How Cities: Skylines 2 Can Be a Successful Console Port

Highlights

Cities: Skylines 2 suffered from technical issues like its predecessor, failing to meet performance targets on consoles.
Developers face challenges optimizing graphics on gaming PCs as Cities: Skylines 2 demands high-end specs.
Console delays offer an opportunity for Paradox Interactive to refine gameplay and mod accessibility for a smoother console experience.

As someone who has spent countless hours building and managing virtual cities since my teenage years, I’ve grown attached to the city-building genre. The original Cities: Skylines was a game that truly captured my imagination, allowing me to design intricate urban landscapes and manage the daily lives of my digital citizens. However, as someone with limited computing power, I’ve often found myself longing for the ability to take my cities on the go.

After the disappointing 2013 version of SimCity, city simulation enthusiasts were thrilled to discover Cities: Skylines a few short years later. With the support of an active modding community, this game provided the ultimate city-building and management experience. However, as time passed, the graphics started showing their age, leading Colossal Order to create Cities: Skylines 2. Unfortunately, when launched in October 2023, the sequel encountered some of the same technical issues that had plagued SimCity.

Despite the fact that the PC version of “Cities: Skylines” has seen significant improvements following multiple updates, the anticipated Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions of the game have not been released yet. Console players were disappointed in July when the game was pushed back once again without a new release date being announced. Given the various challenges related to performance on gaming PCs, how can the simulator effectively adapt to the latest console technologies?

Cities: Skylines 2 Performance Concerns

How Cities: Skylines 2 Can Be a Successful Console Port

The launch of Cities: Skylines 2 on PC was far from smooth. In its initial stage, players with high-end AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards faced significant challenges in achieving a consistent 60 frames per second, despite reducing numerous settings.

When assessing the gameplay of “Cities: Skylines 2,” keep in mind that rapidly growing cities in this game exhibit intricate details. From a bird’s-eye view, these elements may be hard to distinguish. But upon closer inspection, the graphics prove significantly more complex than those in previous city-building games.

In intricate games like “Cities: Skylines 2,” developers can ensure a seamless gaming experience by limiting what gets rendered based on the player’s line of sight. This technique is called culling and helps alleviate strain on gaming computers by only displaying objects that are currently visible. However, regrettably, “Cities: Skylines 2” frequently requires GPUs to render every object uninterrupted, regardless of its visibility. As a result, the game puts a heavy load on hardware, leading to dropped frames and stuttering.

After its initial launch, Colossal Order has worked on fixing various problems with multiple updates. In particular, a December 2023 patch aimed at reducing the level of detail (LOD) for civilian models when viewed from afar. However, Cities: Skylines 2 may require significant adjustments to graphics settings in order to run smoothly on many computers.

Developers encounter a major hurdle in creating versions of “Cities Skylines 2” for Xbox Series X|S and PS5. To fully utilize the capabilities of these advanced consoles, programmers must strive to deliver optimal performance without significantly reducing graphics quality based on the suggested system requirements for “Cities: Skylines 2”.

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X / Intel Core i5-12600K
RAM: 16GB
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT / Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
Storage: 60 GB available space
OS: Windows 10 or Windows 11

When a game requires an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT with a price tag above $600, it’s not suitable for budget gaming computers or laptops. The minimum requirements are more affordable, but graphical enhancements from the original Cities: Skylines may underwhelm gamers with less powerful hardware. NVIDIA’s DLSS technology enhances image quality and frame rates, but unfortunately, it isn’t accessible on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Instead, AMD’s FSR is more frequently used on these gaming platforms to improve console performance.

In the announcement of Cities: Skylines 2, its developers created quite a stir when they mentioned that their target was a frame rate of 30 fps. It’s true that gamers don’t necessarily need 60 frames per second or more to have a good time in city-building games. These titles aren’t like fast-paced shooters where missing a single frame could mean instant game over. Instead, the key is for the framerate to be steady on consoles; otherwise, moving the camera around your digital metropolis becomes irritating.

The History of Cities: Skylines on Consoles

On console platforms, the experience with Cities: Skylines has shown varying outcomes. At its launch on Xbox One and PS4 in 2017, the game exhibited reduced features compared to its PC counterpart. Although the frame rate was generally sufficient, there were issues when zooming in closely on structures. As cities expanded, gameplay grew more sluggish for many players.

In the year 2018, the city-building game made its debut on handheld devices when it became available for Nintendo Switch users. However, this edition highlighted the portable console’s technical weaknesses. Despite constructing smaller cities, graphics appeared pixelated, and the frame rate often dropped below the desired 30 frames per second. Several native Switch features such as touchscreen controls were not incorporated, and laying down roads with Joy-Cons proved challenging. It seems unlikely that the more complex “Cities: Skylines 2” will be released on Switch. However, the improved specifications of the potential future Nintendo Switch 2 could make running the game a possibility in or after 2025.

In 2023, the enhanced capabilities of newer consoles like Xbox Series X|S and PS5 were highlighted when an improved version of “Cities: Skylines” was released. The graphics remained sharp, and there was less frame rate drop even during intricate traffic analyses. Additionally, developers introduced an expansion feature enabling cities to grow up to 25 tiles in size.

If history follows a pattern, the release of “Cities: Skylines 2” on Xbox and PS5 might be postponed until the next generation of consoles is available for an optimal gaming experience. The recent hold-up in console launches is due to the challenge of achieving desired performance levels. However, reduced graphics did not hinder Xbox One and PS4 users from enjoying “Cities: Skylines.” With some improvements made on the PC version, there’s a chance to fine-tune the game and ensure current console players don’t miss out.

Building Cities with Console Controllers

When it comes to adapting RTS or city-building games such as “Cities: Skylines 2” for consoles, developers often run into control issues. Players are used to utilizing comprehensive information about their expanding cities on PC with numerous keyboard commands at their disposal. With a simple keystroke in “Cities: Skylines 2,” PC gamers can easily address traffic or pollution concerns. On the other hand, console users must press multiple buttons to access the same functionality.

In games with a map perspective, maneuvering the camera using Xbox or PS5 controllers feels comfortable. The top triggers and bumpers enable zooming in and out, while analog sticks direct your focus towards structures. However, it’s important to note that controllers may not offer the same level of precision as a gaming mouse. A more accurate input can significantly enhance gameplay experience, allowing players to take preventative measures before potential disasters occur.

In the Xbox version of Cities: Skylines, the control setup was carefully planned out to ensure functionality. Important features are assigned to the A and B buttons, acting as a replacement for left-clicking or canceling actions. Several Xbox controller keys serve multiple purposes, although some may feel slightly unconventional. For example, pressing the left analog stick for an extended duration alters the time advancement speed. The D-pad operates distinctly from the analog sticks, allowing users to browse the hotbar at the game’s bottom. Lastly, pressing the Y button brings up a radial menu with quick access to crucial city statistics.

In the upcoming game “Cities: Skylines 2,” players will encounter more intricate controls due to additional complexity and new features. For instance, mixed-use zoning allows for residential and commercial buildings to be placed side by side. However, accurately assigning these zones can be challenging, especially when using analog sticks instead of a mouse to place the cursor on small blocks. This refined level of precision may require more dexterity and focus from players than before.

As a long-time fan of simulation games, I’ve spent countless hours building and managing virtual cities on my PC. So when I heard that Cities: Skylines 2 now supports controllers, I was thrilled! However, I was also surprised to find out that not all gamers are aware of this feature.

As a dedicated fan of “Cities: Skylines 2,” I’m thrilled about the growing trend of cloud gaming and the compatibility of mobile controllers like the Backbone One. However, I believe there’s room for improvement in terms of user experience, particularly when navigating the game menus.

To enhance the accessibility of “Cities: Skylines 2” on consoles, its developers should find a balance between keeping the game’s complex mechanics while making it easier for console users to understand and play.

Bringing Cities: Skylines 2 Mods to Consoles

A large number of gaming enthusiasts believe that the extensive mod community significantly contributed to the success of “Cities: Skylines.” These mods weren’t just about altering appearances or creating new maps; they offered functional upgrades as well. For instance, certain mods introduced advanced traffic management systems or allowed for effortless relocation of structures. As a result, city construction and management have become more authentic and less laborious experiences.

As an avid gamer, I was really bummed out when I first jumped into Cities: Skylines 2 and discovered that there was no support for Steam Workshop yet. It meant that all the cool modifications we’d grown accustomed to in the original game were nowhere to be found. Instead, we had to twiddle our thumbs and wait for what felt like forever for Paradox Interactive to officially add mod capabilities. The current selection of mods isn’t as diverse as what Cities: Skylines offered, but it’s slowly getting there. And for those who are up for a challenge, the developers have even made publicly available tools for coding custom mods yourself.

In Cities: Skylines 2, the method of obtaining and installing mods is different compared to its previous version, resulting in significant consequences for console editions. Instead of downloading mods as separate files externally, this city builder integrates the Paradox Mods interface into the game. Players can easily browse and install mods without having to switch between windows, a feature anticipated in the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions of Cities: Skylines 2.

In the console versions of House Flipper 2, developers adopted a similar method to decrease dependence on PC-specific mods. Unfortunately, most add-ons consist of user-generated houses and flipping projects that don’t substantially change the gaming experience.)

It’s uncertain if console versions will have restrictions regarding mods. If Paradox Interactive manages to bring all PC features to consoles, gameplay could potentially be enhanced or altered in the same manner. Although it might not be feasible for full-fledged mod development on Xbox Series X|S, the map editor is hoped to make the transition successfully.

Benefits of Cities: Skylines 2 Console Delays

Although the exact release date of Cities Skylines 2 on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 is uncertain and has been pushed back to 2024, it’s reasonable to assume that this popular simulation game will eventually be made available on these consoles. This assumption is backed up by the fact that some major retailers continue to offer pre-orders for these console versions. Furthermore, considering that the developers have hinted at console compatibility during the game’s design process, it seems only natural that we’ll see Cities Skylines 2 on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 eventually.

Using the additional time, Paradox Interactive has the opportunity to address some issues that have troubled PC gamers of “Cities: Skylines 2”. The game’s performance has shown only minor improvements, while a significant update revamped its economy, making it harder to earn money. When this city-building simulator is released on consoles, it will be more polished, well-balanced, and run more smoothly.

A solid base has been established for developing future console versions of “Cities: Skylines 2.” However, the game places significant demands on powerful computers, and reaching satisfactory frame rates on Xbox and PlayStation is a challenge. The need to easily navigate more intricate zoning and roadway systems with controllers becomes even more crucial. Lastly, console users expect the same level of modding flexibility that PC players enjoy.

Previously, console players were often left out of intricately designed simulators that appeared most intuitive to use with a keyboard and mouse. The remastered version of “Cities: Skylines” showed the possibilities of cross-platform gaming, although it didn’t fully match the depth of its PC counterpart. To win over console gamers eagerly anticipating its release, “Cities: Skylines 2” should deliver a more refined gameplay experience.

FAQ

Q: Should I play Cities: Skylines 1 or 2?

Although there are differing opinions on the matter, the initial version of “Cities: Skylines” continues to garner a significant following due to its improved performance issues and an expansive library of mods that significantly enhance the game experience. However, concerns over frame rates and gameplay equilibrium are being addressed gradually. The upcoming release of “Cities: Skylines II” holds promise as the go-to city builder for enthusiasts.

Q: Is Cities: Skylines better than SimCity?

In contrast to the 2013 version of SimCity, which left audiences underwhelmed, earlier games such as SimCity 4 are cherished city-building classics. The newer release of SimCity is more user-friendly with a less realistic, cartoonish design, making it a suitable choice for console gaming. However, many gamers argue that Cities: Skylines provides a richer and more authentic experience, particularly when enhanced by popular modifications.

2024-07-22 22:05