The game’s simulation engine, vehicle models, building assets, and sound design simply require data. You can strip it down to a "Lite" version of roughly 1.5GB, but 500MB is a mirage designed to download malware onto your computer.
For gamers with limited hard drive space, a slow internet connection, or an older laptop, that number is a dealbreaker. This is why the search term has become a holy grail for many. cities skylines highly compressed 500mb
Many "highly compressed" files are wrappers for adware or trojans. Always scan downloads with updated antivirus software. The game’s simulation engine