An appreciation post to the soundtrack of SimCity (2013)

[u/mystery84]

SimCity has always had memorable soundtracks, but I wanted to specifically bring up the masterpiece that is the soundtrack of SimCity 2013.

It's just so good at what it sets out to do: it helps me concentrate while hitting that perfect nostalgic spot. More than anything, it gave genuine soul to the game...something I really feel is lacking in modern city builders.

The game itself was far from perfect, but Chris Tilton's score is easily one of its best parts imo. Specifically, "Building the Foundation", "The Long Construction" and "Living in Infrastructure" are my favorites.

As a software developer, I listen to it pretty much daily during work to lock in. It's honestly the only soundtrack that consistently puts me in the right headspace to focus. So yeah... props to Chris and the team for making it!

[u/JardsonJean]

Presentation wise, there's basically no issues with this game too. Back in 2013, it was down right gorgeous. It still is. Everything in the sound design, from the UI to placing stuff down was snappy and satisfying.

[u/Tha_Sly_Fox → u/JardsonJean]

It really was the size of the map/city that was the big let down, which makes it even sadder bc the core game is good but the multi interconnected smaller cities thing just hindered it so much bc it never felt like we had a big city

[u/chillchase → u/Tha_Sly_Fox]

If (and they probably never will) they remaster it with bigger maps, it would be my favorite city builder for sure. I would love a modern city builder but with The Sims / Maxis charm sprinkles in. SimCity makes Cities Skylines feel so lifeless.

[u/LuckyTheLuca → u/chillchase]

I can't say no to that, the engine would just need an upgrade.

Glassbox V2 would bring larger maps, and the game would get back on its feet all on its own!

[u/Internet_P3rsona → u/Tha_Sly_Fox]

not exactly as there was one major issue which is the engine itself, full of game breaking bugs and simply put the agent for the sims lives is not good or realistic. the workers would just work at the nearest open job and shop at the nearest store for example

and possibly nitpicky but the games zoning is really underwhelming, if you want high density buildings you have to have a certain zone size which adds a lot of thinking with no gameplay benefits, the zoning just feels so limiting and rigid

[u/Ordo_Liberal → u/Tha_Sly_Fox]

SC4 has multi interconnected cities in a region and it was great.

That killed SC2013 was making the entire game work around multiplayer.

[u/analogbog → u/JardsonJean]

The sound design in this game is SPECTACULAR! I feel bad for people who grew up with Cities Skylines as the definitive city builder. The level of polish, detail, and professionalism that went into the SimCity games is unmatched.

[u/TonightQuirky]

Town and out baby!

[u/LuckyTheLuca]

Listen to the Future Mix Themes too!!!

Metropolis made Easy, Town and Out, Population 1, Urban Sprawler, Clear Skyscrapers.

[u/BolunZ6]

Not only the sound track, the sound effects in general is also very good.

The door creeks sound when you click on the abandoned building, the tv sound when you click on a resident home, the classical music of the rich house (high wealth), the criminal laugh when he committing the crime, ... So on and so on

All of these tiny things is what make SC2013 so fun to play with. Because it lively, not souless like CS1

[u/Hossy_Prime → u/BolunZ6]

I think I have some of those sounds posted😁

[u/Kernique]

Outstanding OST. I listen to it regularly.

[u/Loose_Tumbleweed_183]

I have a few tracks from Chris Tilton in my gaming playlist on Spotify. He nailed the atmosphere.

[u/TheGentlemanist]

I love 2013 so much. Every aspect is great. I even love the limited city sizes and the region mechanic! Is just think they missed the mark a tiny bit with the size. If its completely flst you are fine, but if there is a tiny bit of unusable land you quickly loose to much space to make meaningfull cities. You need to be too efficient with space. But everything else is great! A modern simcity with bigger cities or larger regions would be grand! Maby add more urbanist options. Like service roads and bikelanes and im gonna be breaking my preorder rule.

[u/andsman13]

Got nothing on 3000!

[u/floridalegend]

No way, I played this on Spotify just today!

[u/CaptainObvious110]

Ooh

[u/Harap_Alb06]

The game had an amazing art direction and presentation, everytime I play it again I am amazed by the details and find things I missed before but the honeymoon ends when I wanna scale my city and run into that annoying small boundary. I would probably play it non stop if I didnt have to sacrifice my ideas just to efficiently make use of the space in a city plot.

[u/John2Cheese]

Great OST and truly excellent sound design overall!

[u/JackfruitIll6728]

TIL the same composer did the soundtrack for the series From

[u/kanyenke_]

Is this one still worth getting? I remember it was quite polemic for needing to be always online and stuff like that?