SimTower: The Vertical Empire (Game)

SimTower: The Vertical Empire

GAME » on 1994

3DO (Platform)Mac (Platform)PC (Platform)PlayStation (Platform)Saturn (Platform)

Build and manage a skyscraper while keeping the inhabitants happy.

Game Images Reviews SimTower: The Vertical Empire ReleasesRelated Pages

Overview

SimTower: The Vertical Empire, known in early Japanese releases as Tower and in later ones as The Tower, is a high-rise building management game developed and published by OPeNBooK, with Maxis publishing it outside of Japan, for Windows PCs and Macintosh computers in 1994.

Originally conceived by Yoot Saito (Person) and part of Maxis's Sim (Franchise) series overseas, SimTower presents a plot of land in side-view and tasks players with constructing a multi-use building and managing its operations to become a profitable skyscraper. Along with carefully balancing the building's residential and commercial sections, players must mitigate random disasters (such as fires, bug infestations, and bomb threats) and maintain efficient forms of transportation, namely with stairwells and elevators, and provide necessary amenities to keep its tenants from moving out.

Along with some minor updates, the game later received Japanese-exclusive console ports for the Sega Saturn and the 3DO (Platform) on March 1996, and for the Sony PlayStation on November 1996 (as The Tower: Bonus Edition, with a memory card pouch included). It later received a sequel, known overseas as Yoot Tower (Game), as well as multiple handheld and smartphone sequels.

Gameplay

The basic gameplay consists of building and populating floors until you reach your peak - the ultimate goal being a five-star rating which unlocks a special capstone property for your 100th floor. Property placement is key, as where you build each office space, apartment, or retail location impacts how happy the renters will be and how much money each location can earn.

However, the most important part of the building process is how you set up your elevator system. Inefficient elevators and stairways cause inhabitants to become stressed; stressed visitors spend less money and are more likely to close their shops and offices. Keeping your residents happy and stress-free is what this game is all about.

The happier you keep your renters, the more money and attention you will earn. Once specific conditions are met, your tower will begin earning stars which unlock more restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, and utilities for you to build.

Hazards and emergencies such as fires, bug infestations, bomb threats, and VIP visits occur throughout the game as well. The way you with deal such issues and how you handle your finances reflect how well you do in the game.

Advancement through the game is measured by star ratings, with the ultimate goal of a five-star ranking and 15,000 residents. The game doesn't have a true end, but most (if not all) Sim games don't.

Similar Games

No games found