"One of the best Sim City games to date"

This game,although dated,has never lost its magic to me.Here is my take on great city simulation:

Story:9/10

You are the mayor of a city.Your mission,should you choose to accept it,is to build a city and manage it,stay out of debt,please your citizens and take care of a number of problems including crime,pollution,unemployment and something no city game would be complete without...The disasters.Fortunately,you have the option of disabling disasters.

Gameplay:10/10

This game will definately keep you busy in a fun way.Build zones in the right proportions,keep adequate police and fire coverage,build hospitals,schools and colleges as well as libraries,museums and even prisons.Enact city ordinances like Smoking Bans,Energy Conservation and City Beautification,and even ones you can profit from such as Parking Fines and 1% Sales Tax.Raise land values to encourage urban sprawl.If you need quick cash,float a bond when the interest rates are low.Maintain power with up to 9 different power plant types,from Solar to Coal,Nuclear to Microwave,even Fusion.Maintain a water system with pumps,pipes,treatment,desalinization and water towers.Entertain your city with Stadiums,Zoos and more.Add seaports and airports,and even a military base.As your population grows,you can build prizes from the classic Mayor's House to a giant Space Needle-type ''Llama Dome'',and even self-contained cities called Arcologies''.

Graphics:8/10

Not as crisp as some of the later games,but very textured and sharply contrasted.A rather dated graphics engine,but one that was used to the best of its ability.

Sound:5/10

This is where the game suffers.The music is low-quality synthesized,the sounds are annoying and repetitive,and nothing is really redeemable about them.

Extras:9/10

Sim City 2000 gives you the option of taking on various scenarios,from a Microwave accident to a volcano (!),and everything inbetween.There are 4 ''Will TV'' videos in which the game's creator talks about what he thinks is in store for the future of gaming.Although some of his suggestions have already been implemented,it's still entertaining to see how his speculation translated into today's reality.
A few surprises await you in your city from time to time,which you'll just have to figure out yourself.

Replay value:9/10

The replay value of this game is mostly based on the principle that no two cities can be built alike.Whether you decide to create your own terrain and start again from scratch,or try your hand at managing a pre-saved city,it'll be a while before this game finally peters out on you.

Overall Score:9/10

A great game that I would advise you to buy if you are a fan of the series.Those who have never taken to simulation games might want to rent it,though,as it does not really have the ability as other games do to wow you regardless of your taste.Still,it's a great buy if you can get your hands on it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/02/03, Updated 03/02/03