Setting New Standards: Revolutionizing Traffic Systems in Cities Skylines 2

Article Key Points

Managing traffic in urban city builder games can be a challenge, but Cities: Skylines 2 has made significant improvements with its realistic traffic AI and pathfinding system.

The improved AI incorporates road networks, travel time, and costs to enhance the realism and efficiency of traffic flow. The inclusion of car accidents and parking as additional features elevates the overall experience of Cities: Skylines 2, making it an outstanding choice for enthusiasts of city-building games.

Traffic is one of the main concerns in any urban city builder. As cities grow, traffic tends to worsen, leading to significant delays and congestions, and even causing the city to come to a standstill. Colossal Order aims to capture this exact experience in their upcoming game, Cities: Skylines 2, and so far, they are succeeding commendably.

In Cities: Skylines 2, the developers have made significant improvements to the AI responsible for traffic pathfinding, resulting in a much more realistic gameplay. While it still falls short of absolute realism, it comes closer to it than its predecessor. Managing traffic has become far easier, with smoother and more lifelike movements, and the addition of features like car accidents adds a refreshing element. As a result, future urban city builders should take inspiration from Cities: Skylines 2 when designing their own games.

Cities: Skylines 2's Traffic Truly Feels Realistic

In Cities: Skylines, managing traffic was a tedious task, especially as cities grew larger. The traffic seemed to become impossible to handle, resulting in gridlock whenever there was congestion. Unless players had a well-developed public transportation system, the roads would become clogged with vehicles. The only solutions seemed to be expanding existing roads or adding more to the already crowded mix.

In Cities: Skylines 2, while traffic management remains similar, Colossal Order has improved the realism of the pathfinding AI. Rather than simply selecting the closest route, the AI now considers various factors such as road networks, travel time, and cost. It also displays more advanced behavior, including changing lanes to avoid emergencies or accidents, and utilizing multiple lanes. Additionally, the introduction of a new roundabout tool has further streamlined traffic management in Cities: Skylines 2.

This innovative approach to traffic in Cities: Skylines 2 significantly enhances the realistic behavior of vehicles. Instead of simply choosing the closest route, cars now consider various factors when determining their path. As a result, congestion on main roads is reduced, allowing city services to reach their destinations more efficiently. While the system is not flawless, these improvements greatly enhance the overall experience.

In addition, Colossal Order has introduced new features in Cities: Skylines 2 to add more excitement. Traffic accidents and parking have been incorporated, adding unpredictability and challenges. Vehicles now have the potential to lose control and collide with other cars or buildings, leading to further delays. Parking availability also plays a crucial role in the traffic AI, influencing the choice of transportation. These additions contribute to a heightened sense of realism in the game, which is truly impressive.

The inclusion of traffic accidents, parking, and the overhaul of traffic AI significantly enhance the distinctive appeal of Cities: Skylines 2. While certain players may lean towards the original edition of the game, this fresh iteration exudes a greater sense of realism. Although it still has progress to make in order to fully emulate reality, it represents a substantial stride towards achieving that. Consequently, we hope that more city builders will be inspired to emulate its success in some manner.

Cities: Skylines 2

Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive have further enhanced the original Cities: Skylines with the highly anticipated release of Cities: Skylines 2. This city-building simulation game takes realism to the next level, providing players with a detailed economic system and a dynamic world that evolves according to their decisions and imaginative inputs. Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, the game was developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive, and it hit the shelves on October 24, 2023.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming release of Cities: Skylines 2. The game's improved traffic system is a major selling point for me, as traffic management is one of the most challenging aspects of city-building games. The new AI and pathfinding system promise to make traffic flow more realistically and efficiently, which will make the game more enjoyable and challenging.

I am also impressed by the addition of new features such as car accidents and parking. These features will add more realism and unpredictability to the game, making it more challenging to manage traffic. I am confident that Cities: Skylines 2 will be a major improvement over its predecessor and I can't wait to get my hands on it.