Cities Skylines II Review – Building the Future of Urban Landscapes
Game Name: Cities Skylines II
Developer: Colossal Order
Initial Release Date: October 24, 2023
Genre: City-building, Management Simulation
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X.
Introduction
Cities Skylines II, developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive, emerges as a formidable successor to its highly acclaimed predecessor. This game transports players into a vast world of urban planning and civic management, presenting an engaging premise: the transformation of a blank slate into a bustling metropolis. Read on for everything you need to know, in our Cities Skylines II Review.
Gameplay Overview
Expanding significantly on its predecessor, Cities Skylines II offers an astonishing 441 tiles, equating to 159 km² of playable area. This substantial increase allows players to unleash their urban design creativity without the constraints of the original game’s limitations on city size and population. However, this comes at a cost: larger cities can lead to performance issues, including frame rate drops and slower PC performance.
The gameplay is anchored by robust mechanics and a comprehensive tutorial system. This sequel maintains the familiar aesthetic of the original while enhancing player control over the development of residential, commercial, and industrial zones. This change enables more creative and mixed-use urban layouts.
Unique Elements
Cities Skylines II stands out with its sophisticated urban management systems. Essential services like police and fire stations can be allocated to specific districts for improved efficiency. The game also introduces advanced elements such as communication, welfare, and death management. Furthermore, the AI system in the game has been significantly improved, offering realistic and challenging scenarios for traffic and city management.
The game introduces an XP system for progression, with Development Trees for city services, allowing for a personalized approach to urban development. This system enables players to shape their cities uniquely, ranging from sprawling suburbs to densely packed metropolises.
Environmental Challenges
The addition of dynamic climates and seasons introduces new layers of complexity. Players must contend with varying weather conditions and manage resources and pollution levels effectively to prevent ecological disasters. This aspect adds a realistic touch to the city-building experience.
Visuals and Audio
Cities Skylines II is visually impressive, with detailed landscapes and urban environments that, while not photorealistic, captivate with their attention to detail. The audio design is equally remarkable, creating an authentic city soundscape with traffic hums, pedestrian chatter, and emergency sirens. Additionally, the game features news broadcasts and podcasts that add to the immersive experience.
Verdict
Rating: 8/10
Cities Skylines II is a city-building experience of epic proportions, filled with complexity and creativity. Its immense ambition in city design is complemented by an intricate web of services and an intelligent population. It may stumble under the weight of technical performance and a few bugs but the series still continues to redefine urban strategy in games.
The decision to award an 8/10 is influenced by its ambitious scale, improved AI, and innovative gameplay features. However, the game’s technical limitations and performance issues prevent it from achieving a higher score.