Cities: Skylines II – Building the Metropolis of Your Dreams Has Never Been Simpler

It’s no exaggeration to say that Cities: Skylines revolutionized the city-building genre when it was released in 2015. Not only did it bring the genre back to life, but it also successfully made the leap to console with a polished Xbox port in 2017. Now, with the announcement of Cities: Skylines II, fans can expect an even bigger and better experience. The sequel promises larger cities, redesigned economies, dynamic seasons, and the ability to zoom in and observe any citizen at any given time. I had the opportunity to play Cities: Skylines II at gamescom last month, and despite feeling a bit rusty after not playing the original game for years, I quickly realized that the sequel has made significant improvements to help new and lapsed players get up to speed.

Streamlined Onboarding

The developers at Paradox have placed a renewed focus on onboarding in Cities: Skylines II. While the game is more complex than its predecessor, it has become much easier to understand. The new tutorial is quick and digestible, covering essential topics such as road building, zoning, and connecting buildings to power and water. An excellent feature is that roads now include power and water hookups, simplifying the initial infrastructure and city layout. Just build the road the way you want it, and you’re good to go. Tips for more advanced functions are available when you need them, so you don’t get overwhelmed with information.

A Focus on Quality of Life

Cities: Skylines II is packed with quality of life improvements, allowing players to efficiently address issues and focus on the enjoyable aspects of city building and management. For instance, when you add new systems like a water pumping station, you’ll receive positive feedback from nearby homes and businesses, indicating that everything is properly connected. This eliminates any doubt or confusion about whether you did things correctly. Another great feature is the ability to replace roads in place without bulldozing. You can start with smaller roads and upgrade to higher capacity as your population grows and demands change. Additionally, the in-game social media channel “Chirper” keeps you updated on what’s happening in your city, allowing you to respond to citizens’ needs and concerns.

A Seamless Experience

Despite my long absence from the original game, I was able to get up to speed in Cities: Skylines II in less than half an hour, thanks to the game’s user-friendly features. During that time, I built a functioning and growing “Tiny Village” and even received rewards such as cash and a signature building. The game also introduces a skill tree system, unlocking new features as you reach milestones. By the time I reached “Tiny Village” status, I gained the ability to build roundabouts and traffic lights, among other things. Basic services are automatically added, but you’ll need to prove yourself as a capable city planner to unlock additional options.

Coming Soon to Game Pass

Cities: Skylines II will be available on Game Pass from day one for Console, PC, and Cloud. And if you can’t wait for the sequel, the remastered edition of the original Cities: Skylines is already playable on Game Pass. So, if you’re ready to unleash your inner mayor and create the city of your dreams, Cities: Skylines II is the game for you!

Preorder Bonus: Landmark Buildings
Set your City apart with 9 Unique Buildings based on famous landmarks from around the world. Included is also a map based on the geography of Tampere, home of Colossal Order.

Cities: Skylines II: Ultimate Edition gives you access to the base game, as well as 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).

If you can dream it, you can build it. Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.

Lay the foundations for your city and create the necessary roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible on a day-to-day basis. The success and growth of your city will depend on your strategic planning abilities. Every decision you make will have an impact, from energizing local industries to balancing the budget. It’s all in your hands.

Just like in a real city, change is constant. Your city will evolve over time, whether it’s gradual or sudden. Seasons will change, and unexpected events will occur. As the mayor, you must be prepared to adapt and take action when life doesn’t go according to plan.

With its realistic and detailed simulation, Cities: Skylines II pushes the boundaries of creativity and problem-solving. The game features stunning high-resolution graphics that will inspire you to build the city you’ve always dreamed of.

Deep simulation: Your decisions impact the entire fabric of the city, from AI behaviors to the intricate economics.
Epic scale, endless possibilities: Build your city without limitations, reaching new heights and spreading across the map.
Cities that come alive: Each citizen’s life is shaped by your decisions, influencing their personal journeys.
A dynamic world: Choose a map that sets the climate of your city, and navigate challenges like pollution and seasonal changes.

If you can dream it, you can build it. Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.

Cities: Skylines II Paradox Interactive ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $49.99