What is the best "Tycoon" game out today?

[Taur]

Just got back from my vacation and have an extra $100 left over. Wanting to add to my "Tycoon" collection.

MY favorite game of all time is the Railroad series. Looking for another financial sim/tycoon game.

Bascially looking for a good business simulation.

[Taur]

On a happy note, It looks like Railroad Tycoon III will be released this Fall.

http://e3.wargamer.com/details.asp?searchtype=game&specific=Railroad%20Tycoon%20III

But, now back to the current and finding a good Tycoon game.

[Eilim]

Might want to check out Capitalism 2, I loved it for the brief time I played it but got swept up in a load of other games shortly after picking it up.

Sort of a Simcity meets in-depth business simulation.

Capitalism 2 Hompage (http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/capitalism2/)

I'll have to gack back and mess around with it again. My last game involved me setting up a small core retail business to generate a steady stream of income then playing on the stock market to raise more cash and start hostile takeovers. I had a severe Bill Gates complex going on and was loving every minute of it.


-Eilim

[EagleFan]

I haven't gotten into them too much other than Roller Coaster Tycoon. I keep tyring to like them, it just seems that so many companies have tried to just throw together a 'tycoon' game just to have something to sell.

Hotel Giant and Casino Empire looked to have promise but they just couldn't hold my attention. They seem much better than the other stuff floating around in that genre.

[Bishop]

Originally posted by EagleFan
I haven't gotten into them too much other than Roller Coaster Tycoon. I keep tyring to like them, it just seems that so many companies have tried to just throw together a 'tycoon' game just to have something to sell.

Hotel Giant and Casino Empire looked to have promise but they just couldn't hold my attention. They seem much better than the other stuff floating around in that genre.

Casino Empire was kinda pointless... you start your casino, and it's all pretty decent and all looking good... but it all just depends on how many machines and tables you have... so it's like you start with some tables and slots... get some money, buy more.. get more guest... then you hit a peak number depending on how many tables/slots you have... till you buy more... then you make more money.. buy more..

And it isn't because they all get filled, it's just the game is designed kinda static in that sense... you could have the best casino, or all the stuff outside of it but it doesn't matter... just matters how many tables/slots you have. Plus there is like no support at all for the game, or any plans for any sort of additions.

On a related note, you might like Restaurant Empire ... which you can try out at ... www.restaurant-empire.com

[cuervo72]

Zoo Tycoon seems to have stayed around a while....we bought it for a nephew on sale for $15 well over a year ago, but have more recently seen it advertised in Best Buy circulars for $30. Go figure. I've also heard Monopoly Tycoon is pretty good. Haven't played either though. I already have too many games I played only a few times or not at all - Imperialism 2, Civ III, FOF 4, RR Tycoon II, Gettysburg.

Heck, I still haven't finished Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation from after my son was born....over three years ago.

[WussGawd]

Rollercoaster Tycoon is a great game, as is the sequel (get the sequel, in case you're wondering which to buy).

Zoo Tycoon is a Microsloth game. My wife has it, along with the expansions. It pretty clearly was designed by somebody who saw RCT and thought it would be easy to adapt a similar design for zoos. The game seems to have had decent reviews and my wife loves it. Not a bad game at all.

I can't speak for Zoo Tycoon, but RCT is a game that's pretty light on the financial design, heavy on the park/ride design aspect.

I'm assuming you already own RRT2. If not, buy it immediately.

[Anrhydeddu]

There seems to be three classes of Tycoon games.

1. Railroad Tycoon is what started all of this and it is still in a class by itself. It is truly an in-depth economic/historical simulator/strategy game.

2. Rollercoaster Tycoon has always been an extremely popular and quality game but not in the same class as RRT because of its more cartoonish style and inclusion of more juvenile humor (like the vomit patrol). There is a debate whether Zoo Tycoon belongs here.

3. These are all of the games that spawned because of the success of Rollercoaster Tycoon. Nearly every single one of them are inferior quality, imo, and most are low-budget titles and have very little gameplay depth.

There are two additional games that I had played that perhaps put them between #2 and #3. Casino Empire as mentioned and Monopoly Tycoon. Imo, both of these games have poor gameplay depth, ranking them no better than Mall Tycoon or Moon Tycoon. However, they are much better made with good graphics, sound and supported by major publishers. I bought these for those reasons but ended up believing they are no better than the drecks of #3.

[EagleFan]

I disagree about Monopoly Tycoon. I forgot about that one but I thought it was a fun game. But that's just my opinion. That and 50 cents won't even get me a cup of coffee. :D

[Coffee Warlord]

I still love good old Transport Tycoon, the first true successor of RR Tycoon.

Available for download in many locations, as it's old...but still impressive graphics, and fun gameplay.

[sachmo71]

I didn't really like Transport Tycoon all that much. It is interesting to look at that game and then load up Roller Coaster Tycoon, though! I'm so glad that Sawyer has stuck with the same basic engine all the way up to RCT2.

My money would be on RCT Gold. It has all of the expansions in one box. Or go for RCT2. There isn't a whole heck of a lot of difference.

[WussGawd]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
There seems to be three classes of Tycoon games.

1. Railroad Tycoon is what started all of this and it is still in a class by itself. It is truly an in-depth economic/historical simulator/strategy game.

2. Rollercoaster Tycoon has always been an extremely popular and quality game but not in the same class as RRT because of its more cartoonish style and inclusion of more juvenile humor (like the vomit patrol). There is a debate whether Zoo Tycoon belongs here.

3. These are all of the games that spawned because of the success of Rollercoaster Tycoon. Nearly every single one of them are inferior quality, imo, and most are low-budget titles and have very little gameplay depth.

There are two additional games that I had played that perhaps put them between #2 and #3. Casino Empire as mentioned and Monopoly Tycoon. Imo, both of these games have poor gameplay depth, ranking them no better than Mall Tycoon or Moon Tycoon. However, they are much better made with good graphics, sound and supported by major publishers. I bought these for those reasons but ended up believing they are no better than the drecks of #3.

Good points here. I'd actually put Zoo Tycoon on a third tier, with the rest of the knockoffs at #4.

Tiny bit of trivia. The corporate death star that was Hasbro Interactive can be blamed directly for the proliferation of "Tycoon" titles. PopTop's original working title for the game that became Railroad Tycoon II was "The Iron Horse." Apparently, it stayed that way for a while, until Phil Steinmeyer heard that Hasbro (who had recently bought Microprose) wouldn't be opposed to selling the Railroad Tycoon moniker for the right price. PopTop bought the rights, renamed the game, and poof, all of a sudden it was going to be a lot harder for Hasbro to defend it's Tycoon trademark. :)

[Airhog]

Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 is a good game. On a whole it is better than RCT 1.

Simgolf is a good tycoon game, although im not sure its strictly a tycoon game.

Capatalism two is a great tycoon game. I might just have to pick that one back up and give it another whirl.

[cincyreds]

I second SimGolf and Zoo Tycoon.

Sid Meier developed SimGolf, it is a really cool game to play and highly, highly addictive once you start playing.

Zoo Tycoon is a good one also, along with the expansions. It is still one the top selling PC games.

I am just waiting to see if SimGolf 2 will be made, which it deserves to be.

[Airhog]

Oh and BTW Capatilism is really borderline Edutainment. Even though it is a game, some highschools and colleges use it to help teach economics. That being said, its still a blast to play.

[Eilim]

I think my love of Capitalism 2 is the ability to play a pseudo-Satan (Bill Gates).. I think that game is the sole reason I no longer classify Gates as satan but just a minor demon. Its just so much fun to take over your competitors by buying them out(Hostile takeovers) when you can't compete with them. ;) The joys of being an evil capitalist pig.

-Eilim

[Barkeep49]

A new game that is out is Resteraunt Empire and is, to me, as enjoyable as Sim Golf but not on the same level as RCT and certainly not as good as RRT. Resteraunt Empire is made by Trevor Chan who also was responsible for Capitalism and Capitalism Two.

[TLK]

Becher Bar- While not a true tycoon game, it is a decent simulation and it has two things going for it.....

-You get to run a bar

-and it's free.......

Becher Bar (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=3764)

TLK

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Barkeep49
A new game that is out is Resteraunt Empire and is, to me, as enjoyable as Sim Golf but not on the same level as RCT and certainly not as good as RRT. Resteraunt Empire is made by Trevor Chan who also was responsible for Capitalism and Capitalism Two.

Hmm, Restaurant Empire. Anyone remember Hot Dog Stand?

[ACStrider]

The original railroad tycoon was way ahead of its time. I was a major addict, even at my young age. It's unfortunate that the follow up added little more then better graphics. The flaws in the game were still there, but with better graphics. Sigh.

[WussGawd]

Originally posted by ACStrider
The original railroad tycoon was way ahead of its time. I was a major addict, even at my young age. It's unfortunate that the follow up added little more then better graphics. The flaws in the game were still there, but with better graphics. Sigh.

I disagree wholeheartedly. RRT2 scrapped the useless model railroad ideas of the original (which nobody played with for very long), and built a very good business sim around the original railroading core of Sid Meier's original. The stock market simulation is the best I've seen in a business sim computer game The game is great at emphasizing the cutthroat robber baron strategies of the late 19th century, and its even more of a kick to play multiplayer. IMHO, this is one of the ten best strategy games of all time.

I'm waiting with open wallet for the release of RRT3.

[Canadian Football Guy]

I think that the Railroad tycoon is the bar by which teh rest are judged now, it had it all. In my humble Canadian opinion.

[Anrhydeddu]

Originally posted by WussGawd
I disagree wholeheartedly. RRT2 scrapped the useless model railroad ideas of the original (which nobody played with for very long), and built a very good business sim around the original railroading core of Sid Meier's original. The stock market simulation is the best I've seen in a business sim computer game The game is great at emphasizing the cutthroat robber baron strategies of the late 19th century, and its even more of a kick to play multiplayer. IMHO, this is one of the ten best strategy games of all time.

I'm waiting with open wallet for the release of RRT3.

I agree, except that manipulating the stock market become very formulaic in RRT2.

[3ric]

No votes for Theme Hospital? I thought that was a rather challenging game, even after playing awhile.

[WussGawd]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
I agree, except that manipulating the stock market become very formulaic in RRT2.

Granted...the AI sucked at it...of course, this is the reason it was such a great experience multiplayer...because you could get blown out of the water in ways the AI would never dream of. :)

[Easy Mac]

2 words

porn star tycoon

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Easy Mac
2 words

porn star tycoon

Now that would be an interesting game.....put out movies & magazines, establishing long running movie franchises. Have a stable of actors & actresses, custom built (with a graphic tool), including body features, dexterity, acting ability, moaning ability, skill in various positions (think FOF formations for the QB) and specialties. Deal with stars who age, retire from the buisiness (rather wealthily in some cases), spiral out of control from drugs, die in car wrecks or commit suicide. Lure them from other operations. Pay for their plastic surgery. I think someone should get right on this.

[Easy Mac]

Oh, I just meant a game where you pay prostitutes to sleep with you, kind of like Zoo Tycoon... no wait, that isn't Zoo Tycoon, that was a dream I had...