Build only what you need. Avoid "future-proofing" with expensive power plants early on; simple water towers and diesel generators are more cost-effective for a small population. 3. Economic and Political Management
Building a successful nation in (2021) requires balancing micro-level city planning with macro-level economic and political management. Unlike traditional city builders, your decisions here directly affect social mobility, civil rights, and the political leanings of your citizens. 1. Setting Up for Success CITYSTATE II(2021)
As your population grows (reaching 750 unlocks the Government HQ), you can enact policies. High-impact early policies include: Build only what you need
Use the cheapest gravel roads initially. They have no maintenance cost and are sufficient for low-density traffic. Setting Up for Success As your population grows
Pause the game immediately upon loading and set "National Contribution" in the budget window to zero. This ensures all early income stays in the city rather than flowing back to the national fund. 2. Early Development & Zoning
Citystate II allows you to build a nation of up to 64 cities. You can specialize cities—for example, making one a heavy industrial hub and another a high-tech financial capital—and connect them via highways.