For what its worth, Thrillville does a fine job of offering more amusement park managing fun while also adhering to the
Thrillville: Off the Rails is a tweaked up version of last year's game. While the various tweaks may not be noticeable to anyone who played the previous version (just a few new minigames, customization options, and improved graphics), for first timers it is a well-imagined treat anyone will enjoy. Similar to the popular Roller Coaster Tycoon series, players are tasked with creating the ultimate amusement park. From the start you will have to create a name, allocate workers to run rides, maintenance, and clean the parks, and of course, pick certain rides you would want. The set up for every level could take hours, with decisions that affect your entire outcome relying on how well you manage in the beginning. They aren't detrimental to your success, and since the game is easy to just pick-up-and-play, if you don't want to worry about the details, you can always let the game choose a pre-arranged layout for you.
There are over 15 missions throughout the game, and instead of just working your way to the top of the amusement park spectrum by changing the prices on various things, you will be tasked with certain objectives. While some of the tasks require you to just have fun, like build a three-looped roller coaster and have a certain income by the end of the day on that ride, many require you to think about your actions, such as having ten guests refer to you as their "sweetheart." It is a fun break away from the ordinary mundane tasks of simple micro-managing. Of course, you can always just roam around as well without worrying about objectives or simple tasks.
Redefined for this version is the interactive dialogue you have with the customers of your park. At any time you can click on any guest and start a conversation with them. The dialogue is stretched to offer many forms of speech, including how a person is doing or if they are enjoying their time at the park. If a guest is happy with your park, you can give them free passes to return again next time, a move which may net you more free-roamers. If a guest is angry, however, you can ask them for ideas and solutions to fixing potential problems that can then help improve your park in the long run. Guests also have little icons above their heads which let you know how they are feeling, so you don't have to talk to every single person to know their thoughts.
Probably the most impressive feature in the game, and one of the most enjoyable, is the custom ride manager, which lets you build any ride or attraction in your own vision. Little things such as prize booths can be specified to where the guests sit when they compete, to designing every loop, turn, and drop in the roller coasters. New effects such as the pendulizer and triple loop make even the dullest roller coasters depth-defying thrill rides. For those golfing experts, you can even waste your life away on the putting green and create a truly spectacular miniature golf course. During one level, we actually managed to create a golf course that circled around the entire amusement park, even resting under the roller coaster at one point. Again, the customization and originality is up to you.
The visuals do a good job of mixing business with pleasure. Thrillville has a very kiddy look to it, with all of the guests and people looking like mini Sim characters. It's a look that helps give off an amusement style, but while the rides and attractions look much better detailed and believable, it is weird to see the guests in this vision. Thrillville has its few sets of interactive tools, like building and land managing systems that give even the most hardcore fans something to enjoy and interact with as well. The sound, however, is not as rewarding. The quirky amusement park music can get often irritating when you are trying to think or complete a task, and the moaning and groaning of guests sounds childish.
You can also jump online and play some of the minigames against other people. Balloon popping, mini golf, and tons of other games can be played against one another, or set up against a leaderboard to view high scores. There is also co-op mode where you work together to complete tasks and assign chores between one another, but unfortunately, this is limited to offline only, and finding someone to help you manage an amusement park could get tiring fast.
For what its worth, Thrillville does a fine job of offering more amusement park managing fun while also adhering to the kid in everyone. The new customization options and managing modes give players tons of ways to create their park, while the mini games and rides offer hours of endless play time, both online and off. It's still a little too kiddy for its own good, but if you are a fan of the series you will no doubt have a great time.