Mall Tycoon 3

"I'm sorry, I just don't care for it."

"Tired of cruising the same old mall? Then create a mall that rules with Mall Tycoon 3, the ultimate shopping center simulation! It's up to you to build trendy stores, delicious restaurants, fun filled arcades, and even a cutting edge multiplex. View your creation in full 3D as shoppers swarm your fabulous retail empire and spend their hard earned cash. You've got to make sure you keep your mall totally hot, fun, and successful - or else your shoppers will go packing!"

I wonder how much work it took them to think of that phrase. It is attention grabbing, something the game has not done. The game came out at very cheap prices all over North America. I didn't really know why! I found Mall Tycoon 3 to be quite enjoyable right when I got it. Unfortunately, after about an hour of playing this game, I found out why. The lack of diversity added on to the fact there are much better games out there drove me to quit. I eventually put it back on just so I could write this review.

Fun: The first hour is the most fun you will have. After that, you may lose interest. If you love these type of games you may enjoy Mall Tycoon 3 until you have beat it. Otherwise, Mall Tycoon 3 will make you bored out of your mind.

Waiting Time: This game takes forever to load. Five minutes per start up just doesn't seem right. It takes about 4 minutes to install.

Difficulty: The bottom line is… this game is not that hard! Besides the fact that you start with a low amount of income making successful stores is not very hard. You can have a good mall within an hour.

Controls: I have to be honest. The controls are very easy to use. Use the menu to select which object to build and rotate it with right clicking with your mouse. Besides that there is really not much more to learn.

Graphics: The graphics are pretty good. The people are 3D but the items inside of the stores and the trees outside of the mall are 2D. This does not do much for game play, but I like to see some consistency when I play games.

Sounds: Besides the yelling when you pick a person up there is really not much in the way of sound. Besides the music the whole game is pretty much quite.

Music: The music isn't bad, considering it is almost all the noise you will hear in Mall Tycoon 3.

Playing Time: As I said earlier unless you are an avid tycoon game fan, you will not get much excitement out of it. Besides the fact it has little different qualities it is nearly the same thing as other tycoon games.

Re-Playability: If you are an avid tycoon fan, you will enjoy challenge mode. After that, doubt that there will be much for you. I think that you should be able to unlock free play mode instead of getting it off the bat.

Modes: Challenge mode has some tests for you to accomplish but that's about it. Sandbox mode gives you the chance to build a mall without having to try to complete challenges.

Buy Or Rent: Neither, unless you Really, Really enjoy tycoon games. You won't get very much fun from this game otherwise.

Well, here is my final markings of Mall Tycoon 3:

Fun: 4/10
Waiting Time 3/10
Difficulty: 1/10
Controls: 8/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sounds: 5/10
Music: 6/10
Playing Time: 3/10
Re-Playability: 1/10
Modes: 4/10
Buy Or Rent: Neither
Overall: 4.2/10

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 10/09/06