A real screamer (Rollercoaster Tycoon (PC))

Member Name: fried.dog.davy

Product:	Rollercoaster Tycoon (PC)
Date:	03/10/00 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: universal appeal, endless design possibilities, simple to use, good detail

Disadvantages: None

I'm afraid that I am a coward when it comes to theme parks. You see I do not like being swung in the air or having my stomach turned inside out. I enjoy watching others scream and squeal in fear and terror, but as for myself - I prefer to keep my feet safely on the ground. Roller Coaster tycoon is, therefore, the perfect game for me. I can sit safely at my computer and design the most diabolical rides to scare the pants off others. (Yes I know that they are not real people but they do scream so wonderfully well.)

To put it in its proper genre, Roller Coaster Tycoon is a build em up, real time, strategy sim. Where it differs from other games of its type (such as sim city) is in the sheer variety of structures you can build. I have spent hours trying to design the perfect roller coaster. You can lay the track above or below ground, construct fast sweeping rides or more intense ones with corkscrews, sudden drops, and loops. There are also different kinds of rides to play with each with their strengths and limitations. Thus you can have fun with a traditional wooden big dipper, get everyone wet on the log flume or make people sick on the giant steel corkscrew. The joy of this game is that the possibilities are endless.

Nor is it a difficult game to play. You are presented with a row of icons along the top of your screen and it does not take long to work out what each one does. My 8 year old daughter can master it quite effectively, (although my five year old does need supervision. She places flower beds and fountains everywhere, makes all the rides free for the children and then gets upset when she runs out of money.)

The game is scenario based with 20 scenarios to work your way through. These get progressively more difficult and demanding as you go on. There is also an add on pack which contains even more rides and scenarios to play with.

The detail is another impressive thing about this game. For those who like to tweak and
customise you can add trees, gardens, fountains, ornaments and other items to fit the theme of your park. You can also change the colours of your rides (I favour purple) and manipulate the landscape adding hills lakes and valleys. Through all this you have to remain solvent, attract visitors to your park and keep them all happy.

With the possible exception of Civ 2 this is the most absorbing and long lived game I have ever tried. Its strength lies in its appeal to all ages and in the endless variety of designs you can come up with. Perhaps, it also appeals to the sadistic element in me as I can scare others and make them scream without it being illegal!

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