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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Play Cities: Skylines if you want the established Steam Workshop ecosystem, a deep catalog of accumulated add-ons, or a game with less demanding published PC requirements. Choose Cities: Skylines II if you want newer simulation systems, a larger city-building scale, climate and seasonal variation, and ongoing PC content—and your computer meets its substantial requirements. There is no universal winner: the right choice depends on your platform, hardware, and what you want from a city builder.
What is the main difference?
Cities: Skylines is the more established option, with a mature city-building experience and Steam Workshop support for player-created content. Cities: Skylines II updates the simulation with features such as more flexible road tools, revised traffic AI, citizen lifepaths, an expanded economy, progression, climate, and seasons. Paradox said at the sequel’s 2023 launch that its map is five times larger than the original’s. These are publisher-described features, not the result of a controlled head-to-head quality test.
The practical choice is between the original’s established content ecosystem and the sequel’s newer systems and larger scale. Neither choice is automatically better for every player.
How do the games compare?
| What matters | Cities: Skylines | Cities: Skylines II |
|---|---|---|
| Simulation | A mature city simulation with traffic, services, districts, policies, and a day/night cycle, as described on its Steam listing. | Publisher-described features include citizen lifepaths, an expanded economy, progression, climate and seasons, flexible road tools, and updated traffic AI. |
| Build scale | Smaller than the sequel by Paradox’s launch comparison. | Paradox said at the October 24, 2023 launch that the map is five times larger than the original’s. |
| Mods | Steam Workshop support for sharing, downloading, and importing player-created work. | Integrated Paradox Mods. Its beta initially supports map and code mods; asset mods were described as planned for future updates. |
| PC requirements | Steam lists lower minimum graphics and storage requirements than for the sequel. | Steam’s recommended Windows specifications include 16 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (10 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16 GB), and 60 GB of storage. |
| Platforms | Steam lists Windows, macOS, and SteamOS/Linux requirements. | Available on PC. Paradox’s current console-status page says further performance and stability work is needed and gives no firm release date. |
| Current add-on activity | Steam lists an accumulated catalog of expansions and creator packs. | Paradox announced Expansion Pass 2 for PC on September 15, 2026, alongside the Autumn Breeze patch. |
Choose the original if Workshop content and established add-ons matter most
The original’s Steam listing expressly includes Workshop support, where players can share and download creations. It also has a large accumulated add-on catalog, including expansions and creator packs. That makes Cities: Skylines a strong fit if community-made content and a broad selection of existing add-ons are central to how you play.
#1 Best Overall
![Cities: Skylines [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51aaLY1lSCL._SL160_.jpg)
- Multi-tiered simulation: Playing as the mayor of your city you’ll be faced with balancing essential requirements such as education, water electricity, police, fire fighting, healthcare and much more along with your citys real economy system.
- Extensive local traffic simulation: Colossal Orders extensive experience developing the Cities in Motion series is fully utilized in a fully fleshed out and well-crafted transport systems.
- Districts and Policies: Be more than just an administrator from city hall. Designating parts of your city as a district results in the application of policies which results in you rising to the status of Mayor for your own city.
- Extensive modding support: Build or improve on existing maps and structures. You can then import them into the game, share them as well as download the creations of other city builders on the Steam workshop.
Steam’s catalog and prices can change, so check the current listing for the specific content you want. The Workshop’s established presence should not be read as proof that every mod is compatible with every setup or that its catalog is objectively better in quality.
Choose the sequel for newer systems and a larger build scale
Cities: Skylines II is the option for players drawn to its newer simulation features: citizen lifepaths, an expanded economy, progression, changing climate and seasons, more flexible roads, and updated traffic AI. Paradox described the sequel’s map as five times larger than the original’s in its October 24, 2023 launch announcement.
Those features describe what the publisher says the game offers; they do not establish that the sequel is more enjoyable or performs better for every player. If you are choosing mainly for a particular system or feature, review the current game and store information before buying.
Rank #2
![Cities: Skylines - Industries Expansion - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fxxTt4qiL._SL160_.jpg)
- MAKE IT HAPPEN: Follow your products from harvesting to processing, storage and production, then transport them to commercial zones or export to other cities.
- CAPTAIN YOUR OWN INDUSTRIES: Define an area with the industry area tool and place highly specialized industrial buildings to build and manage the production chain from raw material extraction up to final end product.
- BUILD IT UP, BUTTERCUP: New industrial buildings include Extractors, Warehouse Facilities, Processing and Auxiliary Buildings, Industrial Props and Roads.
- SHIP IT: Manage traffic and logistics with industrial warehouses and the use of the new Cargo Services including a cargo airport.
- GO POSTAL: Boost your citizens’ well-being with mail delivery and collection services. Post sorting facilities handle mail between outside connections and the post offices, and new Post Van and Truck vehicles enable the carriage.
How do mods work in each game?
Cities: Skylines: Steam Workshop
The original’s Steam listing describes Workshop support for importing, sharing, and downloading player creations. It is the straightforward choice if you specifically want to use that established Steam-based route.
Cities: Skylines II: Paradox Mods
The sequel has an integrated Paradox Mods experience. Paradox says its modding beta initially supports map and code mods, with asset mods planned for future updates, and that the in-game experience is intended to work regardless of platform. This describes the intended access route, not equal catalog size or quality across games.
Check your PC before choosing the sequel
Cities: Skylines II is demanding enough that it is worth comparing your computer with the published specifications before purchase. Steam’s recommended Windows tier lists 16 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 with 10 GB of VRAM or an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT with 16 GB, and 60 GB of storage. These are recommended specifications, not a promise of a particular frame rate or smooth performance on every system.
Rank #3
![Cities: Skylines - Deluxe Edition Upgrade Pack DLC - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WQuq6TJuL._SL160_.jpg)
- Five in-game items include: Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Arc de Triomphe & Grand central terminal
- Original Soundtrack: This Original Soundtrack includes 14 unique tracks mixed from the ambient music of the game, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful music whenever you want.
- Digital Art book: See the concepts behind the buildings! The book features almost a 32 hand drawn concepts of the game various buildings and the story behind each.
Paradox describes the game as performance-heavy and provides an optimization guide with settings adjustments. Neither published specifications nor the guide establish how the game will run on a specific PC. The available sources do not provide a controlled comparison of both games on identical hardware, so do not treat the original’s lower listed requirements as a measured performance advantage.
For a console-first player, the choice is clearer for now: the original is the available option among these two. Paradox’s current console-status page says further performance and stability work is needed for the sequel and provides no firm release date. Its wording does not establish a launch year.
What is new for Cities: Skylines II?
Paradox announced Expansion Pass 2 for PC on September 15, 2026, and said the Autumn Breeze patch launched alongside it with gameplay, visual, and UI improvements. The pass includes the Downtown Market Set, Park Adventures, City Vacations, Creator Pack: Modern Suburbs, Creator Pack: First Response, a seven-map pack, and Corner Street Beats. Check the current store listing and your owned content before purchasing a bundle, since what is included can matter as much as the title of the pass.
Rank #4
![Cities: Skylines - Sunset Harbor Expansion - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FwbclSrCL._SL160_.jpg)
- Underwater Friends: Explore the new fishing industry with control over fishing boats at sea and fish farms, adding a new commercial element to your city.
- Water Water Everywhere: Utilize Water Treatment Plants that process waste water for additional uses.
- Find your Route: Explore new bus systems, including the Intercity Bus Service for transit between cities.
- Fly In Style: The Aviation Club building encourages small plane owners to take part in recreational flying.
- Five New Maps: Find a spot for the perfect city to build! Sunset Harbor includes a variety of different maps featuring boreal, tropical and temperate locales.
The announcement listed launch prices of $44.99, £37.99, and €44.99 for PC; those regional prices can change and are not a universal current price. The announcement describes Iceflake Studios’ pass as its first since taking over sequel development. The game’s Steam listing names Iceflake Studios and Colossal Order in its developer field.
What do Steam reviews say?
As a storefront snapshot accessed October 7, 2026, Steam showed Cities: Skylines at 92% positive from 100,665 English-language reviews overall and 88% positive from 344 recent reviews. The Cities: Skylines II listing showed 57% positive from 34,380 English-language reviews overall and 73% positive from 790 recent reviews.
These percentages are volatile, reflect reviews posted on Steam, and are not controlled measures of comparative quality. They do not explain why players rated either game as they did, and should not be treated as a permanent verdict.
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Quick Recap
Which one should you play?
- Pick Cities: Skylines if Steam Workshop support, the established add-on catalog, or less demanding published PC requirements are your priorities.
- Pick Cities: Skylines II if its newer simulation features, larger build scale, climate and seasons, and current PC content appeal to you—and your PC is up to the task.
- On console, choose the original for now if you want to play one of these games today; the sequel’s official console page has no firm release date.
Sources
- Cities: Skylines II — About, Paradox Interactive.
- Cities: Skylines II Expansion Pass 2 announcement, Paradox Interactive, September 15, 2026.
- Cities: Skylines II on Steam, including the Windows requirements and review snapshot accessed October 7, 2026.
- Paradox performance optimization guide, updated August 4, 2026.
- Cities: Skylines II — Modding, Paradox Interactive.
- Cities: Skylines on Steam, including platform information, Workshop support, and the review snapshot accessed October 7, 2026.
- Cities: Skylines II — Console News, Paradox Interactive.
- Cities: Skylines II PC launch announcement, Paradox Interactive, October 24, 2023.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
