If you’ve been contemplating whether to invest in the urban planning simulation game Cities: Skylines II, you’re in luck! Now is the perfect opportunity to experience this acclaimed city-building adventure without any cost. Paradox Interactive has announced that players can enjoy a free trial of the game for a limited period. This initiative comes in response to the mixed feedback the game received upon its initial release, making it a great time for newcomers to dive into the experience.

The free trial for Cities: Skylines II is live and will remain accessible until December 9. You can easily download and start playing the game for free on both Steam and Epic Games Store, allowing you to explore the intricacies of urban development without any financial commitment.

Developed by Colossal Order in partnership with Paradox Interactive, the sequel to the beloved city-building simulation faced a tumultuous launch over a year ago. Despite a passionate fanbase that contributed valuable feedback throughout its development, the initial reception was disappointing, revealing a stark contrast between expectations and reality.

Many fans expressed their frustration that Cities: Skylines II debuted solely on PC, rather than offering a simultaneous launch on consoles. This decision alienated a portion of the community. Additionally, there was backlash regarding the increased system requirements announced just a month prior to the game’s launch, which left many potential players unable to participate. Even those with high-performance PCs encountered persistent issues, prompting Colossal Order’s CEO to address the situation with a blog post in January, highlighting a “growing tendency of toxicity in our community, something we have not experienced to this extent before.”

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