GamerTake
AI Powered Steam Review Summaries
Cities: Skylines
Simulation
Strategy
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Workshop
Steam Cloud
Includes level editor
Remote Play on Tablet
Family Sharing

Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience.

Developers: Colossal Order
Publishers: Paradox Interactive
Release Date: Mar 10, 2015
Price (USD): $29.99
Current Players: 6.8k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(93%)
creative freedom
modding community
detailed city-building
stable gameplay
steep learning curve
performance issues
mod dependency
expensive DLC
difficult traffic
subscription model
unpredictable AI
The general sentiment towards Cities: Skylines is divided. While many players praise the depth and customization offered by the game, the high price of DLCs and recent business practices concerning subscriptions are sources of frustration. The traffic management system also draws mixed reactions, as some find it adds to the challenge, while others see it as poorly implemented. Ultimately, despite its steep learning curve and performance issues in larger cities, the game is still regarded by many as the premier city-building simulation, largely due to its player-driven mod scene and creative freedom.

Positive Points

  • City Skylines is praised for its freedom and creativity in building and managing cities, allowing players to design every aspect from zoning to public services.
  • The game has a strong modding community that enhances the base game significantly, offering a variety of mods ranging from aesthetic improvements to functional additions.
  • Compared to its sequel, many users find Cities: Skylines more stable and complete, even with its older graphics and systems.
  • The game provides a detailed and realistic city-building experience that many find addictively engaging, with some likening it to a spiritual successor of SimCity.

    • Negative Points

  • A significant criticism is the heavy reliance on DLCs to access many features, which can make the total cost of the game exorbitant.
  • Traffic management within the game is often cited as particularly difficult and sometimes frustrating, with AI behavior being unpredictable and challenging to manage.
  • There is widespread dissatisfaction with Paradox's business practices, especially the introduction of a subscription model for accessing DLCs, seen as a ploy to extract more money from players.

    • Mixed Points

  • While mods greatly enhance gameplay, dependency on them for a complete experience is both seen as a positive and a necessary workaround for lacking base game features.
  • The learning curve is regarded as steep; some find it rewarding once mastered, while others find it unnecessarily complex without clear guidance.
  • The game's performance issues, such as crashing and lagging in large cities, receive mixed reviews depending on the user's system specifications.

    • Common Themes

  • The excessive amount and cost of DLC is a persistent theme and a point of contention among players.
  • Players appreciate the game's depth and the ability to create intricate city simulations, although managing traffic remains a common challenge.
  • The community's role in modding and improving the game is frequently highlighted as a key part of the game's lasting appeal.
    • Updated 3/7/2026, 12:01:30 AM UTC
    Leave feedback for this summary