It's very hard building a great city in this game...but you keep trying over and over and over again!!
For example, say you have a pollution problem in city A because of the heavy industry. You may want to relocate the heavy industry in another area so you can make city A clean for commerce and residents. Or, you can develop city A's commerce, thus encouraging high-tech industry to replace polluting industries. There are a seemingly endless number of ways to improve your city; all depends on your imagination and creativity. Yes! Sim City 4 is a game that lets you see whether or not your development strategy is worthwhile in the long run! If you like exercising your mind, then you'll love this!
Besides the depth of the game's administrative capabilities, it offers great graphics, wonderful music that's enjoyable to listen to while seeing skyscrapers rise, and the maxis charm-- a great sense of humor. When you achieve a certain quality of education, population etc. you'll be rewarded not only with pretty and useful buildings but great humor that goes along with their descriptions. Those are all great things that make you happy.
Although Sim City 4 a is a difficult game, for you need to take account of many, many things as your city grows, and it needs a powerful computer for quality game performance, its strong points shine past its negligible weaknesses and, in the end makes you happier for having played it.