Cities Skylines II Player Review - Accurate or Unwarranted?
I remember the excitement when Cities Skylines came out. The first game was a hit with its deep city management and stunning visuals. But the sequel got mixed reviews, making people wonder if the hype was real or too much. In this review, we'll look at the game's tech issues, visual upgrades, and what players think to see if it meets its promises.
At first, even top gaming computers had trouble running Cities Skylines II smoothly. Players faced constant stuttering and low frame rates, no matter their computer's power. The game's old engine and lack of new tech like DLSS were big problems. This left many players unhappy, unable to enjoy the city planning they were looking forward to.
Despite these early problems, the team at Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive kept working hard. They released updates and patches to fix issues, making the game better over time. Even though it wasn't perfect at launch, the team's effort to fix it is something to praise.
Key Takeaways
Cities Skylines II faced significant performance issues at launch, with even high-end hardware struggling to run the game smoothly.
The game's reliance on an outdated engine and lack of modern performance-enhancing technologies contributed to the technical challenges.
Developers have been actively addressing these issues through regular updates and patches, gradually improving the game's stability and performance.
Despite the initial setbacks, the game's visual improvements and enhanced city management features have been well-received by the player community.
Ongoing support and optimization efforts by the development team have fostered a sense of cautious optimism among the player base.
Initial Launch Experience and Technical Challenges
The launch of Cities Skylines II has faced big technical challenges. The game has trouble running smoothly, even on top-notch computers. Colossal Order has found and fixed 100 bugs, and they're working hard to fix more before adding new content.
Performance Issues on High-End Hardware
Cities Skylines II has big performance problems. Even the newest graphics cards, like the RTX 3080, can't keep up at 1080p. Mid-range GPUs, like the RTX 4060, only manage 27 frames per second at 1080p with medium settings.
System Requirements vs Reality
The game's system needs were raised before it came out. Now, it needs a GTX 970 or RX 480 GPU to start, and an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT for better play. But these specs don't mean the game runs well, leaving many players unhappy.
Launch Day Bug Reports
The launch of Cities Skylines II was hit by many bugs and tech problems. Players have seen freezes, stuttering, and texture issues. Colossal Order is working on fixes, focusing on lighting, level-of-detail, and texture quality.
The developer is also fixing garbage collection and stray dog problems. They want to make city management smoother for players.
"We will not release new, paid DLC for Cities Skylines 2 until we have the performance issues addressed to our standards." - Colossal Order
Colossal Order says fixing the game's performance is their top goal. They won't add premium content until the game runs smoothly. They're dedicated to making sure players have a great city management experience.
Graphics and Visual Improvements Since Release
The city simulation game, Cities Skylines II, has seen big changes in visuals since it first came out. It has many customizable graphics settings. This lets players adjust the game to fit their computer's power.
The "Basic" menu has 16 options, and the "Advanced" menu has 67. This means players can make the game look just right for them.
But, changing most visual settings doesn't really affect the game's speed. The biggest impact is from shadow rendering. Sadly, Cities Skylines II uses old FSR 1.0 technology. This can make the game look grainy, especially at lower resolutions.
Even so, the game has improved a lot in looks. It has detailed textures, complex buildings, and bright colors. This makes building cities feel real and fun. But, finding the right balance between looks and speed is hard, especially for those with weaker computers.
The game's creators have given players lots of ways to customize the visuals. This helps players make the game look good on their computers. Cities Skylines II tries to offer a great-looking and smooth city-building experience for everyone.
Gameplay Mechanics and City Management Features
Cities Skylines II brings a new level of city-building fun. It has better gameplay and city management for both old and new players in the city building game world. Released eight years after the first, it has many improvements for a more immersive city management experience.
Traffic Management Systems
The game's traffic system has gotten a big boost. Now, players can use a special roundabout tool to build roads easily. There's also a city block tool that makes road planning simpler.
Urban Planning Tools
The sequel also has better urban planning tools. Players can now build new roads over existing ones to create their own intersections. Every road (except highways) comes with water, electricity, and sewer lines, making city-building faster.
Economic Simulation Depth
Cities Skylines II has a more detailed economic simulation. Players can reach new city levels by meeting milestones, like building certain numbers of buildings. They can earn up to 2 billion currency units, offering a bigger economic challenge.
But some players have complained about performance issues, which has overshadowed the game's improvements. Despite this, Colossal Order is working hard to make the game better with updates, DLCs, and mods.
Overall, Cities Skylines II offers a more immersive city management experience. It has better traffic systems, easier urban planning, and a deeper economic simulation. As the game evolves, players can expect an even more polished and fun urban planning simulation experience.
Creator Packs and Asset Integration
Cities Skylines II is a sequel to the popular city-building game. It has introduced creator packs with new assets and building styles. These packs, featuring French, German, and UK architecture, have been loved by the community. They add to the game's visual diversity of cities. But the many assets might slow down the game, especially on lower-end systems.
The game has seen a steady flow of updates and new content. This shows the developers' effort to keep players interested. The timing of region and creator packs and assets might be part of a plan to keep the game popular.
The region and creator packs have been welcomed by the community. However, the many assets might be a technical challenge for players with less powerful hardware. The developers must balance expanding visual options with keeping the game running smoothly.
The creator packs and asset integration in Cities: Skylines II show the game's commitment to a diverse and stunning city-building experience. As new content is added, it's important to watch how it affects performance. The goal is to make sure the expansions improve gameplay without hurting the game's stability.
These packs let players customize their cities even more. They are inspired by France, Germany, and the UK, adding variety to cityscapes.
French Asset Pack Overview
The French Asset Pack brings Parisian charm to Cities Skylines II. It includes Haussmannian apartments and cobblestone streets. This pack dives into France's architectural heritage.
German Building Styles
The German Building Styles pack adds a modern touch. It offers sleek structures and Bavarian designs. This diversity makes cities more varied and realistic.
UK Architecture Elements
The UK Architecture Elements pack highlights British charm. It features Georgian townhouses and Tudor cottages. Players can add a unique UK touch to their cities.
These packs make Cities Skylines II more visually appealing. However, they might slow down the game in large cities with many custom buildings. Players will need to find ways to keep the game running smoothly.
The creator packs are a big step for Cities: Skylines 2. They meet the needs and dreams of its players. As the game grows, players will have more content to build their cities with flair and detail.
Performance Optimization and Hardware Requirements
Cities Skylines II is a demanding game, even for top-notch hardware. The game's developer, Colossal Order, aims for a steady 30 frames per second (fps). Despite this, many players enjoy the game on less powerful hardware.
Colossal Order is working on a patch to fix technical issues. They're tackling freezes, long loading times, and texture problems. The team is improving CPU and GPU performance for better gameplay.
The game's size is another challenge. Cities Skylines 2 needs about 50 GB of space, much more than the original 4 GB. This shows the game's improved visuals and content. Paradox, the publisher, admits the game doesn't meet all performance targets.
Colossal Order is dedicated to improving the game. They've released patches to enhance performance and fix issues. Their commitment to the Cities Skylines community is clear.
As the city simulation game grows, the developer keeps working to improve it. They aim to make Cities Skylines 2 better for all players, both new and experienced.
Community Response and Player Feedback
The launch of Cities Skylines II has sparked a mixed response from the game's dedicated community. Over 75% of players are happy with the game's mods, which meet their needs. However, a big part of the players faced performance issues.
The Beach Properties DLC's size and scope were initially criticized. But now, the content is free in the base game.
Steam Review Analysis
Steam reviews show a complex story. Many players like the game's new features and potential. But a lot are upset about performance problems, even on top systems.
The community is working hard to improve the game. They use mods like 'Extra 3.0' for better customization. This shows their commitment to making the game better.
YouTube Content Creator Perspectives
YouTube creators have been key in shaping opinions on Cities Skylines II. They share detailed analysis and critiques. This brings the community's issues to the surface.
Their videos help players deal with performance issues. They suggest ways to improve the game. This shows the need for better optimization.
The community's feedback on Cities Skylines II is mixed. There's praise, criticism, and a wish to see the game's full potential. The developers are listening and making changes. This is a good sign for the game's future.
Engine Limitations and Technical Architecture
Players exploring "Cities Skylines II" have found issues with its technical setup and engine limits. The game faces performance problems, especially on top-notch hardware. This shows there are limits in the game engine itself.
The game can't fully use modern graphics processing units (GPUs) well. Despite new GPU tech, "Cities Skylines II" can't use it fully. It also sticks to old upscaling tech like AMD's FSR 1.0, not newer options like NVIDIA's DLSS.
These tech issues make playing big, complex cities hard. Players see their game slow down as cities grow. This shows the need for better engine work and design choices.
The tech issues in "Cities Skylines II" have been talked about since it started. As the game grows, fixing these problems is key. The developers must keep up with gaming tech changes.
The game's tech problems show how important engine work and design are. As gaming tech gets better, players want smoother experiences. They want games to use modern tech fully.
"The technical architecture and engine limitations of 'Cities: Skylines II' have been a topic of discussion since the game's inception."
Colossal Order has fixed some issues with updates. But the game's long-term success depends on ongoing tech improvements.
Conclusion
The release of Cities Skylines 2 has sparked both excitement and frustration. The game offers better city-building and visuals but faces major performance problems. Colossal Order, the game's maker, has promised to fix these issues. They plan to refund the Beach Properties DLC and make it free.
The game's technical issues, like poor optimization, have led to mixed reviews on Steam. The average player count is just over 5,500. This shows the need for Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive to focus on making the game run smoother.
Despite the early problems, Cities Skylines 2 still has a lot to offer. Its new features and better looks are promising. But the developers must tackle the technical issues in future updates. The game's success will depend on balancing their goals with what players and hardware can handle.
Source Links
Cities: Skylines 2 PC performance, system requirements, and the best settings to use
Cities Skylines 2 DLC is delayed as Colossal Order says it is trying to fix 100 different bugs
Paid Cities Skylines 2 DLC isn't coming out until the game is fixed, Colossal Order says
Cities Skylines 2 just solved every road and traffic problem ever
Video Game News, Reviews, Previews, Video Game Magazine For Insiders
The Cities Skylines 2 region pack is finally real, as Paradox also drops new packs for CS1
The entire Cities Skylines 2 economy is being rebuilt from scratch by Colossal Order
Cities Skylines 2's developers expected some backlash, but decided to launch the game anyway
Cities Skylines 2 just got even better, as Colossal Order drops yet another gigantic update
One of the biggest and most-wanted Cities Skylines 2 mods has finally arrived
Cities Skylines 2 developer offers refunds, makes DLC free, apologizes to everyone