Cities XL is a good city-building game that manages to introduce some much needed new ideas to the genre without straying too far from established conventions.  Whether you're a core fan or new to the genre, there is a lot to like about Cities XL. As a city-builder, the game largely succeeds.  What it gets right is enjoyable, where it innovates is refreshing and its few missteps are not disastrous.

It is arguably the best city-building game released in the last 6 years, and remains closest in spirit to the venerable SimCity.  Core fans will be on very familiar ground as the game sticks to the tried and true city-building formula.  New players may also find that is more accessible than SimCity 4.

As a true city-builder, Cities XL contains two distinct albeit inseparable concepts of management and construction.  And now with the online component, Monte Cristo hopes to add a new dynamic to move the genre forward.

But "SimCity Online" this is not, so while it's tempting to make direct comparisons to Maxis' game, it would be more productive to examine Cities XL on its own merits with an understanding of where it draws its inspiration.

Without going into all the specifics of gameplay mechanics, we'll look at what Cities XL does right, where it is lacking, what it can improve upon, and examine some missed opportunities that might have kept it from being truly "great". 

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At first glance LinCity may seem like an early version of SimCity 2000.  Upon further examination, LinCity is its own flavor of City-Builder.  In this game, the goal is to develop and manage a city.  There are two ways to win: create a city with a sustainable economy, or launch all of your citizens to another planet using a space port.  You lose if everyone dies from starvation or pollution.  The game revolves around managing city resources, population growth and progressing through tech-levels to unlock new buildings and industries.  Overall a fun concept, and I am excited to do this review.

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