Puzzle

Cinema Tycoon

Start from a small theater and grow into a huge Mega-Plex!

4.26 / 5 from 19 player ratings

BigFish

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Provided by BigFish. You'll leave Download Free Games.

7.0GoodDFG score

DFG Exclusive Review Summary

A very good game, far above average & recommended.

Pros

Entertaining game with well laid out display.
Tutorial is helpful and will add to your success.
Large amount of upgrades will increase your revenue, while making your theater better.

Cons

Game is easy to beat.
Straightforward strategy decreases re-playability.
Other games in the series are more fun

Read Full Cinema Tycoon Review

About this game

You have gone to the movies hundreds of times. You know what makes you frustrated and what makes you happy. It is time to put this knowledge into action with Cinema Tycoon!

Decide on all aspects of the business including concession costs and which movies to show. You are in charge of this theatre - learn how to make it profitable by making good decisions!

Do you know what movies will do well? In Cinema Tycoon, avoid the flops and promote the hits. If you are going to be the next Cinema Tycoon, you had better pay attention! Your competition is watching and without your continued focus, you may go out of business. Learn this exciting business model without actually having to out all of the real capital to make it happen!

Cinema Tycoon Review

Review by Dylan

Cinema Tycoon Gold is a business simulation game that will have you develop a single- screen movie theater into an 8 show million dollar megaplex. Through upgrading your theater's snack bar, improving your staff, and playing what's “hot”, you can turn your down and out theater into a successful and profitable business.

A Few Ways to Play the Movie Business

Cinema Tycoon Gold is divided into four game modes, one being a helpful tutorial that will quickly guide you through the game. The other three games modes have different objectives, but are essentially the same game. Your playing style will not have to change between modes and the means by which you reach the objectives are constant. The first of the modes is Mogul. In this game you start with a one screen theater and 1,000 dollars in pocket. It becomes your goal to bank 1,000,000 dollars. You will start off slowly, typically making around 1,000 dollars a day, and by upgrading your theater you will increase your daily profits (up to almost 100,000 dollars a day). Upgrades that increase profits range from adding a snack bar to improving the speakers and projectors. The more upgrades you can add to your theater the more efficient your show will run, thus making you more money.

The other two modes, MovieCzar, and Cinoplex, again have the same style of play as Mogul. In both you start with 1,000 dollars and a single-screen theater you must upgrade to earn more money and advance. In MovieCzar your successes will moves you up in rank, ultimately leading to the title “Czar,” while in Cinoplex your objective is to have an eight-screen theater. Both modes are enjoyable, yet gameplay in both are nearly identical to that of Mogul.

Basic Graphics and Gameplay

The graphics and gameplay of Cinema Tycoon Gold are both simple, but compliment each other nicely. This game doesn't require you to have a top of the line graphics card and gameplay is typically point and click. The game's concept is simple, and the graphics and gameplay compliment that nicely.

Not Much Variety Between Modes

Like mentioned before, the game's simple nature and overall easy game play make this a fun game. However, aside from this there are a few notable drawbacks. The first being ease of play and re-playability. This game does have 3 difficulty settings, however, because the game and the ways to succeed are the same, having varying difficulties doesn't change too much. Also, because the modes are all relatively the same with slightly different objectives, playing the second and third mode after the first can be boring. You will not notice any difference mode-to-mode which can make things monotonous.

Conclusion - Good But Check Out Other Cinema Tycoon Titles

Overall, Cinema Tycoon Gold is a pretty good game that succeeds on it's gameplay, but doesn't do a nice job of expanding upon that play with different levels or modes. Playing is enjoyable, but replaying is probably not something you will want to do. If you are a movie enthusiast and love simulation games you should try this game's counterpart, Cinema Tycoon 2 first. Cinema Tycoon Gold is not bad and I recommend the trial, however, you should explore other avenues in this genre as well.

Player Reviews

Interesting and exciting
i believe this is an excellent way to give the youth a taste of their own medicine (in a good way) im sure we all go to the movies and complain about the snack bar or maybe the theatre being to small lots of stuff. well this game gives you the chance to change that and make your own theatre decide what you want in your snack bar, you can make people happy escpecially when you've been one of those people that were frustrated going to the movies. this game is fun! exciting! interesting! and it teaches you something who wouldn't love this game i know i do.
by Natalie on Aug 12, 2008
Awesome
this is a great simulation game for building and playing in your own cinema, i personally really like this game and think that it is a really great way to have fun, and learn a lot of important information, especially if you are going to open your own theatre!
by Alex on Jun 15, 2008
Play Over & Over
I am a big gamer! I chew up games and spit them out. I play one time, win all the levels and then I am bored and never play it again. This is the first game I can play over and over! The only game I have ever had to buy to get my fill. And still haven't gotten bored!
by Katrina on Mar 13, 2008
Great!!!
This game is fun, addictive and i didnt want my trial to end... considering very much to purchase full game, its just GREAT!!!
by Matt Thomas on Jan 12, 2008
Almost Perfect!!!!!!
The only bad thing about this game is the slow start to the game. But once you get going it is great fun. Cos not only do you get more money from screenings with the cinema upgrades, but you also get promoted as you go along if you do a good job, which leads to you having even more control of the cinema.
by Craig Freeman on Jan 5, 2008
Fun Game if fan of game genre
if you love simulation games, you'll love this one. its a different twist, and the drive to be better is definitely there.
by kristen on Dec 30, 2007
Boring
I was done with this game within an hour and a half.I had bet the missions and was able to get everything you could in the game. I wouldn't buy it.
by user5759 on Dec 20, 2007
very nice!!!!!!!!!!!
this is a very nice game and very easy to play
by shamil on Dec 11, 2007
A brief introduction to cinema-managing
Akin to the other tycoon games,there are pros and cons,and it features upgrades and diverse marketing strategies,from gift certs to flyers.The "kids come for free" promotion will also elicit the arrival of parents,who will accompany their child in watching a PG movie.Hence raising price of adult tickets will allow player to gain massive profits.From this example,we are sure how this game intrigues critical thinking&subtly unleashes the potential of budding entrepreneurs.I liked its neat classification of movies by genre and ratings which facilitates the choosing of films and boost the overall impression of the game.However,certain parts of it are unrealistic.Eg when a multiplex screens movies, they have to buy them over and its cost largely affects the cinema's choice,but the game misses the cost of movie out!Also the game keeps repeating itself.Thus,I would say it is only worth for trying,but not worth buying.Nevertheles, it briefly informs one about cinema managing.
by Isaac on Nov 18, 2007
Brads big Review
In this game you have to control your own theatre. You can control it all from the movies right down to ticket prices. This is a good beginners simulation game. It involve some strategic moves which could make you rich or broke. Just pay attention to your money and what movies are hot and you will do fine
by Brad on Jul 29, 2007
Great Sim Game!
This game was really fun, and oddly rewarding. It has 3 different types of game play that are each fun and challenging in their own way. It's great to see your business's money shoot up so you can buy tons of upgrades and make your movie theater the best ever! I Had a lot of fun playing this game, and I'm sure you will too.
by Kerrie on Jul 17, 2007
Run your own CINEMA!
Cinema Tycoon is a simulation game that allows you to control your own cinema business. When you first download the game, there is a cute character that guides you through playing the game as you play it. He is very helpful in showing you all aspects of the game such as adding movies to your theater, choosing movies by what's hot and what's not, which area to work in (suburbs, downtown, etc), training your employees, and building a better cinema to provide satisfaction to your customers. I, myself, have always enjoyed going to the movies and have actually had first hand experience in working at one. This game is pretty neat as far as giving people a simulation of what it's like to own your own cinema. I felt it was worth the download because I was interested in trying it out. I think it's a good learning experience for kids and can be fun for adults. However, I wish there were more products that could be upgraded in the game.
by Tina on Jun 26, 2007
Cinema Tycoon
It was an absouloute amazeing game if your about teh age of 10-13. And if you love all your sim games. It gave a good hands on experience of what running a cinema is like with a good money handling and a very very good understanding. It was very easy too commence without doing a difficult tutorial it was very easy too understand fun and everyone who likes sims or just dreams of owning a cinema but cantr should get it. I was stuck for hours playing it. Dont forget your popcorn though.
by Colin MacPhie on Jun 25, 2007
Check this out !!
It was a great time playing this game.The game is surely worth its price and is knowledgable for kids esp..I think its good for people of all age.This game is really fun and is worth downloading. This game reflects almost the reality of higher society. Which includes paying loans(of 1 million $, earning money, getting promotions(from a lower position to a higher one), developing your theatre, employing professionals, giving discounts and gifts to attract customers. In all it teaches a child to live in a modern world like today and learning business i.e. the ups and downs in life.
by Sarthak on Jun 23, 2007
Greatest Game You'll Ever Play
This game was brilliant, i had a really good time playing it. I like playing all tycoon games but this one definitely takes first place. Anyone can play it from children to older people, its a must download game for sure, i'd fully recommend it to anyone!
by Nicola Welsh on May 20, 2007
Fun Game when you have nothing to do.
The game, Cinema Tycoon, is fun to play if you have nothing to do on a Saturday morning. It can be quite a slow-moving game when you are playing, because you have to wait to get customers, and it takes awhile to get the amount of money you need to get what you want. You start of with one screen, and all the basic features of the Cinema, and then you work your way up buying snacks bars, better screens and film, and working your way up to a Cinema success. The game is very helpful in telling you what movies are "in." There is a what's hot and what's not box, so that when it's time to pick new movies for each theater, you know what, and what not to pick. The game Cinema Tycoon definitely entertained a 13 year old girl like me!
by Tabitha on May 19, 2007
4..3...2...1 Action!
I just LOVE Tycoon games. This game is pretty cool but I have to say this, it's only fun to play once. You first start off with one cinema screen and as your money increases, you get to upgrade your seats, projectors, sound system etc. I really like this part and everytime you upgrade your equipment, there would this feeling of satisfaction. The main aim of this game is to earn a million dollars in a short amount of time but there are 3 other modes. I would like to say more but I don't want to spoil any surprises so just download and give it a try yea?
by Tesshire on May 7, 2007
Best game eva!!
At first I thought "how are they going to make a game about running a Cinema fun?" I found out when I played it. It is such a moving game, you start off small then work your way up to even having a food cafe!! I love how you get to run the whole cinema,I mean CINEMA'S!!! You get to actually see the people buy tickets and go into the cinema, you even get to pick the movie! Tip: to get more money upgrade your food products.... It has to be my favourite tycoon game ever!!!
by Jessica on Apr 15, 2007
This game is ace!
The graphics were good for what it was. Quite similar to <a href="http://www.download-free-games.com/simulation/rollercoaster_tycoon2.htm">Rollercoaster Tycoon</a> and those other sorts of games, but I found it quite enjoyable. A good distraction for a coupla hours!
by M D Monte on Feb 27, 2007