Customer Reviews (500)

catycat18 • 2025-03-25T06:18:55-07:00

This game initially got me hooked but now I'm at a point in the game where it's too hard to get the resources you need without spending real world money on them so your sims all get pissy and move away. Not to mention I don't know why but it is ALWAYS night time in the game during the day when I am trying to play it. It only shows day light early in the day or late at night where I am. The constant rain and darkness makes it very hard to see to rearrange the city, and you cannot adjust the settings for that. I'm getting very frustrated.

Nautilis and Triton • 2025-03-25T04:24:37-07:00

oh Nautilis and Triton, you make my day every day. The amount of things you have in your depot, the amount of gifts you give in the pure excitement when I see your name you make this game.

Sim Build-It • 2025-03-24T19:09:44-07:00

AMAZING GAME!!!

Summary of Key Insights

SimCity BuildIt enjoys a generally positive reception, with many users finding it addictive, fun, and a good way to pass the time. The core gameplay loop of city building and management is well-liked. However, several recurring issues detract from the experience, including aggressive monetization, difficulty in obtaining expansion items, and concerns about cheating in competitive modes. Many long-term players express nostalgia and continued enjoyment but also voice frustrations about recent changes that they perceive as prioritizing revenue over player satisfaction.

Key Strengths: Addictive gameplay, engaging city-building mechanics, the social aspect of Mayor's Clubs, and visually appealing graphics. Key Weaknesses: Aggressive monetization/pay-to-win aspects, difficulty in obtaining expansion items, concerns about cheating, slow progression without spending money, and occasional technical issues (lag, crashes).

Overall Sentiment: Positive, but with significant reservations. Overall Rating (Based on Score Distribution): Approximately 4.2 stars (weighted average). Score Distribution:

  • 5-star: 64.4%
  • 4-star: 13%
  • 3-star: 10.6%
  • 2-star: 5%
  • 1-star: 7%

Data & Methodology Overview

Data Sample Size: 500 reviews Time Frame: Unspecified, but likely recent given the version number (1.62.2) and references to current events within the game. Analysis Methods:

  • Sentiment analysis (qualitative assessment based on review text)
  • Keyword extraction (identification of frequently mentioned topics and issues)
  • Frequency analysis (counting occurrences of specific terms and concerns)

Key User Pain Points

  • Aggressive Monetization (Pay-to-Win): This is the most frequently cited complaint. Users feel pressured to spend real money to progress, obtain necessary resources, and compete effectively. Many mention that the game becomes significantly less enjoyable or even unplayable without spending.
  • Difficulty Obtaining Expansion Items: A consistent frustration is the difficulty in acquiring land, mountain, and beach expansion items. Users report that these items are rare in the Global Trade HQ and that the game often requires them for tasks even when they are scarce.
  • Cheating in Competitive Modes (Club Wars, Contest of Mayors): Many reviewers express concern about cheating and hacking, particularly in Club Wars. They feel that EA does not adequately address this issue, which undermines the competitive aspect of the game.
  • Storage Limitations: Many players find the storage capacity too limited, especially as their cities grow and they need to manage more resources.
  • Lag and Crashes: Some users report experiencing lag, freezes, and crashes, which disrupt gameplay.
  • Global Trade HQ Issues: Users complain about the Global Trade HQ, citing difficulties finding specific items and the prevalence of repetitive listings. Some suggest adding a search function.
  • Repetitive and Annoying Ads: The frequency of ads is a pain point for some users.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Train Bridges: A highly requested feature is the ability to build train bridges over water or roads.
  • More Land Expansion: Users consistently ask for more land to expand their cities, particularly in the capital city.
  • Global Trade HQ Search Function: A search function for the Global Trade HQ would make it easier to find specific items.
  • More Control Over Landscape: Users want more control over the landscape, such as adding hills, connecting lakes to the ocean, and terraforming.
  • Ability to Reset or Restart Cities: Some players want the option to reset their progress or start a new city without losing their existing one.
  • Sidewalks, Fountains, and Other Landscape Features: Additional decorative elements would allow for more customized and visually appealing cities.
  • Option to Turn Off Mini Animations: Many players would like the ability to disable animations to improve performance and reduce lag.
  • Option to Message Club Members Privately: A private messaging feature within Mayor's Clubs would facilitate better communication and strategy.
  • More Ways to Earn SimCash and Keys: Players desire more opportunities to earn premium currency without spending real money.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as highly addictive and engaging.
  • Fun City-Building Mechanics: The core gameplay of designing and building cities is well-received.
  • Social Aspect of Mayor's Clubs: The ability to join clubs, trade resources, and participate in wars adds a social dimension to the game.
  • Visually Appealing Graphics: The game's graphics are generally praised.
  • Variety of Content: The game offers a variety of content, including different regions, landmarks, and events, keeping it fresh for long-term players.
  • Relaxing and Stress-Relieving: Some users find the game relaxing and a good way to de-stress.
  • Nostalgia: Many players enjoy the game because it reminds them of classic SimCity games.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Re-evaluate Monetization Strategy: Reduce the pressure to spend real money by balancing resource acquisition and progression. Consider offering more generous free rewards and reducing the cost of essential items.
  • Address Cheating in Competitive Modes: Implement more robust anti-cheat measures to ensure fair play in Club Wars and the Contest of Mayors.
  • Increase Availability of Expansion Items: Make land, mountain, and beach expansion items more readily available through in-game events, challenges, or increased drop rates.
  • Optimize Performance: Address lag and crashes by optimizing the game's performance, especially for larger cities. Consider adding graphics settings to allow users to customize their experience.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Train Bridges: Add the ability to build train bridges over water and roads.
  • Improve Global Trade HQ Functionality: Add a search function to the Global Trade HQ and address the issue of repetitive listings.
  • Increase Storage Capacity: Provide players with more storage space to manage their growing resource needs.
  • Add More Land Expansion Options: Offer more opportunities to expand cities, particularly in the capital city.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Landscape Customization Options: Provide players with more control over the landscape, such as adding hills and connecting lakes to the ocean.
  • Add More Decorative Elements: Introduce more decorative elements, such as sidewalks, fountains, and parks.
  • Implement a Private Messaging Feature for Clubs: Add a private messaging feature to Mayor's Clubs.
  • Allow Players to Turn Off Animations: Give players the option to disable animations to improve performance.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • A SimCity BuildIt Companion App: An app that provides real-time market data, resource tracking, and strategic planning tools for SimCity BuildIt players.
  • A SimCity BuildIt Modding Platform: A platform that allows players to create and share custom buildings, landscapes, and game modes.
  • A Competitive SimCity BuildIt Tournament Platform: A platform that hosts organized SimCity BuildIt tournaments with fair matchmaking and anti-cheat measures.
  • A City-Building Game with a Focus on Sustainability: A new city-building game that emphasizes sustainable development and environmental responsibility, addressing the growing demand for eco-friendly gaming experiences.

Trends and Observations

  • Long-Term Player Frustration: Many long-term players express frustration about recent changes that they perceive as prioritizing revenue over player satisfaction.
  • Nostalgia for Classic SimCity Games: There is a strong sense of nostalgia for classic SimCity games, suggesting an opportunity to incorporate elements of those games into SimCity BuildIt or develop a new mobile port.
  • Language Preferences: The majority of reviews are in English, but there are also reviews in Spanish, French, and other languages, indicating a global player base.
  • Impact of Updates: Updates can significantly impact player sentiment, both positively (when bugs are fixed or new features are added) and negatively (when monetization is increased or gameplay is disrupted).

Conclusion

SimCity BuildIt remains a popular and engaging city-building game, but its success is threatened by aggressive monetization, technical issues, and concerns about cheating. By addressing these issues and prioritizing player satisfaction, EA can ensure the long-term health and success of the game. The key is to find a better balance between generating revenue and providing a fun, fair, and rewarding experience for all players.

Overall Recommendation: EA should prioritize addressing the high-priority issues identified in this analysis to improve player satisfaction and ensure the long-term success of SimCity BuildIt.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simcity-buildit/id913292932?uo=2