Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!sparc1!witzany From: witzany@sparc1 (David Witzany) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games Subject: Re: SimCity/Populous (512K) Question Message-ID: <1991Apr4.235922.1761@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> Date: 4 Apr 91 23:59:22 GMT Article-I.D.: ux1.1991Apr4.235922.1761 References: <1991Apr3.181134.15520@mprgate.mpr.ca> Sender: usenet@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News) Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana Lines: 48 stone@mars.mpr.ca (Darren Stone) writes: >My question is: What do I sacrifice (there must be >something!) if I run it in only 512K? Can anyone >verify this for sure before I buy the thing? >What's this stuff about version 1.0/1.1/1.2? The 512K version of SimCity only has 8 colors; I don't think it has any sound, either. The 1 meg version has 32 colors, and assorted city-type sounds (planes, traffic, nuclear meltdowns...). I can't say that the sounds do that much for the game (except maybe Godzilla). Both versions are included in the 1.2 release of the game, which should be the only version on the shelves these days (be careful if you go to a Walden Software store, however; they often have earlier versions of software, at discounted prices. I've asked them why; they seem to think that it's store policy). Maxis recommends that you use the 512 K version of the game to print out the maps of your cities; the more detailed mapsget pretty muddy on paper, apparently. I also used the smaller version for the first week I had my Amiga, while I waited for my multisync monitor to arrive and had to hook the computer to my TV (kids, don't try this at home--ecch! :^) >I haven't played SimCity or Populous myself, so >how do they stack up against each other (I know >they're different, but is more fun or interesting >to play?) I bought them both, and have played them each about the same amount. Sim City is great for open-ended gaming; it's really as much a simulation as it is a game-- maybe more so. Populous is similar, in that you "suggest" to your followers that they should do one thing or another, rather than actually point an individual at an enemy Walker and say "Kill!". Because you actually have an opponent in Populous, it has a different flavor-- you don't just lose due to your own incompetence; there's an enemy god actively working against you, as well. Overall, I can highly recommend them both, as games go. If you get tiredof the repetitiveness of one, you can switch to the other for awhile. You should note, however, that only Sim City can be installed on your hard drive. Populous is copy-protected, and will make the worst gronking noises you've ever heard your floppy drive make. There are a lot of net filk who would suggest that you avoid it on that ground alone. >- Darren - -- Dave Witzany (witzany@sparc1.isgs.uiuc.edu)