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Thursday 6 March, 2008
Game Play:
I Believe that Roller Coaster Park Tycoon is a great game that give the player vast control over all parts of game play. That said there are several problems with the game. The first and most major is that after playing this game through several levels having to wait 3 years(in game time) to complete an objective when you have already satisfied the conditions a little after year one is really annoying. The time it takes to complete a level can be an asset in the beginning but after some time at this game it is a major drawback. Another flaw that this game has is that even if you have new roller coasters and new theme parks, the theme of the game is still the same. You can only build roller coasters for so long before it becomes boring. After the first couple of levels you are just going through the same motions to complete objectives that you have already completed. Another problem that occurs in the game is that sometimes your theme parks are so small you are unable to build some of the big coasters that the game has. At certain points in the game you fill up your theme park before the goal is met and the only thing left to do is sit there and what the time pass. This can be really boring. Another aspect about the game that can be both good and bad is the need for handymen and mechanics. While it is cool that when a ride breaks down the game automatically send someone to fix it there are some cases where the computer controlled character is so stupid he will wander around the same part of the theme park and get lost. When this happens your rides don’t get fixed and you loose money. In general this is a very good game if taken in little increments. One level a week will enhance your enjoyment of the game while hiding the flaws that pop up so often.
Design:
The games design is very well done. All of the rides have a lot of customizing features even if you pick pre made coasters. The game also gives you the ability to advertise, hire employees, alter terrain, build one of a kind rides, and alter how money is spent all through out the park. These elements of game design are really very innovative and only seen in games like the Sims. This game allows you near total control over all the actions taken in the park and how your park will be run. The roller coasters are really cool looking and only get better after investing money in ride improvements. All the levels vary from flat grass lands to hilly forest, and desert areas to lakes and islands. Because certain rides are very particular about where and how high they can be built it is often times a challenge to find the right peace of land to put your ride without taking up to much space for more rides in the future. Sometimes you will be given a park that is almost completely vacant and you need to make a Roller Coaster Park from scratch or you will get a working park and will need to improve it in some way. Often times when playing the game you will realize that you don’t have enough money for a particular action. You are allowed to take out a loan from the bank but your line of credit is limited in the beginning. You must also learn what is an appropriate amount of money to charge for rides and admission. If your prices are too high people will not come and you will not make any money. The tone of the game is often times happy and up beat and this is reinforced by the music that is playing in the background of the game and all the sounds that are common to a theme park. This is a very god game despite some pretty large flaws and the design for a game of its time is very good.
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