The latest SimCity was a bit of a disaster. Not only did the game yank out some of the best things about the franchise, but it initially required that players be perpetually connected to the internet. Many of those issues were fixed later on, but the general consensus is that Maxis blew it. Thankfully, it’s not the only city-builder for those who love to imagine they’d be great mayors and Architects. There’s Cities: Skylines, which is apparently rather good.
IGN – 8.5
Getting in and creating something is easy, though mastering it will require extensive research on community wikis to understand why growth is stunted even when you address your citizens’ apparent concerns. Don’t expect exciting scenarios or random events, but do expect to be impressed by the scale and many moving parts of this city-builder.
PC Gamer – 86/100
My cities, even the poorly planned ones that wound up filled with horrific traffic jams and uncollected corpses, were all fun to build, and I learned enough from each to make my next city better. For those who find building a city to Megalopolis status just a little too easy—and I think it is—there’s a ‘hard mode’ included to increase the challenge. Conversely, for those who want completely unrestrained construction, there are modes for an unlimited bank account and the unlocking of all buildings at the start.
Game Informer – 8.75/10
Through deep and rewarding gameplay, Colossal Order’s new simulation fills the increasingly noticeable void in the genre. Where others have failed, Cities: Skyline excels and delivers the new gold standard of modern city-builders.
IncGamers – 10/10
Colossal Order has created a fantastic city builder. SimCity may have been the series of choice for many years, but with that name now tarnished it was only a matter of time before a developer like CO came along and created a new city builder with the features that players have been crying out for. What’s missing? There are only a couple of minor things as far as I can tell. There’s no day or night cycle, no disasters, and you can’t build tunnels but that’s apparently being added at some point. Not a lot missing really and nothing that would make you hold off buying this right now.
SixthAxis – 8/10
Cities: Skylines might be Colossal Order’s first attempt at a city builder, but it already feels well rounded and complete. There are a few areas that need improving and others that are crying out to be expanded upon, but those will come in due course, and what’s already there lets you build vast cities to your heart’s content.
If you’ve still got the bitter taste of SimCity in your mouth, perhaps consider a refreshing swig of Cities: Skyline?
Last Updated: March 11, 2015
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 11, 2015 at 12:38
This game is in the top 10 for most viewers… only behind LoL, Hearthstone, Dota2, Starcraft 2, CS: GO, GTAV, Gaming Talk Shows and Hotline Miami 2.
Kinda sad.
z1n
March 11, 2015 at 13:02
Sad in what way exactly?
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 11, 2015 at 13:30
It’s ok if you don’t get it.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
March 11, 2015 at 14:17
I didn’t want it in the first place. It’s not even on my wishlist.
Hammersteyn
March 11, 2015 at 13:05
It beats COD and BF which is nice.
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 11, 2015 at 13:30
True.
Norm
March 11, 2015 at 12:39
Now this is a game that interests me greatly.
z1n
March 11, 2015 at 13:03
It’s a shame that EA raped another classic. SimCity 2000 was the bomb.
Hammersteyn
March 11, 2015 at 13:06
I wonder i Maxis had just that one studio that was closed down by EA?
z1n
March 11, 2015 at 13:11
Looks like it is just the one which was closed very recently. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxis#Maxis_Emeryville_Studio_closure)
EDIT: Basically Maxis is now EA’s sim studio bitch. I actually think the Sims series could have turned out quite nicely if not for EA (instead of the tween focussed money making machine it has become).
Hammersteyn
March 11, 2015 at 13:04
Entitled crybabies crying over the last SimCity trying to do something different 😛
z1n
March 11, 2015 at 13:17
I almost bought SimCity. So glad I didn’t. It is probably still a fun game to some extent but marred by technical problems and EA problems.
If I truly had my way (and a few bar) I would rescue all the Bullfrog IP from EA. Is it weird that I’d rather have a new Theme Hospital than HL3.14?!
EACancer
March 11, 2015 at 13:46
A new Theme Hospital with DRM, Origin, Microtransaction, DLC, ect.
Please don’t destroy that love that Theme Hospital have.
Oh and I’m a big SimCity fan and DRM, always online, Origin, DLC, which all lead to tiny maps, destroyed SimCity for us all.
z1n
March 12, 2015 at 09:28
Bullfrog also made Dungeon Keeper. Oh the memories.
eXpZA
March 11, 2015 at 13:24
Bought my copy last night. Gonna give it a go tonight, been itching for this kind of game.
Lardus-Resident Perve
March 11, 2015 at 15:02
Did you grab it on Steam? How big was the download?
eXpZA
March 11, 2015 at 15:04
Steam (but via Greenmangaming, had it for $21 compared to steams $39.)
1.5GB download, 3GB install.
Lardus-Resident Perve
March 11, 2015 at 15:13
1.5GB That is quite small. Might have enough cap for that!
Danie Nell
March 11, 2015 at 15:48
Its $29 on steam, the Digital Deluxe is $39
Anon A Mouse
March 11, 2015 at 13:28
Time to dust off my Donald Trump toupee.
SizeMatters
March 11, 2015 at 13:38
How big are the maps and does traffic work?
Mossel
March 11, 2015 at 14:09
I liked the way traffic worked in the older CitiesXL games, so I suppose it will be better here?
Ottokie
March 11, 2015 at 14:14
Around 3000 population the evil traffic dragon rears it’s head. But luckily the roads are very flexible and with the buses, monorail and trains, and also thinking a bit ahead, traffic is a breeze…most of the time 😛
Cities map erection
March 11, 2015 at 14:28
So maps start off like CityCity 5 and you buy land to make your plot bigger. I guess it’s ok. Why can’t I just start on a big fucking map.
Ottokie
March 11, 2015 at 13:54
Been playing it since last night, apart from some graphical issues the game is bloody brilliant.
Tiaan Pat
March 11, 2015 at 13:58
Man the roads on there look amazing!! Something that was missing in SimCity!!!
Mossel
March 11, 2015 at 14:08
I’ve always like CitiesXL more than SimCity. The interchange and road design is so much more detailed and accurate…and I literally design roads for a living.
Danie Nell
March 11, 2015 at 15:49
Its the same developers as the Cities in Motion games.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
March 11, 2015 at 14:17
How does one forget something that didn’t ever happen? 😛
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
March 11, 2015 at 14:22
Paradox Interactive. I trust everything they put out these days. The depth in their titles is mind boggling.
RamblingPenguin
March 12, 2015 at 08:36
Agreed, they are awesome. I own EU IV, Crusader Kings 2, Warband and this game. I must say, they are truly consistent and know how to make complex games fun 🙂