It’s not an exaggeration to say that Cities: Skylines singlehandedly resuscitated town builder gamer when it arrived in 2015; certainly it additionally made the style related on console with a really slickly dealt with Xbox console port in 2017.
The announcement of Cities: Skylines II promised to take issues even additional: greater cities, redesigned economies, dynamic seasons – even the flexibility to zoom in and observe any citizen, any time.
As I sat right down to play Cities: Skylines II at gamescom final month, I wasn’t fascinated about any of that; I used to be extra frightened that within the years since I final constructed a city, I’ve forgotten nearly the whole lot I had ever recognized concerning the sport.
Thankfully, Cities: Skylines II has your again.
The builders from Paradox led off by sharing that there’s a renewed deal with “onboarding,” so whereas the sequel is extra complicated than the unique Cities: Skylines, it’s truly simpler to know.
Instrumental for brand spanking new and lapsed gamers is the brand new tutorial, a fast, however digestible introduction to street constructing, zoning (residential, business, industrial), and getting buildings powered and related to water and sewage. Crucially, roads embody energy and water hookups, making preliminary infrastructure and metropolis structure very straightforward; simply construct the street the best way you need it and also you’re good. Suggestions for (barely) extra superior features equivalent to bulldozing and rezoning wait simply off to the aspect so you possibly can be taught them once you want them and never a second earlier than.
Cities: Skylines II is loaded with high quality of life touches that permit gamers to deftly handle points and deal with the enjoyable components of constructing and managing a metropolis. For instance, when getting new techniques up and operating, like including in a water pumping station, you see a optimistic response (stars coming from close by properties and companies) indicating that sure, issues are related. No extra questioning “did I do this proper?” One other nice characteristic: you possibly can change roads in place with out bulldozing; cities can begin with smaller roads and improve to larger capability down the road, when your residents demand it. And they’ll demand issues!
In sport social media channel “Chirper” retains you keyed in on what’s happening in your metropolis, good and unhealthy. Somebody complaining about housing costs? Your residential zoning demand could also be spiking. You possibly can even click on via and be taught extra concerning the citizen who was tweeting at you.
Regardless of not taking part in the unique in years, with all of those onramps, I acquired in control in Cities: Skylines II in underneath a half hour. In that point, I had constructed a functioning, rising “Tiny Village” – receiving some rewards together with money, and even a signature constructing, a “pop music mansion.” Taylor Swift is formally invited to relocate to my humble village.
Cities: Skylines II additionally helps you to select your new options by way of a talent tree, which unlocks as you attain these milestones. Across the time I hit Tiny Village standing, I earned the suitable to construct roundabouts, site visitors lights, and extra. Fundamental companies are routinely added, others are solely unlocked as you show your self a succesful metropolis planner. I could have gone loopy with roundabouts, changing each 4 manner cease on the town. Don’t prefer it, depart. Or higher but, construct your individual city!
Cities: Skylines II might be included into Sport Cross on Day One for Console, PC, and Cloud. And if studying this piqued your Inside Mayor, know that the unique Cities: Skylines – Remastered is playable now, additionally with Sport Cross.
Cities Skylines II – Final Version
Paradox Interactive
$89.99
Preorder Bonus: Landmark Buildings
Set your Metropolis aside with 9 Distinctive Buildings based mostly on well-known landmarks from all over the world. Included can be a map based mostly on the geography of Tampere, residence of Colossal Order.
Cities: Skylines II: Final Version offers you entry to the bottom sport, in addition to the Enlargement Cross.
This consists of the San Francisco Set, Seaside Properties Asset Pack (This autumn ‘23), two Content material Creator Packs (Q1 ‘24), the Bridges & Ports Enlargement (Q2 ‘24) in addition to 3 Radio Stations paired with every launch (This autumn ‘23, Q1 Q2 ‘24).
When you can dream it, you possibly can construct it.
Elevate a metropolis from the bottom up and rework it into the thriving metropolis solely you possibly can think about. You’ve got by no means skilled constructing on this scale. With deep simulation and a residing economic system, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building with out limits.
Lay the foundations in your metropolis to start. Create the roads, infrastructure, and techniques that make life attainable each day. It is as much as you – all of it.
How your metropolis grows is your name too, however plan strategically. Each determination has an influence. Are you able to energize native industries whereas additionally utilizing commerce to spice up the economic system? What’s going to make residential districts flourish with out killing the thrill downtown? How will you meet the wants and needs of residents whereas balancing town’s funds?
Your metropolis by no means rests. Like every residing, respiratory world, it adjustments over time. Some adjustments might be sluggish and gradual, whereas others might be sudden and surprising. So whereas seasons flip and night time follows day, be able to act when life does not go to plan.
Probably the most real looking and detailed metropolis builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to a different stage. With fantastically rendered high-resolution graphics, it additionally evokes you to construct town of your goals.
Deep simulation.
AI and complicated economics imply your selections ripple via the material of town. Do not forget that as you strategize, problem-solve, and react to alter, challenges, and alternatives.
Epic scale, infinite prospects.
Cities: Skylines II helps you to create with out compromise. Now you possibly can construct sky-high and sprawl throughout the map like by no means earlier than. Why not? Your metropolis is you.
Cities that come alive.
Your choices form every citizen’s life path, a series of occasions that defines who they’re. From love and loss to wealth and wellbeing, comply with their life’s ups and downs.
A dynamic world.
Choose a map to set the local weather of your metropolis. These are the pure forces you may negotiate to develop your metropolis amid rising air pollution, changeable climate, and seasonal challenges.
Cities: Skylines II
Paradox Interactive
$49.99
Preorder Bonus: Landmark Buildings
Set your Metropolis aside with 9 Distinctive Buildings based mostly on well-known landmarks from all over the world. Included can be a map based mostly on the geography of Tampere, residence of Colossal Order.
When you can dream it, you possibly can construct it.
Elevate a metropolis from the bottom up and rework it into the thriving metropolis solely you possibly can think about. You’ve got by no means skilled constructing on this scale. With deep simulation and a residing economic system, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building with out limits.
Lay the foundations in your metropolis to start. Create the roads, infrastructure, and techniques that make life attainable each day. It is as much as you – all of it.
How your metropolis grows is your name too, however plan strategically. Each determination has an influence. Are you able to energize native industries whereas additionally utilizing commerce to spice up the economic system? What’s going to make residential districts flourish with out killing the thrill downtown? How will you meet the wants and needs of residents whereas balancing town’s funds?
Your metropolis by no means rests. Like every residing, respiratory world, it adjustments over time. Some adjustments might be sluggish and gradual, whereas others might be sudden and surprising. So whereas seasons flip and night time follows day, be able to act when life does not go to plan.
Probably the most real looking and detailed metropolis builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to a different stage. With fantastically rendered high-resolution graphics, it additionally evokes you to construct town of your goals.
Deep simulation.
AI and complicated economics imply your selections ripple via the material of town. Do not forget that as you strategize, problem-solve, and react to alter, challenges, and alternatives.
Epic scale, infinite prospects.
Cities: Skylines II helps you to create with out compromise. Now you possibly can construct sky-high and sprawl throughout the map like by no means earlier than. Why not? Your metropolis is you.
Cities that come alive.
Your choices form every citizen’s life path, a series of occasions that defines who they’re. From love and loss to wealth and wellbeing, comply with their life’s ups and downs.
A dynamic world.
Choose a map to set the local weather of your metropolis. These are the pure forces you may negotiate to develop your metropolis amid rising air pollution, changeable climate, and seasonal challenges.