CitiesSkylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience.
The protagonist, Hiroshi is seen playing CitySkylines late at night in his messy apartment, in the day at work, and in every possible occasion, reason why his affairs end the same way.
- I know how wonderful love can be, and it's not because of you, you should know how great things were before you jerk. -- Bad Girlfriend
Babe, I used to be an adventurer like you, until I took cupid's arrow to the keyboard instead, but we're cool don't we, Love?...
Sweet! She left ?!
(Hiroshi's thinking): "If only life were as simple as building in Minecroft and CitySkylines…"
Oh well the game can't be played alone.
With no time for a good night's sleep Hiroshi starts Monday after a Sunday of late-night playing CitySkylines. On his way to work Hiroshi sees a strong flash, intense like the sun ahead and falls, he gets unconscious for some time until he wakes up.
Hiroshi is now floating in a vast, ethereal space filled with shimmering light. He slowly opens his eyes to find himself standing in a grand, ancient palace. The walls are adorned with intricate carvings, and towering pillars rise into the sky.
Where am I? This place... it's like something out of a legend – Thinks Hiroshi
At the far end of the palace, a bearded figure stands tall, an old, robust man in ancient, flowing robes, his presence emanating a divine aura.
"Welcome, Hiroshi " – Says the divine looking entity.
I am the Lord of Maan from the World of Torrma, guardian of the humanity of this world. I protect them and hear their prayers, that's why I have summoned you to this World to serve me as my Building Servant", according to this Ancient Evocation Manuscript.
Am I dead? – Asks Hiroshi
Not exactly, you have reborn, better said I rebuilt your entire body components – Lord of Maan
Hiroshi hesitates, his eyes showing a mix of fear and curiosity.
A disaster happened in your town, if you want to know more about it, with my power I can send you the memories of what happened directly to your head – Lord of Maan
(Hiroshi): Will this fix anything, I better move on, And... what exactly are you going to do with me?
The Power Within ... – Lord of Maan
Before the Lord of Maan can respond, Hiroshi's curiosity takes over, and he starts asking rapid-fire questions about the palace's strange architecture, comparing it to Earth's designs.
–"Why are the walls glowing? Is this marble? How is this even standing without any support beams?"
The High Entity's expression darkens. With a wave of his hand, a thunderbolt strikes a chair next to Hiroshi, shattering it. Hiroshi jumps back in shock, silenced by the display of power.
Lord of Maan: "Enough. You have been chosen as the Servant of Building. Your unique skill, The Builder's Grace, allows you to connect with metals and all solid inorganic matter at a nuclear level. You can alter their properties, shape them as you wish." –
Hiroshi's mind races with the possibilities, and he interrupts again.
Amazing so I could just turn stone into gold and pay someone to do my tasks? Even my enemies. – Hiroshi
The High Entity shoots Hiroshi a cold glare, making Hiroshi instantly quiet.
"Technically, yes. But your true power lies far beyond that. Now, open your left menu." – Lord of Maan
Hiroshi notices a small black square and hesitantly raises his left hand, and a holographic menu appears in front of him, resembling a video game interface. His eyes widen in disbelief.
"Whoa! This has all the structures of the Cityskylines game including the Mods(Cheats) as if, Cathedral of Plenitude? What happens if I press this—? – Hiroshi
Hiroshi presses the button, and a massive structure erupts from the ground outside the palace, towering into the sky. It's a grand cathedral made of the finest stone and intricate glasswork.
How did I do that?! – Hiroshi
The High Entity sighs and snaps his fingers. The entire building dissolves into nothingness.
Once you Master your powers you will be able to create complex structures with your thoughts once you master your powers. But remember, true power requires control." – Lord of Maan
The Lord of Maan approaches Hiroshi, who is still trying to process everything. Suddenly, Hiroshi feels a burning sensation on his right arm.
Raise your dominant arm. – Lord of Maan
Hiroshi does so, and a glowing mark appears on his arm—a circular symbol that pulses with energy.
"What's this? A tattoo? Why won't it come off?" – Hiroshi
"It is an incantation, it has several functions, this mark shows the true extent of your power, this patter represents a Celestial Level Servant with the ability to control or simply distort the rules of Superior Level Magic as you did in this place full of my Magic energy. – Lord of Maan
In theory, your Celestial ability allows you to learn and comprehend things that would take a normal person decades in a very short time, you should try learning magic or practice martial arts in order to increase your offensive power and have a few more tricks up your sleeve – Lord of Maan
Hiroshi stares at the mark in disbelief, but before he can ask more questions, the High Entity continues.
Your first mission is to protect the last Human Kingdom of Ylkia. I've already implanted the common languages of this world into your mind – Lord of Maan
Ylkia will be attacked by an army Fire Elemental Elves, you need to create a Great Barrier in the frontier of Ylkia – Lord of Maan
I command you the task of serving and protecting humanity in my name, to keep in touch with me pray to an object of my worship – Lord of Maan
A circle appeared in the ground sending him directly to the outskirts of Ylkia.
Hiroshi: Hello World.
Hiroshi: Can't forget, I must build the barrier.
Hiroshi quickly finds the Ylkia's map and the closest frontier in his Menu under the Map option.
Found you, you look different from other maps in CitySkilines there is a torch of realism – Hiroshi.
Hiroshi notices his mark reacting, glowing fiercely. Instinctively, he channels the energy, and the landscape begins to change from a distance in the area Hiroshi decided to evoke the Wall. Blocks of stone, and mountains rise in that place, they come together to form a Great Wall.
The wall is so big that the locals started to see it from afar, the very few nearby villages felt small earthquakes.
Whoa, Let's start this journey, Gotta builds them all – Hiroshi
Hiroshi took the road to the nearest village he saw on the Menu Map
I'm hungry, I have to eat somewhere– Hiroshi.
Random Villager: "Help us, please!"
Before he can realize Hiroshi is hit in the neck with a flying spear , an accident caused by one of the village hunters, but something happens, the skin around his neck becomes solid iron.
Hiroshi finds his newfound abilities by instinct, Hiroshi transforms his fists to iron fists and then into swords, easily dispatching the monsters. The villagers cheer, grateful for his help.
Villager: "Thank you, brave warrior! How did you do that?"
Hiroshi (thinking): "So, I can not only build... but also transform into inorganic things"?
Elder: "Our village is in ruins and is almost winter...
In that case, perhaps I could do a community service – Hiroshi
Hiroshi raises his hand, summoning materials from the ground, constructing walls, houses, and even a watchtower in few minutes. The villagers watch in awe as their home is restored.
All solid inorganic materials moved in synchrony with the orders of Hiroshi.
Hiroshi (thinking): "This is more than just a game... I can create a whole new world."
The village stands tall, more fortified and beautiful than before. Hiroshi looks at his work with pride, knowing this is just the beginning.
In this world, I can build anything... –Hiroshi.
Talking about such, gotta build my HQ somewhere –Hiroshi.
But first, few of these monsters were just giant pigs, the villagers are already preparing a feast in the city, I better enjoy. –Hiroshi
Hiroshi joins the festival.
Villager: Three rounds of Mead to this table, long live the Hero
From the looks of this civilization, electricity probably isn't invented yet, it will be a waste for this tasty meat. Not to mention that this Mead drink would be better if there were refrigerators, hmmm. Better think that tomorrow –Hiroshi
The village celebrates until the morning.
What a Hangover –Hiroshi.
Random Villager: You can't get an hangover if you dont stop drinking.
Hiroshi's Mind: I was supposed to be sober, and there's still that Fire Elf Army Attack thing. THAT'S IT I have to buy a statue of the Lord of Maan or sort of thing first.
Random Villager: Sorry, our village is a village of hunters and sheep farmers, we don't have access to much of a market. But keep this.
Hiroshi: Is this an object of worship for the Lord of Maan?
Random Villager: This belonged to my brother before he was killed 1 month ago, Whe found him murdered 4 minutes from here, he was a royal guard before retiring and starting to protect the village against night predators.
Hiroshi: Are you sure about that? This amulet seems important to you.
Random Villager: I don't know why but something tells me that this amulet must be with you.
Hiroshi feels a energy from the amulet he was carrying. Suddenly a shadow appears that takes him to a tomb far from the village.
This must be. – Hiroshi.
The figure of a ghost appeared.
You can only be his Brother. – Hiroshi.
The ghost conveyed what had happened 1 month ago when a mysterious group tried to kidnap him, shooting him down after using a magic device similar to a bracelet.
It felt so real, Was I in his memories? And my mark shone, how interesting – Hiroshi.
Hiroshi takes an ordinary stone from the ground and modifies it to an amulet for himself, keeping the original on his grave.
Rest in peace – Hiroshi.
Doing this a light from above guided his soul.
This energy is the same as the heavenly palace the other day. – Hiroshi
Hiroshi : For some reason I remember the path that ghost showed, I shouldn't have but I'll check it out.
Hiroshi walks through a quiet forest path, collecting information about the surrounding area. The trees are dense, with the sun filtering through the leaves. Despite his efforts, every village he passes seems empty or in ruins.
Hiroshi's (thinking): "I've been on the road for hours... but I haven't found a single living soul."
Suddenly, he hears hurried footsteps behind him. Before he can react, a group of thieves bumps into him, knocking him to the ground.
Thief 1: "Outta the way!"
Hiroshi watches as they run ahead, hearing faint cries for help coming from a carriage they're chasing.
Hiroshi: "Wait, what's going on?"
As the thieves pass, one of their magical bracelets starts glowing brightly when near Hiroshi. It heats up and burns the thief's wrist.
Thief 2: "Agh! What's happening? This thing is burning me!.
Thief 1: It can't be that the Bracelet detected a gigantic concentration of magical power, it can't be a single person.
The Thieves Ambush Hiroshi.
The thieves turn on Hiroshi, realizing he must be the source of the bracelet's reaction.
Thief 3: "Looks like we've found ourselves a goldmine of magic. We'll trade you to the Orcs for a hefty sum!"
Hiroshi's eyes narrow as the ground beneath one thief starts to tremble.
Hiroshi: "Not today."
A deep hole suddenly opens beneath the thief, and he plunges into the darkness, screaming as he falls to his death.
Thief 3: Don't be afraid he's just a guy
Few more are crushed by the soil out their fet until they turned into minced meat and burger like structures.
Hiroshi: It was you . Hiroshi recognized the clothes of the killers by the memories of the ghost .
Thief 4: "We're under attack! This guy must be a Talented!"
Hiroshi swiftly generates ropes from the surrounding ground, which snake up and bind the remaining thieves. They struggle in vain as the ropes tighten around them by his will.
Random Thief : "Let us go, you bastard!"
Hiroshi: "Not a chance."
Hiroshi approaches the closed carriage. With a wave of his hand, he turns the wooden doors into sand, letting them crumble away. Inside, he sees a red-haired girl and 12 other hostages tied up.
Hiroshi: "It's over. Surrender now."
A thief inside the carriage, absorbing magic from the red-haired girl, grits his lips in frustration. He casts a wind-cutting spell aimed at Hiroshi, a force strong enough to slice through a tree.
Thief 6: "Die!"
The spell strikes Hiroshi, but his body instantly transforms into metal. The spell barely leaves a scratch.
Hiroshi: "That's not going to work."
Without hesitation, Hiroshi turns his arm into a sharp metal blade and strikes, decapitating the thief with a single motion. Blood splatters, and Hiroshi stands in silence, his heart pounding.
In The Aftermath Hiroshi stares at his metal arm, feeling the weight of what he's just done. His arm reverts to normal, but he notices the veins, muscles, and skin feelt different under transformation—almost like a living metal.
Hiroshi (thinking): "It's not just metal... it's alive, just like me."
Hiroshi hears a faint voice and turns to see the red-haired girl, who appears to be an elf, lying on the ground, badly wounded.
Elf Girl: "Help... please..."
Hiroshi tries to use his powers to close her wounds, but nothing happens. His abilities don't seem to work on living tissue other than his own.
Hiroshi: "I... I can't heal you. But I'll find a way."
Hiroshi unties the other hostages, who look at him with fear and confusion.
Hiroshi: "You're free to go now. No need to thank me, I just—"
The hostages scream and run away, terrified of Hiroshi's power, leaving the injured behind.
"Great... just what I needed." – Hiroshi