Quick Links
In the sprawling landscape of city-building simulations, Cities: Skylines II, the much-anticipated sequel, beckons with grand promises. With an array of features and mechanics that could leave even the most meticulous urban planner in awe, this game seeks to redefine the genre. As we delve into the depths of this virtual urban world, we find ourselves contending with a complex mix of delights and disappointments, all adding up to a 3.5/5 rating.
While many aspects of the game are enjoyable, most of those aspects are available in its predecessor or other city building games - even the Pocket City app. With other issues stemming from visual landscapes, and difficulty snapping power lines and sewage pipes, there is much room for improvement.
Some Challenges Along The Way
The Essence of Urban Evolution
The heart of Cities: Skylines II lies in its captivating gameplay. The macro city-building experience here is, by and large, a delight for fans of the genre. As mayor, you are responsible for every aspect of your city’s development, from laying out the first road to orchestrating the complex web of services that keep your citizens thriving. The sense of freedom and creativity afforded by the game is unparalleled, as the canvas upon which you paint your city is nearly boundless. From zoning areas to setting tax rates, managing services, and even creating intricate transit systems, the game offers a vast playground for your imagination to run wild.
What makes Cities: Skylines II truly special is the sheer variety of features and mechanics at your disposal. It’s akin to a toolbox for urban planners, offering you the means to craft your city exactly as you envision it - at least, that’s how you’d hope it would turn out. The reality is that when you look to add precision and zoom in, there is a lot to be desired.
We should however, address the elephant in the room: the unsightly nature of some urban lots in Cities: Skylines II. If you’re not careful about sculpting the terrain before establishing commercial, industrial, and low-density residential zones, the results can be nothing short of grotesque. Parking lots that appear to be painted onto the sides of hills, awkward sidewalks, and extremely steep areas between buildings, become all too familiar sights. This lack of visual finesse is surprising coming from a seasoned studio that previously delivered a home run in the same genre.
Making Your Land Usable
In many of the preset lands you can start building your city on, the land itself is rarely flat enough to build an interesting city on. I started with Sereno del Mar, which turned out to be a pretty great starting area as it is mostly flat. This meant I was able to start my city building journey on a “level playing field” so to speak…Dad jokes aside, this was a great first area to test the game out. Beyond that, many of the other areas you can start with have varying heights through the area, which means you will be spending a lot of time terraforming.
Without terraforming the land, you will run into many areas that are tough to build properly on, and look even worse when zoomed in and actually paying any attention to the detail of the city that you have manifested. Luckily, the tools provided make it easy and free to change up the landscape, even if that means it can be a little tedious to be required to do so.
Snap To That Road, Damnit!
While Cities: Skylines II excels in many areas, it falters in others, casting a shadow over the experience. One of the most frustrating aspects of the game is the challenge of connecting essential utilities like water, sewage, and electricity to roads. These services are the lifeblood of your city, and the difficulty in linking them can lead to needless frustration. While the struggle to maintain your city’s infrastructure can add an element of realism, the game sometimes takes this challenge to an extreme, making it an exercise in patience.
Even the tutorial lacks in help, telling you to “attach the pipe to the road” without actually showing you where to snap it to, and even when you know the spot you are supposed to snap it on… it struggles to attach itself.
Adding to the frustration, some buildings stubbornly snap to roads in specific positions, making the placement of certain structures an exercise in trial and error. This aspect can be particularly vexing, as you might find yourself fighting with the game’s mechanics to create your perfect city layout. While some level of challenge is welcome, these particular elements can cross the line into annoyance.
The Beauty of Cities: Skylines 2 Shines Through
You may have read this far in the review and wondered, “with all of these issues being complained about, how is Cities: Skylines 2 still getting a 3.5 out of 5?
Much of these issues so far are indeed frustrating, cumbersome, or a little immersion-breaking. At the game’s core is some amazing systems that really do keep the player immersed and wanting to keep playing to grow their city, balance their budget, generate more resources, and more.
A World in Flux: Dynamic Weather Changes
One of the standout features of Cities: Skylines II is the introduction of dynamic weather changes. This addition adds a new layer of realism and complexity to your city. As the seasons change, so do the challenges your city faces. From heavy snowfall affecting traffic to torrential rain causing flooding, these weather patterns force you to adapt and strategize. The visual impact is impressive, as your cityscape transforms with the seasons, making the game world feel more alive than ever.
Dynamic weather is not just for aesthetics; it directly impacts gameplay. The need to clear snow-covered roads, prepare for floods, or ensure that your citizens have access to heating during the cold months adds depth and challenge to the game. It’s a welcome addition that keeps players engaged and invested in the well-being of their virtual citizens.
The Complex Dance of Supply and Demand
The demand and supply system in Cities: Skylines II is a well-thought-out addition that adds layers of strategy to city planning. This system affects various aspects of your city, from residential and commercial zoning to industry. Understanding the needs and desires of your citizens and local businesses is vital to a thriving metropolis.
As your city grows, balancing these demands becomes increasingly complex. You must monitor your citizens' needs, ensure that there is a sufficient workforce for industries, and manage commercial demand while maintaining a sustainable tax base. The dynamic nature of this system forces you to adapt and strategize continually, keeping your city’s development engaging and dynamic.
Dollars and Sense: Financial Management
Cities: Skylines II brings a robust financial management aspect to the table. Budgeting and managing your city’s finances are critical components of a successful urban experience. As mayor, you must keep a close eye on your city’s budget, ensuring that you allocate funds wisely to support essential services, infrastructure projects, and other critical expenditures.
The game presents you with the challenge of generating revenue through taxation while simultaneously providing adequate services and maintaining public satisfaction. This balancing act adds depth to the gameplay, as you make tough decisions about where to invest and where to cut costs. The financial aspect of the game is realistic and rewarding, and it’s an area where the sequel excels.
Navigating the Traffic Maze
Traffic management has always been a pivotal aspect of city-building games, and Cities: Skylines II makes strides in improving this area. The revamped traffic system brings a much-needed level of realism and complexity to the urban planning experience.
Traffic congestion is a constant challenge, and the game reflects this by requiring you to design efficient road networks, establish public transportation options, and manage traffic flow effectively. The system is intricate, with a multitude of options for road types, public transport, and road customization, allowing you to tailor your city’s transportation infrastructure to your liking.
While the traffic system is a step forward, it can also be a double-edged sword. Managing the complex web of roads and traffic can be overwhelming, especially as your city grows. Some players may find themselves spending an inordinate amount of time fine-tuning their traffic management, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
Conclusion
Cities: Skylines II is a mixed bag of urban planning joy and frustrating design quirks. While the game provides a plethora of engaging features and mechanics, it often falls short in the usability department. The rating of 3.5/5 reflects the game’s potential and the enjoyment it can offer, marred by the occasional exasperation that comes from struggling with seemingly straightforward tasks.
If you have the patience to work through the kinks and revel in the satisfaction of constructing and managing a thriving metropolis, Cities: Skylines II is worth your time. The game shines in areas like dynamic weather changes, the demand and supply system, financial management, and the revamped traffic system, all of which contribute to an immersive and challenging city-building experience.
