Cities XL 2012 Critic Reviews

It's the only recent player in the genre and, while not bringing any monumental innovation to the genre, its high definition graphics certainly give it a bunch of new clothes.

If you haven't played any of the franchise games and are looking for a recent sim city game, this will keep you busy for a while. To the rest, Cities XL 2012 will probably feel more of an expansion (fully priced though), than a new, independent addition to your collection.

Cities XL 2012 is just adding a year to Cities XL 2011 with a few new maps and buildings, and providing access to user modifications for first time in the series. If you purchased the previous edition it might be of interest thanks to its discount for previous buyers. If you didn't but wanted to, do not hesitate to buy it now. It's almost the same fun as Cities XL 2011.

Cities XL 2012 is good if you've never played the previous episodes. This version is just adding a few new maps and buildings and nothing relevant to the gameplay.

Cities XL 2012 is just more of the same: if you enjoyed playing the previous game you will probably consider buying the new add-on at a discounted price. But if you never fell in love with this game you won't do so now.

While a good game, the slow response time and ridiculously low FPS almost make Cities XL 2012 unplayable at times.

Cities XL 2012 is a solid city builder, but unfortunately, nothing more. Play depth isn't as big as one might expect, the graphics are more resource hungry than truly good, the trade system makes you hope for online multiplayer in vain. That, and it's really just an add-on to Cities XL 2011.

If you've never played either of the two previous Cities XL titles this is a much better value proposition and more worth your time – as long as you understand this is a solid – but flawed – title.

For a contemporary take on the Sim City formula, CitiesXL 2012 is probably the best option around. Just be aware that it holds this title by virtue of being pretty much the only option around.

Cities XL 2012 is more of an add-on for the 2011 edition. A nice little city builder game, easy to tackle at first, but with a very nice learning curve. But it's still very light compared to last year's edition, the new things are not that numerous, making it more of a die hard fan acquisition.

Cities XL 2012 is an enjoyable and addictive city builder, but the lack of depth that makes it instantly accessible to newcomers also makes it less interesting to play in the long run. It is also disappointing that there's so few improvements and new features in this year's edition.

Cities XL 2012 merely adds some new buildings and maps to the otherwise identical Cities XL 2011.

Little more than a DLC of the 2011 edition, Cities XL 2012 is a good SimCity game, even if perhaps it's too simple to be a real contest.

If you want to have a game where you build a modern town, you don't have much choice.

If you've never played it before, it's not a bad game overall, despite many technical issues. For every fan of the saga, it's just an unpolished and fully priced DLC.

Cities XL 2012 is even less of a complete title than its predecessor was. When the removal of a core gameplay feature isn't replaced with an effective replacement, what you're left with is a broken game. No effort has been taken to bring C:XL to "2012" standards in the way of a graphics overhaul, and it still runs like a dog with 3 legs to boot.

An entertaining balancing of a city budget and a flourishing metropolis resulting in a cheerful feeling is being destroyed by its need to build up several cities from the very beginning and by its not so user friendly road / whole city blocks construction.

Maybe it is the nicest city sim but unfortunately it's only the empty shell. Too many design mistakes and an user-unfriendly interface make Cities XL 2012 wasted opportunity.