Cities: Skylines – 12 Very Useful Tips & Tricks for Beginners!

by Fernando Diaz / Articles, Misc. Guides / 28 Feb 2020

Well hello there, budding city planner! Are you ready to become the ultimate city-building mastermind? Well, buckle up because we’ve got 12 tips & tricks that will turn you into a Cities: Skylines pro in no time! From mastering the terrain to creating the ultimate road layout, these tips will have you well on your way to building the city of your dreams (or nightmares if you’re into that sort of thing.). So put on your hard hats, grab your megaphone and let’s get building!

Become acquainted with the interface and controls

First and foremost, when diving into Cities: Skylines, familiarize yourself with the interface and controls. Spend some time exploring various menus and options at your disposal, and experiment with different tools and methods to understand their functions. This foundation will help you grasp the game’s mechanics and make city-building and management a breeze.

Begin small and expand gradually

While the allure of constructing a sprawling, bustling metropolis from the get-go may be strong, it’s often more beneficial to start small and expand as your city grows. This approach allows you to get a feel for the game and learn effective resource management. As you build and grow, be mindful of your citizens’ needs and ensure you’re addressing them.

Plan your city meticulously

One of the most critical aspects of a thriving city in Cities: Skylines is strategic planning. Before you place buildings and lay roads, take a moment to envision your ideal city and how it should operate.

Factors to consider when planning your city include:

City layout: Contemplate the overall shape and arrangement of your city. Will it be a dense, towering city with skyscrapers or a more spread-out suburban-style city? How will you connect different city areas with roads and public transportation?

Citizens’ needs: Remember that your citizens have essential needs for happiness and productivity, such as access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Plan your city to fulfill these needs and monitor your citizens’ satisfaction levels.

The environment: Cities: Skylines features an in-game environmental system that accounts for pollution, noise levels, and natural beauty. Plan your city to minimize pollution and noise while maximizing natural beauty, as this significantly impacts your citizens’ happiness.

Monitor your budget

Budget management is crucial. Overspending can lead to financial hardships and hinder your ability to fund essential projects. Keep an eye on your income and expenses, striving for balance whenever possible.

Some key ways to improve your budget include:

Increasing your city’s population by creating appealing residential areas and providing quality services.

Encouraging business development by constructing commercial and industrial zones and offering efficient transportation links.

Collecting taxes and fees from buildings and industries in your city.

Selling surplus resources, such as electricity and water, to neighboring cities.

By closely monitoring your budget and finding ways to boost your income, you can fund critical projects and maintain smooth city operations.

Manage your resources with care

Another key to success in Cities: Skylines is careful resource management. This involves monitoring your city’s budget, traffic, and pollution levels while ensuring you have the necessary infrastructure to meet your citizens’ needs.

To effectively manage resources, maintain a healthy balance of various building types and industries. Aim for a mix of residential, commercial & industrial buildings and a variety of services like schools, hospitals, and police stations. Additionally ensure a reliable network of roads and public transport to keep your citizens mobile and that you have sufficient power, water, and sewage facilities to support your city’s growth.

Along with resource management, monitor your city’s happiness and health levels. You can do this by building parks, cultural facilities, and other amenities that enhance your citizens’ quality of life while providing clean air and water.

Leverage in-game tools to your benefit

Cities: Skylines offers a range of in-game tools to help you plan and manage your city more effectively. Here are a few to keep in mind:

The district tool: This tool enables you to create districts within your city, which have their own policies and regulations. Use districts to designate specific areas for residential, commercial, or industrial development, or create special zones like parks or cultural centers.

The traffic manager: The traffic manager helps you control traffic flow in your city and make adjustments to road layouts and traffic signals. Utilize this tool to reduce traffic congestion and enhance your city’s transportation system efficiency.

The budget tool: The budget tool lets you set priorities for your city’s spending and allocate resources accordingly. Employ this tool to ensure you’re investing in the right areas and maintaining your financial health.

Stay prepared for emergencies and disasters

Emergencies and disasters can occur at any moment. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and respond swiftly and effectively to keep your city functioning smoothly. Ensure you have emergency services in place and consider constructing specialized buildings, such as fire stations and hospitals, to enhance your emergency response capabilities.

Design your transportation network thoughtfully

Transportation is vital to any city, and it’s crucial to carefully plan your transportation network in Cities: Skylines. This involves deciding on the ideal mix of roads, highways, public transit, and other transportation options for your city.

When planning your transportation network, consider factors like population density, land use patterns, and city layout. Additionally, keep an eye on your budget, as building and maintaining transportation infrastructure can be costly.

Keep your citizens content

In Cities: Skylines, your citizens’ happiness is an important consideration. Unhappy citizens may leave your city, leading to population decline and reduced tax revenue.

Several ways to keep your citizens happy in Cities: Skylines include providing essential services and amenities, such as healthcare, education, and public transportation. Additionally consider the quality of life in your city, including pollution, crime, and traffic congestion.

Besides these practical factors, ensure your city possesses beauty and character. Incorporate public parks, landmarks, and cultural amenities like museums & theaters. These features can help boost your citizens’ overall happiness.

Explore the modding community

One of Cities: Skylines’ outstanding features is its active modding community. Thousands of mods are available, adding new features and gameplay elements to the game.

To access and install mods use the Steam Workshop. This platform allows you to browse & download mods created by other players and upload your own mods to share with the community.

Popular mods include the Improved Public Transport mod adding new bus and tram types to the game, and the Automatic Bulldoze mod, which automatically removes abandoned buildings. There are also mods that introduce new buildings and landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House.

Using mods can greatly enhance your Cities Skylines experience, so be sure to explore the Steam Workshop and discover what’s available.

Utilize the terrain to your advantage

You can shape the terrain to your benefit. Use this feature to strategically place your city in areas with natural resources, like water and forests and create an aesthetically pleasing & functional city layout.

Experiment and enjoy the process

Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun while playing Cities: Skylines. The game offers a wide range of options and features so there’s no single -correct- way to play. Try various approaches and find what works best for you. And remember, it’s just a game – have fun and relish the process of building and managing your virtual city!

Cities: Skylines – Bus Route Planning

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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