Metropolismania

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Metropolismania
North America cover art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)	Media Factory (JP) Natsume (NA/EU)
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release	JP: September 27, 2001 NA: October 3, 2002 EU: November 8, 2002
Genre(s)	City-building strategy game
Mode(s)	Single player

Metropolismania (known in Japan as Machi-ing Maker) is a PlayStation 2-only city-building game developed by . The object of the game is to interact with NPCs in order to populate various towns. A sequel was announced by Natsume, titled Metropolismania 2 (Machi-ing Maker 2: Zoku Boku no Machi Zukuri in Japan). 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:

• 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 (usually in the 6–10 years old range)
• Gal With Heavy Make-Up
• Girl (usually in the 6–10 years old range)
• Guy Who Likes To Give You Advice
• Mellow Girl Who Can Forecast Weather
• Middle-Aged Man With Commercial Smile
• Middle-Aged Man Who Likes Riddles
• Middle-Aged Man Who Likes to Tell Jokes
• Middle-Aged Shameless Woman
• Mom Who Likes Gossiping in Park
• Mommy's Boy
• Nerd Who Loves Computers and Video Games
• Nerdy Girl Who Is Into Fortune Telling
• Nerdy Girl Who Likes Everything But Her Work
• Ordinary Girl
• Ordinary Middle-Aged Kind Woman
• Playboy
• Playgirl
• Quiet Girl
• Stubborn Old Man
• Stubborn Old Woman
• Workaholic Middle-Aged Grouchy Man

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 (usually in the 6–10 years old range) • Girl (usually in the 6–10 years old range) • 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[]

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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:

• Small Offices: Stackable up to three, includes "Planning Company", "Accounting Firm", and "Software Company".
• Large Offices: Stackable up to four, includes "Bank", "Insurance Company", and "Publishing Firm".
• Factories: Including "Garbage Dump", "Brewery", "Car Mechanic", "Fabric Factory", and "Steel Mill".
• Gas Stations: "gas stations"
• Fishing Industry: Including "Shrimp Port", "Sardine Port", and "Oyster Culture".
• Ancillary Fishing Buildings: "Fish Market", "Fishing Coop", and "Bait Shop".
• Farming Industry: Including "Orange Orchard", "Grapefruit Farm", and "Rice Paddy".
• Ancillary Farming Buildings: "Water Well", "Farm Machinery", and "Pest Controllers".
• Residences: Multiple versions of Families (some with pre-school age children, teenagers, etc.) as well as Senior Citizens, "Student Accom" and "Studio Apartment". Some specialty residences exist in the game as well, including "Piano Tuner's Home" and "Author's Home". These special designations do not seem to have any additional benefit in-game.
• Amusement Facilities: Including "Karaoke", "Amusement Park", and "Slot Machines". Some amusements are specifically for Senior Citizens, Adults, or Families.
• Grocers: Including "Seafood Shop", "Bakery", "Butcher Shop", and "Fruit & Veg. Shop".
• Super Stores: Including "Tailor", "Electrician", "Stationery Store", "Laundrette", "Hardware Shop", and "Department Store".
• Restaurants: In this game, restaurants have specific target consumers; some are specifically for Family, some are for Adult. Examples include "Savory Pancakes", "Coffee Shop", "Mexican Bistro", "Hamburger Shop", "Drink Bar", "Thai Restaurant", and "French Bistro".
• Police Stations: "Police Stations"
• Employment Agency: "Employment Agency"
• Schools: Each school category has a specific age range for students, including "Daycare Center," "Primary School," and "University."
• Hospitals: Including "Dental Dept.," "Maternity Ward," and "Local Hospital."
• Playgrounds: Including "Small Park" and "Large Park."

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:

• Small Offices: Stackable up to twenty eight, includes "Planning Company", "Printing Company", "Beverage Company", "Web Development Co.", "Delivery Company", "Nursing Care Center", "Accounting Firm", "Marine Surveyor", "Travel Office", "Talent Agency", "Taxation Office", "Decorating Company", "Architect Company", "Surveying Company", "Tiling Company", "Investigator Company", "Design Studio", "Road Equipment Company", "Patent Office", "Property Management Company", Cleaning Company", "Realtor", "Production Studio", "Babysitting Company", "Lawyer Center", "Handyman Firm", "Translator", and "Software Company".
• Large Offices: Same with small offices stackable up to twenty eight, includes "IT Services", "Outsourcing Company", "Amusement Company", "Ocean Liners", "Gas Company", "Finance Company", "Bank", "Cell Phone Store", "Security Firm", "Building Company", "Advertising Company", International Cargo Company", "Automobile Maker", "Stocks & Shares", "Employment Company", "Publishing Firm", "Newspaper Company", "Trading Company", "Waterworks", "Rail Company", "Electronics Company", "Power Company, "T.V. Stations" "Insurance Company", "Marketing Agency", "Travel Agency", "Taxi Company", and "TV Stations".
• Factories: Including "Garbage Dump", "Brewery", "Car Repair Shop", "Soy Sauce Factory", "Fodder Factory", "Spirit Distilery", "Spring Factory", "Coal Factory", "Flour Mill", "Sheet Metal", "Plastics", "Welders", "Frozen Foods", "Printers", "Glass Factory", "Oil Refinery", "Ceramic Factory", "Cosmetics Factory", "China Factory", "Precision Machinery", "Recycling Plant", "Miso Manufactures", "Bakery", "Beer Distilery" "Fabric Factory", "Steel Mill", etc.
• Gas Stations: "Gas Stations"
• Fishing Industry: Including "Shrimp Fishery", "Trevaily Fishery", "Sea Urchin Fishery", "Prwan Fishery", "Slatefish Fishery", "Bonito Fishery", "Tiger Prawn Fishery","Salmon Fishery", "Mackerel Fishery", "White Bait Fishery", "Snapper Fishery", "Herring Fishery", "Bic Mackerel Fishery", Tuna Fishery", "Crab Fishery", "Squid Fishery", "Puffery Fishery","Clam Farm", "Surf Clam Farm", "Eel Fishery", "Turtle Fishery", "Abalone Culture", "Top Shell Farm", "Pearl Culture", "Bream Port", "Scallop Port", and "Oyster Culture".
• Ancillary Fishing Buildings: "Fish Market", "Fishing Co-op", and "Bait Shop".
• Fisherman Fishing Buildings: Including Fisherman's Home.
• Farming Industry: Including "Sweet Mandarin Farm", "Orange Orchard", "Lemon Orchard" "Tangerine Orchard", "Pear Orchard", "Lemon Orchard", "Vineyard", "Grapefruit Farm", "Mandarin Orchard", "Peach Orchard", "Apple Orchard", "Raddish Farm", Green Tea Farm", "Mushroom Farm", "Green Onion Farm", "Strawberry Farm", "Watermelon Farm", "Tomato Farm", "Melon Farm", "Ranch", "Pig Farm", and "Rice Paddy".
• Ancillary Farming Buildings: "Water Well", "Farm Machinery", "Agricultural Co-op" and "Pest Controllers".
• Residences: Multiple versions of Families (Classic, Loft, Stairs, Garage (36–44 years old), Garage (44–49 years old), Elderly Wooden 1, Elderly Wooden 2, Elderly Home Stairs, Ederly Home Garage.) as well as Senior Citizens, "Student Accom", "Home Office", and "Studio Apartment". Some specialty residences exist in the game as well, including "Author's Home". For Stage 2 & 5 there are special bonus to get Samurai Residence and Sumo Stable. These special designations do not seem to have any additional benefit in-game.
• Hotel: Including "Nikko Hotels", "Business Hotel", "Motel", and "Japanese Inn".
• Culture School: Including: "Aerobics", "Private School", "Education Center", "Computer School", "Cooking Class", "Drama School", "Speech Therapist", "Piano School", and "Business School".
• Amusement Facilities: Including "Karaoke", "Anime Shop", "Beauty Salon", "Arcade", "Sumo Arena", "Driving Range", "Book Shop", "Spa", "Lotto Stand", "Music Shop", "Flower Arranger", "Flute School", "Toy Shop", "Movie Theater", "Tanning Salon", "Tropical Beach", "Pet Shop", "Marine Tower", "Internet Cafe", "Track Field", "Thrift Shop", "Amusement Park", and "Slot Machines". Some amusements are specifically for Senior Citizens, Adults, or Families.
• Food Shop: Including "Seafood Shop", "Liquor Shop", "Pastry Shop", "Butcher Shop", and "Fruit & Veg. Shop".
• General Good Store: Including "Tailor", "Shoe Shop", "Hardware Shop", "Pawn Shop", "Electrician", "Supermarket", "Barber", "Clock Shop", "Florist", "Furniture Shop", "Jewelry Shop", "Stationery Store", "Kids Clothing", "Dress Shop", "Optician", "Drug Store", and "Cleaners".
• Super Stores: Including "Department Store", and "Convenience Store".
• Restaurants: In this game, restaurants have specific target consumers; some are specifically for Family, some are for Adult. Examples include "Noodle Bar", "Ethnic Restaurant", "Family Restaurant", "Korean Restaurant", "Cake Shop", "Candy Store", "Savory Pancakes", "Coffee Shop", "Italian Restaurant", "Pizza Parlor", "Hamburger Cafe", "Take-Out Lunch", "Chinese Restaurant", "MOS Burger", "Bar", "Diner", "YOSHINOYA", "Chinese Noodle Bar", "Pub", "Maid Café" (For Mission Stage 6), "Indian Restaurant", "French Bistro", and "Japanese Restaurant" (For Mission Stage 3).
• Police Stations: "Police Stations" & "Police HQ".
• Public Facilities: Including "Train Station", "Interchange", "Post Office", and "Fire Brigade".
• Employment Agency: "Employment Agency"
• Schools: Each school category has a specific age range for students, including "Preschool", "Elementary School,", "Junior High School", "High School", and "University."
• Hospitals: Including "Dental School", "Internal Medicine", "Surgery", and "Local Hospital."
• Playgrounds: Including "Playground", "Park Medium", "Park", "Pagoda", "Buddha Statue" (For Mission Stage 4).

Reception[]

Metropolismania received "mixed" reviews, while its sequel received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[2][6]

References[]

External links[]

• Metropolismania at MobyGames
• Metropolismania 2 at MobyGames