Review · Gaming & entertainment
Cities: Skylines II review
The sequel to Cities: Skylines, with a deeper economy, seasons, weather and larger metropolis building.
By the DBotMaker research desk · Updated November 11, 2026
- Capabilities (40%)
- 9.4
- Ease of setup (30%)
- 7.4
- Value (30%)
- 7.6
Cities: Skylines II is the most ambitious modern city simulation on the list, and it ranks last mainly because of its reception and hardware demands. Paradox describes a deep simulation in which roads, pipes and power lines come first and every later choice ripples through the economy, traffic and crime. Days, seasons and weather cycle as you build, citizens age and are born, and you pick both the map and the climate. Full controller support is listed, which the original lacks. But only 58% of 35,141 English Steam reviews are positive, the lowest share here, though the last 30 days are better at 72% of 628. The minimum spec asks for an i7-6700K or Ryzen 5 2600X, a 4 GB GTX 970 and 60 GB of storage, and it is Windows only at $49.99. For most players, the original at $29.99 is the safer buy today.
Who it is for
Players with strong PCs who want the newest large-scale modern city simulation.
Price
$49.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).
If you can dream it, you can build it. $49.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.
Key features
- Deep simulation where economy, traffic and crime respond to each change
- Day and night, seasons and weather that affect what you build
- Citizens who age and are born over the years
- Choice of map and climate
- Full controller support
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Most modern visuals and scale among the city simulators
- Strength: Seasons and climate affect building decisions
- Strength: Recent reviews are better at 72% of 628 in the last 30 days
- Weakness: Only 58% of 35,141 English Steam reviews are positive, the lowest here
- Weakness: Needs an i7-6700K or Ryzen 5 2600X and 60 GB of storage
- Weakness: $49.99, and Windows only
Key facts
- Developer: Colossal Order, Iceflake Studios
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
- Released on Steam: October 24, 2023
- Minimum RAM: 8 GB
- English Steam reviews: 58% positive of 35,141
Where it ranks
Cities: Skylines II is No. 10 in our Best City Builder Games verdict.
Alternatives we scored
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