I recently got the CiM "complete pack" on sale from Steam, and overall I enjoy this game, despite some of its quirks.
One of the issues I have with the game, however, is the game design behind the individual scenarios in the campaign. I just completed the first four missions. I wish it was better communicated what the end goal of the scenario is. Often there isn't even an "overall" goal for the map. Me, I just want to enjoy the challenge of building up a great transit system.
The first three missions, Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna, were just silly little "tasks" the whole way through. Then I got to the second Berlin scenario (City Divided) and with the challenge of the Wall and the first task being "Achieve 50% coverage of the city" I thought, that's a pretty good Primary Objective to achieve. I guess the first 3 missions were just introductory to help learn the game. Well, I went into the mission and built up a successful early "backbone" of a transit system with just the original metro infrastructure, one large tram line, and a smaller tram line. I had maybe only 18% coverage. I had great plans in place now to install some collector bus routes and expand. All the while, other minor objectives came and went. But all of a sudden, the boss guy said "HEY you're doing great, just get 1000 passengers now." It probably only took a minute on regular speed for me to get 1000 passengers using my busy system. And then, the mission ended. I win? I didn't even get my 50% coverage. I was having fun doing the thing I bought this game for (making a transit system) and I get cut off from that instantly, not even close to being done. No option to continue playing.
I was hoping this would be an issue just with the first 3 missions. I was hopeful that the next missions that revisit the cities would get me more into the "real" experience. I was wrong with the 2nd Berlin scenario. Please tell me, anyone: Are all the scenarios like this? Are they better with the DLC I have? I really just want my overall mission objectives laid out for me from the start so I can effectively plan (Like I thought was the case with Berlin and getting 50% coverage--NOPE.) Should I just forget the missions right now and stick to sandbox?
One of the issues I have with the game, however, is the game design behind the individual scenarios in the campaign. I just completed the first four missions. I wish it was better communicated what the end goal of the scenario is. Often there isn't even an "overall" goal for the map. Me, I just want to enjoy the challenge of building up a great transit system.
The first three missions, Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna, were just silly little "tasks" the whole way through. Then I got to the second Berlin scenario (City Divided) and with the challenge of the Wall and the first task being "Achieve 50% coverage of the city" I thought, that's a pretty good Primary Objective to achieve. I guess the first 3 missions were just introductory to help learn the game. Well, I went into the mission and built up a successful early "backbone" of a transit system with just the original metro infrastructure, one large tram line, and a smaller tram line. I had maybe only 18% coverage. I had great plans in place now to install some collector bus routes and expand. All the while, other minor objectives came and went. But all of a sudden, the boss guy said "HEY you're doing great, just get 1000 passengers now." It probably only took a minute on regular speed for me to get 1000 passengers using my busy system. And then, the mission ended. I win? I didn't even get my 50% coverage. I was having fun doing the thing I bought this game for (making a transit system) and I get cut off from that instantly, not even close to being done. No option to continue playing.
I was hoping this would be an issue just with the first 3 missions. I was hopeful that the next missions that revisit the cities would get me more into the "real" experience. I was wrong with the 2nd Berlin scenario. Please tell me, anyone: Are all the scenarios like this? Are they better with the DLC I have? I really just want my overall mission objectives laid out for me from the start so I can effectively plan (Like I thought was the case with Berlin and getting 50% coverage--NOPE.) Should I just forget the missions right now and stick to sandbox?
