Do you fancy conquering New York using nothing but market forces? Then this may be the game for you, as you struggle to establish a business empire starting with just a corner shop. Different districts have different needs, so Manhattan, where the fledgeling empire begins, has a young, creative crowd that wants art supply shops to keep their juices — and your profits — flowing.

Your miniature world is populated by a million tiny citizens, and success depends on building the right shops, cafés and nightclubs to cater for their every whim. At the outset, with the limited funds available, this is a tricky proposition, but opening the right sort of business can ensure a steady return on investments. Supermarkets, for example, can be especially profitable if placed near large residential areas.

Each district also serves up specific challenges, so that opening a business at a certain time or reaching a profit milestone will unlock reward buildings such as churches and law courts, which please the locals and boost their satisfaction levels.

TIM WAPSHOTT