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The new zoo management sim from Frontier DevelopmentsPlanet Zoo 2It’s out in reviews now, and PC Gamer gives it 10 out of 100.60The numbers are in. Reviewer Rick Lane summed it up by saying that the animals in the game are adorable, but the heavy micro-management surrounding them ruins the gameplay.
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
What’s new this time?
The sequel adds three major changes:Fish, Birds and Nature Reserves.You can build aquariums with fish, and birds add a lot of variety to your zoo. Reviews indicate that the birds include species like the Sea Eagle, Long-eared Owl, Toucan, and Long-tailed Parakeet. Gameplay-wise, they don’t differ much except for the larger netting required to surround their enclosures, but they do add a lot of visual life to the zoo.
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The biggest impact is made by nature reserves. Zoos are no longer just places to visit for guests; they also become part of conservation efforts around the world. You can release rescued or treated animals into vast wild areas. In career mode, you manage a network of zoos and restore numerous reserves, from the tundra of Sweden to the jungles of Sumatra. This involves preparing the land and planting the right plants so that the released animals can survive there.
Where the game falters
Reviewers praise the noble conservation idea, but say spending time in the reserve isn’t all that interesting. It mostly feels like a terrain editor where you can move around and take pictures. Furthermore, the career mode is structured so that you repeatedly travel between zoos, picking up animals, and releasing them into the reserve. This distracts from the day-to-day care of your zoo. The missions are also less imaginative than Planet Coaster 2’s career mode.
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The real complaint is with the habitat creation tools. According to the review, creating an enclosure is basically a matter of drawing a circle, yet the game overcomplicates it. The enclosure’s area is one of the most important factors, yet there’s no way to create it directly by dragging. Furthermore, numerous parameters need to be considered, such as temperature, soil type, appropriate plants, connection to water filtration, number of animals, and male-female ratio. There’s even a separate submenu to determine whether an animal is “thriving.” Furthermore, when placing small items, they often get crushed by surrounding objects.
Frontier has certainly tried to make things easier, with quick buttons and pre-built habitats. But reviews describe these as bandages on a wound that actually needs major surgery. One example: the Medium Southeast Asian Climbing Habitat always comes with a bunch of plants that aren’t native to the area, and you have to remove them manually each time.
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Money management is surprisingly easy.
Interestingly, while building the enclosures requires considerable effort, the financials are almost automatically taken care of. Set up shops and donation boxes, don’t overstaff, and occasionally adjust ticket prices, and the revenue will flow in. The reviewer himself reported that even in situations like animal escapes and guests stampeding, he managed to remain profitable by hundreds of thousands of rupees, while neglecting the rest of the zoo. This means the actual management layer of the game is quite light.
Small features
Many of the game’s subtle details are heartwarming. For example, if you move the camera close to water and then move it back, a splash effect appears on the camera. Reviews describe it as a truly enjoyable experience, and say that there are few moments in a game where you truly feel connected to your zoo. The animal models, animations, and sound design are described as world-class.
Key information at a glance
- Developer and Publisher: Frontier Developments
- price:Around $50 / £40
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Multiplayer:No, but you can share your creations with others
- PC Gamer Score: 60/100
If you’re a fan of animals and find solace in watching them in action, Planet Zoo 2 has a lot to offer. But if you expect building enclosures to feel like a game and running a zoo to be a fun story, you might be a little disappointed. The reviewer’s biggest wish is that creation felt more like play than work, and that releasing an animal into its new home felt like a moment of triumph, not just a sigh of relief. It remains to be seen how much Frontier addresses these shortcomings in future updates.
What are your expectations for Planet Zoo 2? Let us know in the comments.
