Silicon City - Game Review

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Veteran Game

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Published on June 23, 2023 1:00:01 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LVuL6VEngc

Game:

Silicon City (2021)

Category:

Review

Duration: 2:32

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Silicon City - Game Review

Hello, fellow gamers! It's your host, coming to you with another exciting review, this time focusing on Silicon City, the latest city building venture from French studio Polycorne.

Silicon City feels like a direct nod to our old favourite, Sim City, with a refreshingly straightforward approach. Unlike other high-fidelity entries like Cities: Skylines, Silicon City scales down the grandeur and hands you a modest plot to transform into a self-sustaining hamlet bustling with shops, entertainment, housing, and a much-needed power grid. Say goodbye to the headaches of planning water pipelines – Silicon City has streamlined the city building experience for those of us craving simplicity.

However, this simplicity can be both a delight and a pitfall. The game’s lethargic day-night cycle slows the pace, but the ease of picking up the mechanics and starting to build is undeniably appealing. The satisfaction comes from piecing together a functioning city, zoning houses and businesses, and setting up entertainment venues until you've got a fully employed, tax-paying population. I was quite taken by the level of personalization, where you can learn about each of your citizens – their likes, dislikes, and where they live.

The limitation of Silicon City becomes apparent when you've filled every corner of your small land parcel. Despite your city bursting at the seams, the options for buildings don’t really offer a variety that would make each playthrough feel unique. And the portrayal of the citizens—or "silizens" as the game likes to call them—left me wanting more. These rectangular figures, walking amidst your beautifully low-poly buildings and realistically lit streets, felt out of place, detracting from what could have been an engaging artistic expression.

Yet despite these quirks, Silicon City serves up a quick-to-learn, easy-to-play experience that still captures the heart of why we love city builder simulators. Its casual approach and small map sizes may not offer the immersion some may seek, but for those who enjoy the simple pleasure of city building in short bursts, Silicon City proves itself a worthy contender. Its charm lies in retaining elements that initially drew us to the genre, repackaging it into a more digestible experience for today's gaming audience.

So, whether you're a veteran city builder, or just looking for some light-hearted strategy fun, consider giving Silicon City a try. Let's keep building, gamers! Until next time, game on!