After 150+ Hours, My Thoughts On Cities Skylines 2

Ladies and gentlemen, gamers and urban planners, if you haven't been living under a rock for the past few months, you've undoubtedly heard the buzz surrounding the highly-anticipated release of City Skylines 2. The gaming world has been a flurry of excitement and speculation, and I, for one, have immersed myself in the avalanche of teaser videos and early previews. Now, after more than 150 hours of gameplay over the past few weeks, I'm here to spill the beans and share my honest feedback on the state of the game. But before we dive into this thrilling journey, let's take a moment to acknowledge our sponsor, BetterHelp.

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City Skylines 2: A Giant Leap Forward

Now, let's turn our attention to City Skylines 2, the sequel to one of the most beloved city-building games of all time. Before I dive into the nitty-gritty, let's establish one thing – it's not entirely fair to compare City Skylines 2's launch version with its predecessor after eight years of updates, DLCs, and the most extensive workshop support known to mankind. If we could leap forward eight years and imagine what City Skylines 2 would look like, it would blow our collective minds. We know there will be DLCs – that's their business model. But the potential of the base version of CS2 is, in my humble opinion, extraordinary.

One notable aspect is that Colossal Order is developing both the PC and console versions in-house, no third-party shenanigans here. This is why we're seeing some differences between CS1's PC and console versions. Design decisions must cater to both platforms. I'm not a game developer, but it's safe to assume there are things you can do on a PC that just won't translate to a console. Of course, it's quite obvious when you're maneuvering with a joystick instead of the trusty keyboard and mouse. Keep this in mind as we move forward.

The Good, The Great, and the Game-Changing

Now, let's shift our focus to the good stuff. I've had the privilege of getting hands-on with the game, and it's been quite the ride. If you've been following my previous videos, you know the drill, so I won't bore you with all the details. I played a very early version a few years back, which already had some of the elements we see in the current game. They wanted our feedback, and that's exactly what they got.

The game is an absolute visual treat. It's like walking into a revamped version of City Skylines 1, but with everything cranked up to eleven. The graphics are smoother, and they've upped the ante with the latest 4K updates. Everything is fresh – from the UI to the music, it's all been given a facelift. You might be thinking, "Well, what else do you want from a sequel to one of the most popular games ever?" And you'd be right. It's a bit like sipping a fine wine – the subtle nuances matter.

In your minds, you probably had a laundry list of what you wanted from City Skylines 2, and, sadly, not everything made the cut. Nonetheless, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the game, and as time passes, I find myself diving deeper into it, unearthing hidden gems. The beauty of it all is the community of creators and players who share this journey. There has been no shortage of feedback to the game developers, and some crucial improvements have already been made through game updates. However, considering the ticking clock before the release, it's unlikely we'll see additional features added anytime soon. But, fret not, regular updates are on the horizon.

Addressing Concerns and Answering Questions

Now, let's address the elephant in the room. Traffic. Yes, traffic is indeed a thing in this game, especially in larger cities. It's not the infinite demand that you might have imagined – it ebbs and flows with your city's development. Be prepared to adjust your mindset and learn new strategies. This game isn't just about mindlessly following blueprints; it's about crafting your own unique cityscape.

Specialized industries, on the other hand, don't automatically churn out money bags like in the industry DLC. You'll need to experiment and tweak your approach. Remember, this is a dynamic city simulator, and it's not always about following a fixed formula.

The Road Ahead

As we wrap up this joyride through City Skylines 2, I'm left with an undeniable sense of excitement. The journey has been remarkable, and it's far from over. We've laid down the tracks for what's to come, and the developers are listening to our feedback. So, my fellow city planners and dreamers, fasten your seatbelts, for the road ahead promises to be a thrilling one.

In the ever-evolving world of gaming, City Skylines 2 is a shining beacon, a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of game developers. It's not just a sequel; it's a new chapter in the urban planning saga. Stay tuned, keep building, and remember, the sky is never the limit – it's just the beginning.