You're rejecting the behavior of both human nature and earthly nature in a naively idealistic manner.

From the moment an object is constructed it is being pulled into the ground. Maintenance has a far higher cost than initial construction. Relative perfection is inversely proportionate to complexity.

This is the exact same mentality that drives suburban lawn guys crazy when their grass has a brown spot. You are not fully in control.

I find it comforting to be reminded that when this little experiment ends, Nature is still vigorous enough to take back over.

If the clean lines we laid down were persistent, I'd worry we'd planted the seed of something poorly thought out yet permanent.

I think it's just a matter of what people want from a city builder. Some people play the game to build the city they wish they had. While others play the game to build the city they've already got.

I had the same reaction. Like, add these effects for when your city simulation is simulating what happens when your city is being neglected.

Nah, look at the second set of photos. It’s more lived-in, not all the way apocalyptic. The first photo looks like a render from an architect.

Based citybuilder

> No plants growing everywhere completely out of control and invading perimeters they aren't supposed to be in. No cracked pavement that's just a rainfall away from being replaced with potholes.

Fwiw this would certainly strike me as soulless. Haven't you ever seen pleasantville or don't worry darling? "Soul" to my ear implies imperfection.

I'm so glad I finally encountered neighborhoods with all natural yards right in the middle of cities that make them so much nicer to walk through, apart from the bees.

Instead we have to beg most big cities to install trees at $40k/pop so you aren't getting melted in the texas sun walking your dog.

> Apparently, "soul" means a city that looks like it's unmaintained and teetering on the edge of a precipice, just about to be reclaimed by nature

That's exactly what a city is though.