Summary
Whenever studios make sequels, one of the hardest things to do is to convince players that they should consider buying into it. Most of the time, it is as simple as the fact that the game will continue the story of the original with new mechanics. But games likeCities: Skylines 2do not get that same luxury as they do not have any sort of story. Instead, it is up to gameplay to show fans why they should leave the previous entry behind, and so far, it does not seem to have done that well.
Cities: Skylines 2had a lot to prove to audiences as the release date neared. The original game was a surprise hit when it first launched back in 2015, and years of post-launch content had made it one of the best city builders on the market. So, players were extremely excited to see how the studio would evolve the formula with a sequel. And while that sequel may deliver a much stronger city simulation experience, it also seems to pale in comparison to the original in many ways.
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Cities: Skylines 2 May Not Have Done Enough Quite Yet
Cities: Skylines 2has taken the strong foundations of its predecessor and delivered a pretty deep city builder that fans will surely enjoy. The traffic system has been overhauled, the citizens have been given more life, the map size has been increased immensely, the new leveling system has given players far greater freedom, and the studio has taken allthe best parts ofSimCity2013. This has helped create another strong entry in the genre, but it may not be enough to convince players to check it out.
WhileCities: Skylines 2may be a stronger game, it also lacks much of the content that the original game got throughout the years. Almost none of the post-launch DLC is here, including the very popular park area tool. Along with that, props have been left behind for now and services like airports or universities feel lackluster. There is a possibility that a lot of this content comes back via future DLC packs, but for now, its absence gives some fans little reason to leave the original game behind.
Cities: Skylines 2is also suffering from numerous issues at launch that have prevented it from being thepremiere city builder Colossal Order wanted it to be. Right now, many players are experiencing constant crashes, bugs, and performance issues. These issues are not surprising either as the studio had actually known about them post-release; however, it chose to release the game anyway. There may be many behind-the-scenes reasons for why, yet no matter what they are this is still not a great look for the game in the eyes of players.
SinceCities: Skylines 2is missing content and suffering from technical issues, some players may have no interest in checking out the sequel. They have spent years building cities in the original alongside dozens of DLC packs and hundreds of mods, so there is seemingly no reason they should leave that behind just yet. It would be one thing ifCities: Skylines 2had everything the original currently haswhile being a relatively bug-free experience, but that is not the case.
Cities: Skylines 2is still a great city builderthat will likely rival its predecessor once Colossal Order is able to iron out the many issues and add new content via DLC. But right now, the game just feels lackluster when compared to the original. Unless players want to experience the new traffic AI and modular buildings, they may want to hold off for now. Hopefully, the studio is able to right the ship because this game has the chance to take the genre by storm.
Cities: Skylines 2
WHERE TO PLAY
If you may 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.
