New Cities Skylines 2 update
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New Cities Skylines 2 Update Fixes Roads and Traffic

The new Cities Skylines 2 update fixes roads and traffic but with mixed results. Discover how these changes impact gameplay and city planning.

By David Ware Updated 12 December 2024 2 min read

As a dedicated player of Cities Skylines 2, I've poured countless hours into perfecting my city's infrastructure. Despite my efforts, traffic woes and disappointing gameplay have plagued my experience. The new Cities Skylines 2 update promised to fix roads and traffic issues, but the results are mixed.

Pathfinding Improvements in the New Cities Skylines 2 Update

The most significant change in the new Cities Skylines 2 update is the overhaul of the pathfinding system. Previously, my citizens (Cims) would take illogical routes, ignoring the efficient roads I meticulously designed.

Better Bus and Tram Routes Enhance Commuting

With the update, buses and trams now prefer straight roads, reducing travel times significantly. In some areas of my city, public transport efficiency has improved by 25%. It's satisfying to see my transit plans finally working as intended. However, private vehicles still occasionally choose convoluted paths, causing unexpected congestion.

New Cities Skylines 2 update

Increased Noise and Air Pollution Present New Challenges

The update also increases vehicle pollution. Highways now generate more noise pollution, affecting nearby residential zones. I noticed property values dropping by 15% in areas close to major roads. To combat this, I had to invest heavily in sound barriers, straining my city's budget. While this adds realism, it introduces additional complexity for players already managing tight finances.

Tourism and Homelessness Adjustments in Cities Skylines 2's Latest Patch

Beyond traffic, the new Cities Skylines 2 update addresses tourism and homelessness—areas that previously lacked depth. While there are improvements, they bring their own set of challenges.

Revamped Tourism Mechanics Require Strategic Planning

Tourism now fluctuates with the seasons. During warmer months, tourist numbers can increase by up to 40%, boosting the economy. However, in colder seasons, tourism declines sharply, requiring careful budgeting. Hotels are now more likely to appear in new commercial zones, enhancing tourist accommodation. Unfortunately, existing zones don't update, limiting the impact of this change.

New Cities Skylines 2 update

Addressing Homelessness Still Needs Work

Homelessness was a persistent issue, even after building ample affordable housing. The update claims to fix this problem. I've seen a slight reduction—about 10%—in homelessness in my city. Yet, tents still appear in parks, and the issue isn't fully resolved. It's frustrating when efforts to provide housing don't yield the expected results.

Overall, the new Cities Skylines 2 update brings some welcome changes but also introduces new frustrations. The pathfinding improvements are a step in the right direction, but lingering traffic issues remain. Increased pollution adds realism but also complicates city management. As someone who has been disappointed so far, I hope future updates will address these problems more effectively.

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David Ware
Written by

David Ware

Managing Editor

962 articlesWriting for iGame since 2024

David Ware is the Founder and Managing Editor of iGame Magazine. Since 2024 he has built igamemag.com into a trusted online destination for gamers and tech enthusiasts, covering the latest gaming news, in-depth game reviews, hardware and tech breakdowns, and practical guides.

How we write: every article is researched from official sources, such as developer posts, store pages and press releases, then fact-checked and edited by David Ware before it's published. We use AI tools to help with research and drafting.

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