Build-a-lot (Windows)

Many people might find the world of real estate intimidating, but BUILD-A-LOT -- a popular casual game download recently released as a retail PC game by MumboJumbo -- makes it seem easy. With a few clicks of the mouse, players will be building, buying, renovating and selling properties in no time and having a blast doing it.

Players can construct a variety of buildings on vacant lots, from modest one-level ramblers to ostentatious estates, as well as structures like banks, sawmills, museums and skating rinks. To do so, you'll need the required blueprints, enough workers to do the job, and building materials, all of which cost money. The mayor of each of the eight towns in the game gives players a specific set of goals to complete, like building four Tudor-style homes, earning a rental income of $60,000 per month, or earning a $250,000 cash total. To increase a house's value, it can be upgraded with amenities like hardwood floors, indoor tennis courts and a wireless intercom system. An upgraded house will yield more rent per month and can also be sold at a higher profit. But beware of property taxes and repairs, which will sap up money and materials. There's also a Casual mode where the goal is to raise a certain amount of money in as short a time as possible.

The nice thing about Build-a-lot is that players don't have to know a lot about real estate or be skilled number-crunchers, to succeed and have fun. There's a wonderful tutorial, and the game's pacing is just right in terms of introducing new challenges and concepts in a manageable way. Each town presents unique challenges that keep the game fresh until the end. One mayor, for example, is partial to Tudor-style homes, while another wants to attract wealthy retirees by building estates on premium lakefront land. For such a potentially dry subject, Build-a-lot manages to deliver a game that is extremely accessible, as well as challenging.

Available on: Windows
Not available online
Genre: Simulation
Developer: MumboJumbo
Released on: March 4, 2008
Price: 19.99
ESRB Rating: E