Roller Coaster Tycoon Review (no fat)

Game Description

With Roller Coaster Tycoon, Fans of simulation games get an opportunity to add some nausea inducing action to the plotting, planning and strategizing that forms the crux of a simulation game. You get to design and set up an amusement park, open it's gates to public and rake in the green stuff. Do it right and your coffers will fill up and you'll find yourself the proud owner of a successful business that offers a world of entertainment to its patrons.

The game is an amalgam of real time simulation and money management.

Roller Coaster Tycoon - Gameplay

Roller Coaster Tycoon is set on a zoom-able, rotate-able, isometric terrain that provides the platform upon which you construct your amusement park. Place components such as rides, refreshment vendors, souvenir stands and other vital ingredients that make up an amusement park.

Constructing roller coasters is a pleasurable chore that involves considerable work in placing tracks and components. The fun part lies in adding your own twists and turns to the ride. From pleasant cruises to some real edge-of-the-seat stomach churning rides, your imagination has an opportunity to run wild. Keep your eyes open and avoid clutter and complications. Every element has to complement each other without obstructing the path of another ride or hampering movement of people within the premises.

The game is pretty easy to learn. Commands that let you construct, control and manage the whole park are available in the form of an icon bar at the top. As with other sims, there's plenty of work to do though before you see some activity and most of all, some serious cash. The intuitive interface makes things easy.

One thing to keep in mind is physics. Laws of gravity, motion- all apply as you will discover while constructing your ride. Sharp curves and sudden dips could result in your coasters getting derailed and some serious damages.

Once you have constructed your park, you have to use your time, money and management skills to entice visitors and ensure smooth sailing. You'll have to recruit handymen, attenders, security guards and other personnel to run the show.

In short, the success of your park is determined by various factors including space and money management, innovative rides, dedication and most of all - happy visitors.

Roller Coaster Tycoon - Graphics

The perspective that games set in an isometric plane, like Roller Coaster Tycoon, is pretty challenging for graphics designers. The graphics in this game isn't great shakes and does exhibit a flaw every now and then. However, they are functional and serve the purpose of this game.

Roller Coaster Tycoon - Sound

The game features some realistic sound effects. Authentic screams, shouts, coasters on tracks, motors all add to the ambience.

Roller Coaster Tycoon - Summing Up

Amusement parks are as nostalgic as they come. Roller Coaster Tycoon offers the best of two worlds as it lets you relive the passions and joys of childhood and also lets you explore the treacherous world of business as you try to establish a successful amusement park. The dynamic nature of the game is addictive and the way it taxes your brain and tests your creative and management skills makes it a title worth investing in.

There are some issues like the game's limited scope for expandability but that doesn't diminish its value. Simulation fans will enjoy the challenges that Roller Coaster Tycoon offers. For people who aren't fans of the genre, this might be the right title to expand their gaming resume. The game is also a lesson in budget management.

Overall, the game offers great value for money entertainment.

Roller Coaster Tycoon - Cost

Roller Coaster Tycoon currently retails at $9.99US at the time of writing..