Metropolismania


Metropolismania is a PlayStation 2-only city-building game developed by Indi and published by Media Factory in Japan, Natsume in North America, and Ubisoft in Europe. The object of the game is to interact with NPCs in order to populate various towns. The game was released under a traditional CD-ROM format, uncommon to the PS2. A sequel was announced by Natsume, titled Metropolismania 2. The title was released on August 28, 2007 in North America and in Japan on July 13, 2006 by D3 Publisher. Another sequel, Metropolismania 3, was released for the PlayStation Portable by D3 Publisher but in Japan only. Several titles under the name "Machi-Ing maker" have also been published for the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 3.

Gameplay

There are various goals to complete in each of the five main scenarios. Goals always involve growing the town to a given population, and often ensuring that a percentage of the buildings are of a certain type, i.e. businesses, farms, or amusement facilities. There are also side stories that occur within each scenario, sometimes including bizarre instances involving smuggling rings, a cult, and even aliens. When all requirements for the scenario have been met, the player's boss will call to congratulate them and send a letter of resignation, allowing the player to move on to the next scenario.
Gameplay also centers heavily on interaction with the in-game characters. Each character has a friendship meter that increases or decreases based on interactions such as "gossip" and giving gifts. Relationship statuses are: "stranger," "know the face," "acquaintance," "friend," and "best friend." Introducing new citizens or solving complaints is often based on good friendship status with these characters.

Characters

There are several categories of characters in the game. Visually, characters within a category may have some variation, from the color of their hair to their clothing. Knowing personality types also aids the player in the game as certain conversational or "gossip" items more quickly increase the friendship meter. Some characters, as described within the game, include:
For Metropolismania 2, there are universal categories of characters in the game. Visually, characters within a category may have some variation, from the color of their hair to their clothing. Knowing personality types also aids the player in the game as certain conversational or "gossip" items more quickly increase the friendship meter. Some characters, as described within the game, include:
• Ambitious Trendy Guy
• Amiable Old Man Who Likes to Help Others
• Amiable Old Woman Who Likes to Help Others
• Athletic Guy Who Likes to Check Out Girls
• Boy
• Girl
• Girl With Heavy Make Up
• Gossip Queen
• Gossip Who Rules The Playground
• Guy Who Likes To Give You Advice
• Mellow Girl Who Can Forecast Weather
• Middle-Aged Man With Business Smile
• Middle-Aged Man Who Likes Riddles
• Middle-Aged Man Who Likes to Tell Jokes
• Middle-Aged Man Who Works In Pharmaceuticals
• Middle-Aged Shameless Woman
• Mom Who Likes Gossiping in Park
• Nerd Who Loves Computers and Video Games
• Nerd Who Likes Girl Uniform
• Nerdy Girl Who Is Into Fortune Telling
• Nerdy Girl Who Likes Everything But Her Work
• Nerdy Girl Who Likes Game
• Ordinary Girl
• Ordinary Middle-Aged Kind Woman
• Quiet Girl
• Stubborn Old Man
• Stubborn Old Woman
• Trendy Boy
• Trendy Girl
• Useless Man
• Workaholic Middle-Aged Grouchy Man

Buildings

Buildings fall into many categories, as can be seen in the "Town Pages" phone book. Placement is strategic as many buildings require close proximity to others. Some examples include:
For Metropolismania 2 buildings fall into many categories, as can be seen in the "Yellow Pages" phone book. Placement is strategic as many buildings require close proximity to others. Some examples include:
Metropolismania received "mixed" reviews, while its sequel received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.