Cities Skylines Sandbox & Gameplay Guide — Dev Mode, Mods and How to Play
Cities Skylines' sandbox explained: how to enable sandbox/dev mode, the mod-based sandbox tools (CS1), CS2's built-in sandbox, how to play, and the graphics/performance settings that matter.
Cities Skylines Sandbox & Gameplay Guide — Dev Mode, Mods and How to Play
The short version: Cities Skylines' "sandbox" means unlimited building freedom — in CS1 via the modded Dev Mode (and mods like "81 Tiles"), in CS2 via the built-in sandbox options. The game itself is a city-builder sandbox: you zone, build roads, and manage services with no fail-state unless you want one.
This guide covers sandbox enabling, mods, and the basics of play.
What "Sandbox" Means in Cities Skylines
- The base game IS a sandbox: No campaign, no fail-state (unless you enable the budget/debt pressure) — you build a city freely.
- "Sandbox mode" (specific): Removes the remaining limits — unlimited money, all tiles unlocked, all milestones/cheats available.
- CS1: Sandbox comes via Dev Mode (cheats: unlimited money, unlock all, 81 tiles via mods).
- CS2: Sandbox options are built in (settings toggle for unlimited money/unlock all).
CS1: enable Dev Mode (or install the "81 Tiles" + "Unlimited Money" mods). CS2: toggle sandbox in the game settings. Both give total building freedom.
CS1: Dev Mode & the Sandbox Mods
- Dev Mode: Steam → right-click CS1 → Properties → Launch Options → add
-devmode. In-game: enable "Unlimited Money," "Unlock All," and "Unlimited Soil." - Essential mods (Workshop):
- 81 Tiles — unlock the whole map (not just 9 tiles).
- Unlimited Money / Unlock All — the sandbox essentials.
- Move It — fine-tune road/asset placement (the #1 recommended mod).
- TM:PE — traffic management (the #2 recommended).
- Mods install via the Workshop automatically (CS1's mod scene is enormous).
CS2: Built-in Sandbox
- CS2 shipped with sandbox toggles in settings: unlimited money, unlock everything, etc. — no mods needed.
- CS2's modding: the built-in mod platform (Paradox Mods) + the community's tools; the "Move It"-style tools arrived via mods too.
How to Play (The Basics)
- Roads first: Build a small road network connecting to the highway entrance.
- Zone it: Residential (R), Commercial (C), Industrial (I) zones along the roads.
- Power & water: Place a power plant and water tower/pump — connect them.
- Services: Schools, clinics, fire/police as the population grows.
- Watch traffic: CS is a traffic-management game at heart — the traffic flow % is your real score.
- Expand tiles: Unlock more buildable area as milestones are reached (or sandbox-unlock all).
Graphics & Performance Settings
- CS1: "Graphics" menu — the "Level of Detail" and "Anti-aliasing" matter most; the game is CPU-bound (sim) — big cities need a good CPU.
- CS2: Heavier than CS1 — requires a modern GPU; the graphics presets (Low/Medium/High) and the sim's performance are the main considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enable sandbox mode in Cities Skylines?
CS1: launch with -devmode (or use the Unlimited Money/Unlock All/81 Tiles mods). CS2: toggle sandbox in the settings menu.
What is dev mode in Cities Skylines?
CS1's cheat mode (-devmode launch option) enabling unlimited money, all unlocks, and unlimited soil.
How do I play Cities Skylines?
Roads → zones → power/water → services → expand. It's a sandbox city-builder with no fail-state.
What are the best Cities Skylines mods?
CS1: Move It, TM:PE (traffic), 81 Tiles, Unlimited Money. CS2: the built-in sandbox plus community mods.
How do I improve Cities Skylines graphics?
Adjust the graphics menu (LOD/AA in CS1; presets in CS2). Both games are CPU-heavy at large city sizes.
Is Cities Skylines hard?
No — it's forgiving (no fail-state). The challenge is traffic management at scale, not survival.