Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that players can destroy the cities they have created by using natural disasters such as earthquakes, storms, and meteor showers. Sims -- the city's inhabitants -- can become unhappy to the point where they turn to crime. Also, they can become drunk from visiting bars and liquor stores that the player can build. Overall, however, these instances are rare, and in most cases are controlled by the player.
Families can talk about the different style of play in SimCity Societies. This SimCity game is less challenging than previous versions -- do you think it changes how fun the game is to play? Which societal values did you choose and why?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jeremy Gieske
The SimCity series has long been known as a relatively challenging city simulation game with plenty of educational opportunities in city planning and administration. The newest game in the series, SIMCITY SOCIETIES, breaks radically from that tradition and focuses on aesthetics far more than actual city management. Because it's so easy to play, Societies is best played by children who are young and new to simulation games.
Instead of managing taxes, energy distribution, and expenses, players need to keep an eye on two main things in Societies: the happiness of their citizens ("Sims") and six different "Societal Values," which include productivity, prosperity, creativity, spirituality, authority, and knowledge. Different buildings either produce or use one or more of the values, so players need to balance the types of workplaces and homes they choose. Venues are places that provide happiness to Sims and can range from baseball parks and pubs to haunted houses and strip malls.
Fans of the previous SimCity games will find this version to be a letdown because it has so few objectives or goals to accomplish. It's nearly impossible to run out of money, Sims are generally happy as long as the player builds enough venues, and the only goals consist of a handful of awards and medals easily met after a few hours of play.
Societies is great-looking game (although the graphics can get really bogged down as the city grows). The sound effects and music are well done. Societies is also easy to pick up and play -- which will have a greater appeal to a casual or younger gamer.
The bottom line is that this is an entry-level game for young children with no previous city-building simulation experience. Seasoned players won't find enough challenge here and should instead look to the older, but still fun SimCity 4. Or, for an exploration of social issues in a city builder, players may want to check out the game City Life.
Reviewed: 12/17/2007
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ViolencePlayers can use destructive disasters, such as meteor showers, earthquakes, and storms to destroy their city. On rare occasions, vigilantes, hooligans, arsonists, and other special characters can attack other Sims or cause damage to the city; however, it's nearly impossible to observe because the Sims are so small on the map. |
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Social BehaviorThe game is based around keeping the citizens of the city happy, and if Sims become unhappy, they can protest, even to the point of shutting down workplaces. |
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CommercialismThis is part of the SimCity series of games. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoTaverns, bars, and liquor stores can be built. Sims can purchase and consume alcohol, and become drunk; however, because the map is so small, it's hard to observe these drunken Sims. |
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Educational ValueUnlike previous SimCity games, this game teaches very little about city administration or planning. |
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