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PC Reviews: Vegas Make it Big

 

Vegas Make it Big Screenshots



 

The Final Say!

Gameplay
 9.0		 Graphics
 8.5		 Sound
 8.4		 Value
 8.9

Vegas: Make it Big - reviewed by Andrew B
Review Date: November 2003
Review Score: 8.9
Distributed by Red Ant 

"Running your own Casino just got fun!"

Vegas: Make it Big is the latest title from acclaimed game developers (Empire Interactive) who brought us Monopoly Tycoon and Risk II. This time there taking gamers to the land of Las Vegas so that players can create their own casino resort and make it big in the world of gambling! Players that love sim and tycoon games will thoroughly enjoy this title because they can create their own Sin City in the colourful world of Las Vegas.

When you first starting playing this title, you start with a blank Las Vegas Strip that you must develop into a multi-million dollar casino resort. Each person that visits Las Vegas must have their pleasures catered for and this is where your tycoon powers come into play. By building the right resort with the correct services and amusements, you will attract customers that help increase your bank balance that allows you create more and more impressive looking casinos. 

By monitoring different visitors that come into your Casino, you can help cater for the plethora of visitors that your establishment receives and by keeping them happy and interested, they will spend more and more money in your resort. Whether it's the nuclear family that comes to visit your resort or the high spender that may wish to gamble their millions away at the your casino, Vegas: Make it Big is all about  money.

Although this may sound like an extremely difficult job, the developers have assisted the gamer by making thought bubbles appear above the heads of your patrons that tell you what they are currently thinking about your casino resort. Everything from food, toilets, entertainment and gambling must be catered for if you wish to make profit and increase the reputation of your establishment.

Las Vegas: Make it Big starts slowly and you are given a piece of land (a blank slate) on the Strip that you must turn into an American wonderland of gambling and sin. The game also boasts ten different casino themes that range from real-world favourites like Egypt, France, Space or even the Lost World.

As with all good tycoon games, there are literally hundreds of different things that you can build in your casino from entertainment venues such as water worlds and roller coasters to even the more tacky side of Las Vegas such as Wedding Chapels and gift shops. You must also hire world famous celebrities to help entertain your guests at the casino resort that range from sports stars, singers and even comedians.

The attention to detail in the game is amazing and apart from building a variety of buildings for your casino resort, you must also outfit it with various luxurious decorations such as plants, statues, water fountains, slot machines, toilets and everything else you would expect to see in a real casino. Empire Interactive have also made the game move on a 24 hour gaming cycle that lets you control your empire from day to night. You must also ensure that your security guards handle the dangers of patrons stealing your profits from the Casino such as cheating or stealing.

Graphically, Vegas: Make it Big is a visual treat that uses a very robust 3D engine that allows you to control just about every aspect of your gaming world. You can even zoom into certain sections and actually see 3D designed characters moving about your casino, whether staff or guests. The characters are extremely well detailed and animated and each character goes about their duty in the game, unaware that they are being watched by the tycoon that controls their lives. One of the most impressive effects of the game (as mentioned before) is the 24 hour gaming cycle that moves throughout the game. The designers have done a great job at implementing the lights into the game and when the sun goes down, the neon lights are slowly turned on in the city of Las Vegas.

The musical score of Las Vegas: Make it Big sounds like it was directly taken from the real-world tunes of Las Vegas and really helps put you into the mood for this game. Apart from soothing music, the game also contains a variety of sound effects and if you have ever visited a casino, you will know that these sounds are from the noises of people putting money into slot machines to the computer sounds of jackpots, everything has been implemented perfectly into this title.

This review has only just touched the surface of this addictive game and I would highly recommend this title to all gamers who enjoy sim or tycoon games. This game is as close as you can get to owning your casino, from hiring security guards to ensuring that the high-roller area is away from the general public area, the attention to detail is amazing. A must own game!

- Andrew B

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