Rating: 
Summary: A mediocre manual for this game
Review: I've read this book in 1 weekend because I wanted to play this game. I've played Simcity 3 somewhat. This book describes more of how the game was 'written' (as in what the program looks for). If you are a beginner, it is not as helpful because it does not offer you the basic tips of how to play the games specifically, like the other review stated. I guess this book assumes that you are familiar with Simcity and went on from there.On the positive notes, it covers many aspects of the game. It has a chapter for each topic (i.e pollution, traffic, demand, utilities, etc). But if you are looking for specific details for each subtopic in each chapter, it does not give you that on everything. Overall, this book is helpful, but if you are a beginner, you might have difficulties following it. The best advice is play the game, and if you have any trouble with anything, find that section in the book, and you will understand it better.
Rating:
Summary: A mediocre manual for this game
Review: I've read this book in 1 weekend because I wanted to play this game. I've played Simcity 3 somewhat. This book describes more of how the game was 'written' (as in what the program looks for). If you are a beginner, it is not as helpful because it does not offer you the basic tips of how to play the games specifically, like the other review stated. I guess this book assumes that you are familiar with Simcity and went on from there. On the positive notes, it covers many aspects of the game. It has a chapter for each topic (i.e pollution, traffic, demand, utilities, etc). But if you are looking for specific details for each subtopic in each chapter, it does not give you that on everything. Overall, this book is helpful, but if you are a beginner, you might have difficulties following it. The best advice is play the game, and if you have any trouble with anything, find that section in the book, and you will understand it better.
Rating: 
Summary: "Strategy" Guide - NO, Detailed "How To Play" Guide - YES
Review: In terms of offering hints and tips on how to build your dream city, this guide offers very little. This book is essentialy 350 pages explaining all of the different features and gaming tools Sim City 4 has to offer. The book offers pages and pages of charts and tables that explain hom this city simulator works. But I would recommend playing the built in tutorials to learn how to play instead of wasting your money on book. The book offers little that you can't figure out on your own through playing the game, and I couldn't find a single "strategy" in the book that could help me with city layout and money management
Rating:
Summary: "Strategy" Guide - NO, Detailed "How To Play" Guide - YES
Review: In terms of offering hints and tips on how to build your dream city, this guide offers very little. This book is essentialy 350 pages explaining all of the different features and gaming tools Sim City 4 has to offer. The book offers pages and pages of charts and tables that explain hom this city simulator works. But I would recommend playing the built in tutorials to learn how to play instead of wasting your money on book. The book offers little that you can't figure out on your own through playing the game, and I couldn't find a single "strategy" in the book that could help me with city layout and money management
Rating:
Summary: A Statistical Masterpiece, But Not Much Else...
Review: SimCity 4 is very different than the previous games. I had trouble at first building cities without going bankrupt. I also realized quickly that land values aren't nearly as important as in previous games. There were quite a few things I just couldn't understand or make them work correctly - mass transportation for one. This book does help you understand quite a bit about how each building or prop affects the game - which is helpful since it is so different than previous games. But, all in all, most of the information in this book I had already learned from other game players on the SimCity4 Website Bulletin Board. So, it was kind of a waste of money to me.
Rating:
Summary: A Statistical Masterpiece, But Not Much Else...
Review: SimCity 4 is very different than the previous games. I had trouble at first building cities without going bankrupt. I also realized quickly that land values aren't nearly as important as in previous games. There were quite a few things I just couldn't understand or make them work correctly - mass transportation for one. This book does help you understand quite a bit about how each building or prop affects the game - which is helpful since it is so different than previous games. But, all in all, most of the information in this book I had already learned from other game players on the SimCity4 Website Bulletin Board. So, it was kind of a waste of money to me.
Rating: 
Summary: SimCity 4 is going to be wicked.
Review: So far the actualy GAME is in development, so this book will probably explain how to do stuff, *advanced techniques.* A great book this should be for the new people playing the game.
Rating: 
Summary: Good to have but could have played a more important role...
Review: This book is pretty good and will be helpful for every Sim City 4 player. It explains many overall strategies, and gives valuable tips. Unfortunately, the book could have been much better. The game itself doesn't have a real manual, leaving the player wondering about the most basic game mechanics. While it shouldn't be up to a strategy guide to explain these things, it would have been a great oportunity for the authors of this book to provide that type of information, which would have made this book a must-buy. Without that information, this book is a good resource for people who are serious about this game and have already figured out the basics through trial and error. Overall I am glad I bought this book.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but not great
Review: This guide is a step up from the travesties that were foisted off on fans of SimCity 3000, but still leaves much to be desired. Long on mostly-useless facts, but short of any real strategy or commentary. Why, oh why, can't we see something on par with the old SimCity 2000: Power, Politics and Planning guide? Now THERE was an excellent companion book for a simulation game.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but not great
Review: This guide is a step up from the travesties that were foisted off on fans of SimCity 3000, but still leaves much to be desired. Long on mostly-useless facts, but short of any real strategy or commentary. Why, oh why, can't we see something on par with the old SimCity 2000: Power, Politics and Planning guide? Now THERE was an excellent companion book for a simulation game.
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