Brandy McPherson
Cities: Skylines II: A Fresh Take on City Building
Cities: Skylines, the critically acclaimed city-building game, made a splash when it was released in 2015. Not only did it revive the genre, but it also brought it to consoles with a successful Xbox port in 2017. And now, the highly anticipated sequel, Cities: Skylines II, is set to take the franchise to new heights.
The announcement of Cities: Skylines II promises to deliver a host of exciting features and improvements. From bigger cities to redesigned economies, dynamic seasons, and even the ability to zoom in and observe individual citizens, the sequel aims to offer a more immersive and engaging city-building experience.
As I had the opportunity to play Cities: Skylines II at gamescom last month, I was initially concerned about my rusty city-building skills. However, the developers from Paradox Interactive had anticipated this and made sure that the game had a renewed focus on “onboarding.” This means that while the sequel is more complex than its predecessor, it is also easier to understand, making it accessible to both new and lapsed players.
One of the highlights of Cities: Skylines II is its new tutorial, which provides a quick and digestible introduction to the game mechanics. From road building to zoning and setting up essential services like power and water, the tutorial guides players through the basics, ensuring a smooth learning curve. It even includes tips for more advanced functions, such as bulldozing and rezoning, which are available when players need them.
Moreover, Cities: Skylines II introduces several quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall gameplay experience. For example, new systems and infrastructure react visibly when implemented, allowing players to see the positive impact of their decisions. This eliminates the guesswork and uncertainty that often comes with building and managing a city. Additionally, the game allows roads to be replaced without bulldozing, enabling players to upgrade their road networks seamlessly as their cities grow and evolve.
Another noteworthy addition is the in-game social media channel called “Chirper.” This feature keeps players informed about what is happening in their cities, both the good and the bad. By monitoring Chirper, players can gain valuable insights into their citizens’ needs and adjust their strategies accordingly. They can even click through and learn more about the citizens themselves, adding a personal touch to the city-building experience.
One of the standout aspects of Cities: Skylines II is the ability to choose new features through a skill tree system. As players reach milestones in their city’s development, they unlock new options, such as roundabouts and traffic lights. This allows players to tailor their cities to their specific preferences and playstyles, making each city a unique creation.
Excitingly, Cities: Skylines II will be available on Game Pass from day one for Console, PC, and Cloud, ensuring that subscribers can dive into the game right away. This is excellent news for both new and existing players who have been eagerly anticipating the sequel. Additionally, the original Cities: Skylines game, remastered for modern platforms, is currently playable with Game Pass, providing players with the opportunity to revisit the beloved franchise before diving into the sequel.
Cities: Skylines II raises the bar for city-building games with its deep simulation, detailed graphics, and player-centric features. Offering limitless possibilities and challenges, the game blends creativity and problem-solving, allowing players to shape their cities according to their vision. With its emphasis on accessibility and innovative gameplay mechanics, Cities: Skylines II is set to captivate both seasoned players and newcomers to the genre alike. So get ready to unleash your inner mayor and build the city of your dreams in Cities: Skylines II.
*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*
The Ultimate Edition of Cities: Skylines II includes the base game and the Expansion Pass. This pass grants access to the San Francisco Set, the Beach Properties Asset Pack (Q4 ’23), two Content Creator Packs (Q1 ’24), the Bridges & Ports Expansion (Q2 ’24), and 3 Radio Stations paired with each release.
Pricing: $89.99
*Cities: Skylines II*
The standard edition of Cities: Skylines II offers all the features and gameplay of the Ultimate Edition without the additional content.
Pricing: $49.99
With both versions of the game available, players can choose the option that best suits their preferences and get ready to embark on an unforgettable city-building adventure.
Sources:
– [Cities: Skylines II Ultimate Edition – Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/9nqbx2l5ll8l)
– [Cities: Skylines II – Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/9NDNTV0L9N87)
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