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Virtual City is a relatively well-known PC game which has made the transition to the iPhone thanks to G5 Entertainment.  At this stage, the available app functions as a preview for the main event, listed as coming soon on G5’s website, allowing players to get to grips with the game before splashing out any cash.

The idea is to create the city of your dreams by building everything from houses and industry to roads and parks, plus all the accompanying services needed to operate them.  Of course, this type of game immediately brings to mind Sim City and it is indeed reminiscent, however judging by this demo version, it’s better suited to the smaller screen than its spiritual forebear.

The free version contains the first few levels of a new town, complete with a comprehensive tutorial to allow you to get used to the control system and learn how to build, purchase and upgrade developments.  Most of this is performed by tapping the relevant vehicle or building, or by using a series of expanding buttons along the base of the screen.  Here you’ll start a small industry, purchase trucks to transport commodities, set up a refuse collection service and build up your population.  A variety of statistics indicate how well you’re doing, measuring income, environmental impact, population and happiness.

In the full version there will be 50 levels in five different locations, 18 missions and a free play mode with five maps.  Inside the game you’ll have the choice of 50 building types, 25 different commoditites, seven product chains and the chance to trade with neighboring cities.

Where Virtual City differs from Sim City is in the level of complexity.  In this version at least, you didn’t have to worry about water, sewage or power supplies, nor about zoning, giving the game a more arcade-like feel.  Of course, anyone who played Sim City on the Super Nintendo will recall how much fun a more simple version of Sim City was, and it’s the same story here too.

G5 have considerable experience in the management sim genre and it shows, as we played through the free levels in one sitting and were disappointed not to be able to upgrade to the premium version there and then.  It’s a risky strategy not capitalizing on these impulse buys, however the resulting buzz from what appears to be a good game should see them do well.

Currently, no price or release date for the Premium edition has been provided, but going by G5’s other games we can expect a price tag of $2.99/£1.79.  The demo is highly enjoyable to play, which bodes well for the full version, and we recommend giving it a spin.  We hope an iPad-specific HD version will also come along too.

Download Virtual City Free here, and watch the trailer below.