CITIES: SKYLINES II

OCT 19th, 2023

 Cities: Skylines II Review Blog

"Cities: Skylines II" carries forth the legacy of its predecessor, nestling a Metacritic score of 77 out of 100. It's a game that invites players into the meticulous yet gratifying world of urban planning and management. The title is developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive. Here’s a detailed review based on the critiques and praises from various sources:

1. Gameplay and Simulation:

   - The game is lauded for its deep simulation mechanics that provide a near-true-to-life city management experience. Players have the opportunity to craft, manage, and evolve their own cities in a dynamic, living economy, which challenges one’s decision-making skills at every juncture.

   - Critics have appreciated the game's simulation depth and the array of building tools it provides. The smart quality-of-life features are seen as a significant positive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

2. Performance and Technical Aspects:

   - On the flip side, the game has been critiqued for its performance issues which seem to overshadow its promising core experience. The technical problems have been a source of frustration, diminishing the fantastic core experience to some extent.

3. Continuation from the Predecessor:

   - "Cities: Skylines II" is perceived as a good strategy builder that meets today’s standards but could have delivered a bit more in terms of innovation. Critics note a lack of new management features compared to the previous game or other city-building games, which makes it feel less of a step forward.

4. Community and Future Support:

   - The game is seen as a perfect foundation with a thriving community backing it, akin to the support "Cities: Skylines" received over nearly a decade. There's optimism that "Cities: Skylines II" will receive similar support from the development team in terms of patches, DLC, content packs, and potentially better mod support in the future.

5. Learning Curve and Accessibility:

   - Although the game is bigger than the original, it has been pointed out that some city issues are tough to understand, hinting at a learning curve that players might need to navigate, especially when dealing with the terrain before building which, if not done carefully, can lead to less than optimal city layouts.

6. General Reception:

   - The general sentiment reflects a game that, while fun and engaging with its simulation mechanics and city-building tools, doesn't feel like a significant leap forward from its predecessor, leaving some players longing for their old cities.

In conclusion, "Cities: Skylines II" presents an elaborate and engaging city-building experience, backed by a promising community. However, the technical performance issues and a perceived lack of innovation in management features compared to its predecessor have left some players wanting more. Nonetheless, the positive reception indicates a well-crafted game with the potential for growth and refinement in future updates, embodying a solid continuation of the "Cities: Skylines" legacy.