CitiesSkylines 2 Review: A Bumpy Road to Urban Simulation

CitiesSkylines 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved city-building simulation game, has generated a whirlwind of excitement and disappointment among players. In this review, we delve into the highs and lows of the game, addressing performance issues, gameplay mechanics, and the overall experience. While CitiesSkylines 2 promises a deep and immersive urban simulation, it’s essential to examine whether it lives up to these expectations.

Performance Woes: A Rocky Start

One of the first challenges that players encounter with CitiesSkylines 2 is performance issues. While some may argue that these are teething problems that will eventually be resolved through updates and patches, they undeniably impact the initial gaming experience. Players with high-end hardware setups have expressed frustration at the game’s demands and the subpar performance even on lower graphics settings.

The table below illustrates the hardware of a player who encountered performance issues:

Hardware Configuration	Performance Issues
Intel i9-9900k CPU	Yes
NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti GPU	Yes
32GB RAM (3600MHz)	Yes
1080p Display	Yes

Despite the impressive specifications of this gaming rig, CitiesSkylines 2 struggled to provide a smooth gaming experience. This raises questions about the game’s optimization and whether it truly caters to a wide range of hardware configurations, as advertised.

The Deceptive “Deep Simulation”

CitiesSkylines 2 touts itself as a game with a “deep simulation,” promising to simulate various aspects of city life realistically. However, as players dive deeper into the game, they discover that this claim may not hold water. Several key issues undermine the depth of the simulation:

Disconnected Simulations

One of the most glaring problems is the lack of integration between the traffic simulation, economy simulation, and the simulation of sim life (citizen behavior). These three core components of the game appear to operate independently of one another, leading to a lack of cohesion in the gameplay experience.

• Traffic Simulation: While the game aims to simulate realistic traffic patterns, the disconnect with the economy simulation becomes evident when cargo can magically teleport to businesses and industrial zones, bypassing the need for road connections.
• Economy Simulation: Businesses in CitiesSkylines 2 require goods to operate, but they do not necessarily need these goods to be imported or exported via the road system. This unrealistic feature contradicts the game’s aim to model traffic realistically.
• Sim Life Simulation: Citizens have jobs, but they do not physically commute to work or school. This abstraction diminishes the realism of the simulation, as cities lack the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Lack of Realistic Interactions

CitiesSkylines 2 fails to deliver on the promise of vibrant, interactive city life. Some of the missing elements include:

• Animations: The game lacks animations for essential services like firefighters, police, and ambulance personnel. The absence of these animations contributes to a lifeless cityscape.
• School Attendance: Children in the game do not attend school, further detracting from the sense of realism.
• Bicycles: Despite being a common mode of transportation in real cities, bicycles are notably absent from CitiesSkylines 2.

Unbalanced Economy

The economic aspect of the game also falls short of expectations. Players have reported that it is relatively easy to achieve substantial profits by building geothermal power plants, leading to a lack of challenge in managing the city’s finances. This imbalance in the economy undermines the strategic depth of the game.

A Disappointing Sequel

For many fans of the CitiesSkylines franchise, CitiesSkylines 2 was a highly anticipated sequel. However, the initial release has left players disappointed and frustrated. The game’s performance issues, disconnected simulations, and lackluster gameplay elements have overshadowed the potential it initially promised.

A critical point of contention is the decision to release the game in what some players have described as an “unfinished” state. The table below highlights the hardware specifications of a player who encountered performance issues:

Hardware Configuration	Performance Issues
Intel i9-9900k CPU	Yes
NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti GPU	Yes
32GB RAM (3600MHz)	Yes
1080p Display	Yes

This player’s experience is just one of many, as CitiesSkylines 2 appears to demand more from players’ hardware than expected, even on lower graphics settings. The frustration is compounded by the fact that the development team was aware of performance issues but chose to release the game regardless.

A Plea for Improvement

As a longtime fan of Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order games, it’s disheartening to witness the release of CitiesSkylines 2 in its current state. The recurring pattern of releasing buggy and unoptimized games is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed by these renowned game developers.

While some may argue that players should be patient and wait for updates and patches to rectify these issues, it raises questions about the ethics of releasing games that are not ready for prime time. The disappointment expressed by players who pre-purchased CitiesSkylines 2 or purchased the Ultimate Edition is palpable.

The gaming community’s collective voice can be a powerful catalyst for change. When players experience subpar releases, they must voice their concerns to ensure that developers are held accountable. CitiesSkylines 2 may eventually reach its full potential with post-launch updates, but the initial release has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

The Verdict: Should You Buy CitiesSkylines 2?

In its current state, CitiesSkylines 2 is a mixed bag. While it offers the potential for an engaging urban simulation experience, the performance issues, disconnected simulations, and unbalanced gameplay mechanics hinder the game’s overall enjoyment. Players with high-end hardware setups may still encounter frustrating performance problems, while others may be disappointed by the lack of cohesion between key game elements.

Before purchasing CitiesSkylines 2, consider the following factors:

Pros

• Creative Freedom: The game still offers a degree of creative freedom in city-building, allowing players to design and customize their urban landscapes.
• Potential for Improvement: Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order have a track record of post-launch support and updates, which could address some of the current issues.
• Modding Community: The game’s modding community is active and dedicated, providing opportunities for additional content and improvements.

Cons

• Performance Issues: Even players with high-end hardware may encounter performance problems, impacting the overall gaming experience.
• Disconnected Simulations: The lack of integration between traffic, economy, and sim life simulations undermines the depth and realism of the game.
• Unbalanced Economy: The ease of achieving substantial profits through certain strategies diminishes the challenge of managing the city’s finances.

Ultimately, whether you should buy CitiesSkylines 2 depends on your tolerance for performance issues and your desire for a deeply immersive city-building experience. While the game has potential, it currently falls short of the high expectations set by its predecessor and the promises made by its developers.

As CitiesSkylines 2 continues to receive updates and improvements, it may become a more appealing choice for fans

of the franchise. However, for those seeking a flawless urban simulation experience, it may be wise to wait until the game matures and the initial issues are addressed.

In conclusion, CitiesSkylines 2 is a game that holds promise but is marred by its rocky launch. Whether it can redeem itself and deliver the rich, interconnected simulation experience players crave remains to be seen. For now, cautious optimism is the best approach for those considering a journey into this virtual urban landscape.