SimCity Societies

Critic reviews

• CCVG

  John Walker · Nov 23, 2007

  5.0

  Pretty much any problem can be solved by spamming certain building types anywhere on the map, there's not a single scenario on offer, and, astonishingly, the only other modes of play offer infinite money and pre-unlocked buildings, making this easy game even easier. This is half a game but at full price. It doesn't live up to the SimCity legacy, nor offer any lasting appeal after you've built your first couple of towns.
• GGameSpot

  Kevin VanOrd · Nov 16, 2007

  6.0

  There are a bunch of maps to choose from, and you can create random ones as well. So if just want to sit back and build a city on your own terms, you'll find a lot of ways to do it. But without any real challenge, the welcome wears out quickly. Unlike most city builders, there's nothing to keep you engaged, and SimCity Societies falls flat as a result.

  Read review from GameSpot (opens in a new tab)
• CCheatcc

  Travis Fahs · Nov 13, 2007

  6.0

  Ultimately, I do feel bad that SimCity Societies is cursed to go misunderstood. It is less an attempt to steer SimCity in a new direction, and more an attempt to fuse a familiar brand and city building theme with another popular, accessible kind of gameplay. Unfortunately, being misunderstood does not mean it's a hidden gem. While it sports a well-designed interface, competent design, and likable style, Societies can get very, very dull, thanks to its low difficulty and lack of real variety.

  Read review from Cheatcc (opens in a new tab)
• IIGN

  Steve Butts · Nov 13, 2007

  5.8

  That's fun by itself for a short period but you'll constantly be battling the developers' decisions about how the game should work. The energy assignments don't always make a lot of sense but even when they do, the energy really has no real effect on the character of your city or its inhabitants. Without some sort of scripted challenges, it all just feels like you're just spinning your wheels.

  Read review from IGN (opens in a new tab)
• GZGame Zone

  jkdmedia · Nov 12, 2007

  8.7

  A fun game that is accessible and seemingly geared for all members of the family. The game has a really gentle and relaxed feel to it, even when your city starts to hustle and bustle with businesses going up right and left, and the city coffers are working hard to keep up with the growth. This is an enjoyable game.

  Read review from Game Zone (opens in a new tab)
• EGEuro Gamer

  Dan Whitehead · Nov 12, 2007

  5.0

  But let me make my final point quite clear - Societies doesn't stumble just because "it isn't SimCity". Fresh takes on old concepts should always be welcome. It stumbles because it's a generally unsatisfying patchwork of a game, dragged down by inconsistent gameplay, outdated design and weirdly implemented ideas.

  Read review from Euro Gamer (opens in a new tab)

See all critic reviews