The game at hand is a mixed bag, where its performance issues are impossible to overlook, but the core gameplay is a diamond in the rough. It's a significant leap forward from its predecessor, CS:1, in terms of gameplay mechanics and the overall experience it offers.

One must acknowledge that the performance problems can be frustrating, particularly with specific graphical settings. For instance, the Depth of Field Quality setting seems to be bugged, causing significant frame rate drops. However, with a bit of tinkering, one can find a workaround. Switching to a lower setting or disabling Depth of Field can result in a substantial performance boost, making the game much more enjoyable.

What this game lacks are the conveniences that come with years of downloadable content, regular patches, and a thriving modding community. This can be a downside for some players who are accustomed to such features.

On the flip side, the game introduces new and exciting gameplay mechanics, refined AI, enhanced management elements, and a noticeable improvement in the details of in-game assets. It encourages diverse playstyles and offers a fresh perspective on city management.

One intriguing observation from a player with an RTX 3080 and a 5800X is that the performance hiccups seem to iron out over time. Despite initial jitteriness with max settings, the game becomes remarkably smooth after about 30 minutes of gameplay when transitioning to a 1440P resolution. However, this observation is based on a city with a population of approximately 20,000, and performance with larger cities might differ.

In summary, this game is a bit of a conundrum. It has its performance quirks, but if you can navigate those and appreciate the core gameplay, it's an experience that's well worth the investment. While you may not have the extensive library of DLCs, patches, and mods, you gain access to a game with fresh mechanics, optimized AI, improved management, and a heightened level of detail in its assets. If you're willing to work around the performance issues, it's a buy that won't disappoint.

The game at hand is a mixed bag, where its performance issues are impossible to overlook, but the core gameplay is a diamond in the rough. It's a significant leap forward from its predecessor, CS:1, in terms of gameplay mechanics and the overall experience it offers. One must acknowledge that the performance problems can be frustrating, particularly with specific graphical settings. For instance, the Depth of Field Quality setting seems to be bugged, causing significant frame rate drops. However, with a bit of tinkering, one can find a workaround. Switching to a lower setting or disabling Depth of Field can result in a substantial performance boost, making the game much more enjoyable. What this game lacks are the conveniences that come with years of downloadable content, regular patches, and a thriving modding community. This can be a downside for some players who are accustomed to such features. On the flip side, the game introduces new and exciting gameplay mechanics, refined AI, enhanced management elements, and a noticeable improvement in the details of in-game assets. It encourages diverse playstyles and offers a fresh perspective on city management. One intriguing observation from a player with an RTX 3080 and a 5800X is that the performance hiccups seem to iron out over time. Despite initial jitteriness with max settings, the game becomes remarkably smooth after about 30 minutes of gameplay when transitioning to a 1440P resolution. However, this observation is based on a city with a population of approximately 20,000, and performance with larger cities might differ. In summary, this game is a bit of a conundrum. It has its performance quirks, but if you can navigate those and appreciate the core gameplay, it's an experience that's well worth the investment. While you may not have the extensive library of DLCs, patches, and mods, you gain access to a game with fresh mechanics, optimized AI, improved management, and a heightened level of detail in its assets. If you're willing to work around the performance issues, it's a buy that won't disappoint.