Cities XL 2011

 PC
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 40
  3. Negative: 12 out of 40

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  1. Novodantis
    Jun 2, 2011
    7
    An ambitious city simulator that is one of the closest attempts in recent times to equal Maxis' legends. It has very impressive graphics and deeper gameplay than many other recent shallow offerings of this genre, but is let down by a lack of polish in some areas. The road system is fiddly to upgrade (requiring demolition and starting again) and despite finally having the ability to curveAn ambitious city simulator that is one of the closest attempts in recent times to equal Maxis' legends. It has very impressive graphics and deeper gameplay than many other recent shallow offerings of this genre, but is let down by a lack of polish in some areas. The road system is fiddly to upgrade (requiring demolition and starting again) and despite finally having the ability to curve roads, this system leaves much to be desired (roundabouts 'absorb' cars like a building; there's no animation of traffic on them). Despite being a little longwinded and inelegant at times, Cities XL 2011 can engross any keen city-builder and is worth a look on the long wait for Sim City 5.… Expand
  2. Arkan01d
    Jan 31, 2011
    6
    Cities XL 2011 has great visuals. The amount of information it gives you to help your city planning is very good. The idea that each city can become specialized and help each other is a wonderful idea. Yet there is a fun factor that this game never fully achieves. If you are like me you will spend a day, maybe three, then move on to something else. My advice is this: If you have aCities XL 2011 has great visuals. The amount of information it gives you to help your city planning is very good. The idea that each city can become specialized and help each other is a wonderful idea. Yet there is a fun factor that this game never fully achieves. If you are like me you will spend a day, maybe three, then move on to something else. My advice is this: If you have a terrible itch for a city planning game by all means buy this one, but if you just want to relive the fun of the Simcity series... Just reinstall.… Expand
  3. Viljanen
    Feb 8, 2011
    6
    City building games have sadly been ignored by the game companies for a long time. Simcity Societies was a huge disappointment and Sierra's city builder-series seems to have ended with Caesar IV. Therefore it's nice to see a new addition in this genre. Cities XL 2011 is a worthy successor to Simcity 4. Many things which I found irritating in SC 4 are much better in Cities XL such asCity building games have sadly been ignored by the game companies for a long time. Simcity Societies was a huge disappointment and Sierra's city builder-series seems to have ended with Caesar IV. Therefore it's nice to see a new addition in this genre. Cities XL 2011 is a worthy successor to Simcity 4. Many things which I found irritating in SC 4 are much better in Cities XL such as micromanagement with utilities and public transportation. This allows the player to concentrate in the more enjoyable parts of city building. The trading aspect from original multiplayer Cities XL is still there and it encourages to specialize the cities so that the player can trade utilities and products between them. There is a lot of nice landmarks and special buildings which offer a nice challenge to build.

    This all is very nice and makes for a very addictive city building experience. However, the game suffers from major technical issues that make playing it a pain. The game slows down to an unplayable crawl very quickly because some memory leak issues. Focus hasn't so far done anything to fix these issues and therefore the game is not enjoyable to play as it is. Unless these issues are patched I really can't recommend buying Cities XL 2011.    … Expand
  4. realreview97
    Mar 13, 2011
    6
    If you've played games like Simcity 3k and Simcity 4, give this game a miss. It, in no way, is like those games. Sure, it has curved roads and good graphics but the sountrack is very monotonous, the gameplay tremendously boring and the overall concept is just like 'what?'. I mean, the trading thing is a whole load of rubbish and the game gives you achievements at least 10 minutes afterIf you've played games like Simcity 3k and Simcity 4, give this game a miss. It, in no way, is like those games. Sure, it has curved roads and good graphics but the sountrack is very monotonous, the gameplay tremendously boring and the overall concept is just like 'what?'. I mean, the trading thing is a whole load of rubbish and the game gives you achievements at least 10 minutes after you've actually achieved a specific target. And i cant stand the 'bankruptcy' symbol that plagues almost every single commercial building. The game has many bad issues but i do admit, players get to choose specific locations like alps, desert islands, green valleys where to build cities. About 6/10 i'd say.… Expand
  5. grandusalenius
    Mar 25, 2012
    7
    This is a simulation game in which you are going to create and develop a city . Is very similar to the Sim City franchise. You will build roads, house's complexes, commerce locals, industries, police stations, hospitals, airports,etc. As you keep progressing you will unlock new buildings and other things The game has a lot of complexity (like trading with other cities), which is goodThis is a simulation game in which you are going to create and develop a city . Is very similar to the Sim City franchise. You will build roads, house's complexes, commerce locals, industries, police stations, hospitals, airports,etc. As you keep progressing you will unlock new buildings and other things The game has a lot of complexity (like trading with other cities), which is good for fans of this type of games. Graphics are nice. If you like Steam achievements i have bad news, this game does not have them. It is a nice game, although it gets a little bit boring and is not as good as Sim City.… Expand
  6. lach1223
    Dec 23, 2013
    6
    Cities XL 2011 on initial impressions looks great. The graphical style is really nice, there are lots of different maps to chose from and there are many different types of structures and services at your disposal in building the city of your dreams. There are some other nice features such as being able to trade resources between cities and you can also zoom right in to see cars andCities XL 2011 on initial impressions looks great. The graphical style is really nice, there are lots of different maps to chose from and there are many different types of structures and services at your disposal in building the city of your dreams. There are some other nice features such as being able to trade resources between cities and you can also zoom right in to see cars and people at close-ups. It is also quite convenient that you can zone properties very quickly rather than having to click for each new house you would like to build.

    Unfortunately, the initial great impression is only skin deep and the game is at its core, quite lifeless. There is very little feedback given to you as the player, forcing you to rely merely on the text presented to you. Despite the fact you see cars and people around the city, it just feels really empty. The music while decent, has the potential to make you fall asleep, and the interface is quite clunky with many different tabs which I constantly get lost in. The game's optimisation is also not great, with even my new computer struggling once cities reach a certain size. At the end of the day, Cities XL 2011 succeeds in presentation, but lets itself down in its implementation. If you want a great city builder I would suggest you pick up Simcity 4 instead. Tropico 4 is also a good city builder option as well.    … Expand
  7. markwhitton
    Nov 20, 2013
    5
    I always thought I should enjoy the city simulator genre but I really don’t! I just find myself losing interest quickly, I have no idea what I’m doing and sitting staring at cars and people running around just gets annoying… I can say it’s a very nice looking game, however it has quite a clunky interface which makes it look dated and it’s exactly the same as Cities XL (seriously it’s theI always thought I should enjoy the city simulator genre but I really don’t! I just find myself losing interest quickly, I have no idea what I’m doing and sitting staring at cars and people running around just gets annoying… I can say it’s a very nice looking game, however it has quite a clunky interface which makes it look dated and it’s exactly the same as Cities XL (seriously it’s the same game who are they trying to kid?) I sincerely doubt that 2012, or potential platinum or titanium editions will be any different to 2011 either… However city builders aren't exactly in an abundance so if you enjoy the genre, you may like this!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best PC Game of 2010
94
#94 Most Discussed PC Game of 2010
92
#92 Most Shared PC Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 15, 2011
    60
    Great visuals cannot hide the fact Cities XL 2011 game works only on well-established principles and brings no revolution to this genre. Everything works well but there is no space for surprise for anyone. [Issue#199]
  2. Vandal
    Jan 13, 2011
    79
    Cities XL 2011 is an astoundingly complete game, which further enhances the quality of the previous game. It has almost infinite gameplay options, and although we miss a more human approach to our inhabitants, it has incredible management options for our city.
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  3. SpazioGames
    Jan 11, 2011
    68
    If you like the management games genre, keep in mind that CITIES XL tries to simplify every aspect of the gameplay you are accustomed to, but you still might like it.
    Read full review
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