Sim City: Build It iPhone Review

Sim City has had a bit of a tumultuous time over the past few years, with its latest iteration frustrating users with DRM issues and more. With SimCity Build It, it was assumed mobile gamers and those looking for a slimlined, simpler version of the title would finally get what they were looking for that the PC version didn't offer. It's a free-to-play city building title that's much like its computer brethren, but it's still riddled with faults.

The Good

This is a Sim City you can take with you and not worry about having to deal with DRM or always-on gates. It's the same familiar Sim City you remember from childhood (if you got into it that early) with specialized zones for special types of buildings. You get your own plot of land on which you can build, but you'll have to build upward instead of outward with your modest amount of land. It's familiar ground to tread and plenty of things to do, but after a few hours of play, the issues begin to come out.

The Bad

SimCash, Build It's sneaky microtransaction system, is frustrating as all get-out. You can earn it slowly without spending too much money, but nearly every single thing you do in game is governed by how much or how little you have. It's frustrating to have to wait to earn enough to proceed or amass basic building materials, especially when you need even more to upgrade your buildings. It's at this point it feels less like a Sim City game and more like a management simulator, which anyone can agree is completely unlike the original game or anywhere near the ballpark of other games, even on the iPhone and other mobile devices.

The Verdict

Sim City Build It is a strange mishmash of free-to-play trappings, resource management, and other oddities that don't necessarily make sense within the context of the game as a franchise or even as a stand-alone app. Pass on it and choose something much meatier to spend your time with.