Prison Tycoon 4: Supermax for PC Reviews by Gamers

This game is free on GameFly PC, and I still don't recommend you try it. You may be drunk like me and think "hey, let's make SuperJail, like that awesome show on Adult Swim!" It is nothing like that. You micromanage a prison to the tune of one (1) bad generic blues track while you baby sit a bunch of badly rendered manchildren. There's nothing to like about this, except that it made me want to drink. That's a bonus, I guess. Though, my liver is definitely not a winner in this case. I guess that is what prison life is like, huh? ValueSoft succeeded there, I guess. It may be the only success they ever know.

I usually like the Tycoon games, but avoid Prison Tycoon 4 at all costs. I tried to give it a chance to grow on me, but everything about the game is so clunky and unintuitive that I was simply NOT having fun. The graphics are never that important to me as long as the game is fun, but when they impede your ability to find what you are looking for (in particular, guards vs prisoners vs staff) then it has to be addressed. Add to the fact that the map view and scrolling functions are difficult to manage, and the graphics definitely play a NEGATIVE role in the gameplay. Music is also a non-issue, but the one song that I remember played over and over and also got on my nerves. I probably could've tolerated it if the rest of the game was playable. The controls are absolutely awful especially since there is absolutely NO tuturial (that I could find) that teaches you what you are doing. I was completely lost the whole time. I had no idea how to hire staff, get prisoners, or assign duties. Granted, I eventually figured it out, but I was frustrated in the entire process. The gameplay looks like it could be fun because there are a lot of statistics and information on your prisoners and employees; however, in the hour or so I played, nothing interesting happened. The prisoners just stayed in their recreation area (all I could see were some vague icons since all you can see is the building's rooftop.) I am getting more annoyed just thinking about my entire experience with this game. The interface, graphics, sound, gameplay, EVERYTHING needs a massive overhaul in order to make this game fun. Because one this is for sure. I did NOT have fun playing this game. PROS Employee and Prisoner statistics and information look interesting CONS Ugly graphics that impede your ability to find anything Annoying music Horrible, clunky interface No tutorial which leaves you clueless Just not fun Rob's Final Grade: F