Summary
Cities: Skylines 2is a controversial sequel. Its predecessor was one of the most beloved city-builder games of all time and received a wealth of post-launch support in the form of updates and expansion packs.Cities: Skylines 2sacrificed this to start over again with a more in-depth engine at the core of the simulation. A lot of the content that was added to the original as DLC is absent, and furthermore, the game suffered from terrible performance at launch.Skylines 2is likely to turn into a great simulator, but for now, many city-builder fans are looking for an alternative game to play.
On top of poor performance and the lack of some features found in the original,Cities: Skylines 2doubled down on city services and utilities, making it a denser experience. For hardcore fans of simulator games, this is a plus, but for the casual audience and newer simulation fans, this is potentially alienating. The originalCities: Skylinesis more content-complete and welcoming than its sequel, but for players who want a newer game to check out,Bulwark: Falconeer Chroniclescould be the perfect alternative, and its release is only a few weeks away. With a radical new take on the city-building genre,Bulwarkis one of 2024’s most interesting new games.
What is Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles?
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicleswill be a unique genre-bending game. Players are given control of an airship and are tasked with building their Bulwark. The game is set in a nearly abandoned world that has been ravaged by war. As they build their stronghold, the player can make allies and enemies to wage war with. On top of a great take on thesteampunk aestheticand dense political relationships with other civilizations,Bulwarkdelivers a unique take on city-building mechanics too. The game’s creator and sole developer, Tomas Sala, has expressed that the game is meant to encourage creativity and experimentation. This focus lies at the core ofBulwark: Falconeer Chronicles.
There Are No Mistakes in Bulwark
InBulwark, players place towers and various other structures on the map, and then paths are built between them automatically. The player’s civilization then builds along the pathway. These buildings' quality and output are determined by the type of structure they are attached to, as well as its level. WhereCities: Skylines 2requires beginner’s tipsand a tutorial,Bulwarkautomates a lot of the more complex elements, allowing players to build quickly and experiment. There is virtually no room to make mistakes in the game, and the player’s options are nearly limitless as a result. Rather than focusing on a plethora of simulator mechanics, players are encouraged to channel their creativity and see what happens.
What Is the Difference Between Cities: Skylines 2 and Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles?
The biggest difference betweenCities: Skylines 2andBulwark: Falconeer Chroniclesis each game’s core philosophy.Citiesasks players to plan ahead and focus on a mountain of simulator mechanics that all impact one another, which can make it extraordinarily punishing and intense to learn.Bulwark’s city-building mechanics are, on the other hand, relatively casual. What it lacks in the depth of its simulation, it makes up for in approachability and the presence of other mechanics, such as forming alliances and waging war.Cities:Skylines 2will likely appeal more to fans of realistic games and genre veterans, whereasBulwarkis set to be a greatcity builder for beginners.
The two games present very different takes on the same genre, but for fans who foundCities:Skylines 2to be one ofthe most disappointing games of 2023,Bulwark: Falconeer Chroniclescould be worth checking out. In the future, it is very likely that many ofCities:Skylines 2’s problems will be ironed out and that DLC will make it much more comprehensive, but for now, it leaves a lot to be desired. Even after the game receives substantial updates, however,Bulwarkwill continue to be a unique take on the genre, meaning that it will be interesting to play not just as an alternative but on its own merits as well.
Cities: Skylines 2
WHERE TO PLAY
If you can dream it, you can build it. Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.Lay the foundations for your city to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.How your city grows is your call too, but plan strategically. Every decision has an impact. Can you energize local industries while also using trade to boost the economy? What will make residential districts flourish without killing the buzz downtown? How will you meet the needs and desires of citizens while balancing the city’s budget?Your city never rests. Like any living, breathing world, it changes over time. Some changes will be slow and gradual, while others will be sudden and unexpected. So while seasons turn and night follows day, be ready to act when life doesn’t go to plan.The most realistic and detailed city builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to another level. With beautifully rendered high-resolution graphics, it also inspires you to build the city of your dreams.
