It’s exhausting to consider however we’re just some months away from the 5-year anniversary of Codebrew Video games aka developer Bobby Li launching the unique Pocket Metropolis within the App Retailer. A full premium city-building sim is one thing that was severely missing on cell over time, and that unique Pocket Metropolis delivered the products with an exquisite touchscreen interface, beautiful visuals, and satisfying metropolis constructing. And no micro-transactions in sight! There was a purpose we selected it as our Sport of the Week and awarded it 5 stars in our evaluation when it got here out, and since that point the unique Pocket Metropolis remains to be just about the one severe choice for these wanting a premium metropolis builder on cell.
Simply because there’s no actual competitors in that area doesn’t imply that Codebrew have been resting on their laurels although. Within the fall of 2020 a sequel was introduced, and this time across the total sport could be in-built 3D. I used to be excited by the announcement, however to be sincere Pocket Metropolis 2 slipped from my thoughts within the time since, so I used to be particularly taken off guard when a brand new trailer was launched final month and revealed simply what was in retailer for this 3D sequel. The isometric city-building of the primary sport was retained, however like a magic trick, at any second you may zoom proper into the town you have been constructing to disclose a 3D open world mode the place you because the City Mayor might roam round partaking in actions or finishing missions.
To say that this characteristic blew my thoughts could be an understatement. I’d been enjoying open world video games for greater than 20 years, and enjoying metropolis builders for nearer to 3, and it by no means occurred to me how superior it could be to design and construct your individual metropolis AND THEN really discover your complete factor on foot or by car. This is sort of a peanut butter and chocolate second that was simply begging to be explored, and so now now we have that on cell with the discharge of Pocket Metropolis 2 this week. I suppose the massive query is does this capability to roam your individual metropolis open world-style add something to the expertise, or is it only a fairly gimmick?
On the threat of teasing, I believe I’ll let that query be answered by our pal Mikhail in his full evaluation of Pocket Metropolis 2, coming to your eyeballs quickly. What I’ll say although is that the open world characteristic may be as a lot of the sport as you need it to be, which means it’s completely attainable to only ignore it altogether if you would like and simply play by Pocket Metropolis 2 like a traditional isometric metropolis builder. The truth is that’s just about how I play about 80% of the time, largely as a result of there’s simply a lot to be constructing and managing and monitoring that I don’t actually have time to consider “Oh I’m going to go shoot hoops on the park I simply constructed!” or “Oh I’m going to go cease some random muggings on the road!” I really like that these choices are there, and I believe as soon as I get additional into my metropolis the place it doesn’t want a lot micromanaging I’ll in all probability discover them extra.
For now although, Pocket Metropolis 2 is precisely what followers of the unique sport might hope for. It’s larger and higher in just about each approach simply on its city-building mechanics, with the additional open world stuff being like icing on the cake. That is possibly not essentially the most in-depth metropolis builder in terms of technique, however it makes up for it in sheer enjoyable and approachability. You possibly can nonetheless change between panorama or portrait on the fly, and Pocket Metropolis 2 retains that great high quality from the unique the place it’s simple to play for just some moments at a time or for lengthy stretches. Loads of sim video games wouldn’t have that form of choose up and play nature however it works completely for Pocket Metropolis 2 as a cell sport.
When you loved the unique, I believe it’s a no brainer to select up this sequel. It appears thus far to be higher in each approach. When you missed out on the primary sport, it’s protected to only skip it I believe and dive proper into Pocket Metropolis 2 as a substitute. For a mere 5 {dollars} you’re getting loads of sport right here, and I believe there’ll nonetheless be no actual contenders to take its crown as the most effective premium cell metropolis builder till the inevitable Pocket Metropolis 3 comes alongside sometime sooner or later. Additionally, for much more perception about Pocket Metropolis 2 and its improvement, make sure to try our interview with Codebrew Video games from earlier this week and preserve your eye out for our evaluation of the sport quickly.
