0 Comments 
If you’re wondering what map themes are in Cities Skylines 2, you’re not alone. Here’s everything you need to know about how they work and when to use them.
With the PC launch of Cities Skylines 2, you now have the opportunity to design a cityscape all your own. The new entry to the series from publisher Paradox Interactive improves much of what made the original installment so appealing to its dedicated player base. As such, the cities of your making are chock-full of life and even more breathtaking details than ever before. If you can imagine it, you can build it. While the simulator offers up a solid selection of maps to start with, you can also use themes to further personalize each build. How does this work? Let’s get into the details.
What Are Map Themes in Cities Skylines 2?
When you start a build for a new city in Cities Skylines 2, you can choose both a map a corresponding theme for its design. It’s important to note that these two mechanics do work together, but they are not the same thing by any means. Think of maps as general layouts used to lay the groundwork of your city’s foundation. These include terrain, waterways, railroads, and more. In contrast, themes add more of an aesthetic touch to your build, helping to create a specific look or feel.
- Deep Simulation: Make choices that have ripple effects across the city. Intricate AI and economic systems mean players will need to strategize, problem solve and react to changes, challenges and opportunities.
- Epic Scale, Endless Possibilities: Build a thriving metropolis without compromise. In Cities: Skylines II, players will be able to build sky-high and across the map to realize their dream city like never before.
- Cities That Come Alive: Follow the lives of individual citizens, from love and loss to wealth and well-being. Player decisions will shape the lives of their city’s citizens.
- A Dynamic World: Pick a map to set the climate and biome of the city. These natural forces will shape the growth of players’ cities as they contend with rising pollution, changeable weather and seasonal challenges.
- English (Playback Language)
Which Map Themes Are Available in Cities Skylines 2?
There are a handful of maps to choose from in Cities Skylines 2, but just two themes are available to apply to your selected map. These include North American and European. While this may not seem like much, the theme you choose affects a long list of features in your city, primarily the architectural style of buildings. Here’s a rundown of the aesthetic details defined by your city’s theme:
- Street Markings
- Traffic Lights
- Vehicle Models for City Services
- Roadside Props
- Style of Residential and Commercial Buildings
- Public Transportation Stops
We may see a greater variety of themes added with future DLC packs for the game. In the meantime, you can use the available themes to curate your desired aesthetic. Those with more eclectic taste can even opt to mix themes when zoning within their city. This means you don’t need to commit to just one aesthetic throughout your city, lending a bit of realism and customization to different metropolitan areas.
Can You Change Your Map Theme in Cities Skylines 2?
Unfortunately, you can’t change a city’s theme once it’s been chosen in Cities Skylines 2. While this does add a bit of pressure to the process of starting a new build, you do have some leeway with the ability to select themes for different zones within your city. Blending European and North American aspects is a great way to overcome indecision as you work out the plans for your design.
For more on Cities Skylines 2, check out these additional guides from our team: