Streets employs an improved version of the Simcopter 3D engine, but while Simcopter is a helicopter simulation, Streets takes on the arcade racing genre with tires smoking and guns blazing. However, the game is plagued with a plethora of problems and will disappoint even the most avid of Simcity fans. Streets of Simcity, an arcade driving game, is the product of the company's most recent efforts. By moving away from its strengths, Maxis risks losing itself in unfamiliar water, where the fish tend to grow bigger and the competition is stiffer. However, as a company trying to expand its horizons, the transition to more mainstream action-oriented gaming will not be without its teething pains. For almost a decade now, Maxis has worked to build a franchise on its thoughtful and addictive management simulations, and has earned a respectable reputation for its efforts.
