Truly the best in the series so far.
However, if you like the eye in the sky view I have to honestly say that SC4's graphics are far superior to SimCity Societies. What they say is true, the graphics don't make the game, it's the gameplay. And SC4 abounds with gameplay and has a lifespan that may reach into the next decade as well.
When I play SC4, Im constantly busy, my mind is constantly moving, planning, doing something. Whether that something happens to be planning out my next zone, or thinking up ways of re-zoning my current zones, or trying to analyze why the traffic patterns are the way that they are. But on the rare occasions that I don't "have" to do anything, it's a real treat to zoom down a couple of slots and just watch my city evolve right before my eyes based on my guiding the citizens of my city. My influence over my city really feels as if I've got some influence over my city.
When my one city is built, I have plenty more to do, I've got a whole region to fill up. Do yourself a favor and search out some real screenshots of the game, you'll likely find one where the entire region has been filled with buildings, huge skyscapers in one area, and farmlands in another. The amount of creativity of the gamers that play SC4 never ceases to amaze me and that's solidly because Maxis produced a solid game to withstand all time.
Gameplay: 10/10
Theres little else I could ask for in a SimCity game. It's fun, and yet it makes me think out my next move in the city.
Graphics: 8/10
From the eye in the sky view the graphics are actually quite beautiful, it's only when you are at the closest zoom level that you get the terrible jaggies, and of course the screen resolution is capped at 1600x1200 but there are ways to force a higher resolution if you like.
Sound: 9/10
The music has always been a strong point in the SimCity franchise and SC4 does not disapoint in this area.
Longevity: 10/10
It's been over 4 or 5 years since release and it's still as fun to play today as it was 4 or 5 years ago.
Modability: 10/10
All one needs to do is to go to places like simtropolis.com or sc4devotion.com to find the thousands of buildings that the users have created to see that this game *IS* the most moddable. SimCity Societies has nothing on the modability of SimCity 4 and having this modability and the strong fan base is what keeps SC4 fresh throughout the years.
At $39.95 it was still a bargain, but at todays average price of $10-$20 it's a downright steal. Don't walk, you need to RUN to your nearest retailer that still has a copy of SC4 on the shelves and purchase it today.