Cities in Motion 2 brings considerable amount of changes both in its framework and as well as the impression. Some of these changes such as the city’s automatic response, timetable etc felt like blessings, and some such as the vastness of cities didn’t, but most of them felt essential to take this mass transit simulation to a more composite level. The original game was more like a concept from where this series could build on, and the sequel seems to be on the right track for becoming the finest of the genre. But developer Colossal Order has a long drive to go to reach that marker.

A profitable, structured transportation network is an essential for any city to thrive, which is the basis of this game. Your ultimate task is to build up a public transpiration system that helps the city grow. Similar to the original, you’re assigned to build such networks in several different cities around the world. This time, however, they are larger in scale and more diverse. One significant is that not only do you build the network, but also managing and provide cities with whatever they require, which adds to the challenge. In a game where you must dedicate long hours, these features are the perfect elements to keep you going. Staying in the modern age is one of the many changes Cities in Motion 2 brings. No longer must you progress through time and reach the ultimate modern era. Cities, however, is at least five-times larger than before making it very difficult to plan something hefty at the beginning of the session. But this gives the game a realistic feel and challenging to work with.

Besides being bigger and more intricate, cities are now dynamic. They evolve based on your choices. Players have the abilities to build roads according to their will and in doing so, changes in the lay of the metropolis accordingly. Structures spring up around the roads and rise farther in reaction to the choices made. Additionally, a day and night cycle make the visuals more realistic. These changes, however, make organizing the schedules harder to maintain, unless you get accustomed to the Timetables, which helps micromanage the routes, fairs, and stuff to stay on the gainful side.

Besides the Campaign mode, Cities in Motion 2 offers multiplayers and sandbox modes. When playing the campaign, there are side objectives requests from citizens accompanying you but they require an ample amount of time to complete. These side missions are easy way to make money, but rewards are too meager for the amount of effort required to complete them. It’s a relief that constructions work the same even during a different scenario. This saves both time and money from rebuilding the network. But the game feels more comforting in sandbox mode. With no financial restrictions and objectives to achieve, it feels like a dream come true building a proper transport system. This can of course be less realistic if you turn off the random objectives and city’s automatic growth. But if you plan to master the game, sandbox mode is the ultimate elucidation. In the multiplayers, each campaign is very short lived, but it is fun playing with friends. Players can either play competitively or cooperatively. It can get messy at times when players cross each other’s lines, but there are no better ways to test your skills and help speed up your construction abilities.

Cities in Motion 2 feels like an intricate game for those who aren’t familiar with the series. Yet, those who are familiar may still find it difficult to get used to some of the new features. A text-based tutorial that provides enough information, but because of its lack of interactivity, it doesn’t help. Even the veterans will find it puzzling. While the city appears massive, with no sufficient guidelines, time spent on constructing the very first road can take unreasonably long. It’s nigh impossible to construct something profitable in a smaller scale, which adds nothing but to guide you towards bankruptcy. And constructing a larger network at the beginning requires awful amount of time and loans that take years to pay off.

In most cases, however, players will still enjoy playing in the Campaign mode. There are more interactions from the A.I and mission objectives that keep you motivated. Similar to SimCity, Cities in Motion 2 is also one of those games that require you to spend longer time. Despite a few hitches, it provides enough depth and resources to be considered a well-furnished upgrade of the original. It reflects an idea that can be a foundation of the greatest transport simulation game ever built. With more add-ons or DLC throughout the year, Colossal Order can turn Cities in Motion 2 even more pleasing. If micro-management is your favorite thing to do, Cities in Motion 2 is a game you don’t want to miss.



Sarwar Ron, NoobFeed