Cities: Skylines
A modern city builder focused on zoning, traffic flow, services, and flexible sandbox planning.

The Game Foundry take
Cities: Skylines is still the default answer to 'I want to build a city' nine years on, mostly because the mod ecosystem has quietly kept fixing its rough edges since 2015. Traffic AI, zoning tools, and asset variety are all better now than at launch, and the workshop means you can basically build your own dream version of the game. It's shallower than the sequel in raw simulation terms, but it runs on almost anything and the learning curve is genuinely beginner-friendly. Start here if you're new to city builders; move to Skylines 2 once you want more systemic depth and have the hardware for it.
Best for
Quick facts
- Developer
- Colossal Order
- Release Year
- 2015
- Platforms
- Pc, Mac, Linux
- Difficulty
- Medium
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