Steam items sorted from best to worst, last page: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?sort_by=Reviews_DESC&supportedlang=english&page=2606&ndl=1

https://preview.redd.it/5p72spe9wwqc1.png?width=709&format=png&auto=webp&s=9c6fe0901b054a0229e6cb3f9cce61c74d089c99

I want to play C:S2, I really do. But every time I play it, I just get upset at a lot of lack of freedom in the game compared to C:S1.

The zoning system feels extremely restrictive. Having to build a wide variety of lower-medium-high density homes is just unrealistic and makes for silly looking cities. Lots of cities are 80%+ one density type, especially smaller cities.

Lack of assets, of course. This is a huge one.

Inability to adjust workplace/residential units. In C:S1 you had mods to quickly make a factory employ 200 people instead of 30 with just a few clicks.

Lack of cheats. In C:S1, I don't want to actually play the game. The game mechanics are clunky and often unbalanced, and that hasn't changed with C:S2. I want to create a complex, beautiful, realistic city, unrestrained. It doesn't mean I don't use any of the mechanics, but I like tuning them to my wants. This often means using demand-master cheats, lifestyle rebalance cheats etc. For instance sometimes I want to make a dutch-style city where everybody bikes, so I use lifestyle rebalance to increase the percentage who bike to 40% instead of 5%.

This stuff is mostly mods. I do hope that eventually C:S2 allows more mods that truly make the game feel as free as C:S1. But its been a while, and frankly... I don't think they're gonna get there any time soon, if at all.

Edit: I think a big potential cause for the games modding issues could also be as simple as there not being as much interest. C:S2 just isn't as big as C:S1 was at its peak and so there's less people willing to work on and update mods. Just a theory.

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/cities-skylines-2s-first-dlc-beach-properties-is-out-now-and-players-arent-happy-this-is-a-disgrace/

As you can see in the charts, a possible combination of very high hardware demands and poor overall performance in CS2, the launch of a new couple of content packs in CS1, and a lack of some features and content in CS2 means that there is at times more than TWICE the amount of players in the old game.

What are your thoughts on the state of CS2 and the series?

Next month marks six months since Cities Skylines II was released and from my perspective the aspirations set for the game seem just as unobtainable as when it was launched.

I was willing to give Colossal Order time after the candidness express in WoTW #14, but after their choice to pause communications last week and setting expectations that something tangible was forthcoming, it appears WoTW #15 is just more disappointing wordage.

I genuinely do not CS2 to fail, but enough is enough with the empty words that have not substantially addressed the major issues pending with the game.

I am based in Australia, so there are potential protections that exist as a consumer, but I've reached the point where I will be pushing persuasively and persistently for a refund.

I appreciate views will differ on this, so happy to hear thoughts on whether I need to remain patient or if it's time to escalate refund requests.

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For me, I think it's going to be realistic flyovers. Where a flyover can begin from an ongoing straight road and is standing on the divider, giving us access to all the lanes below it. Having intersections under the flyover.

Regardless your thoughts so far of CS2, It’s so refreshing to see a developer taking the time to lay out such a comprehensive view of new features, sharing details, answering questions, etc.

At the very least you know exactly what you’ll be getting - there won’t be any surprises and I think that really shows how much they respect their fan base. They don’t try to wow you with glitzy trailers that look nothing like the game just to draw in new players.

Personally I can’t wait for release. it looks like an improvement in almost every single way. I also imagine they’ll take the feedback they receive between now and then to make even more changes for the better