so I give it a 1.
  54. Booeenie
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    $60-$80 for an unplayable single player game mode? EA shows why they are an industry leader once again. Don't waste your money. Come back in a month and see if EA/Maxis has made any progress. Maybe then you can play the game you paid for. But don't wait too long, some day the servers will be taken offline and you won't EVER be able to play your game again. No local saves so$60-$80 for an unplayable single player game mode? EA shows why they are an industry leader once again. Don't waste your money. Come back in a month and see if EA/Maxis has made any progress. Maybe then you can play the game you paid for. But don't wait too long, some day the servers will be taken offline and you won't EVER be able to play your game again. No local saves so experimenting and reloading is over. If the servers crash you can't even reload your own save! Sounds fun huh?… Expand
  55. ozkrogh
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Can't give a rating to what I can't play... 48hrs after buying the download version, I've still yet to be able to start even the tutorial. The DRM restrictions will help ensure that I never buy an always-online game from EA or Origin ever again. I may come back and give an actual review... then again, my frustration is so great right now that I'd like to be able to go with negativeCan't give a rating to what I can't play... 48hrs after buying the download version, I've still yet to be able to start even the tutorial. The DRM restrictions will help ensure that I never buy an always-online game from EA or Origin ever again. I may come back and give an actual review... then again, my frustration is so great right now that I'd like to be able to go with negative numbers and not just zero.… Expand
  56. Vandarix
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    A game you can't play isn't a game at all it's a waste of money and time. Why they developed this game without a singleplayer mode or actually stress testing its "REQUIRED" Multiplayer is beyond Einstein.
  57. Dimok
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    My girlfriend didn't heed my advice and steer clear of this game. I have been trying to get in on her account off and on today, to no avail. I bet she's pissed when she gets home from work to play her new shiny 60 game and it's still not working.
  58. crfog
    Mar 7, 2013
    4
    In line with predictions from the general gaming community, the launch of the new SimCity reboot has been shaky, at best. For the couple of hours I managed to play, thus far, the game seemed fun. The visuals were gorgeous, especially some of the architecture of the shops and residences. The ability to specialize in trading or tourism etc. is an interesting feature which gives a cityIn line with predictions from the general gaming community, the launch of the new SimCity reboot has been shaky, at best. For the couple of hours I managed to play, thus far, the game seemed fun. The visuals were gorgeous, especially some of the architecture of the shops and residences. The ability to specialize in trading or tourism etc. is an interesting feature which gives a city much needed income, especially due to the small map sizes. The biggest issue with the game is the online only DRM that the community complained about before release, predicting the failure of servers on launch (and into the future). All these predictions have come true. On launch day I managed a couple hours of play. Since then, the servers have been down or so full that I cannot connect. After years of MMO launches, it's mind boggling that a company would not over-prepare for the launch of a game that requires their servers to operate. As a consumer, it's insulting to pay money for a product only to be told that we cannot use it. As of right now, I'd like a refund. Unfortunately, EA support also has queues of multiple hours due to the inadequacy of their preparation for this release. The game may be worth its price in a couple weeks, once these teething issues are sorted out. For now, avoid it. Do not waste your time or money on this product.… Expand
  59. SteHughes90
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    This is the worst game experience I have ever had on any game ever in 25 years of gaming. Cannot log online at all, cannot play it in single player due to some stupid DRM system. AND WHEN I ASK FOR A REFUND THEY SAY 'OUR REFUND POLICY STATES WE REFUND AT OUR DIGRESSION' do not buy this game. It is god awful.

    **** EA
  60. Doconicus
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    From what I have been able to see, the game looks terrific. But alas, all I've been able to see what the opening load screen. The music sounded nice as well. I have high hope for the opportunity to play this fine game... Alas, I didn't shell out $60 for hope and opportunity. My hard earned dollars went to the understanding that I would receive a playable simulation. Therefore, know youFrom what I have been able to see, the game looks terrific. But alas, all I've been able to see what the opening load screen. The music sounded nice as well. I have high hope for the opportunity to play this fine game... Alas, I didn't shell out $60 for hope and opportunity. My hard earned dollars went to the understanding that I would receive a playable simulation. Therefore, know you this, I don't like giving a low-ball score, but this time I am compelled to if not for any other reason, but to protect my fellow players from what could turn out to be a failed game. EA, get it fixed.… Expand
  61. N4T45
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Not worth the hassle with this stupid Online DRM making the game unplayable if you don't happen to have an internet connection or even worse, capable server for every players.
  62. daglet
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    EA ruined this game with draconic DRM. This is a single player game (FFS!) but you are not able to play whenever you want. After an appaling "launch" with major server issues, I don't think I will ever be able to trust this game. There is no fun in playing when you are constantly worried that your past 5-6 hours of playtime will just randomly go to waste in the "cloud". Nor is there anyEA ruined this game with draconic DRM. This is a single player game (FFS!) but you are not able to play whenever you want. After an appaling "launch" with major server issues, I don't think I will ever be able to trust this game. There is no fun in playing when you are constantly worried that your past 5-6 hours of playtime will just randomly go to waste in the "cloud". Nor is there any fun in wasting a whole evening watching the "server is busy" message. I made a Metacritic account just to vent about this game. Don't make the same mistake I did and actually pay for it. Wait until the pirates have cracked it.… Expand
  63. wahey1079
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    bought the game after 2 days still havent played it ihave a very high expectation for this game. i wish a lawsuit will come next i wish i have bought the starcraft 2 on sale but i elected to buy this one because i missed playing this game.
  64. DaCleric
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Unable to play due to server at capacity. In a single-player game. This is ridiculous. Simplified gameplay that does not provide as deep an experience as any of the previous SimCity games and what will happen when EA decides that the servers are too expensive
  65. Barca1985
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Take DRM out of the game and give us bigger maps. The game is running slow and if you're lucky to get into a game after hours trying you'll be kicked out because the servers throw you out. I'm not surprised this happens to another EA game. They f..k up more games.........
  66. Orb44
    Mar 8, 2013
    1
    If you can connect to the server and play, the game itself is great: deep, but with very useful interfaces. However, being able to play only 5% of the time can't be justified. If you are reading this 6 months after release and the server is stable, this game is easily a 9.
  67. fengald
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Purchased this game with the expectation of Sim City 4 being taken to the next level, well this game has flushed Sim City down the drain. What should have been a single player game that allowed a multi-player co-op flavor is nothing but a giant mess. Cannot play in it by my self and have had a total of 45 minutes of game time that was not interrupted by errors or messages about the SimPurchased this game with the expectation of Sim City 4 being taken to the next level, well this game has flushed Sim City down the drain. What should have been a single player game that allowed a multi-player co-op flavor is nothing but a giant mess. Cannot play in it by my self and have had a total of 45 minutes of game time that was not interrupted by errors or messages about the Sim City servers being down. Wasted $80 at this time and will never buy anything from EA again. Bravo to their marketing department and an epic fail on execution.… Expand
  68. FlavaFlave
    Mar 8, 2013
    3
    I don't even know how to begin this review, since I've only been able to log 4 hours in this game since launch day (and it's now 4 days past launch). I've been a SimCity fan ever since I played the original on the SNES and PC, so waiting 10 years between the last proper game and this was excruciating to say the least. Imagine my disappointment when they take a single player game and forceI don't even know how to begin this review, since I've only been able to log 4 hours in this game since launch day (and it's now 4 days past launch). I've been a SimCity fan ever since I played the original on the SNES and PC, so waiting 10 years between the last proper game and this was excruciating to say the least. Imagine my disappointment when they take a single player game and force multiplayer on you, cut the map sizes down to almost nothing, and charge you $80 for a digital copy of the game (yes, you can buy it for $60, but you're missing features that you know will be mandatory later). It's a complete bust, as the game is 100% broken. I expected some connection woes on day 1, but shockingly that's the only day I was able to actually play. Since then I've logged on 3 times in 4 days, only to lose my connection after getting into a region, and I've completely lost 3 cities since they are stored on EA servers and not my PC. I've not been a fan of EA for a long time, but this is the final straw. They've completely lost me as a customer. Sorry Maxis it's been a great ride.… Expand
  69. EAPissed
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    I paid for the game 48 hours ago and have yet been able to connect to a server. What a joke! EA must have completely ignored the recommendations to up the server capacity. They cheated the client and the brand!
  70. Myvoiceisdubbed
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    I know this is beating a dead horse, but buying a game that you can't even play? In the three days since I've bought this, I have had the ability to go through the walkthrough once, but not the actual game. Servers are up and down constantly. What schmuck thought it was a good idea to make this game strictly online, even when playing single player, was a moron. Yes yes, I am aware of theI know this is beating a dead horse, but buying a game that you can't even play? In the three days since I've bought this, I have had the ability to go through the walkthrough once, but not the actual game. Servers are up and down constantly. What schmuck thought it was a good idea to make this game strictly online, even when playing single player, was a moron. Yes yes, I am aware of the DRM consideration but there are so many indie games coming out that are just throwing the whole DRM thing out the window. The vast majority of people who pirate were probably not going to buy your game anyways. *facepalm* I wish I had bought this as a physical copy, so I could return it. Now I am probably going to have to wait a month before everything is mostly usable.

    Thanks EA. Think about your players occasionally, and not just your coffers.    … Expand
  71. TrickyD
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Love how the game says I've played 3 hours so far....Guess time spent encountering login failures count as game play time. Because I have not been able to connect even once. Haven't played one second.
  72. phentix
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Let this be a lesson to other companies. Sell a trash product and you get trashed by user reviews. To those who say just wait till the servers get running, I would rather just refund but unfortunately many of the player base do not have that option. I don't care if it it will be enjoyable in 2 weeks or 2 months from now, I bought the game to enjoy now. A company as big as EA shouldLet this be a lesson to other companies. Sell a trash product and you get trashed by user reviews. To those who say just wait till the servers get running, I would rather just refund but unfortunately many of the player base do not have that option. I don't care if it it will be enjoyable in 2 weeks or 2 months from now, I bought the game to enjoy now. A company as big as EA should have ZERO excuses. EA does not deserve to have my money. First and last product.… Expand
  73. castigere
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Can't really add anything thats not already written, awesome game ruined by forced multiplayer and online dependency. Avoid at all costs! And I'll like to add that EA ruined origin!
  74. austindoggie
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    This game is literally worse than Hitler. I have to wait 30 minutes for the always-online holocaust. Amazon even is refusing to sell this awful game. They pulled it because it is broken. EA disabled some features of the game because their server couldn't handle it! Worst game of all time.
  75. QSquared
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    There is NO Offline Mode. None.

    That means to play SINGLE PLAYER you have to put yourself through the never ending head-ache of tyring to connect to woefully inadequate services. OH! AND the single player is missing features it does nto need to be missing, and does actually run on your local computer s you can play for about 30 minutes while the servers are unavailable before it kicks    There is NO Offline Mode. None.

    That means to play SINGLE PLAYER you have to put yourself through the never ending head-ache of tyring to connect to woefully inadequate services. OH! AND the single player is missing features it does nto need to be missing, and does actually run on your local computer s you can play for about 30 minutes while the servers are unavailable before it kicks you out.

    Connecting to servers just means you will get a 20 minute countdown that keeps repeating (If the server is "Busy") or a 5 minute count down that keeps repeating if the server is "Available"

    Yay!

    If you CAN get on, most of the time you can;t create or join a region, or restart your own region.

    If you can do any of those you can expect brutal lag, and glitchyness, like the in-game clock being stuck at a particular time.

    If you can get in, but not to the server you were on you have to start a brand new city.

    If you can get some good play (usually between 3 AM and 5 AM EST you can get on a server for a little while.) Then the city sizes are very small, and you can not build in the region, no highways, no real rail, no subways, ugh.

    You can no longer control your zone density, except by street density.

    FYI if you can get in they have eliminated cheetah speed, and several other aspects of play including the regional great works, which basically means a lot of waiting, and also the only meaningful new feature they added are gone.

    If you buy this game digitally they WILL NOT REFUND YOUR     … Expand
  76. bakyelli
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Probably the worst piece of software I have download to my PC in a long time. I was charged $60 for a non-functioning computer program and was denied a refund. I wish there was a negative score I could give to this game.
  77. Burry
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    I paid 80 bucks for a game I can't even play! When I have been able to log on the game freezes or wont let me create a city. And what is with the single size city plot? This should have been a updated SC4 not this garbage EA has shoved down our throats.
  78. reubensandwich2
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    I feel that the entire staff should be fired and replaced with feces throwing chimps. At least something will stick unlike the complete waste that Maxis and EA created. I'm sure this server condition is a ploy from EA to make people pay simtaxes to play the game after they ponied up the cash to buy it. But what do I know, I haven't had a chance to even play the stupid game in 3 days.I feel that the entire staff should be fired and replaced with feces throwing chimps. At least something will stick unlike the complete waste that Maxis and EA created. I'm sure this server condition is a ploy from EA to make people pay simtaxes to play the game after they ponied up the cash to buy it. But what do I know, I haven't had a chance to even play the stupid game in 3 days. Never in my 20 years of computer gaming have I seen such a level of incompetence.… Expand
  79. Freaky
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Online DRM, the biggest pile of for single player games. A great franchise gets butchered because of it. Nobody can play the game on launch and a week after it. These companies need to be crucified to set an example of. So that Online DRM goes down in history like nazism.
  80. Jjjjjoe
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    I bought this game and have yet to be able to play it. It is completely worthless. I wish I has read a few reviews before I made this purchase. What a complete failure in planning. Simcity is a single player game and should be available for offline playing and saving.
  81. Luckless
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    Lack of forethought by the developers truly spoils what would otherwise have been a mostly acceptable but not exceptionally notable game. Every aspect of their "Always online" 'service' could easily have been simulated for offline play, or configured to work in an ad-hoc peer to peer system. City saves are limited, and out of your control. There are no means (That I've been able to find)Lack of forethought by the developers truly spoils what would otherwise have been a mostly acceptable but not exceptionally notable game. Every aspect of their "Always online" 'service' could easily have been simulated for offline play, or configured to work in an ad-hoc peer to peer system. City saves are limited, and out of your control. There are no means (That I've been able to find) to backup your games, to split your saves to take the same city in two directions, or share the cities themselves between friends.

    Users are completely at the mercy of servers being up and working properly. I can currently log in without issue, but I can't create a new city.

    Half a thought about what happens when the user was offline would have made this game a decent 7.

    City lots are small, much of your choices are limited to "Doesn't do much" and "Does a all you can ask but costs a fortune" with limited middle ground. Options are also highly limited for what I had expected.

    Simulation aspects frequently fail. With one city having industry begging for workers, but a solid mix of all 3 wealth classes of residential each begging for jobs in a city with nearly zero traffic problems and solid public transit?    … Expand
  82. dizzbert
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    $60 for an utterly unplayable game. Digital downloaders have no recourse for refunds Brilliant strategy EA! Take the money and run! You would think the decision makers at EA would have reviewed the history of always online DRM.
  83. Mirinu
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    This is a disaster. EA why have you screwed the SimCity Franchise. Curse you!! 1. Always online DRM 2. No local saves 3. Buggy mechanics 4. My crap dump size is bigger than your city maps 5. FCKIN Huge login queues what??? did I buy this game to stand in the queue to play?
  84. nintyblue44
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    This game is a summarization of everything wrong with video games today. You have microtransactions/DLC for starters. On day one even. But the most glaring thing is this always-online DRM. It stopped people playing it for about three days, simply because it was too difficult to get online and "claim a city", whatever that means. And here's the kicker... it stopped pirates from playing itThis game is a summarization of everything wrong with video games today. You have microtransactions/DLC for starters. On day one even. But the most glaring thing is this always-online DRM. It stopped people playing it for about three days, simply because it was too difficult to get online and "claim a city", whatever that means. And here's the kicker... it stopped pirates from playing it for exactly the same amount of time. That's right. There's ALREADY something out to bypass this crap. This whole exercise has served only to punish paying customers and kill their reputation further. Did they learn nothing from Spore?

    If you support good video games done in the name of art with attention paid to things like morals and integrity, then I beg of you, do not now or ever purchase this title. Talk to your friends about this too. People have to be willing to use willpower and abstain from being manipulated by this garbage if we are ever to return to a time where big publishers put out nice, decent things that reward paying customers.    … Expand
  85. DetectiveCake
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    DRM..really? EA you are ruining the gaming industry. I will never buy another EA game again. All they bring out are mediocre half finished games and if you want the full experience you have to buy there DLC even though you already paid 70$ for the game. DO NOT BUY!
  86. EndTheory
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    You can expect anything that comes from EA to be utter garbage, they have tarnished the good records of countless titles and franchises, you can thank them for destroying the command and conquer franchise RTS fans.
  87. JLishere
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    The negatives: Single-player mode should not require a constant internet connection. Some game play features have been retracted by EA in order to alleviate server issues. Game progress may be lost. Cannot save anything locally. Regional players are dependent on you being logged to the same server. City size is too small. Transportation modes that previously existed in SC4 are missing.The negatives: Single-player mode should not require a constant internet connection. Some game play features have been retracted by EA in order to alleviate server issues. Game progress may be lost. Cannot save anything locally. Regional players are dependent on you being logged to the same server. City size is too small. Transportation modes that previously existed in SC4 are missing. Multiple AI problems, including emergency vehicles that stop at every intersection and are stuck in traffic. Specializations are too limited. The graphics are amazing. SimCity is ruined by EA and Origin's insistence on making this a locked down DRM game.… Expand
  88. AshtonVibe
    Mar 8, 2013
    0
    This game looks to be a VERY good game. Completely online will have its advantages. However, I purchased a game that I want to play when I want to. This has not happened. I can get it, and I just want to play as simple as possible. I even don't care if the data I made is lost forever, but I hate the lag. It is very uncomfortable to sit through.
  89. nanddo
    Mar 9, 2013
    0
    One of the worst games I've ever played. The DRM it's killing the game. You are forced to be online whenever you wanna play the game... WTF? The game has good ideas, but it's imposible to play because of the DRM. Epic Fail
  90. WoongeeNMH
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    It's been 10 days since game release and there are tons of bugs in this game. Of course unstable server roll backs your city and fail to load it later. My whole city just evaporated. Maxis is only adding more servers to solve problem but leaving behind rest of the problems. Still many servers are full with bad condition. I signed up metacritic to give 0 score on this game.
  91. guitarmaniac005
    Mar 15, 2013
    2
    Although this game could have been something amazing. EA and maxis decided they wanted more money... so they added DRM.... the maps are too small for building space and on top of that Maxis developers lied to us by saying the game needed an online connection. Don't buy this game, I do not recommend it
  92. StrifeSociety
    Mar 15, 2013
    0
    DO NOT BUY!

    If you insist on buying this game, be prepared to spend a vast amount of time on your city only to get a server error that rolls your progress back a few hours worth. Be prepared for this to happen often. Very often. It will frustrate you. It will make you rage. But most of all, it will make you wish you hadn't wasted your hard earned money on this game.
  93. golgo13
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    LOL we take pride in building DRM into every game. We are also proud we put non-sensical money grabbing features into every game and coming up with lame justifications that make it look like we're doing our customers a favour because our customers love participating in our award winning innovations that maximize the user experience with cutting edge technology that is without peer, soLOL we take pride in building DRM into every game. We are also proud we put non-sensical money grabbing features into every game and coming up with lame justifications that make it look like we're doing our customers a favour because our customers love participating in our award winning innovations that maximize the user experience with cutting edge technology that is without peer, so much so our customers will in their pants with sheer excitement. Come join the experience and become our family we love you. EA… Expand
  94. Alienpope
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    The game is addicting, it is fun... UP UNTIL IT YOU OVER. You can spend hours on a city just to see it fail due to server issues and game bugs. Trading with other cities is not working properly, trading with the global market just halts for unknown reasons, tourist suddenly seize to visit (sucks if your city is based around that), gambling buildings will first make a ton of money then theThe game is addicting, it is fun... UP UNTIL IT YOU OVER. You can spend hours on a city just to see it fail due to server issues and game bugs. Trading with other cities is not working properly, trading with the global market just halts for unknown reasons, tourist suddenly seize to visit (sucks if your city is based around that), gambling buildings will first make a ton of money then the next second it will loose thousand's of simoleons an hour leading to your city's doom. Basically this game is a waste of time and by the time you realize that you have already spent hours upon hours on you city. The game is broken. Don't buy it… Expand
  95. infenro
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    Without even judging on the always on DRM the actual gameplay and bugs that are still in this game are incredibly bad and lend themselves to Lazy and Bad testing before launch, This game is not worth the very high price tag and should not be associated with such a great series that has has a great portfolio of previous versions. This is very inferior to all of them, It was interesting whatWithout even judging on the always on DRM the actual gameplay and bugs that are still in this game are incredibly bad and lend themselves to Lazy and Bad testing before launch, This game is not worth the very high price tag and should not be associated with such a great series that has has a great portfolio of previous versions. This is very inferior to all of them, It was interesting what they were trying to create here but see this as a warning too all other game designers out there, this is not how you make a game.… Expand
  96. eddy514
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    HORRIBLE GAME and this has NOTHING to do with offline play. They makers use weak excuses like processing power to eliminate the need for the sims to live in their own houses. The sims just show up at whatever house is near so they can wake up poor, sleep rich and then go work in a poor job and end up poor again in less than 48 hours. If you have an industrial city with heavy need forHORRIBLE GAME and this has NOTHING to do with offline play. They makers use weak excuses like processing power to eliminate the need for the sims to live in their own houses. The sims just show up at whatever house is near so they can wake up poor, sleep rich and then go work in a poor job and end up poor again in less than 48 hours. If you have an industrial city with heavy need for workers, they will come for half the day and then your factory will act like it never had workers to begin with so it will become unhappy and abandoned. You can build a freight storage and for what for NOTHING. You can build coal storage and cant send it to another city via trade so whats the point of building mines when you can just import everything. There is no supply chain because of the fact that nothing matters in this game, everything acts on its own. Fire dept send all their trucks to one fire while 10 others burn the city down. garbage goes uncollected, students go without an education, and power takes ages to reach a corner of the city because the yellow dot hast traveled there yet! What yellow dot stops by my house to give me power, once it flows in real life it flows. WEAK VERY WEAK GAME!!!… Expand
  97. moocat
    Mar 16, 2013
    0
    Always-on DRM, servers unavailable, your progress getting corrupted (game servers messing up), hackers able to take over any of your cities and ruin them, blatantly payed off reviewers, misquotes on their web site to make bad reviews sound good, huge traffic issues that ruins any city after just hours of play, severely limited map size unnecessarily dragging out the game, huge amount ofAlways-on DRM, servers unavailable, your progress getting corrupted (game servers messing up), hackers able to take over any of your cities and ruin them, blatantly payed off reviewers, misquotes on their web site to make bad reviews sound good, huge traffic issues that ruins any city after just hours of play, severely limited map size unnecessarily dragging out the game, huge amount of bugs (several game breaking), blatant lies about the simulation (the inhabitants aren't actually simulated, they are just "actors" who take any available job/house), hidden content already in the game that is locked and will be sold as DLC later...… Expand
  98. Riga
    Mar 16, 2013
    1
    Nothing but lies.

    Here is a simulation game that does not sim anything. LIE Here is a single player game forcing you to play online, for DRM reasons. TRUE Here is a game that stated you had to play online for cpu reasons, LIE Here is a game that pays people to review it highly. TRUE Here is a game that is not broken but made to be "broken" TRUE Here is a game where    Nothing but lies.

    Here is a simulation game that does not sim anything. LIE

    Here is a single player game forcing you to play online, for DRM reasons. TRUE

    Here is a game that stated you had to play online for cpu reasons, LIE

    Here is a game that pays people to review it highly. TRUE

    Here is a game that is not broken but made to be "broken" TRUE

    Here is a game where playing online is fun. LIE

    There is nothing at all about this game that is what it said it is. This is not SimCity, this is a cash grab. There is no content to your game, there is no simulation, it is all false. SimCity 2000 had more Simulation components to it then this one does. This game is meant for building a city in a predetermined way, as set out by the developers.

    Any simulation game wheres the game creators stat that building all residential and have a working game was there end goal is broken beyond repair.    … Expand
  99. manilla
    Mar 17, 2013
    1
    Lost approximately 60 hours of playtime due to corrupt saves. Horrible AI, online play is broken in on online only game. Been lied to and spit upon. Rated a 1 for the amusement provided in the form of glitches and bugs.
  100. bakncrax
    Mar 17, 2013
    1
    I'm late to start this because of the bugs, have built 3 cities in single and now its bugging out. Can't switch citiies, sits there in loading limbo land..

    Will never buy another EA product until a year after launch (to iron out any bugs) and then only when they're discounting it
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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]
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