Casual Games Reviews, News & Talk

I’m already ready for more and hope that Hipsoft, the company behind this brilliant addition to the tycoon genre, works on a sequel (could be same topic or something different with a similar concept). No one thing makes Build-a-Lot special — it just has the right amount of challenge, an easy to figure out interface, and absorbing game play.

Rub elbows with the mayors of eight locales where you buy and sell land, build and upgrade homes and special buildings, and help communities make their dreams a reality and thrive. The settings take builders from ornery towns and the countryside to the not-so-wild west known as Granite Springs and to Palm Grove, a Hollywoodish spot aiming to have its own film festival in hopes that it rivals Cannes.

The key factors involve buying blueprints, training workers, purchasing materials, inspecting houses to stave off damage, and building, of course. The steps to take depend on the goal and resources available. Two special buildings, the Workshop and the Sawmill provide added bonuses in lowering the cost of training workers and the price of lumber. It still takes money and workers to build these and these don’t bring in any rent money.

You can also build two types of banks, one where all profits go to charity and one where you keep the profits. However, keeping the profits means Mr. Taxman will come knocking on your door with a huge property tax bill especially on larger homes. If you don’t have the money, the tax bill climbs faster than a credit card with high interest rates.

In Career mode, what most know as story mode, buildings must meet all the goals for the level to move forward. The mayor is the boss and sometimes the boss makes requests in the middle of a job. But rewards will follow upon successful execution. A level begins with a specific cash amount, available workers, and units of material. And the hard work comes in carefully using these resources while obtaining more.

The interface uses tabs for easy switching to get the needed information. The all-important goals that take you to the next level always appear at the top of the screen complete with checkboxes letting you know when you’ve met the goals. This lets you spend more time focused on the other tabs that keep the work moving.

Most games have a second game mode to extend the game’s playability. Usually, the casual or endless game mode doesn’t interest me or they look like an afterthought in meeting gamer expectations of a second mode. Build-a-Lot gives players more freedom for creativity.

Rather than endlessly building and selling homes and lots, you can do whatever you want as long as you reach the financial goal. With many possibilities for reaching the goal, the casual game mode compels builders to play again after conquering all the goals. Furthermore, after completing Career mode, you can return to any level and play it again especially for those that don’t have a star indicating you beat the deadline.

I’d like to see more buildings to include a special feature like the one that comes with the post office. After building the first post office, you’ll get mail at any of the places you own. These letters are usually the bearer of great news and added funds — small but helpful. Perhaps, the cinema could send movie rentals and a much needed break from hard labor. OK, maybe that doesn’t have much to do with the game, but you get the idea.

The game also attracts those not into tycoon or diner style games as it capture my better half’s curiosity and he loves the game. This alone should speak volumes for Build-a-Lot -– a game of a specific genre that could convert non-fans of tycoon games and rivet those who are. Speaking of rivets, I had better return to work on those extravagant mansions and castles and sell those lower-priced Rambler, Colonial, and Tudor homes to make room for them.

System Requirements: Windows

• Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista
• 500MHz or faster Processor
• 256MB RAM

Gamezebo has tips and tricks for surviving the more challenging levels of the game.

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