Are you an entrepreneur? (not as good as PC)
Then this game might be for you. As you’re set to build your own Theme Park and run its every day business activities. From memory, I think you had 3 difficulty settings, which typically for this type of game meant different opposition and game options. For example on the harder setting you were able to trade in stocks and shares – all a bit too tricky for me when I played it as a teenager.
The game starts with an empty park for you to fill with rides, shops, toilets, etc etc. You even have to employ staff. Often I played it on an average/medium setting which also allows you to adjust not only the shop prices but also how much salt there is in the food. The idea being that more salt means more thirsty people, meaning more drinks sales and in return earns you more money.
The game is quite complex. Positions of your shops is vital, as a drinks shop will prosper next to a food shop – and both will do great when placed next to the Exit of a ride – as you can read the minds of your little folk and see how Happy they are. Toilets are also important. Cleaners are required if you want the people to come back again.
There is lots to invest in, but more specifically there is an investments page, which allows you to pour money into different investments such as ‘Ideas for new rides’ or such like. And when you’re making lots of money you can invest in some staff dressed up in outfits like a shark or clown.
For me this was great, there is a sense of competition with the other theme parks – more so when the yearly Awards are sent out, and if you can get Gold then you know you’re on track. Getting the biggest best ride obviously helps.
Onto the more technical aspects; GAMEPLAY – is obviously simple. The 3DO copes fine with most of this game. Scrolling about the map is simple. However the worst aspect is…
SAVING your parks progress all comes to a shuddering halt when your park gets too big, meaning you cannot save it until you downsize the park. Adding a rollercoaster often caused this problem. This is a terrible downfall that you do not encounter on a PC. Maybe you can get some kind of memory/expansion pack for the 3DO.
To be fair to the game, there is no problems with clipping or anything, nor any hanging/freezing up.
GRAPHICS – are cartoony and simple thus there is no juddering.
SOUND – I don’t remember any music but you certainly get into the feel of the game with the sounds of the rides etc. People let you know when they’re unwell as you hear them puking/yaking.
VALUE – kept me going for many hours. A great idea of a game. Shame you cannot save the game properly on a 3DO.
The game can keep you going for months on end whilst you try and learn how the stock market works, or hows best to invest. This doesnt mean to say the game is hard to get into, as when you play on easy mode, then you simply start and go - learning as you go - SIMPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!