Milestones in Cities: Skylines II
The evolution of city building gets a new dimension in Cities: Skylines II, where game progression consists of two main layers: Milestones and Development Trees. Unlike its predecessor, Milestones are no longer solely linked to population. Instead, each Milestone is unlocked by reaching specific Expansion Points (XP), accumulated both passively and actively as you build and manage your city.
Passive Expansion Points are regularly awarded throughout an in-game day based on Population and Happiness, while active Expansion Points are earned immediately through city actions like upgrading a service building or expanding roads.
With 20 Milestones, ranging from Tiny Village to Megapolis, each offers various rewards and new options:
- Monetary Rewards: Financial incentives to build your city
- Development Points: Used in the new Development Trees system
- Expansion Permits: Allows for city growth
- City Services, Policies, Management Options: Essential for city administration
- New Zone Types: Vital to turn your village into a bustling city
- Economic Controls: Enhanced Loan limits, Taxation, and Service Fees
Development Trees
Development Trees are a fresh feature providing an extra level of customization to game progression. Each service comes with its corresponding Development Tree. This new system offers more advanced and unique service buildings that you can unlock using Development Points.
The Development Trees are divided into Tiers, with varying numbers of Nodes to unlock. The first Tier includes the basic buildings and functions of the service, and subsequent Tiers offer more advanced options. Some services even have multiple Branches with different choices, providing a flexible approach to city building.
Unlocking different options allows various pathways to create your city, be it prioritizing transportation or providing citizens with cheap electricity.
Summing Up Progression in Cities: Skylines II
Cities: Skylines II brings a renewed approach to game progression with the introduction of Expansion Points and Development Trees. The Milestones system offers greater flexibility and depth in city planning, encouraging a more dynamic city-building experience. Players have the freedom to build small towns or bustling metropolises, all without having to rely on unlocking everything through population thresholds alone.
The new Development Trees offer more personalized and strategic options in how a city grows, allowing you to spend Development Points as you see fit. The choice of what to unlock and when brings a new level of decision-making, ultimately shaping the way each city evolves.
With these new features, Cities: Skylines II seems ready to offer players a more engaging and customizable city management experience. Stay tuned for next week’s insight focusing on Citizen Simulation and Lifepath.
Cities: Skylines II Feature Deep Dive: Economy & Production
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
