Dystopika, Cities Skylines' cyberpunk cousin, just dropped a huge new update

Gorgeous cyberpunk city-builder Dystopika just got a huge new update to celebrate its one year anniversary. Wanting to do "something special," developer Voids Within promises that it "really went to town on this one" - and go to town it did. The update (titled 'Meditations') adds two new districts, a megastructure, weather effects, volumetric lighting, lighting props, and an improved photo mode, to name just a few of the additions.

Dystopika's new Megastructure is Jade Corp, the cyberpunk game's global leader in AI. It looks like a massive, corporately-approved, futuristic circle, with beautiful green lights dotted all around it. The new districts are Labber's Row and C-VILLE, with Labber's Row "the home of cutting-edge research, where advancements in materials science, weaponry, biotechnology, and chemical engineering shape the future behind closed doors." Its architecture consists of "brutalist" structures, and UV-sanitizers lining the streets, "pulsating with an eerie glow."

C-VILLE, on the other hand, serves as the black market hub of the game's dystopian world. It's got more of a cramped, chaotic feeling. It features "favela-style alleyways crammed with backstreet shops, ramen stands, and a maze of tangled electrical wires." A dense network of skybridges and makeshift pathways are also included.

If you're looking for a slightly different mood while perusing these districts, the new thunderstorm and sandstorm weather effects can help. Thunderstorms even periodically strike buildings that are tall enough, and sandstorms put the entire city under a coat of sand for a truly grungy look. The developer recommends pairing sandstorms with the Labber's Row district in particular, for a "Dune-like feel." But no sand worms were mentioned, unfortunately.

On top of the gameplay features, there's even a brand new soundtrack for Dystopika, "blending nostalgic synth textures with modern minimalism." This comes from composer Sascha Dikiciyan, who has worked on legendary soundtracks for games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Mass Effect 3, The Long Dark, and Quake 2.

Photo mode enthusiasts can also take advantage of a new camera control scheme that allows for more creative freedom, a new camera movement widget, depth of field effects, new filters and lens dirt effects, and the ability to create and export video directly from the game.

Other updates include new wall props, pot lights and light bar props, an overhaul to blimps, and a whole host of bug fixes, quality of life changes, and minor adjustments. You can see the nitty gritty of the update details here.

To top it all off, Dystopika is currently on sale on Steam and GOG for 40% off at $4.19 in the US and £3.59 in the UK. You have until July 5 to take advantage of the sale. Excuse me while I go add it to my library.

If reading about Dystopika has given you a craving for construction, why not check out our list of the best city-builder games? If you're looking for something a little adjacent, then our list of the best strategy games can help too.

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