Close Menu
  • Gaming
    • Game Guides
    • Codes
    • Game News
    • Game Previews
    • Game Reviews
    • Game Features
    • Game Lists
    • Platforms
      • Nintendo
      • PC
      • PlayStation
      • Xbox
      • Mobile
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Movie Features
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV
    • Reality TV
    • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • Human Interest
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • More
    • Anime
    • Lists
    • Podcasts
    • Reviews
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
  • About Us
  • Join Our Team
  • Meet the Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Advertising Policy
The Nerd Stash
  • Gaming
  • Celebrity
  • Human Interest
  • Videos
The Nerd Stash
Home»Game Features»10 Things To Know Before Playing Cities: Skylines 2

10 Things To Know Before Playing Cities: Skylines 2

Time to build a bustling city!

Ryan ClouseBy Ryan ClouseOctober 30, 20235 Mins Read
For anyone struggling with the beginnings of Cities: Skylines 2, here are some tips for those new to the game.
Image Source: Colossal Order via The Nerd Stash

Skip To...

  • Choosing Your Map
  • Plan Ahead In Cities: Skylines 2
  • Cities: Skylines 2 Development Points Are Important
  • Use The Grid Tool
  • Using Wind Power Is Great Cities
  • Take Things Slow And Steady
  • Quality Over Quantity For This Cities
  • Skip The Garbage Dump (For Now)
  • Scout Ahead For Your Cities: Skylines 2 Location
  • Variety Is the Spice of Cities: Skylines 2
This article is over 1 years old and may contain outdated information.

Since the early days of SimCity, simulation city-building games have been a niche, yet necessary genre. Though it has had its ups and downs over the years, the city-building genre has had a recent revitalization with the release of Cities: Skylines and its follow-up, the newly released Cities Skylines 2.

Despite this, due to the niche nature of city-building games, many new players looking to jump into the series at Cities: Skylines 2 may be a bit lost. With so many systems to juggle, options to choose from, and tiny details that can go wrong. Even for new players, some of the changed systems and updated formats may require a bit of getting used to. Here are 10 Cities: Skylines 2 tips that you should know before playing.ย 

Choosing Your Map

Cities: Skylines 2 maps.
Image Source: Colossal Order

With a few different maps to choose from in Cities: Skylines 2 it can be difficult for new players to understand the pros and cons of each choice. With different kinds of resources, connections, and other factors, a new player may feel lost and choose at random. To prevent this, YouTuber TotalXclipse suggested going with the Sweeping Plains map, as it has a lot of room for building and all the connections you would want to try out.

Plan Ahead In Cities: Skylines 2

Cities: Skylines 2 overhead view.
Image Source: Colossal Order

One thing that older Cities: Skylines players may know to do, but not newer players, is to carefully plan your layout. Though it may be tempting to dive right in and start throwing things together, carefully planning your infrastructure is integral to your success later down the line. This will save you a lot of trouble, preventing your wild chaos from ruining your city.

Cities: Skylines 2 Development Points Are Important

Cities: Skylines 2 development.
Image Source: Colossal Order

Development points are a precious commodity that is earned during specific milestones. These points can then be used to unlock new features and buildings to add to your city. While it may be tempting to dive in head-first and start spending to unlock cool, new things, taking some time to take stock of what you need and what you have before buying anything is a must for your cityโ€™s future.

Use The Grid Tool

Cities: Skylines 2 grid.
Image Source: Colossal Order

For some new Cities: Skylines 2 players it can be difficult to optimize the limited amount of space, while still keeping a clean and well-planned city. Luckily, the Grid Tool will help players plan infrastructure easily and efficiently. This tool will quickly place roads in a tight grid pattern that keeps everything perfectly straight and orderly. However, TotalXclipse warns that too many grids can create a boring city.

Using Wind Power Is Great Cities

Wind Mills are a good source of power.
Image Source: Colossal Order

Although this Cities: Skylines 2 tip only applies to some maps, another helpful hint for your cityโ€™s early game is that wind power is just as viable as coal power. While this may not apply to maps without high winds, the wind turbines are more effective and cheaper than the starting coal facility if used in the correct location.

Take Things Slow And Steady

A beautiful view of a city.
Image Source: Colossal Order

As is the case with many simulation games, it can be tempting to over-expand and attempt to make your city all in one sitting. This may lead to problems such as sustainability and be very draining on your resources and facilities. A much better option is to start slow, and slowly progress through the gameโ€™s milestones. This will help your city naturally develop into what you initially envisioned.

Quality Over Quantity For This Cities

Lots of residential houses.
Image Source: Colossal Order

When your city starts to get a bit too big in terms of population, it may be tempting to just build as many service buildings as possible to accommodate. It may seem like an easy fix to just build more schools or police stations and call it a day, but there is a better option. Upgrading these buildings first should be a priority as it is more cost-efficient and effective in the long run, and should be prioritized over building more. In this case, quality over quantity wins out.

Skip The Garbage Dump (For Now)

Cities: Skylines 2 Dumps.
Image Source: Colossal Order

Once you unlock a new facility, it can be tempting to dive in and build one right away. However, with something like a Garbage Dump, this may not be worth the cost. This facility will drain tons of money and in the early game, your trash can be dealt with using outside connections. Later in the game, the dump should be a worthy investment though.

Scout Ahead For Your Cities: Skylines 2 Location

A heat map of resources.
Image Source: Colossal Order

Although some players may consider this a bit unfair, it may be worth scouting out a map initially before doing any Cities: Skylines 2 planning. By choosing the Unlock All option when creating a map, players can see which resources are located where before planning the first steps of your city. This will save you from building over any important resources you may have wanted later down the line.

Variety Is the Spice of Cities: Skylines 2

Architecture can vary.
Image Source: Colossal Order

Finally, our last Cities: Skylines 2 tip is to play around with building zoning sizes. While it may be tempting to plot residential areas perfectly even and symmetrical, doing so can have a few consequences. Mainly, for residential areas, since lot size determines the cost of living, this can cause lower-income citizens to be unable to afford houses. Giving a wide variety of lots of all sizes will help out in the long run.

Related Topics
Cities: Skylines 2 Tips and Tricks
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Email
Ryan Clouse
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)

I'm a fresh out-of-college writer looking to share his passion and love for all things video games. I'm a huge fan of all things JRPG (especially Final Fantasy), Genshin Impact, and Nintendo. In my free time, I spend my free time honing my scriptwriting skills and, of course, playing games.

SUGGESTED READS

Destiny 2 Weapon and Armor Tiers
Game Guides

How Do Weapon and Gear Tiers Work in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate Exotic Items
Game Guides

All Exotics in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate Power Level 200
Game Guides

How To Reach Power Level 200 Fast in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate World Tier Changes
Game News

Bungie Responds to Community Criticism by Peeling Back Some Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate Secrets

Destiny 2 Weekly Reset Guide: Challenges, Rotations, & Rewards (June 28-May 2)
Game Guides

Destiny 2 Weekly Reset Guide: Challenges, Rotations, & Rewards (July 1 – July 7)

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate Expansion Launch Trailer
Game Features

Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate Just Gave Us a Remedy-like Launch Trailer

Trending
Texas Man records a package thief stealing boxes off the porch

Texas Man Comes up With โ€˜Epicโ€™ Idea To Get Revenge on Porch Pirates: โ€˜This Is Genius’

Florida bride has special moment with two fathers at wedding

Florida Bride’s Father Shocks Guests At Wedding When He Sees Her Stepdad In Crowd: ‘Cries In Daddy Issues’

Ric Flair poop in restaurant

Angry Tampa Server is Fed-Up With Ric Flair Pooping in Their Restaurants, ‘Dirtiest Player in the Game’

Texas woman sees dead brother during vacation

Texas Woman Shares Shocking Story of Seeing Her Dead Brother During Family Vacation in Italy: ‘This Gave Me Chills’

The Nerd Stash
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
  • About Us
  • Join Our Team
  • Meet the Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Advertising Policy
© 2025 The Nerd Stash. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.