SimCity 4

Maxis

Rank: #5 / 7
Released: 2003
Studio: Maxis
Genre: city-building game

At a glance

SimCity 4 is a city-building game by Maxis, released in 2003, with a Deluxe Edition that includes SimCity 4 and the Rush Hour expansion pack. Players can create a region of connected cities, linking a farming town, residential community, commercial center and industrial area through transportation networks. The game lets you shape the landscape, build facilities such as stadiums, airports and universities, and respond to emergencies. Rush Hour adds control over roads, rail, air and waterways, along with U-Drive-It missions that put you in vehicles for tasks such as pursuing a bank robber. You can also call disasters including volcanoes, tornadoes, meteors and lightning. SimCity 4 is a single-player simulation and strategy game available for Windows and macOS. It focuses on planning a city and its connections across a wider region.

Who it is for

SimCity 4 suits solo players who enjoy city planning, regional development and managing transportation networks. The Rush Hour missions may appeal to players who want to take direct control of vehicles as well as shape their cities.

What is good

Build connected cities across a region.
Shape landscapes and summon disasters.
Rush Hour includes U-Drive-It missions.
Available on Windows and macOS.

What to know first

Single-player only.
The listed release year is 2003.

Verdict

SimCity 4 combines regional city planning with transportation management, and the included Rush Hour expansion adds vehicle missions. It is a single-player option for players drawn to simulation and strategy.