Is Cities Skylines 2 on Game Pass? Cities Skylines 2 Introduction, Gameplay, Plot, Development and Trailer
by Jayasree D | Updated Oct 24, 2023
Is Cities Skylines 2 on Game Pass?
Yes, Cities: Skylines 2 is available on Xbox Game Pass. This means that subscribers to Xbox Game Pass can play the game on the day of its release, which is in October 2023 for PC users. The game will be part of the Xbox Game Pass lineup, allowing players to jump into the city-building experience free of charge. However, console players on Xbox and PS5 will need to wait until 2024 for the game to become available for them.
In addition to being on Xbox Game Pass, the game can also be preloaded for PC users. The preload option is accessible through the Xbox Game Pass PC app and requires approximately 56.76GB of disk space. For those who have pre-ordered the game on Steam, they will need to wait until the official launch date to start downloading it. It's worth noting that the developers have mentioned potential performance issues at launch, so players might want to consider waiting for performance patches before diving into the game or trying it out on Xbox Game Pass to see how it runs on their PC.
Cities Skylines 2 Introduction
subscribers on the same day. This is exciting news for PC gamers who have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up to Cities: Skylines, a beloved city-building title that emerged as a favorite after the disappointment of EA's 2013 SimCity reboot. While PC players can dive into the game soon, Xbox and PS5 users will need to exercise patience until 2024 for their turn. The inclusion of Cities: Skylines 2 in the October 2023 Xbox Game Pass lineup means that Game Pass subscribers on PC can enjoy the game without additional charges.
Cities: Skylines 2 is expected to be a demanding game in terms of system requirements. The development team has openly acknowledged that the game's performance at launch might not meet their desired standards. This level of transparency is appreciated, but it suggests that potential buyers, particularly those considering pre-ordering, should exercise caution. The game's preload option is already available on the Xbox Game Pass PC app, requiring 56.76GB of disk space. However, those who have pre-ordered the game on Steam will have to wait until the official launch to start downloading. While the performance concerns are noted, Cities: Skylines 2 is eagerly anticipated, promising to deliver a satisfying city-building experience, and it will be interesting to see how it fares upon release and as updates are applied.
The PC release of Cities: Skylines 2 is set for October 24 at 5pm BST / 12pm EDT / 9am PDT. Keep in mind that, on occasion, it may take a few minutes for the game to become accessible as servers update. This eagerly awaited sequel aims to build upon the success of its predecessor, offering gamers an expansive and engaging city-building experience. It's worth noting that while the performance at launch may not be perfect, the developers are committed to improving it through future patches. The game's availability on Xbox Game Pass is an exciting opportunity for subscribers, ensuring that they can explore the city-building world of Cities: Skylines 2 without any additional costs.
Cities Skylines 2 Gameplay
Cities: Skylines 2 gameplay revolves around the art of city-building, offering players the chance to create and manage their very own bustling metropolis. Much like its predecessor, the game provides you with a virtual canvas, and your mission is to craft a thriving city from scratch. You'll be responsible for constructing roads, zoning various areas for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes, and ensuring essential city services are in place, such as police, fire, and education. This hands-on approach allows you to shape the city according to your vision and preferences.
One noteworthy feature in Cities: Skylines 2 is the capacity to expand your city on a much grander scale. Initially, you'll have access to nine tiles for building, but you can increase your city's territory by purchasing additional tiles using city funds as your urban landscape becomes more complex. In contrast to the first game, which was limited to 9 tiles covering 36 square kilometers (or 81 tiles with user modifications), the sequel opens up a massive 441 tiles, representing 159 square kilometers of land for your city-building adventures. This expanded space grants you the freedom to create a sprawling and diverse cityscape.
Furthermore, Cities: Skylines 2 introduces dynamic elements into the gameplay. The game's climate and weather conditions have a significant impact on your city, with distinct seasons, weather patterns, and day-night cycles that mimic one month of simulation time per in-game day-night cycle. Winters bring snow and cold challenges, while summers may bring flooding and tornadoes. You'll need to manage these disasters with disaster response facilities and services. In essence, Cities: Skylines 2 offers a comprehensive and immersive city-building experience that encourages strategic thinking, urban planning, and creativity.
Cities Skylines 2 Plot
Cities: Skylines 2, as a city-building simulation game, doesn't have a traditional narrative plot in the same way that story-driven games do. Instead, its "plot" is the story you create as you build and manage your city from the ground up. In this game, you act as the mayor and city planner, making important decisions and designing the layout and infrastructure of your city. The plot, if you will, unfolds through the choices you make as you shape your city's growth and development.
The core objective in Cities: Skylines 2 is to build a thriving, efficient, and prosperous city. You'll face challenges and scenarios that arise from the dynamic elements of the game, such as managing the effects of changing seasons, and weather patterns, and responding to various disasters like floods and tornadoes. The "plot" evolves as you address the needs and demands of your city's residents, businesses, and industries, striving to maintain harmony and economic stability.
Your role as a city planner and the decisions you make will determine the success and growth of your city. The "plot" of Cities: Skylines 2 is not pre-written but is shaped by your creativity, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Your city's story is the product of your choices, from zoning areas and implementing policies to managing services and transportation networks. In this open-ended gameplay experience, the plot is a reflection of your vision for the ideal city and your ability to bring that vision to life.
Cities Skylines 2 Development
The development of Cities: Skylines 2 has been an eagerly anticipated journey for city-building game enthusiasts. Colossal Order, the same studio that brought the original Cities: Skylines to life, is once again at the helm of this sequel. The game is built upon the Unity engine, the same technology used for its predecessor, ensuring that the core of the game remains familiar and accessible to fans.
One significant shift in the development process is the simultaneous release on both computers and consoles. Unlike the original game, which initially launched on PC and later expanded to consoles, Cities: Skylines 2 was designed with a synchronized release in mind. This change aims to enhance the performance of the game on console platforms, offering players on these platforms a smoother and more enjoyable city-building experience.
As for content, the game was officially revealed in March 2023 as part of the Paradox Announcement Show. In addition to the base game, a variety of downloadable content (DLC) packs are planned for release, including the San Francisco Set, Beach Properties Asset Pack, Content Creator Packs, the Bridges & Ports Expansion, and three Radio Stations available in the Ultimate Edition. The inclusion of DLC suggests that Cities: Skylines 2 is set to receive ongoing support and expansion, providing players with new content and experiences to enjoy as they build and manage their cities. Despite some concerns about the initial performance of the game, Colossal Order has expressed their commitment to improving it through patches and updates, ensuring that Cities: Skylines 2 continues to evolve and meet the expectations of fans and newcomers alike.
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Cities Skylines 2 Trailer
Is Cities Skylines 2 on Game Pass- FAQs
Yes, Cities: Skylines 2 is available on Xbox Game Pass, allowing subscribers to play the game on its release day for PC users.
Yes, the game can be preloaded on the Xbox Game Pass PC app, requiring around 56.76GB of disk space.
Console players on Xbox and PS5 will need to wait until 2024 to access Cities: Skylines 2.
The game is expected to be demanding, and the developers have mentioned potential performance issues at launch, so players might want to wait for performance patches.
Cities: Skylines 2 is set to release on October 24 at 5 pm BST / 12 pm EDT / 9 am PDT for PC users. Please allow a few minutes for the game to become accessible as servers update.