Roller Coaster Tycoon
By: Microprose and Chris Sawyer
My ratings:
Graphics-8.0
Sound-8.0
Fun Factor-9.75
Lasting Appeal-9.5
Overall (weighted average)-8.9
Genre: RTS
This game probably one of the most fun and addictive RTS's I can think of right now. It has a very easy interface to jump right into, and is the best non-war RTS I've ever played. Why? Read on, my friend...
Graphics: Good. Not cutting edge by any means, but has good detail and is very easy to make out. Each little visitor walking around in your park is shown, as well ash whatever he is holding and doing. Other graphic plusses are fairly smooth animations, colorful graphics, cool scenery, and lawns that show whether they're freshly cut, in betweent, or unkempt. Also, very easy on the eyes and the kind of graphics that won't outdate fast. Similar to the original Red Alert in that respect. Five years from now it'll still be fun and playable.
Sound: Nothing to jump for joy over, but still not bad. Menu music is kinda cool, and ingame sound effects suffice. From the screams of kids going down steep drops on roller coasters to the laughing of visitors having fun, this game has it all. It also has music for different rides, mainly the Merry-Go-Round and Bumper Cars. In short, the sound on this game does it's job just fine. Not spectacular, but this game doesn't really rely on sound like some Adventure/RPG game would. As a note, there is no in-game music, but it isn't really missed. Sound fading is really good too. When you scroll near something, you notice that it smoothly goes from quite to loud as you get nearer.
Fun Factor: This game is very fun and addictive. Like just about any Sim-type RTS, RCT is a game you won't want to stop playing for quite a while once you've started. With tons to think and worry about, there's always something to do, even if you have to wait a year or more for the scenario to complete. Then there's always the excitement of creating your own roller coaster and seeing how your visitors like it. Is it the main attraction, or is it too intense? Is it making you rich, or is it making you go broke? These are questions you'll need to answer to make it big in the theme park business. And that's not all by any means. You'll have to keep your paths clean, your visitors happy, your vandalism down, etc. This game is very fun and will keep you happy for quite a while. That is the reason to buy it, and it's a very good reason.
Lasting Appeal: As mentioned in "Fun Factor", this game is addictive. You'll be playing it for a long time. And since the only places you can play are the scenarios, you're going to want to complete them so you can unlock new ones. This is also a game that you'll have no hard time coming back to after months away from it, if you get a bit bored with it after weeks of frequent playing.
Whew. I got this game several years ago after playing the demo and loving it. Plus, it was only $30, which was incredible for such a new game. Well, I still love it and play it often. The expansion packs add a lot to it too, but that's another review (actually, two reviews). In RCT, you are the owner of a theme park. You must take responsibilities for all of the exigencies of a thriving park. That means keeping the visitors happy. And that's not an easy thing to do and still make money at doing it. You must keep paths clean, lawns maintained, and visitors safe, fed, happy, entertained, and excited. How? By using the many rides, stalls, and themes that are at your disposal. These include, but aren't necessarily limited to:
Transportation rides:
Gentle rides:
Roller Coasters:
Thrill rides:
Water rides:
Shops:
Themes:
Enough? If not, get the expansion packs and add a ton more to the list! Needless to say there are lots of options. Not to mention the fact that there are different pathway types, the ability to raise and lower ground levels, tunnel underground, add flowers, trees, monuments, and fountains. You must utilize the above things to build your park, and keep it going until the deadline (which includes a minimum requirement to complete in order to pass the scenario and unlock a new one). You must monitor the popularity, price and safety of all your rides, hire handymen, security guards, technicians, etc. to keep your park in running order. You can assign your employees to certai areas of your park to stay in, keeping a balance of coverage throughout your park. This game is very realistic and requires some learning to figure out the correct formula for success. Once you find it though, it's worth it, and you can have the satisfaction of having a high park rating, and lots of satisfied visitors. A must play and a must buy, expecially considering its low price and two expansion packs available. GET IT!!!!!!
Pros:
Very clear, detailed graphics
Easy to use interface
Very realistic
Cons:
You can't ride your rides (you can watch them run though)
Repetitive
Objectionable Content: None
Screenshots coming soon.
Other's Ratings:
ignpc-8.5 (original game)
ignpc-7.0 (Corkscrew Follies expansion pack)
ignpc-8.3 (Loopy Landscapes expansion pack)