Cities Skylines 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the acclaimed city-building simulation game, was expected to elevate the franchise, but its November 2023 launch has been marred by bugs, a lack of innovation, and poor optimization. Many gamers and content creators have expressed their frustration and disappointment, labeling it as a rushed and incomplete project that fails to deliver on promises.
One of the most glaring issues plaguing Cities Skylines 2 is the flickering and stuttering shadows, especially at night, which not only create an unattractive visual experience but also adversely affect the game’s stability and performance. While the developers are aware of this problem and are reportedly working on a fix, GGRecon has indicated that there’s currently no timeline for when it might be released, leaving players to struggle with subpar graphics despite their attempts to adjust settings or implement mods, which have proven largely ineffective.
Another significant complaint among users is the lack of new features and content in Cities Skylines 2, with many feeling that the game is merely a rehash of the original. It doesn’t introduce notable upgrades in gameplay, visuals, or realism, retaining the same engine and user interface as its predecessor, while also omitting elements such as scenarios, custom maps, and disasters, making the experience feel more like a step backward rather than a leap forward, as highlighted by Game8.
The game’s optimization has also come under fire from numerous players and content creators, who point out that it demands a high-end PC for smooth gameplay, yet still struggles with low frame rates, stuttering, crashes, and memory leaks even on powerful setups. Furthermore, the hefty storage requirement of over 100 GB raises concerns about the game’s efficiency, as it fails to leverage the hardware effectively, lacking support for HDR, DLSS, or ray tracing, and presenting compatibility issues with certain mods from the original game that limit customization options.
Prominent figures in the city-building community have openly criticized Cities Skylines 2, urging developers to rectify the numerous issues and consider user feedback. Well-known streamer and YouTuber Biffa conveyed his feelings in a video, stating he felt “cheated” by the developers, expressing that the game’s current state was an “insult” to fans, and advising against purchasing it, vowing to focus on other titles until substantial improvements are made.
In a similar vein, popular city-building content creator ImperialJedi shared his feelings about Cities Skylines 2 in a video, describing his disappointment over the game’s failure to meet expectations and deeming it a “missed opportunity” for something exceptional. He acknowledged the potential within the game but stressed that it requires considerable refinement and effort, hoping that the developers will take steps to enhance it and introduce more content in the future.
Many city-building enthusiasts eagerly anticipated Cities Skylines 2, only to find themselves let down by the overall experience. The game’s inability to meet expectations has left many players frustrated and discontent, highlighting the urgent need for significant updates and improvements to rectify these issues. It is crucial for developers to heed the feedback and suggestions from the gaming community; otherwise, they risk alienating their dedicated fan base and tarnishing the franchise’s reputation.
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