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 cell over time, and that authentic 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 cause we selected it as our Sport 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 critical choice for these wanting a premium metropolis builder on cell.
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 whole recreation can be inbuilt 3D. I used to be excited by the announcement, however to be trustworthy 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 would zoom proper into the town you had been constructing to disclose a 3D open world mode the place you because the City Mayor may roam round partaking in actions or finishing missions.
To say that this function blew my thoughts can be an understatement. I’d been enjoying open world video games for greater than 20 years, and enjoying metropolis builders for nearer to a few, and it by no means occurred to me how superior it might be to design and construct your individual metropolis AND THEN truly discover the 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 we have now that on cell with the discharge of Pocket Metropolis 2 this week. I suppose the large query is does this means to roam your individual metropolis open world-style add something to the expertise, or is it only a fairly gimmick?
On the danger 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 function will be as a lot of the sport as you need it to be, that means it’s completely doable to only ignore it altogether if you would like 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, principally 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 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 precisely what followers of the unique recreation may 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 perhaps not probably the most in-depth metropolis builder in terms of technique, but it surely 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 great high quality from the unique the place it’s straightforward to play for only a few moments at a time or for lengthy stretches. Numerous sim video games wouldn’t have that type of decide up and play nature but it surely works completely for Pocket Metropolis 2 as a cell recreation.
Should you loved the unique, I feel it’s a no brainer to choose up this sequel. It appears to this point to be higher in each approach. Should you missed out on the primary recreation, it’s secure to only skip it I feel and dive proper into Pocket Metropolis 2 as an alternative. For a mere 5 {dollars} you might be getting a whole lot of recreation 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 growth, make sure to take a look at our interview with Codebrew Video games from earlier this week and maintain your eye out for our overview of the sport quickly.
