How to build big in Megapolis - hints, tips, and tricks

I had a thoroughly good time playing and reviewing Megapolis, noting that it's a slightly deeper freemium builder than the usual fare.

Partly because of this added complexity, and partly because I love being in the Megapolis universe, I've headed back into Social Quantum's virtual world to uncover the secrets of a successful city.

Oh, and to document my findings on this page for you, fair reader.

So, read on for the inside track on becoming the best city builder you can.

Pace yourself



Pacing is important in Megapolis, for the game's creator has given you a fair amount of freedom to build in whatever direction you like. However, this can result in your wasting large amounts of resources.

Think about it logically: if you were actually managing the transformation of a town into a city, you wouldn't rush to build a massive bridge to attract potential residents to your area when all you've got to offer them is a bowling alley and a few residential buildings. It's pointless, and it's expensive.

Don't overstretch yourself, then. And make sure you keep dutifully plugging away at the tasks that fill up the list on the left-hand side of the screen. Scroll through them and see what's cheap and quick to finish, and get those elements into your town quickly.

You'll race through the XP levels with all the experience you'll gain, unlocking loads of buildings and facilities for when you do want to start sculpting your urban masterpiece.

Be resourceful



There are a load of resources to be aware of in Megapolis, but only a few of them should pique your interest.

Energy is an early barrier to building more facilities, so ensure you have plenty of renewables scattered about the land. Water isn't a major issue at all, so you can pretty much ignore this element. Population, meanwhile, limits how many buildings you can erect, but I wouldn't worry about this too much.

Money and Megabucks are the two resources that will be in shortest supply. By completing tasks and taxing your citizens, Money is replenished naturally throughout the game. The real dosh is made, though, through manufacturing, which can take up hours of real-world time.

How often you play will determine the product you make. Each product takes a different length of time to construct, and different lengths of time will result in different amounts of money earned. That wonga is useless, however, if you never get a chance to spend it.

Megabucks are the premium currency, and are, thus, very hard to come by. If there's one pro tip to which you really ought to pay attention, it's this: do not spend Megabucks on anything other than land expansions.

Take heed of all this advice and you'll be erecting things all over the place in no time, with constant "Congratulations" messages popping up. All of which you should share with your friends for extra rewards.

Actually, speaking about friends...

BFFs



As in life, one of the best things in Megapolis is having friends. You get a nice bonus for adding friends via the icon on the bottom left of the screen. Your buddies' worth, though, is definitely more than fiscal. They're materially important, too, you see.

In the game, your friends are absolutely essential in your unlocking later content, for there are plenty of buildings and constructions - such as the Warehouse and the Bridge - that require enough money AND materials to build them.

You can purchase parts of buildings with Megabucks, but you'd be a chump to do that. The most cost-effective way of getting them is to Request them.

To do this, tap the gift box in the bottom left of the screen, tap 'Your Wishlist', and add the items you need. Alternatively, you can tap on the construction itself and press the 'Ask' button.

Don't forget to send gifts to your neighbours, too, for you don't want to look like a Selfish Simon.

You can also visit towns to expedite the acquisition of resources from Contracts. Though you can help individual people a limited number of times per day, the number of friends you can visit is limited only by how many mates you have. Again, you're rewarded for good deeds, so make sure to do this every day.

Got any tips to share? Let us and the rest of the PG community know them by leaving them in the comments section below.