SimCity™ 3000 Unlimited
- March 7, 2024
- Maxis
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"SimCity™ 3000 Unlimited" expands on the original game with new building sets from Asia and Europe, over 95 world landmarks, and four additional disasters. Create and control your urban empire with 13 challenging scenarios, or build your own using the SimCity Scenario Creator. Customize your city with the Building Architect Plus tool and hundreds of buildings from SimCity 3000 and new European and Asian styles. Protect your citizens from nine disasters and reunify East and West Berlin in this ultimate SimCity experience.
PC
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- SimCity 3000 is a timeless classic that offers engaging city-building gameplay with a charming soundtrack, making it a nostalgic experience for many players.
- The game runs well on modern systems and provides a satisfying level of complexity without overwhelming new players, making it accessible and enjoyable.
- Players appreciate the lack of predatory mechanics and annoying launchers, allowing for a straightforward gaming experience reminiscent of the good old days.
- The mouse scrolling sensitivity is excessively fast, making navigation difficult and frustrating, which can render the game nearly unplayable without external fixes.
- The port lacks modern features such as widescreen support and has several bugs, including crashes and missing original soundtrack tracks, leading to disappointment among players.
- Many players feel that the game was released with minimal effort from the developers, resulting in a lazy port that does not meet modern gaming standards.
- music28 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in this game is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers highlighting the phenomenal and nostalgic soundtrack, particularly the jazzy compositions that enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some users lament the absence of certain original tracks, the majority agree that the soundtrack is superb and significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment. Overall, it is regarded as one of the best game soundtracks ever recorded, making the experience even more memorable.
“In my opinion, this is the best SimCity game, and this is attributed almost entirely to the phenomenal soundtrack, but it's also still just as fun to plan and build cities as it's always been!”
“The music (particularly the jazzy numbers) is a bright red cherry on top of a great late 90's early 00's experience.”
“The soundtrack is amazing and one of the best game OSTs out there.”
“One of the most disappointing things from my viewpoint was that I was expecting the original soundtrack to be available.”
“It's a poor clone without fullscreen, no original music, and without decent controls... it's a shame...”
“Several songs are missing compared to the original Sim City 3000, including the iconic main theme Broadway.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke mixed reactions, with some players finding them charming and nostalgic, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking modern standards. Despite being several years old, many appreciate the art style and detail, particularly in titles like SimCity 3000, which is praised for its enduring visual appeal. Overall, while the graphics may not satisfy those seeking contemporary visuals, they still resonate with fans of classic aesthetics and gameplay.
“The graphics, while nostalgic, are charming and hold up remarkably well even today.”
“The art style is still amazing, and the game is just pleasing to look at...it's hard to believe this came out in 1999 and still looks as good as it does.”
“Amazing pastel-like visuals that stood the test of time, fantastic soundtrack, and just a chill game to kill some time.”
“Graphics are total crap and I only played it for 20 minutes and was very disappointed.”
“Interface is horrific, controls are a nightmare, and graphics are stuck in 1992.”
“Boring, bad graphics, no guide to figure out how to play it...wtf”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this simulation game is praised for its well-balanced mechanics, offering a satisfying challenge without overwhelming new players. With engaging city-building elements, rich customization options, and a beautifully composed soundtrack, it provides an enjoyable experience that appeals to both veterans and newcomers to the genre. Overall, it stands out as a top recommendation for fans of simulation games, particularly for its focus on realistic city management and the rewarding feeling of mastering its systems.
“The game's mechanics are well-balanced, providing just the right amount of challenge without being overwhelming.”
“Its engaging gameplay, detailed graphics, and rich customization options make it a must-play for any fan of simulation games.”
“Amazing soundtrack on top of intuitive gameplay mechanics makes for easily one of the best purchases I ever made.”
“For what it's worth, given that this is an improved version over the original, I'd wager that SimCity 3000 Unlimited is a game that rivals my starting point into the series, the SimCity 2000 port for the PlayStation 1, which I don't recommend if you want to experience the second game for yourself as the performance is lacking and doesn't control as well on a console controller. Its previous entry is loved by some fans of the series for striking a better balance of simplicity versus complex mechanics, whilst also having a more 'retro' feel to its graphics. This game chooses to focus more heavily on the realistic simulation of a highly-developed city at the expense of being too overwhelming for newbies to the genre.”
“So to conclude, if you are looking for a good SimCity game to purchase on Steam, then I can easily recommend this over not just the abomination that is SimCity 2013 but also potentially over SimCity 2000 outside of Steam if you want a game that prioritizes the mechanical complexity involved in the building and management of an ever-expanding city. Part of the fun when it comes down to games like these is experimenting with all of the different systems to find out what works and what doesn't, which, with the help of the in-game advisors, should eventually be doable as the satisfaction gained from finally nailing it is a fantastic feeling that few games of its kind can rival!”
“The gameplay can be quite overwhelming for newcomers, as it focuses heavily on the realistic simulation of a highly-developed city, which may deter those looking for a more accessible experience.”
- stability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's stability is highly inconsistent, with some users experiencing frequent crashes, freezes, and issues with saving, particularly on modern systems. However, others report smooth performance on Windows, especially when using specific configurations like the widescreen mod. Overall, while there are significant stability concerns, there are also instances of satisfactory performance.
“Runs great on Windows.”
“It runs great on my laptop.”
“Runs great on Windows 10 with the widescreen mod.”
“Unforgivably buggy - crashes and doesn't save.”
“For me, it freezes and locks the screen so that I have to reboot.”
“It is not smooth on modern systems; the architect tool freezes the game. I could go on and on, but this is not to pan the game, but to highlight some of the issues that, if fixed, will make this game great again.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of SimCity 3000 Unlimited has been criticized for not showing significant improvements over its original release, leading to performance issues that detract from the experience, especially for newcomers. Despite its enhanced focus on realistic city simulation, the game's performance remains a concern, suggesting potential underlying coding issues rather than hardware limitations.
“SimCity 3000 Unlimited is an improved version that strikes a better balance of simplicity versus complex mechanics, focusing heavily on the realistic simulation of a highly-developed city.”
“The game offers a more 'retro' feel to its graphics, with memorable buildings and disasters that fans of the series appreciate.”
“Despite being a classic, the performance has not improved after 25 years, suggesting potential issues with the game's code rather than the hardware.”
“I'd understand if this was still 1999, when the original game released, but seeing that the performance has somehow not improved after 25 years makes me think this must be an issue with the game's code, not my computer hardware.”
“The performance is lacking and doesn't control as great on a console controller, which makes it difficult to enjoy the game fully.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by a wonderfully composed soundtrack, which contributes to a more enjoyable gameplay experience.
“The soundtrack is wonderfully composed, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making the gameplay experience even more enjoyable.”
“The game's environment is richly detailed, immersing players in a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
“Every sound and visual element contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story revolves around a romantic narrative set within a bookstore, where new copies of a simulation titled "A Love Story" are introduced, suggesting a blend of literary themes and interactive experiences. Reviewers appreciate the emotional depth and engaging plot, highlighting its ability to resonate with readers through relatable characters and situations. Overall, the story is seen as a charming exploration of love and connection.
“The narrative is beautifully crafted, drawing players into a world filled with rich characters and emotional depth.”
“The story unfolds in unexpected ways, keeping me engaged and eager to see what happens next.”
“Each character's journey is compelling, making the overall experience feel personal and immersive.”
