“Untangling the Terrain Puzzle: Navigating the Unusual Landscapes in Cities: Skylines 2”

### Introduction

In the world of city-building simulation games, *Cities: Skylines 2* has quickly gained a dedicated following. However, players are finding themselves faced with a unique and sometimes frustrating challenge when it comes to dealing with the game’s terrain mechanics. The way the game handles terrain and its interaction with buildings has led to some bizarre and non-euclidean landscapes, making it difficult for players to create aesthetically pleasing cities. This report will delve into the details of these terrain quirks, explore potential solutions, and discuss the implications for city-building enthusiasts.

### The Quirks of Terrain Morphing

*Cities: Skylines 2* introduces a more extreme terrain morphing system compared to its predecessor, resulting in landscapes that can appear utterly bizarre. Even a slight incline or tiny hill can dramatically alter the appearance of a neighborhood, creating steep walls of dirt and grass next to buildings. The game’s buildings themselves remain flat, but the way the rest of the plot is flattened or raised is inconsistent. This inconsistency can lead to uneven gardens, peculiar residential obstacle courses, and even render issues. These terrain morphing issues are particularly pronounced in the game’s more detailed and realistic style, emphasizing the need for visually appealing cities.

### The Importance of Aesthetics

While some players may be able to overlook these quirks and focus solely on building efficient cities, there is a significant subset of players who value the visual aspect of city-building games. The added level of detail in *Cities: Skylines 2* makes these terrain morphing issues impossible to ignore for those who seek to create beautiful and realistic cityscapes. The problems with terrain wonkiness go beyond mere aesthetics, as players have reported performance issues and persistent texture problems. These factors contribute to the sense that the game still feels like an early access release rather than a fully polished product.

### The Solution: Landscaping

Fortunately, there is a solution to address these terrain quirks: landscaping. *Cities: Skylines 2* provides players with tools to raise, lower, flatten, and smooth out the terrain to their desired specifications. The best approach is to start landscaping immediately, before placing any buildings or roads, and to carefully examine the initial terrain for imperfections. The tools can be utilized without any cost, allowing players to mold the terrain to their liking and create more visually appealing cities.

### Limitations and Caution

It is important to note that there are restrictions on where players can use the landscaping tools. Any areas where construction has already begun, whether it be roads or buildings, cannot be modified using the tools. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on landscaping before embarking on construction projects. Additionally, players should exercise caution when landscaping near rivers, as inadvertently flooding an entire district can have disastrous consequences. Careful planning and attention to detail are necessary to avoid such mishaps.

### Colossal Order’s Responsiveness and Future Improvements

Given the hilly nature of most of the game’s maps and the apparent inconsistencies in the terrain-morphing mechanics, it is reasonable to question whether the current situation is working as intended. Players may be keen to wait and see if the game’s developer, Colossal Order, makes improvements to address these terrain quirks. It is also worth noting that performance issues and texture problems have been reported even on powerful PCs. These factors may deter some players from purchasing the game immediately, opting to wait for more optimized versions or updates.

### Conclusion

In the world of city-building simulation games, aesthetics play a pivotal role for many players. *Cities: Skylines 2* introduces terrain quirks that can make creating visually stunning cities a challenge. The extreme terrain morphing mechanics and landscape inconsistencies have frustrated players, leading to calls for improvements from the game’s developer. However, players are not left without options, as the game provides landscaping tools to mold the terrain according to their preferences. While not a perfect solution, landscaping allows players to mitigate the quirks and create more visually appealing cities. Ultimately, the decision to purchase and play *Cities: Skylines 2* lies with individual players, taking into account their preferences for aesthetics, performance, and the potential for future improvements.