It’s onerous to consider however we’re only a few 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 cellular over time, and that unique Pocket Metropolis delivered the products with a beautiful touchscreen interface, attractive visuals, and satisfying metropolis constructing. And no micro-transactions in sight! There was a purpose we selected it as our Recreation of the Week and awarded it 5 stars in our overview when it got here out, and since that point the unique Pocket Metropolis continues to be just about the one severe choice for these wanting a premium metropolis builder on cellular.
Simply because there’s no actual competitors in that house 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 complete recreation could be inbuilt 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 recreation was retained, however like a magic trick, at any second you can 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 will be to design and construct your personal metropolis AND THEN truly discover the complete factor on foot or by automobile. 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 cellular with the discharge of Pocket Metropolis 2 this week. I assume the massive query is does this capability to roam your personal metropolis open world-style add something to the expertise, or is it only a fairly gimmick?
On the threat of teasing, I feel I’ll let that query be answered by our pal Mikhail in his full overview 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, that means it’s completely doable to simply ignore it altogether in order for you and simply play by Pocket Metropolis 2 like a traditional isometric metropolis builder. In reality 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 feel as soon as I get additional into my metropolis the place it doesn’t want a lot micromanaging I’ll most likely discover them extra.
For now although, Pocket Metropolis 2 is strictly what followers of the unique recreation might hope for. It’s larger and higher in just about each manner simply on its city-building mechanics, with the additional open world stuff being like icing on the cake. That is perhaps not probably the most in-depth metropolis builder in the case of technique, nevertheless it makes up for it in sheer enjoyable and approachability. You’ll be able to nonetheless change between panorama or portrait on the fly, and Pocket Metropolis 2 retains that fantastic high quality from the unique the place it’s straightforward to play for only a few moments at a time or for lengthy stretches. A whole lot of sim video games wouldn’t have that type of choose up and play nature nevertheless it works completely for Pocket Metropolis 2 as a cellular recreation.
In the event you loved the unique, I feel it’s a no brainer to select up this sequel. It appears up to now to be higher in each manner. In the event you missed out on the primary recreation, it’s protected to simply skip it I feel and dive proper into Pocket Metropolis 2 as an alternative. For a mere 5 {dollars} you’re getting lots of recreation right here, and I think there’ll nonetheless be no actual contenders to take its crown as the most effective premium cellular 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 growth, make sure to try our interview with Codebrew Video games from earlier this week and maintain your eye out for our overview of the sport quickly.
