Cities: Skylines II

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Cities: SkylinesThe game resurrected the genre of city builders when it was released in 2015. It also brought the genre to consoles with an incredibly well-managed Xbox console port.

Announcement of Cities: Skylines II promised to take things even further: bigger cities, redesigned economies, dynamic seasons – even the ability to zoom in and observe any citizen, any time.

The moment I started playing, my mind was blown. Cities: Skylines II at gamescom last month, I wasn’t thinking about any of that; I was more worried that in the years since I last built a town, I’ve forgotten almost everything I had ever known about the game.

Fortunately, Cities: Skylines IIHas your back

The developers from Paradox led off by sharing that there is a renewed focus on “onboarding,” so while the sequel is more complex than the original Skylines: Cities, it’s actually easier to understand.

New and old players will find the tutorial useful. This is a short, digestible guide to building roads, creating zones (residential/commercial/industrial), connecting buildings to electricity and water, as well as sewage. Crucially, roads include power and water hookups, making initial infrastructure and city layout very easy; just build the road the way you want it and you’re good. The tips you will need for the (slightly more) advanced features such as rezoning or bulldozing are located just to the right of your screen so you don’t miss them.

Cities: Skylines IIIt is full of quality-of-life touches, which allow you to focus on building and managing your city and not worry about the issues. When you add a new system, such as a pumping station for water, nearby businesses and homes will give positive feedback (in the form of stars), proving that everything is connected. No more wondering “did I do that right?” Another great feature: you can replace roads in place without bulldozing; cities can start with smaller roads and upgrade to higher capacity down the line, when your citizens demand it. They will ask for things.

In game social media channel “Chirper” keeps you keyed in on what’s going on in your city, good and bad. Anyone complaining about the housing price? You may have a spike in residential zoning. Even the tweeter can be tracked by clicking through.

Despite having not played the original for years, all these onramps got me up to date in Cities: Skylines IIIn less than a quarter of an hour. In that time, I had built a functioning, growing “Tiny Village” – receiving some rewards including cash, and even a signature building, a “pop music mansion.” Taylor Swift is formally invited to relocate to my humble village.

Cities: Skylines IIAlso, you can choose from a variety of new features that are unlocked as you progress through the game. When I reached Tiny Village, I was able to construct roundabouts and traffic lights. The basic services are added automatically, but others will only become available after you’ve proven that you are a good city planner. You could say I’ve gone a little crazy by replacing each 4 way stop with roundabouts. Don’t like it, leave. Build your own city!

Cities: Skylines IIGame Pass will include the original Cities: Skylines – Remastered on console, PC and cloud from Day One. And if reading this piqued your Inner Mayor, know that the original Cities: Skylines – Remastered is playable now, also with Game Pass.

Cities Skylines II – Ultimate Edition

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$89.99

Landmark Buildings: Preorder Bonus
Create a unique city with nine buildings based on world-famous landmarks. There is also a Tampere map, the birthplace of Colossal Order.

The Ultimate Edition of Cities: Skylines II includes both the Base Game and the Expansion Pass.
This includes the San Francisco Set, Beach Properties Asset Pack (Q4 ‘23), two Content Creator Packs (Q1 ‘24), the Bridges & Ports Expansion (Q2 ‘24) as well as 3 Radio Stations paired with each release (Q4 ‘23, Q1 Q2 ‘24).

Build it if you can imagine it.
You can build a metropolis from scratch and make it the vibrant city you have always imagined. This is the first time you’ve built a city of this size. City: Skylines II offers world-building beyond limits with its deep simulations and living economy.

Build the basis for your new city. Create roads, systems, and infrastructure that makes life a reality every day. It’s up to you – all of it.

Plan strategically. Each decision will have an effect. How can you use trade to boost both the local economy and industries? What can make residential neighborhoods flourish, without destroying the downtown buzz? What will it take to meet citizens’ needs while keeping the budget in balance?

It is a city that never sleeps. It changes with time, just like any other living world. Some of the changes may be gradual and slow, but others could be abrupt and unplanned. As the seasons change and as night follows day be prepared for when your life does not go according to plan.

Cities: Skylines II, the most realistic and detailed builder of cities ever created, will take your creativity and ability to solve problems to new heights. Beautifully rendered, high-resolution graphics inspire you to design the city of your dream.

Deep Simulation
Your choices will have a ripple effect on the entire city. Keep this in mind as you react, strategize and solve challenges.

The possibilities are endless.
City: Skylines II allows you to create without compromise. Build sky high, and sprawl your map as never before. Why not? You are your city.

The cities that liven up
Each citizen’s path in life is shaped by your decisions. It is a series of events which defines them. You can follow the ups-and-downs of their lives, including love and grief.

Dynamic world
Choose a map and set your climate. You’ll have to negotiate these natural forces in order to grow your city amidst rising pollution and changing weather.

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99

Landmark Buildings: Preorder Bonus
Make your city stand out with these 9 Unique Buildings, based off famous landmarks around the globe. There is also a Tampere map, which shows the location of Colossal Order.

Build it if you can imagine it.
You can build a metropolis from scratch and make it the vibrant city you’ve always imagined. This is the first time you’ve built a city of this size. City: Skylines II offers world-building beyond limits with its deep simulations and living economy.

Start by laying the foundation for your new city. Build the infrastructure and systems to make daily life easier. It’s up to you – all of it.

Plan strategically. Each decision will have an effect. You can energize the local industry and boost your economy at the same time. What can make the downtown buzz grow without affecting residential districts? What will it take to meet citizens’ needs while keeping the budget in balance?

It is a city that never sleeps. It changes with time, just like any other living world. Depending on the change, it may happen slowly and gradually or suddenly and without warning. As the seasons change and as night follows day be prepared for when your life does not go according to plan.

Cities: Skylines II, the most realistic and detailed builder of cities ever created, will take your creativity and ability to solve problems to new heights. Beautifully rendered, high-resolution graphics inspire you to design the city of your dream.

Deep Simulation
The impact of your decisions on city life is influenced by AI and complex economics. Keep this in mind as you react, strategize and solve challenges.

The possibilities are endless.
City: Skylines II allows you to create without compromise. You can now build high and spread across the map in a way you never imagined before. Why not? You are your city.

The cities that liven up
Each citizen’s path in life is shaped by your decisions. It’s a series of events which defines them. Follow their ups anddowns, from love and losses to wealth and well-being.

Dynamic world
Choose a map and set your climate. You’ll have to negotiate these natural forces in order to grow your city amidst rising pollution and changing weather.