Key information
Frontier Developments' Planet Zoo 2 introduces fish, birds, and nature reserves to its zoological management simulation. While the animals themselves are described as majestic, meticulously modeled, and therapeutic to observe, the reviewer finds the overall experience exhausting due to the game's interface.
The game's core mechanics involve complex habitat construction and conservation efforts. Players must manage variables like temperature, terrain, and animal ratios. The reviewer criticizes these creation tools as unwieldy, noting that building habitats feels like a chore rather than play, often requiring players to navigate a tangled web of menus to address hyper-specific needs.
The reviewer assesses the career mode as lacking imagination compared to Planet Coaster 2, with mundane objectives. Furthermore, the management of zoo finances is deemed too simple, often allowing players to ignore wider zoo operations while focusing on habitat micromanagement. The reserves, while a noble concept, are described as a gamified terrain editor that pulls focus from daily zoo tasks.
Ultimately, the reviewer concludes that while the animals are world-class examples of design, the game requires a fundamental overhaul of its user interface. The experience of releasing animals into reserves often feels like a relief rather than a triumph, as the game prioritizes tedious menu-based tasks over engaging management storytelling.
