Complex and absorbing business sim
For fans of SimCity and other such games which mix business with entertainment, Transport Tycoon makes for a superb experience, providing as it does accessible gameplay with complexity and depth. The goal of the game is simple enough and sees players taking control of a transport company at the time of America's Great Depression. They must help it develop and grow through the years, taking into account changes in technology and markets, with the ultimate aim of creating an empire encompassing almost all forms of transport, from trucks and ships to planes and helicopters. One of the joys of the game is its open ended nature, with players starting out with just a handful of cash and some blank terrain which they can develop in any fashion they see fit. The best way to start is by connecting towns with simple transport routes but you'll soon see that the possibilities are endless and you can go in any direction you want. The game is presented via the usual isometric perspective which makes it easy to zoom around and keep track of your empire, while the myriad options are easily accessible through the well designed and user-friendly interface. Visuals are simple and easy on the eye, but it is the detail on display here that really impresses. While the subject matter may not sound instantly appealing, once you get into things, it becomes highly absorbing to watch your little empire grow and it is immensely satisfying when you weather the economic storm and best your rivals with you carefully laid plans. For any budding entrepreneurs out there this really is a great game, but check out Transport Tycoon on Mars for a neat sci-fi twist on the theme.
