The Crime City app hits a little bit close to the real thing – but this in no way lessens any aspect of the game. All you have to do is stay online, and the Funzio app will keep you abreast of the latest developments in your secret and mobile life of crime.
The only difference between the Mafia Wars and Crime City is the fact that the Crime City app is mobile, and it is tastefully done with better graphics. Most of the events are still text-based – if you are really looking for a street brawl when you attack another crime lord, you are looking at the wrong app. The events are statistically determined, so while the graphics are better than just being text-based, it still has a long way to go.
The Criminal Element
All you need is Internet access constantly, and the only problem you are going to have is when you are really sleeping in real life. But such is the life of a crime lord – crime never sleeps in the first place. The constant wars and thievery is just a test to prove you are the kingpin in the lot. If you can’t handle this, maybe you are better off playing DragonVale or some other app for children.
The more players are on Crime City, the harder it is going to be a crime lord, and the more fun it is going to be. With more than 80 real estate properties to own, more than 60 areas to explore, and more than enough cars and weapons at your disposal provided you have the funds to purchase them, the less resources are available, the more frequent contact between you and other crime lords will happen. Nothing is going to be permanent for long – you can safely assume that you are going to get robbed and beaten more often than you do the same to your opponents.
But it doesn’t stop there. As a MMORPG, Crime City also allows you to make alliances, but take care when making one. Everyone is a potential enemy, even real life friends. Trust them only as far as you can see what they are doing. Better yet, make alliances against alliances you make – everyone is fair game.
Building Your Resources
No crime lord is ever going to succeed just by theft and murder. You can build hotels, factories or any business in your block of operations. These businesses let you have a steady source of income and an alternative if your enemies decide to hit any of your properties. And they will, because you will do the same to them too, given the chance.
The missions are a plot-based aspect to Crime City. Diamonds are the reward for completing a mission like an ordinary mugging, intimidation or the assassination of informants. A mixture of currency and diamonds are required for large purchases and special items that can make your job as a crime lord much easier.
A Final Note
Just remember that it is only a game. MMORPGs are notoriously time consuming, and Crime City is not an iPhone game you can treat as a hobby – you either take it seriously or someone else in your neighborhood is going to get you soon. And bringing Crime City into mobile computing makes it easier to stay on the game and wreak havoc when your enemies least expect it, at least the other players who do not take the game as seriously as you do.
As a game, it is going to go on forever, at least until the graphics get even better, or the action becomes less text-based and more dependent on real time actions. But for now, you can live a life of crime free from all your daily concerns – just like Walter Mitty, only on your iPhone.
Crime City
Category: Games
Price: Free
Developed By: Funzio
Requirements: Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Compatible With: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad
Other OS: Android, Facebook, BlackBerry
Our Rating: 
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