New features include more buildings and maps, improved public transport, an enhanced tax system, and better trading options.

[1] The game was officially announced by Focus Home Interactive, who took over the game license when Monte Cristo shut down due to the poor sales of Cities XL.

[5] IGN describes the game as "much like its predecessor, minus the multiplayer" and concludes that it "doesn't have much new to offer".

[7] GameZone compared Cities XL 2011 to Civilization IV and concluded that "while the lack of a game-winning goal or story won't sit well with some players, it by no means disrupts the addictive nature of Cities XL 2011".

[6] Aggregate review websites give scores of 75.13% on GameRankings,[4] and 70 (out of 100) on Metacritic.