 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SimCity is divided into regions that you can experience with your friends. Some of these regions have very few city sites -- making them more challenging but less hectic -- and others have as many as sixteen city sites.
Each region has an in-game backstory that I don't think I need to repeat here, so instead I'll focus on my read based on how many resources are available and how much land is available for zoning.
Region: Cape Trinity
- City Sites: 3
- Great Works: 1
- My Rating: Advanced
I've spent plenty of time with this one in the beta tests. Clearwater seems like the easiest site you could ask for given that it is perfectly flat and has almost no water, but looks can be deceiving. These three sites all have plenty of oil, but depend solely on Norwich Hills for the rest of their resources. One crummy mayor and the whole game is ruined. A tough one.
Region: Discovery Delta
- City Sites: 16
- Great Works: 4
- My Rating: Beginner
Deltas appear at the end of rivers and so it makes sense that this region is mostly water with a large raging river cutting straight through the middle. Ironically, you're not supposed to build on deltas as they have a tendency to sink (there's no bedrock). That's why New Orleans is sinking and will be uninhabitable within the next century. But I digress. This region: easy and fun.
Region: Horizon Archipelago
- City Sites: 11
- Great Works: 3
- My Rating: Beginner
Before you get all flustered, an archipelago is simply a collection of islands. In this case, it's three islands all connected with highways and rail. Pretty to look at and a great spot for beginners to cut their teeth, though only three great works sites means you have to make a tough choice later.
Region: Reflection Atoll
- City Sites: 7
- Great Works: 1
- My Rating: Advanced
An atoll is an island with a lagoon. In real life, atolls are quite tiny. It's absurd to have seven "cities" crushed onto this thin strip of beach. I suspect the same logic is required to image that all seven castaways on Gilligan's Island remained celibate for fifteen years. Anyway, seven sites could be fun, if they weren't all waterlogged and severely lacking in resources. This is a serious challenge.
Region: Sunrunner Bay
- City Sites: 2
- Great Works: 1
- My Rating: Suicidal
I can't imagine a more challenging level. The amount of resources is at an ultra-premium, the margin for error is razor thin, and you only have one great works site to boot. These are small, isolated, water-filled city sites that give you no room to screw around. I recommend this one for people who aren't looking to have fun -- but want to experience the searing pain of an aneurism without the paralysis.
Region: Titan Gorge
- City Sites: 16
- Great Works: 4
- My Rating: Moderate
Minimal water in this one. But, what it lacks in agua it more than makes up for in resources and rail access.
Region: Veridian Woods
- City Sites: 16
- Great Works: 4
- My Rating: Beginner
Veridian Woods has a little of everything and is a wide-open field where you and fifteen of your closest friends can have a ball. Multiple rivers, a thick, lush forest, and several opportunities for coast line make this a great place for beginners.
Region: Whitewater Valley
- City Sites: 5
- Great Works: 1
- My Rating: Advanced
Whitewater Valley is actually quite small compared to some of the other regions. It has a t-bone shaped river system and a triple set of mountain clusters.
No comments:
Post a Comment