Cities: Skylines II

I played the hell out of the first game so you better believe that I already have Cities: Skylines II on pre-order. I love city building games and that last one was one of, if not the best one that I have ever played. This is a genre that I have been enjoying since the 16-bit days so I feel like I know a good one when I see it. As the game is not yet out, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the new features that I am excited about in this game.

Big City Life

Just in case you missed the first game, Cities: Skylines II is a game that has you playing the role of a city planner, mayor, and pretty much God all in one. You need to start off small, building your city up bit by bit and before you know it, you will be in charge of and maintaining a sprawling city that has a ton of stuff going on. The first game was already fantastic and I am happy to see that they have kept the core gameplay as is, but have added and expanded on it in several areas.

Live And Die In The City!

One of the things that caught my eye when I was looking at the various new features Cities: Skylines II was bringing to the table was what they refer to as “citizen simulation and lifepath” The idea here is that each person in your city has their own life. Some of them will move to the city for work, opportunities, or just because it is the coolest place to live! Other people will be born here. People live, work, and die in your city and I am very interested to see just how deep this all goes.

Dealing With What Nature Throws At You

I thought that the last game was pretty diverse in the way it dealt with weather, seasons, and so on, but Cities: Skylines II is taking it to a whole new level. Different parts of the world will have different climates for you to deal with and they are inspired by real places. For example, in the North you have an area that is like the chilly countryside of Finland, and with that comes its own sets of challenges such as dealing with the cold, making sure people’s homes are warm and that the roads are clear. Then in the South, you have an area that is like Brisbane in Australia so you have the hot weather to deal with. I am very interested to see if these different climates will offer some kind of disaster for us to deal with!

Roads, Where Were Going We Don’t Need Any Roads!

I take that back, we do need roads and roads, and dealing with traffic is a pretty big deal in Cities: Skylines II. They have made the road tools way more flexible which means you can get very creative with how you plan your city. This is a good thing too as you need to make it so people can get to where they need to go as easily as possible. Badly designed roads can lead to congestion which can lead to a whole lot of angry people. You can also build and manage a public transport system as well which I think sounds like a lot of fun.

Pros:

• This is the sequel to the best city building game ever!
• They have added a bunch of new features to make things even more epic
• I love the idea of citizens living proper lives in the game
• Managing the roads sounds like it is going to be challenging, but fun

Cons:

• I have not yet read if there are going to be disasters in the game, but I hope there are!
• I guess if the first game did nothing for you, I cannot see the sequel winning you over

If you've ever dreamed of crafting your own metropolis, managing its intricate systems, and witnessing its evolution, then Cities: Skylines II is the game you've been waiting for. Developed by the talented team at Paradox Interactive, this game takes the concept of city-building to new heights. With unparalleled depth, realism, and endless possibilities, this game invites you to embark on a journey of creativity, strategy, and urban development.

Cities: Skylines II is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved city-building simulation game! Fans of games like SimCity, Factorio, and Rimworld should add this to their wishlist right away!

Building the Foundations for Strategic Planning

In Cities: Skylines II, you have complete control over your city's design and layout. This gives you an impressive level of customization needed for only the best city builders! As your city evolves, strategic planning becomes crucial, with every decision influencing growth and getting more money in your bank! Balancing local industries and trade, managing your residential districts, and budgeting for services are key to a successful city.

The City is Always Evolving

Cities: Skylines II simulates the dynamic nature of a real-world city. Time flows, seasons change, and day turns into night. Your city will evolve over time. It’ll happen either slowly and predictably, or suddenly and unexpectedly! Adaptability is key, as you'll need to react swiftly when unforeseen challenges and opportunities arise. You can’t be afraid of change here, as every choice counts!

A Thriving Modding Community

One of the best parts of Cities: Skylines II is the ever-expanding community of Builders. Mods are now more accessible than ever before, allowing you to enhance and personalize your city-building experience. Whether you're looking for visual enhancements, gameplay tweaks, or entirely new features, the modding community has you covered. These mods breathe new life into the game, ensuring that your city-building adventures remain fresh and exciting. It’s even better when these mods receive the developers blessing. You can truly make the game your own.

Outstanding Realism and Detail

Cities: Skylines II really improved their standards for realism and detail, employing a deep simulation engine that considers intricate economic factors and utilizes advanced AI. Every decision you make has profound consequences, shaping your city's fate and the lives of its residents. This adds a level of problem-solving and strategic thinking, ensuring each moment in the game is meaningful. Your choices also profoundly impact your citizens, with each individual following a unique life path influenced by your policies and city management. This immersion adds depth and personality to your urban creation, from moments of joy and prosperity to challenges and setbacks.

Dynamic World

When you start your city-building journey, you'll have the chance to pick a map that defines the climate of your city. Prepare to negotiate with natural forces, such as rising pollution, changeable weather patterns, and seasonal challenges. These dynamic elements add an extra layer of realism and complexity to the game, ensuring that your city's development is influenced by the world it inhabits!

Personal Rating 8/10

Cities: Skylines II is not just a game; it's a world-building experience without limits. It challenges your creativity, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, all while offering unprecedented realism and detail. Following up an amazing first Cities: Skylines title, we give this a personal rating of 8/10.

Pros:

• Incredible Realism from intricate economic simulations to the dynamic behavior of citizens
• The game's complex AI and economics mean that every decision you make has a meaningful impact on your city's development
• With no limits on city size and layout, you can build the city of your dreams
• A thriving modding community provides a constant stream of new content and enhancements to keep the game fresh

Cons:

• The game's depth and complexity may be intimidating for newcomers to the city-building genre
• Like many complex simulation games, Cities: Skylines II may have occasional bugs or glitches that can disrupt gameplay