SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition

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SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition lets you build and design a unique city, controlling everything from terrain to transportation. As mayor, provide for your Sims' needs, optimize traffic flow, and prepare for "Rush Hour" with new roads and transportation systems. This edition also includes bonus disasters like UFOs, ensuring constant challenges and excitement in your virtual metropolis.

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Play Modes

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,624 reviews

graphics186 positive mentions

stability196 negative mentions

SimCity 4 is a classic city-building game that still holds up well after 20 years, offering a deep and complex simulation experience.
The game features a vibrant modding community that enhances gameplay with countless mods and custom content, making it highly replayable.
Players appreciate the nostalgic value and the ability to create and manage interconnected cities within a region, providing a unique gameplay experience.

The game frequently crashes on modern systems, leading to lost progress due to the lack of an auto-save feature.
Many players find the user interface outdated and cumbersome, making it difficult to navigate and manage city functions effectively.
The game struggles with performance issues on newer hardware, often requiring extensive tweaks and mods to run smoothly.

graphics
862 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
14%
The graphics of SimCity 4 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2003 release, with many users noting low-resolution textures and occasional graphical glitches on modern systems. However, despite these shortcomings, the game's charming art style and nostalgic appeal still resonate with players, and the modding community offers enhancements that can improve the visual experience. Overall, while the graphics may not meet contemporary standards, they are often seen as a minor issue compared to the game's engaging gameplay and depth.
- “The graphics, while not cutting-edge by today's standards, still have a charming and distinctive look that perfectly complements the game's mechanics.”
- “The graphics are charming and well done and manage to not look outdated for a game released over two decades ago.”
- “The graphics have aged really well and I actually prefer them to Skylines, which at times can feel bulky.”
- “The graphics are dated, with low-resolution textures and blocky models that fail to create an immersive city-building experience.”
- “The game's graphics and performance are also lackluster, even for a game that was released over 15 years ago.”
- “Unfortunately the graphics on this are so outdated (resolution is awful) that I found it unplayable.”
gameplay
502 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The gameplay of SimCity 4 is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, which offer a rewarding experience for players willing to invest time in mastering them. While the game retains a nostalgic charm and engaging city-building elements, it suffers from occasional crashes and a steep learning curve, making it less accessible for newcomers. The active modding community enhances the gameplay further, providing numerous customization options and improvements, although some players find the interface clunky and certain mechanics unintuitive.
- “The regional play feature, allowing players to connect multiple cities, adds an extra layer of strategy and makes for a more cohesive and engaging gameplay experience.”
- “The simulation engine provides a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience, where players must balance the needs of their citizens while managing resources and handling unexpected events.”
- “The mechanics are complex and challenging but also very rewarding to master.”
- “The gameplay is not intuitive, and this is one of those games where to really learn it you must spend the hours and get experience.”
- “The game crashes unexpectedly at least once a day, and the cumulative hours of gameplay lost are ridiculous.”
- “It's a shame, because the gameplay itself holds up really well, but it's not worth the hassle to make it run as smoothly as I'd like it to run.”
music
276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers calling the soundtrack "fantastic," "impeccable," and "one of the best in gaming history." The diverse range of tracks, from ambient to jazzy, enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience, making it memorable and enjoyable even years after its release. Players appreciate the ability to customize their music experience, further solidifying the soundtrack's reputation as a significant aspect of the game.
- “The music is impeccable, never gets old and really gives a good vibe to the overall game.”
- “Easily one of the best video game soundtracks in existence.”
- “The soundtrack is one of the best of any game.”
- “It won't even boot past the initial logo window with intro music for me.”
- “Although this game is for the glorious PC master race, the graphics aren’t all that glorious and the music will have you banging your head on your desk after a few solid hours.”
- “Worst soundtrack of 2003 award.”
stability
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience issues such as freezing, graphical errors, and loss of progress due to the lack of an auto-save feature, making it nearly unplayable on modern systems. While some enjoy the game despite its flaws, the overwhelming consensus is that its technical problems detract from the overall experience.
- “Still runs great on old hardware, and makes the time absolutely disappear.”
- “It's simple to understand, has an ever-active modding community, looks great, and still runs great for its age, and has endless replay value.”
- “The game's performance is also subpar, with long loading times and frequent crashes and freezes.”
- “This is basically unplayable, due to freezes during saving which causes it to not save half the time, and the never-ending crashes.”
- “The game is just a buggy mess now.”
story
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The story aspect of the game is largely minimal, with many players noting that it lacks a significant narrative. While there are optional vehicle missions that add some fun and interactivity, they often feel disconnected from a cohesive storyline. Overall, the game is more focused on city-building mechanics and gameplay rather than delivering a compelling story.
- “Where my love for city building began, I loved the little missions that immersed you into your city.”
- “The side missions are also entertaining while you are waiting for your city to grow.”
- “The 'u-drive-it' missions add an element of playfulness that I feel is missing from Skylines.”
- “📜 no story (a storyless saga)”
- “🔳 terrible storyline”
- “🔳 there isn't really a story”
optimization
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
45%
36%
The optimization of SimCity 4 is widely criticized, particularly on modern systems, where players report frequent crashes, long loading times, and poor performance. While some users have found success with mods and tweaks to improve functionality, the game struggles with compatibility and performance issues, especially on newer hardware. Overall, many recommend caution before purchasing due to these significant optimization challenges.
- “With a few tweaks to run smoothly on modern systems, there is a wealth of opportunity to build and develop thriving regions with millions of residents.”
- “This game strikes me as a crossover between classic SimCity and Cities: Skylines, because I can see that Skylines took everything that was loved and familiar from SimCity 4, left out everything that didn't work, and optimized everything else to make it the best possible playing experience for the player.”
- “Played this game a decade ago and wanted to check it again, legit this time, it's amazing how it keeps fresh, fun, and challenging; still runs smoothly on newer PCs.”
- “The game's performance is also subpar, with long loading times and frequent crashes and freezes.”
- “SimCity 4 is not optimized for modern computers.”
- “Crashes and performance issues are abound on modern hardware, and it doesn't seem like EA would ever willingly release the source code of the game.”
replayability
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
3%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting its unique city-building mechanics and the endless possibilities offered by its modding community. While some users note that replay value may diminish after reaching certain milestones, the overall consensus is that the game remains engaging and fresh, providing countless hours of varied gameplay. Many reviewers emphasize that no two cities are alike, contributing to its lasting appeal and replay potential.
- “This game has tons of replay value as no two cities are ever the same.”
- “The replay value of this game is beyond compare, for something different is always awaiting you, and the mods are endless to build off what the game originally provided.”
- “Offering unlimited replay value, flexibility and accommodation for play-styles, while at once having a high skill ceiling, this is the perfect game.”
- “That being said, the game doesn't have much replay value; once you've built up a city as big as it can possibly get, with all reward buildings unlocked and built, I don't see any reason why I would ever go back and do it all over again.”
- “▢ limited replayability, no major differences (same game, different day)”
- “Although the game has aged a little too fast for my liking on some fronts, it still retains its replayability.”
humor
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of classic Maxis wit and quirky charm, with players finding amusement in both the absurdity of city-building mishaps and the game's playful mechanics. While some feel it lacks the depth of humor found in earlier titles like SimCity 3000, it still offers plenty of funny moments, especially when players engage in chaotic city destruction or encounter humorous in-game scenarios. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the complex simulation experience, making it enjoyable despite its challenges.
- “Build a city and then destroy it in so many funny ways; after 30 years with SimCity, it will still haunt my dreams, but in a good way.”
- “Also, it has the classic Maxis humor that we all know and love.”
- “The texts are funny too; for example: 'Sim addicted to licking stamps donated his tongue to science.'”
grinding
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be both time-consuming and rewarding, often requiring significant dedication that can impact their social lives. While some tasks can feel tedious, especially with certain vehicle missions and random crashes, the game's depth and variety in city-building options keep the experience engaging for many. Overall, the grind is seen as a necessary part of achieving success in building and managing cities, though it may lead to frustration at times.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding (goodbye social life!).”
- “Only real negative about the game is that it gets kinda 'grindy' if you want to make a good city.”
- “I love it when I tediously spend an hour trying to balance my budget by fixing a road problem, only to get randomly rebooted and spit out of my city by a game that came out in 2003, with my i7, 16GB gaming laptop.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
67%
17%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising it for being completely free of microtransactions, while others note the presence of mild or cosmetic-only microtransactions that do not impact gameplay. In contrast, newer titles in the genre, like the latest SimCity, are criticized for aggressive monetization strategies that exploit the fanbase. Overall, players appreciate games that prioritize a fair experience without intrusive monetization.
- “None, completely free from microtransactions (no wallets harmed here!)”
- “Cosmetic-only microtransactions (style without the pay-to-win)”
- “Mild microtransactions, not intrusive (a sprinkle of microtransactions)”
- “I felt like this game was far ahead of its time and felt like the next step, where 3000u felt like 2000 with pretty graphics and a few new things, and whatever the new 'SimCity' game is - it feels like a gigantic step backwards and sideways into microtransactions and the obvious advantage-taking of a fanbase that EA acquired - one that Maxis earned.”
- “Moving forward... in the past I've considered the cash grab called Cities: Skylines, with mods of course, as the best alternative to SimCity 4.”
- “▢ aggressive microtransactions, but avoidable (pay up or face the consequences)”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
25%
13%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its cozy, jazzy urban environment, enhanced by a unique blend of ambient and gritty jazz music that evokes a sense of timelessness and emotional connection. Players appreciate how the music and pastel colors contribute to an immersive experience, making it stand out among other city builders despite their complexity. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a defining feature that captures the essence of city-building in a memorable way.
- “I played it when I was a small kid, and since then I have been absolutely loving this atmosphere of a cozy, jazzy urban environment that you can create in this game.”
- “The ambient music in the regional view, combined with the gritty, hard jazz in the mayor view, creates an incredible atmosphere, incomparable to previous entries in the series, despite the impressive jazz tracks in SimCity 3000.”
- “The jazzy, atmospheric music and the pastel colors all help in creating this sense of timelessness and universality as you are working on your city.”
- “Atmosphere: 2/5”
- “Atmosphere: 2/5”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The emotional response to the game reflects a deep nostalgia and attachment to its legacy, with players expressing disappointment in modern iterations that fail to evoke the same feelings. However, some users also mention a lack of engagement due to a perceived boring storyline, leading to a sense of disconnection from the experience.