[KickAssClown]

I played Simcity 2000, and I loved it to death. I do have a sizable number of improvements that I would like to see in the SimCity series, and I have to say, I was very dissappointed with SimCity 3000; unfortunately, I missed out on playing SimCity 4, but I think there was little change between the games.
From what I've seen on the website, I think that I might like to play SCS, as it seems to have a few of the improvements that I have been hoping for since I started playing games like SimCity and Civilization. In SimCity 2000 my biggest complaint was the lack of percision in development; I never used highways and never worried about traffic. After playing for nearly half a year, I finally was the first to establish a self-sufficient city in my family; once I had accomplished that everything else ceased to matter because I knew the pattern and could add to the city and subtract with little consequence.
It was the little things though that galled me, I tried and for the life of me, I failed to get adequate coverage of services around my city; I tried all number of shapes, sizes, and combonations of zone, services, and transportation blocks: none of them gave even close to 95% coverage for all services.
I would like it very much if in this next iteration, SimCity would allow us to define coverage areas more percisely, make discoveries for social models at our own pace and focus. My problem with SimCity has been that you rarely and only with herculean effort achieve more than 70% efficiency. If I get to define how my services work, for who, and where, then I am more than willing to give this SimCity iteration a try; otherwise, I'll just wait until Spore hits the shelves in the beginning of next year.

[Boerseun]

Yeah, well - that's the thing. When it comes to real city modelling, which, in my mind, is what the franchise is all about, then anything close to 100% efficiency in any city is impossible. Cities are messy, sloppy things, and you won't be able to keep everybody happy in all regards at all times.

I read up on the reviews at SimCity.com, turns out that very few people are happy with the new release, quite a few of them actually "demanding" their money back!

Basically, turns out SCS is "SimCity for Kidz", or an eternal "sandbox" mode, where you just plop down buildings to your heart's content. The number and type of buildings doesn't reflect your population level, for instance. You plop down three houses and eventually you end up with thousands of people. No realism in the mathematical modelling. Some marketing guru wrapped his ponytail around his forehead and decided to pitch the product to the dumbest possible audience. No challenges. And that's not what the game's about.

If you loved SC2000, you'll really dig SimCity 4. But SimCity Societies sucks some serious tripe, if I understand the net buzz correctly. I just want to chat to someone who'se actually played the damn thing.

[Zythryn]

B, I suggest you find other reviewers

I can see the description 'simcity for kids'. It has more of a 'graphical' appearance.
I can also see how people who loved SimCity would not like the changes in SCS.
You are limited in what you can buy unless you use the sandbox mode. This is a selection at the beggining of the game (difficulty level). If you don't want sandbox mode you don't need to play it.

The number and types of buildings certainly do represent population levels. Each type of housing unit has a population limit. Some also require another commodity called creativity.

There is a lot involved in the game and I have barely scratched the surface yet.
If you are expecting or looking for a knock off of the earlier games, you will be disappointed. I would recommend checking out the videos and demo at SimCity Societies.

[Zythryn]

Ok, holiday obligations (shoppin and planning) are winding down and I have played SCS for some hours now.
Extremely fun and addicting (IMHO)
I would reinforce, if you are looking for another game just like SC4 you will be disappointed.
Some of the things that have me so hooked (again, all IMO)
Cities have a lot more personality to them. You can put as much or as little personality into your city as you like.
Specialty Sims are produced by some buildings. These range from researchers that will increase the capabilities of other research labs for a time, to farmers, fighting monks, police, hippies, crooks, Men in Black and many more.
Buildings produce or require one or two of either 'security', 'prosperity', 'creativity', 'spirituality', 'production' and 'knowledge'. Work places generate simoleons.
While you can certainly focus on a particular type of city (knowledge for example) many buildings require you have some of the other traits.
Hmmmm, this could go on for a while....

Basically, the game is easy to dive into, yet extremely deep. I haven't got to play around with the disasters yet. I do have climate disasters turned on but all my power is wind, solar and hydro power

Oh, and the famous 'just one more turn' aspect is present in full force

If anyone is still interested in any aspects of the game please ask, I'll be happy to answer or research.
Gotta get back to my alien research lab