An economic strategy in which we take on the role of a zoological park manager. Production is distinguished by realistic animals with their own characteristics and needs described in detail. Frontier Developments is responsible for creating and issuing this title.
November 5, 2019
Planet Zoo Review – Is This Even a Game?
An excellent, fascinating and satisfying... job. Playing Planet Zoo is like going to work. You try not to get tired, then you get tired, and in the end you're happy with what you accomplished anyway.
Videos and Screens
[0:30] Planet Zoo Planet Zoo Console Edition - Accolades Trailer
[1:52] Planet Zoo Planet Zoo Console Edition - Launch Trailer
Gamepressure Review
Planet Zoo
An excellent, fascinating and satisfying... job. Playing Planet Zoo is like going to work. You try not to get tired, then you get tired, and in the end you're happy with what you accomplished anyway.
GamesRadar+: 4 / 5 by Sam Loveridge
Planet Zoo is a complex, deep simulation game with too much to give, if you can get past the minimalist tutorials.
DualShockers: 9 / 10 by Rachael Fiddis
Planet Zoo is a complex and deep sim management title that's carefully crafted to offer hours of meaningful and educational enjoyment.
Wccftech: 8.5 / 10 by Rosh Kelly
Planet Zoo is a great management game that lets you impose your own goals and always gives you something to strive for. With incredible graphical fidelity, a huge overlapping array of mechanics to balance and incredible detail, the only issue is the sometimes annoying controls.
The main pros of the game
- Creativity and Customization: Players appreciate the extensive building and customization options, allowing for unique zoo designs and habitats.
- Realistic Animal Behaviors: The game features a wide variety of animals with detailed animations and behaviors, enhancing the immersion.
- Educational Value: Many users noted the educational aspects of the game, including learning about animal care and conservation.
- Replayability: The game offers various modes, including sandbox and career modes, which provide diverse gameplay experiences.
- Graphics and Visuals: The graphics are frequently praised for their beauty and attention to detail.
The main cons of the game
- Steep Learning Curve: New players often find the controls and interface overwhelming, with a lack of adequate tutorials leading to confusion.
- Bugs and Performance Issues: Users report various bugs, particularly related to pathing and animal management, as well as performance drops in larger zoos.
- DLC Pricing and Content: Many players feel that the cost of DLCs is excessive and that some content should be included in the base game.
- Frustrating Mechanics: Some mechanics, such as building paths, can be finicky and frustrating, leading to a less enjoyable experience for some players.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Improved Tutorials: Users desire better tutorials to help new players understand the game mechanics more effectively.
- More Interactive Elements: Some players wish for more direct interaction with the animals, such as feeding or cleaning, similar to older zoo management games.
- Grid System for Building: A more intuitive grid system for building would help in creating organized layouts and structures.
- Expanded Animal Variety: There are requests for more bird and reptile species, as well as a desire for additional aquatic-themed content.
- Better Management Tools: Users suggest improvements in staff management and task assignments to reduce inefficiencies in zoo operations.
Summary
- Overall, while Planet Zoo has received praise for its creativity, detail, and educational aspects, it also faces criticism for its complexity, bugs, and monetization strategy.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 310 votes. 143 players anticipated the game.
Planet Zoo Description
Planet Zoo is an economic strategy game in which player run a zoological park. The production is a continuation of Planet Coaster released in 2016 (although it differs in its subject matter - in that game, players ran an amusement park, not a zoo). It was created and published by Frontier Developments studio (also known from the Elite: Dangerous).
Mechanics
In Planet Zoo, players' task is to run the zoological park in an efficient way. It is necessary to adapt the individual places to the needs of given animals (they are described by an extensive set of statistics). Players decide, among other things, about the shape of the terrain, take care of the right temperature, as well as the guests' impressions (by choosing the right buildings and also determining the design and decoration of the park). It is also necessary to take into account the financial condition of one's zoo.
In the game, players can find a wide range of different animals, such as elephants, wolves, bears, lions, hippos, and giraffes. Each creature has different needs, behaviors, and even its own character. Almost all decisions, even seemingly trivial ones, like choosing the colour of the walls, may have some meaning. Realistic representation of the animals is one of the most important features of the game - creatures "think", "feel", and behave in a way very similar to their equivalents from the real world.
The creators at Frontier Developments have also included several interesting mechanics in their production, such as genetics and reproduction, which allow players to plan future generations of species to avoid the consequences of too limited genetic pool. The game also features a variable weather system.
Game modes
One can playPlanet Zoo solo. The game is based on single player modes - sandbox and a feature campaign.
Frontier Developments also offers limited network functionality, allowing players to share their scenery, habitat, and even entire parks with the community through Steam Workshop.
Technical aspects
Planet Zoo has a very attractive 3D visuals. The game world is quite detailed, but the best impressions are definitely made by the animals - their models are realistic and very well animated. The creators even used a special technology, which is responsible for a credible fur simulation.
Last updated on May 3, 2019
Planet Zoo Summary
Game Series: Planet
Platforms:
PC / Windows November 5, 2019
PlayStation 5 March 26, 2024
Xbox Series X/S March 26, 2024
Developer: Frontier Developments
Publisher: Frontier Developments
Planet Zoo System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-2500 3.3 GHz / AMD FX-6350 3.9 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 770 / Radeon R9 270X or better, 16 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/8.1/10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1070 / Radeon RX 580 or better, 16 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Frontier Shows That Tycoons Aren't Dead Yet
Frontier Developments has published the 2020 fiscal year summary report. The company boasted excellent sales of Planet Zoo and Jurassic Park: Evolution and excellent financial results.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
May 21, 2020
Long Gameplay From Planet Zoo Focuses on Animal Care
Frontier Developments has published a long gameplay from Planet Zoo. This time the devs focus on the challenges waiting for the players in terms of animal care.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
September 3, 2019
Planet Zoo Gamescom Trailer and Beta Test Schedule
Frontier Developments has revealed the start date of the closed beta tests of its new strategy game Planet Zoo. Moreover, with gamescom 2019 in mind, the developers have prepared an eye-catching trailer of their work.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
August 20, 2019
First Gameplay From Planet Zoo - True Paradise For Animal Lovers
The first gameplay video of Planet Zoo has appeared over the web. The extensive material presents the most important aspects of this production and surprises with its attention to detail. All animal lovers should be satisfied.
video games
Konrad Serafinski
June 15, 2019
Planet Zoo - New Game From Elite Dangerous Devs
Frontier Developments, the creators of Elite: Dangerous and Jurassic World Evolution, announced Planet Zoo. The game is to be a complex economic strategy that will allow us to manage a zoo and will be distinguished by exceptionally realistic depictions of animals.
video games
Bart Swiatek
April 24, 2019