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Transport
Tycoon is a business management game that has been extremely popular on PC
format for over a year. We have already seen this type of game on PSX with Sim
City 2000 and Theme Park, so will Transport Tycoon make a profit or end up
redundant in the second hand shops? Let's see. |
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Transport
Tycoon involves strategy, planning and a fair amount of thought if you are to
successfully fend off your business rivals and remain 'top dog' in the cut
throat world of transportation. Rather than build thriving metropolises as seen
in Sim City or ever expanding amusement parks, the subject of Theme Park, your
aim is to create and then manage a transport company that dominates road, rail,
sea and air. This involves building the road and rail networks then purchasing
the vehicles that run on them, while harbors and airports must be carefully
positioned to utilize their maximum potential. All of this to develop while
your competitors are breathing right down your neck. |
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The
main difference between the PC version and the Microprose PlayStation conversion
is the use of a fully rotational 3D viewpoint, SVGA high resolution graphics and
a larger generated world.
The game begins in a 2D isometric view which
looks a little boring but thankfully this can be changed to the 3D mode which
offers the facility to rotate the viewing angle and then zoom in up close and
then back out again.
The graphics are fine with each type of building
constructed having an individual appearance to avoid confusion. Because of the
nature of the game you do not end up with a single city that is clustered with
buildings, rather a number of smaller town that are inter-linked by your network
of thoroughfares. |
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How
about someone coming up with a business management sim that is backed by some
dynamic music that would keep you alert and your wits sharp, rather than the
usual sleepy dirge that accompanies these 'games'. Once again it's the 'hotel
reception and shopping malls Greatest Hit's' that grinds on your nerves after a
couple of hours playing.
The sound effects have never stretched the
imagination in these types of games either, although the sudden blast from a
ship entering the harbor counteracts the deep trance that the music has
gradually put you in. |
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The
game begins in the year 1930. With 100,000 units in your bank account, you must
compete against your ruthless rivals to achieve the successful business status
of being the Transport Tycoon of the century.
You begin on a small
island that is littered with small unconnected towns. It is here where you must
start building routes between the towns, beginning with linking the road system.
This will involve levelling out the contours of the landscape or digging
tunnels through hillsides. Once two towns are connected you will need to
provide bus terminals, mail depots and livestock holdings. It is now time to
purchase vehicles to run your route as the collection of passengers and delivery
of goods will provide your income.
The laying of road and rail is
fairly straightforward. On screen is a main menu and the highlighting of a
service transfers you to a sub menu. Once again an item is selected and carried
onto the area of land that you are working on. A click of a button lays your
first section, while holding down the button drags the item across the
landscape. Current costs are displayed on screen. The game is workable using
the joypad to control the curser but a mouse is definitely more user friendly.
The
same method is used for other services, including stations, airports, docks and
the necessary roads that will eventually link them all together. Finding the
best routes to move passengers, mail and goods is essential to stay ahead of
your rivals. As the years pass by, you should invest in technological
advancements which will bring more efficient vehicles and vessels into your
business. Failing to invest carefully, will see your competition move ahead of
you and this could be disastrous.
There are three modes of difficulty.
An easy setting offers you a high loan at a low interest rate, low construction
costs, and only one competitor who works at medium pace and allows you 6 months
head start. The most difficult setting will see three rival companies rapidly
expanding their business while you are faced with high construction costs and
interest rates that go through the roof.
To succeed, you will have to
overcome obstructive town councils who will block your planning applications,
vehicle malfunctions and the odd natural disaster, in this heavy and resource
management simulation. |
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Transport
Tycoon offers you an insight into the cut-throat world of business management.
The game can become quite complex but IF you stick with it you will gain much
pleasure from seeing your company grow into a huge conglomerate.
However,
this is a big 'if' as the game can quite often border on sheer frustration. The
loading times between menus seems very slow while constant on-screen messages
will see you dropping the project you are presently working on to begin a more
profitable venture. Also you should be warned that this game uses an entire
memory card for a single game save. |
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MARTIN |
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GRAPHICS: |
Average |
I
must first say that I loved Sim City on the PSX and was eagerly awaiting the
arrival of this transportation sim from Microprose. However, Transport Tycoon
left me feeling a little bored at my demotion to a mere transport manager, after
sampling the delights and pressures involved with running every aspect of a
bustling metropolis. Not enough variation in gameplay. |
SOUND: |
Poor |
PLAYABILITY: |
Average |
VALUE: |
Average |
OVERALL 6.5/10 |
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JIM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
The
game was a little too shallow for my liking. |
SOUND: |
Average |
PLAYABILITY: |
Good |
VALUE: |
Good |
OVERALL 7/10 |
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