What are your general opinions on the game right now?

[SarumanTheWise9]

It's good but there really needs to be some kind of punishment for people getting stuck in traffic on their way to work.

Bullshit disappearing traffic is bullshit.

This, Industry should get abandoned if employee can't get to work
*Tunnels
*Inflation and Economic depression >>Economy should be A little more deeper
*Day/Night cycle
>>However, Am not sure how the community wants the game to evolve in certain directions.

 

[bosniandragon]

This game is really really good. The concept is really nice, of course largely inspired by the good old SimCity but it brings everything to a whole new level (the dynamic water system is really amazing!).

I enjoyed the game a lot so far, had some troubles with a few details like inability to effectively ban the highrise buildings from emerging after some time (even if I put them in a district and apply highrise ban, they still upgrade to really tall buildings), or the problems with setting up a huge industry without clogging my traffic completely, but in the end I can say I'm rather happy with how the gameplay feels.

Unfortunately, I am not really happy with building models. I am constantly keeping my city zoomed out to the point where I can't see too many details because quite honestly, the models look too childish and plastic somehow. I wish there was more "grunge" and more organic feel to certain areas, especially the farmland and industry. Residential buildings look OK, while commercial ones are really weird and definitely overdone with banners and billboards.
I know, nothing is perfect, but I really wish there were more "earthly" buildings, like normal looking stadiums, huge industry zones that don't feel repetitive etc.
In the end, it will be a task of the modding community to bring us all these features, and knowing how awesome the SimCity4 modding community was, I'm really looking forward to seeing some graphic overhauls and many new industries, building models, props etc.

All in all, this game feels really good and considering it was done by a rather small team of people, I really appreciate all the hard work they've done. If they had more resources and more time, I'm sure they would've done much better, but that's why we will look forward to more expansions that will broaden the features of the game.

 

[MN121MN]

Just booted this game up for the first time with intent to play.

4 hours without break. A 5k pop city into my 8 year already (yeah, I'm a slow planner)

I sometimes wish that the traffic AI can be a bit smarter. I often see unused lanes even though IRL, people would've taken that lane.

 

[Travisk]

I'm loving it. Got a bit burned out on release day, but given the potential of mods I definitely see myself playing this for a long time.

 

[Doc Savage]

First thing that left a solid impression: The game not only didn't crash but is very smooth; enjoyably so.

From there I went through the usual new-ness of all the parts and pieces. It's quite the solid foundation.

After a couple of run thrus learning the basic mechanics I heard the disappointed sighs of SC4 peoples... It dawned on me that there really weren't any mechanics to speak of.
There are some basic rules governing the world but nothing you have to pay attention to beyond cursory inspection. The one thing that does need attention is blatantly
obvious to see, a traffic jam is hard to miss. That's not to say the game isn't good however it does tend to just sit there and stare at you. If all you want is to create
some impeccable eye candy you're golden. If you want to experience the challenges facing a real city manager; well, we'll get back to you.

Some specifics:
-The unlock system looks good on paper and does as advertised to an extent, but after the 3rd game it's just in the way. I have never wanted to use or have used an unlock,
mod or cheat before this game came out, but I really want to use the mods that free me from the chains here. I won't ever be worrying about unlocking buildings or achievements
in C:S unless the game play becomes something a kin to compelling to make the chase worthwhile. Aside from setting up dominoes for buildings, there's really not much to do but
build a pretty place to live. For first time Mayors having to go through all the hoops works, for those that have played around since SC1 not so much.

-For a game hell bent on traffic management the road offerings are pretty paltry. Not even a painfully obvious 4x4 that plays the same way as the 2x2 and 6x6 so you can
lay down some nicer makeshift turning lanes. Given the other offerings by CO good roads should be a given. They could just borrow the assets straight up in a pinch. I do like
that everything is free form, I like that you can be really creative with what you have. I especially like how easy it is to make elevated roads and bridges. Hopefully modding will
provide that 4 lane road and a one tile wide road as not everywhere has parking on the street. I also hope for some AI help. Good road planning does make a difference, but the
pathing and the little electron weebles "who cares if we ever get there" mentality is detrimental to game play, especially where RCI is concerned.

-I have to agree about "the challenge" of the game. There isn't one. It's just a small matter of hurry up and wait. There's no penalty for failed commuters, no reason to care
about the little electron peoples actually getting anywhere in life. When they can't get where they're going they don't care, they just give up. I find that attitude is rubbing
off on me as I play. Build this, build that, wait. Wash, Rinse Repeat. If I don't get there, ah well, there's always more time.

-Given the roots in CIM I was hoping for something more involved, at least on the public transport front. There's just nothing there. Building and route information is rather sparse.
I would have thoroughly enjoyed some in depth moving of stuff around. Basic cargo, workers, getting little electric Jimmy to the dentist...

Over all this is a fine start. Given what was done to SC4 with all of it's limitations the sky is the limit here from what I can see concerning mod friendliness. It won't be today.
Probably won't be next week. But given time this will be the city builder everyone tried to make while failing miserably. I hope the makers of Cities XXXXXXXXXXXL are looking
at the sales numbers for a game that did it right and choking on their peanuts.

 

[Noinoi]

It's mostly good, especially on the city simulation side, but there are some user experience kinks that need to be worked out. It's mostly the small things that could use some work - unbalanced ambient sounds, text being rather boring (chirps) and/or wall-of-text-y (advisors), the lacklustre road tools...

But I'm still mostly having fun, at least until I get to some point where I just get burned out and want to restart the city. Progression seems like molasses in this game. Pacing could use some work - and, by goodness, maybe all zone types, all basic service buildings, the incinerator, and crematoriums shouldn't be behind an unlock at all! And the power plants seem to be woefully underpowered, especially early-game.

If these are smoothed out (perhaps as an official "easy" mode, or as a balance tweak to the standard mode), I'll be grateful. Still, these are small-to-somewhat-notable things to a game that is otherwise very good.

 

[bosniandragon]

I hope the makers of Cities XXXXXXXXXXXL are looking
at the sales numbers for a game that did it right and choking on their peanuts.

Man, I thought the same...