Cities Skylines 2: Normal vs. Ultimate Edition - A Quick Guide

Cities Skylines 2 is a strategic economic game belonging to the city builder genre.

The game was developed by Colossal Order studio and published by Paradox Interactive on October 23rd, 2023, for PC. Its release is expected on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles in May 2024. Cities Skylines 2 is the second instalment of the series, with the first premiering in 2015.

The premise of the game is incredibly simple. As befitting a city builder, our task is to construct roads, buildings, and cater to the needs of the citizens. The two basic editions available for the game are Standard and Ultimate. As one might guess, the editions differ not only in price but also in content. Below, we’ll present a comparison of the content of both versions to help you decide which one is worth purchasing.

Standard Edition

The standard version in pre-order included bonuses in the form of the Tamper Map and Landmark Building (with nine buildings), unfortunately only available until October 24th, 2023. Currently, the Normal Edition only contains the basic version of the game.

Additional Features in the Ultimate Edition

In addition to the basic version of the game, the Ultimate Edition also includes an Expansion Pass, granting players access to the following add-ons (some of which will be available at a later time):

• San Francisco Set (available immediately) – including the Muscle Car garage building, 5 Muscle car models, a police car, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco map
• Bridges and Ports expansion – over 100 new objects plus the Marine Industries add-on
• Beach Properties asset pack – resources enabling the construction of luxury settlements right by the beach
• Urban Promenades content creator pack – approximately 30 additional elements
• Modern Architecture content creator pack – approximately 30 additional elements
• Radio Stations – Deluxe Relax, Soft Rock Radio, and Cold Wave Channel

Gameplay Experience

Since the main premise of the game is to build the most developed city possible, it’s hard not to notice the benefits of having access to the aforementioned add-ons in the Ultimate version.

The most anticipated addition is the Bridges and Ports expansion, set to be released in the summer of 2024. This expansion allows players to create a port city and add drawbridges, maritime lighthouses, and many other objects.

A more significant number of add-ons will enhance the playability, which, although interesting in the basic version, might seem monotonous to many players. Of course, these add-ons have (and will have) a significant impact on the audiovisual experience during gameplay.

Comparison

It’s understandable that many players will primarily consider the price when purchasing Cities: Skylines 2. Although the Normal Edition may seem much more modest compared to the Ultimate version, it still offers users a considerable amount of entertainment. Another deciding factor may be the time you intend to dedicate to the game. If you’re looking for a momentary diversion, the basic version should satisfy you.

The Ultimate version is for those who love city builders and want to squeeze as much as possible out of the game every time. Time also has another meaning here. It should be noted that the add-ons accessible through the Ultimate version will be spread out over time (some are planned for the second quarter of 2024), meaning you’ll need to arm yourself with patience before you can enjoy everything the extended version of the game has to offer.