Top Ranked Maps in Cities Skylines 2 for Beginner Players

Article Key Points

Players of Cities: Skylines 2 can expect new features, such as additional starting maps to explore and challenges for building cities on their terms.

Windy Fjords is an ideal choice for beginners seeking a challenging experience. With a limited buildable area and scarce raw materials, it offers the opportunity for early revenue from forestry materials.

Tampere, on the other hand, provides a more comfortable starting map for beginners. With a vast buildable area and abundant renewable raw materials, it paves the way for building a prosperous city.

With the release of Cities: Skylines 2, both experienced players and newcomers are rediscovering the city-building genre. However, players who have been away from the franchise may find themselves unfamiliar with the game's latest features, which include a variety of new starting maps to explore. Additionally, these starting maps now offer challenges for players who want to build their cities based on their own preferences. Whether it's creating a city with smooth traffic flow and thriving neighborhoods or focusing on efficient resource management to boost the city's economy, there are endless possibilities to explore.

10. Windy Fjords

Small, Challenging Layout For Beginners To Start

All connections available

21% buildable area

Raw Materials: 8 km² Farmlands, 334 kt Forest, 12.2 kt Ore, 5,169 t Oil

For beginners seeking a truly challenging entry point into the game, Windy Fjords is the ideal starting map for their very first city. This picturesque and gusty land caters to players aiming to make the most of a limited buildable area, presenting a delightful challenge.

In addition to the restricted space for construction, the map boasts a scarcity of raw materials, with only a small portion available for farming. However, the abundance of forestry materials offers an excellent opportunity to generate substantial early-stage revenue for budding city builders.

9. Twin Mountain

A Unique Starting Map With Twin Peaks Looking Over

No train connection is available

39% buildable area

Raw Materials: 7.8 km² Farmlands, 129 kt Forest, 16.1 kt Ore, 7,219 t Oil

The map's layout may evoke memories of a popular TV show featuring twin peaks as a prominent landmark. However, Twin Mountain poses a distinct challenge for novice players who cannot rely on train connections to expand their city. To connect with neighboring cities, they must explore alternative transportation options.

Furthermore, the map presents limited space for construction and a scarcity of raw materials, particularly with only a handful of farmland plots available. Nonetheless, beginners with a desire to make efficient use of these resources can still capitalize on the abundance of ore to drive their economic endeavors.

8. Sweeping Plains

Mountainous Map With Huge Oil Potential

All connections available

31% buildable area

Raw Materials: 7.8 km² Farmlands, 209 kt Forest, 7,959 t Ore, 10.9 kt Oil

The presence of towering mountains on this elevated map presents a challenge for novice builders, as only 31% of the area is suitable for construction. This limitation can impede the city's potential for expansion, as beginners must make the most of the vacant spaces to accommodate the growth of their zones.

In addition to its limited building area, the map boasts breathtaking mountain views and a plentiful supply of the finest raw material: oil. With over 10 kt of oil deposits in the region, there is ample resources to fund the entire city, provided the deposits are not exhausted too rapidly.

7. Great Highlands

A Mixture Of Highlands And Rivers To Accommodate Beginners

All connections available

41% buildable area

Raw Materials: 12.4 km² Farmlands, 141 kt Forest, 16.1 kt Ore, 8,091 t Oil

The Great Highlands offers a unique opportunity for newcomers who want to build in both highland and riverside areas. With the river and mountains in close proximity, beginners can explore integrating river transport into their city's upper regions. Additionally, the abundance of ore deposits in this area allows beginners to generate income for the city. However, it is important to be aware that ore raw materials are not renewable, and relying too heavily on them could result in a future financial crisis for the city.

6. Barrier Island

Managing Separate Islands As One Is An Interesting Challenge

All connections available

41% buildable area

Raw Materials: 12.4 km² Farmlands, 146 kt Forest, 8,944 t Ore, 12.7 kt Oil

Barrier Island presents a slight challenge for aspiring city builders due to its segmented layout. To establish a thriving city, beginners may encounter difficulties. The transportation system on the island can be designed with a singular expansive highway or a well-integrated water network, facilitating efficient mass-transit options.

Furthermore, establishing connections with neighboring cities is a relatively straightforward task, facilitated by the presence of water. This allows for convenient access, enabling beginners to access power and water through interconnected systems if required for their city's needs.

5. Lakeland

Despite The Lakes, Ships Connections To Neighbors Are Not Available

No ship connection is available

49% buildable area

Raw Materials: 12.3 km² Farmlands, 403 kt Forest, 13.3 kt Ore, 4,694 t Oil

Lakeland does not have a ship connection, despite having numerous lakes. However, newcomers can take advantage of the abundance of forestry raw materials to boost the economy and ensure a steady income through the use of renewable resources.

4. San Francisco

An Iconic City Layout For Nostalgic City Building

All connections available

42% buildable area

Raw Materials: 8.1 km² Farmlands, 61.8 kt Forest, 15.8 kt Ore, 9,783 t Oil

For beginner city builders looking to replicate a real-life location, San Francisco is an ideal choice. The map layout faithfully mirrors the actual city, and players will additionally benefit from abundant ore resources that can be converted into profitable revenue.

Furthermore, beginners have the option to center their city around the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, creating their own version of San Francisco. Without a doubt, this visually stunning map serves as a perfect starting point for newcomers to the series as they embark on their city-building journey.

3. River Delta

Flexible Choices Of Area For Beginners To Build On

All connections available

42% buildable area

Raw Materials: 13.4 km² Farmlands, 369 kt Forest, 12.9 kt Ore, 4,315 t Oil

The River Delta offers rivers, diverse terrains, and mountains, providing beginners with a range of options to construct their initial city in the game. The flexible building choices enable players to unleash their creativity and design their ideal city on this unique map.

Furthermore, the map is rich in various raw materials, offering players an average quantity to utilize and increase their revenue, apart from oil. This financial support can be used for any ambitious endeavors in creating a limitless city fueled by imagination.

2. Waterway Pass

Utilize Unique Mass Transits Via The Small Riverways

All connections available

53% buildable area

Raw Materials: 15.5 km² Farmlands, 236 kt Forest, 12 kt Ore, 10.2 kt Oil

Beginners in the series can enhance their experience by exploring the integration of mass transit using the Waterway Pass, which offers small riverways. This charming and scenic landscape allows players to incorporate ferries and ships into their transportation system, effectively resolving any traffic issues caused by cars.

Furthermore, the expansive buildable area provides beginners with ample space to freely construct zones and buildings without the concern of running out of room. Additionally, this map offers abundant raw materials, both renewable and non-renewable, with kilotons available for utilization.

1. Tampere

The Quintessential Map For Beginners To Find Their Footings

All connections available

66% buildable area

Raw Materials: 20.9 km² Farmlands, 388 kt Forest, 7,316 t Ore, 4,381 t Oil

Tampere is the perfect map for beginners in the series who are seeking a comfortable starting point with ample space for construction. With an impressive 66% buildable area, it surpasses the next largest map by 13%. This means that beginners can enjoy the freedom of constructing a vast metropolitan city.

Additionally, players can anticipate abundant renewable resources in the form of farmland and forestry. These resources can serve as a valuable source of revenue for players as they build their city. Furthermore, the map also provides non-renewable materials that can act as emergency reserves, allowing players to replenish their depleted treasury once they have completed constructing their dream city.

Cities: Skylines 2

Platform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased October 24, 2023Developer(s) Colossal OrderGenre(s) City Builder

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the release of Cities: Skylines 2 and the new features it brings to the city-building genre. The addition of new starting maps, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities, is a great way to keep the game fresh and engaging for both experienced players and newcomers alike. I appreciate the variety of maps available, from the challenging Windy Fjords to the more forgiving Tampere, as it allows players to choose a starting point that fits their playstyle and skill level.

Overall, I believe that the new starting maps in Cities: Skylines 2 offer a great way for players to explore the game's new features and build their dream cities. I can't wait to dive into the game and start creating my own bustling metropolises!