Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Bristol
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
City building game focuses on green communities.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Enercities
What's It About?
In ENERCITIES -- a top-down, city-building sim similar to SimCity -- kids must grow a community while managing that community's resources responsibly, trying to succeed economically while also being environmentally friendly and keeping people happy. They have a limited amount of fossil fuels and can build houses, entertainment locations, city parks, industrial zones, and power plants. Kids may then upgrade buildings to make them more efficient and/or lessen their ecological impact.
Is It Any Good?
Not as robust or deep as similar city sims, Enercities still manages to be poignant, benefitting from its focus on a few key issues. The simple gameplay and straightforward mechanics make it accessible while it still poses interesting and thought-provoking challenges. Kids should have some fun and learn a little about the critical role that energy production will play as population grows and resources dwindle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss what they can do to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
How has this game affected the way you see the world and the energy we use?
Why do you think -- as the game argues -- people don't like to live near power plants?
Game Details
- Platforms : Windows , Mac , Linux
- Subjects : Science : energy , Social Studies : the economy
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : decision-making , strategy , Self-Direction : working efficiently
- Pricing structure : Free
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Paladin Studios
- Release date : December 4, 2013
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : STEM
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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