Quick Verdict: Cities: Skylines is the safer buy right now. It’s cheaper, has nine years of expansions and mods behind it, and holds a 93 percent positive Steam rating. Cities: Skylines II costs more and launched in rough shape, but it has genuinely recovered under new developer Iceflake Studios, with reviews written in the last 30 days now hitting 74 percent positive. Cities: Skylines costs $29.99 on Steam, Cities: Skylines II costs $49.99, and both already have their own “how to get it free” guide linked below.
Cities: Skylines and Cities: Skylines II are the same franchise at two very different points in their life cycle. The original spent nine years becoming one of the most trusted city builders on Steam. The sequel launched in 2023 to a rocky reception, then changed developers in 2026 and has been climbing back ever since. This guide breaks down exactly where each one stands today.
Cities: Skylines vs Cities: Skylines II at a Glance
| Category | Cities: Skylines | Cities: Skylines II |
| Release Date | March 10, 2015 | October 24, 2023 |
| Price on Steam | $29.99 | $49.99 |
| Developer | Colossal Order (original), Tantalus Media (from 2024) | Colossal Order (until 2026), Iceflake Studios (from 2026) |
| Publisher | Paradox Interactive | Paradox Interactive |
| Copies Sold | Over 12 million across all platforms (Paradox Interactive) | Over 2.15 million units as of mid-2026 |
| Core Focus | Classic city-building sim with nine years of expansions and mods | Deeper, citizen-level simulation, still rebuilding its reputation post-launch |
| Steam Review Score | 93 percent positive, “Very Positive” (289,000+ reviews) | 57 percent positive overall, “Mixed”, but 74 percent positive in the last 30 days |
| Best For | Players who want a mature, expansion-rich city builder | Players who want the newest simulation engine and are comfortable with a game still catching up on content |
Simulation Depth
Cities: Skylines simulates traffic, services, and citizen needs at a city-wide level that’s detailed enough for most players but abstracts away individual residents. Cities: Skylines II pushes further, simulating individual citizens with their own jobs, education levels, and finances. Edge: Cities: Skylines II, for players who want the most granular simulation available in the franchise.
Content and Expansions
Cities: Skylines has 13 expansions, more than 10 radio stations, and one of the largest modding communities on Steam, all built up over nine years. Cities: Skylines II is still catching up on both official expansions and third-party mod support after its 2023 launch. Edge: Cities: Skylines, for the sheer volume of available content and mods.
Performance and Stability
Cities: Skylines has had nine years of patches and now runs reliably across a wide range of hardware. Cities: Skylines II launched with serious CPU-bound performance issues that drew heavy criticism, and while Iceflake Studios has made real improvements since taking over development in 2026, it’s still working through the backlog. Edge: Cities: Skylines, for a stable experience without needing high-end hardware.
Review Trajectory
Cities: Skylines has held a consistently strong 93 percent positive score for years. Cities: Skylines II launched to a much rockier reception and still sits at 57 percent positive overall, but reviews written in the last 30 days have climbed to 74 percent positive since Iceflake Studios took over development. Edge: Cities: Skylines, for now, though Cities: Skylines II is closing the gap faster than most sequels recover from a rough launch.
Visuals and Graphics
Cities: Skylines still looks solid but shows its age next to newer city builders. Cities: Skylines II uses a more detailed, higher-fidelity engine with more realistic lighting and denser cityscapes. Edge: Cities: Skylines II, for modern graphical fidelity.
Price and Value
Cities: Skylines costs $29.99 on Steam and regularly drops as much as 70 percent during sales. Cities: Skylines II costs $49.99, nearly double, with a shorter sale history so far. Edge: Cities: Skylines, for the lower price and steeper, more established discount history.
Which One Should You Play First?
- Want the most content, mods, and stability right now: start with Cities: Skylines. Nine years of expansions and patches make it the safer, more complete experience today.
- Want the deepest simulation and don’t mind a game still finding its footing: start with Cities: Skylines II. Its citizen-level simulation is the most ambitious the franchise has attempted.
- Working with a tighter budget: start with Cities: Skylines. It costs less and goes on steep sale often.
- Want the newest engine and plan to grow with ongoing updates: start with Cities: Skylines II. Its trajectory under Iceflake Studios has been improving steadily through 2026.
Overall Verdict
Cities: Skylines remains the safer recommendation for most players today. It’s cheaper, more stable, and backed by nine years of expansions and community mods. Cities: Skylines II asks more of your wallet and your patience, but its recent review turnaround under Iceflake Studios is real, and its simulation depth is the most ambitious the franchise has offered. If you want a finished, content-rich experience now, start with Cities: Skylines. If you’re drawn to the deeper simulation and want to watch a genuine comeback story unfold, Cities: Skylines II is worth a look, especially on sale.
Get Both For Less
Both games already have their own dedicated guide on this site covering legitimate ways to get them below full Steam price. Read How To Get Cities: Skylines Free and How To Get Cities: Skylines II Free for the full breakdown of both routes.
FAQ
Which is better, Cities: Skylines or Cities: Skylines II?
Cities: Skylines is the better overall pick today, with a 93 percent positive Steam rating, nine years of expansions, and a lower price. Cities: Skylines II offers deeper simulation and improving reviews under new developer Iceflake Studios, but it’s still catching up in content and stability.
Has Cities: Skylines II improved since launch?
Yes. After Paradox Interactive moved development to Iceflake Studios in 2026, Steam reviews written in the last 30 days climbed to 74 percent positive, up from an overall score of 57 percent positive.
Is Cities: Skylines II more expensive than the original?
Yes. Cities: Skylines II costs $49.99 on Steam compared to the original Cities: Skylines at $29.99, nearly double the price.
Which game has sold more copies?
Cities: Skylines has sold far more, passing 12 million copies across all platforms since 2015. Cities: Skylines II has sold over 2.15 million units as of mid-2026.
Does Cities: Skylines II have as many mods as the original?
Not yet. Cities: Skylines built one of Steam’s largest modding communities over nine years, while Cities: Skylines II’s mod ecosystem is still growing after its 2023 launch.
