Summary
WhileCities: Skylines 2’s core gameplay loop may be exactly like its predecessor, Colossal Order has tossed a couple of new things into the mix that have taken the city simulation to new heights. Not only did it revamp the traffic AI and give citizens far greater depth, but it also introduced a brand-new modular building system that feelsripped straight fromSimCity 2013. This helps give city services a bit more functionality, but it also feels a bit limited when compared to the original game’s version.
Throughout the years,Cities: Skylinesreceived countless DLC packs that expanded the game in exciting new ways. These packs added new services, mechanics, and a wide assortment of objects to play with. Instead of expanding upon that,Cities: Skylines 2has seemingly taken much of it out. Even though there is a chance that the content returns as post-launch DLC, its absence makes the game feel a bit lackluster when compared to its predecessor. And specifically, its new modular building system pales in comparison to what players could do in the original.
Cities: Skylines 2’s Buildings Feel Like They Are Missing Something
Cities: Skylines' Park Area Tool Was a Game-Changer
At launch,Cities: Skylines' services did not have much interactivity. Players could place down police stations, airports, schools, and power plants to help out their city, but they could not do anything more with them once they were set down. However, that all changed with the introduction ofthe park area tool in the Parklife DLC. This tool gave players the ability to freely create parks wherever and however they wanted, which proved extremely popular with players.
Since the park area tool was received well, it became a core part ofCities: Skylinespost-launch content. The feature would be expanded to universities, airports, and industries. While the core city services like police and firefighters still lacked meaningful interactions, this gave players immense control of their city. Now, they were no longer tied down by the base game’s colleges or airports. Instead, they had free rein to build whatever they saw fit, which tookCities: Skylinesfreeform nature to new heights.
Even though some fans may have thought Colossal Order wouldexpand the tool further withCities: Skylines 2, it left it behind. Right now, the park area tool is nowhere to be found and there is no news on when, or if, the tool will make its grand return at some point. This means that players no longer have the freedom to build the parks or universities of their dreams, but are instead tied down once more by the base game’s version.
Cities: Skylines 2’s Modular Buildings Are a Flawed Addition
Luckily,Cities: Skylines 2has expanded the functionality of its base game services immensely with the new modular building system. Now, players can upgrade and add to various buildingsas they could inSimCity 2013. They can add more space to hospitals, give power plants more fuel storage, place down a massive park for their universities, and even give their garbage collection more trucks. This helps make city services a bit more interesting this time around, yet they could have been even better with the park area tool.
Cities: Skylines 2’s new modular building system is a great addition to the formula. However, it kind of feels like it came at the expense of the freeform park area tool from the original game. One of the biggest things city builder fans look for is the freedom that these games give them, and removing one of the original’s best tools feels like it actively goes against that. Both features could coexist if Colossal Order is willing to devote time to them, so hopefully the feature crops back up in some way down the line.
Cities: Skylines 2
WHERE TO PLAY
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 to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.How your city grows is your call too, but plan strategically. Every decision has an impact. Can you energize local industries while also using trade to boost the economy? What will make residential districts flourish without killing the buzz downtown? How will you meet the needs and desires of citizens while balancing the city’s budget?Your city never rests. Like any living, breathing world, it changes over time. Some changes will be slow and gradual, while others will be sudden and unexpected. So while seasons turn and night follows day, be ready to act when life doesn’t go to plan.The most realistic and detailed city builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to another level. With beautifully rendered high-resolution graphics, it also inspires you to build the city of your dreams.
