Sim Theme Park World

Liking this game is easy, if you're an old school fan of the original game. I was pleased to own the console and PC versions of the game, and found them to be fairly compatible. Gone are the frustrating old days of micro-management (we need more fries!) and there's no need to negotiate with your staff... so long as you keep them happy.

By necessity, comparisons arise between this game and Roller Coaster Tycoon. Two very different games with two very different premises were what I found when I compared the two. Theme Park World follows Bullfrog's bent towards graphically intensive overviews, while Microprose's Roller Coaster Tycoon leans towards a more detailed and strategy-based game. Frankly, when it comes to attention to detail and a wide-range of options, Roller Coaster Tycoon wins by a long mile.

Yet there's still plenty to be said for Theme Park World. For starters, the game has an actual goal in mind. The more goals you reach, the more Golden Tickets you acquire. By acquiring Golden Tickets, you can have access to special rides and eventually be able to unlock two other theme parks. There's land to be purchased, innovations to uncover, and staff to assign to certain areas of your park.

Personally, I can't emphasize enough the importance of Janitors. Entertainers and Security are also essential, but if you have a nasty park, your visitors will leave in droves. Besides, kids are always leaving stink bombs around.

Be careful with placing your security cameras. I found that if you presume they point south (towards you) you'll find that they don't ACTUALLY see anything unless they're positioned back aways. I placed a few near the fence, and they only looked at... well, the fence.

Up the levels of research early on. The faster you research innovations, the better off you'll be. Don't add too many detailed paths, or you'll find your staff has more mileage to cover and is less effective. Speaking of staff, don't forget to up their levels of training when you can afford to.

Finally, accept every challenge that comes your way. You may make the challenge and get a much needed boost in funds just before you go bankrupt. Though the little advisor guy can be annoying sometimes, I found him invaluable and chose not to turn him off in the options listing. That's up to you, of course.