After playing a little longer here is what I've found out and I'm almost tempted to return the item. I'm being brutal because I find it hard to believe we have regressed from 2004 zoo tycoon 2 and I'm fed up of being dissapointed.
Building is fiddly. The exhibit building is fun, however there's limited fence options and no options for guest veiwing areas or anything. I dislike how benches and other items snap to the paths I want to be able to place them freely and, you know, have them facing my exhibits!
The paths themselves are the worst bit for me. I'd like to be able to create squares and heck, maybe just fill in most of the areas around my exhibits with path so it looks neat rather than having these paths that look all higgledy piggledy. I want to have paths that create large space where buildings can be placed in that space rather than snapped to the edges. Its just too complicated how it is to build nice paths. I want picnic areas on grass rather than just on paths. Fence building is awkward and cumbersome and again, surely there must be an easier way? I'd like fences of different heights too. A picket fence, rope fences, themed fences. Just variety.
The zoo keepers are buggy and my game keeps crashing even though my spec is good and not that old (2 year old graphics card). My animals keep dying because of zookeeper neglect and there's nothing I can do. Having first person mode where you can look after the animals would help solve this at least to some degree. The game is buggy and crashes. My flamingos are not happy no matter how many plants I put in their habitat - the habitat management is too finnicky. Also the one door per habitat is frustrating too and it would be great if paths could go either side of the keeper gates so you can create fenced off zookeeper areas where the buildings are hidden from veiw from the guests by the fences.
Auto build functions like in zoo tycoon 2 and the sims where you can auto build a box or a circle would be great. This would be great too.
More interactivity. More variety of toys for animals. Super specific toys for animals too would be good, they're still to general for my liking. In fact, except for the number of species, everything build mode is too general. What about a resturaunt as well as food koisks? Discovery buildings? Education centers? Play grounds? Fountains? (You know, build playgrounds, koisks and fountains to amuse guests!) Where are the binoculars? Where are the viewing shelters? Wheres the animal cut out you stick your head through and have your picture taken? Headsets to educate guests as they walk around. (these were ALL features of zoo tycoon 2... this is almost as disappointing as the gyrospheres in jurrasic world evolution compared to operation genesis game play. I expect more not less).
As I have said before I enjoy the general gameplay. The way animals are imported into the zoo, the staff management isn't horrendous as long as they don't starve my animals, I love the donation boxes, ability to go crazy with the exhibits ect.
Some rock caves would be nice though and snow caves rather than those horrid sheds. Like premade ones as well as the free build stuff for those who find it too fiddlely. (Again see zoo tycoon for some great shelter ideas - nest shelters for birds and things like that.) It would be great to have more variety in feeding troughs too. Tall feeders for larger animals like giraffes and elephants, log feeders for bears, termite mound feeders for monkeys and chimps, general piles of food, foraging food. The food sources can provide enrichment too! Rather than just 'high grade' or 'low grade' food. I want the little details in these areas over having power stations in a zoo. More plant varieties. The ability to be able to place tropical terrain where the grass is darker ect.
Also details about what your animal is doing when you click on it. Same for visitors. I'd love to see them mimicking the animals. Heck maybe even have VIP guests who are visiting the park and you have to please them. Photograph challenges too in game.
You may think I'm being too critical. Maybe zoo tycoon 2 has spoiled me. I wouldn't even say I'm looking at zoo tycoon 2 through rose tinted glasses because I'm still working at finishing the campaigns and its still interesting to me. Being able to unlock things like the cat climber ect would be awesome for planet zoo. But my thoughts are, if this has been done before, why can't it be done again?
I'd be happy if they create a planet zoo 2 that had all these features if they can't do it in this one. If I had one wish from a genie that was to create a game only i would ask for a worthy successor to zoo tycoon 2, because I love that game. And planet zoo as it stands just doesn't compare. Its been taken from the wrong angle.
If these changes come about. I will rewrite this review, but as it stands, this is how I honestly feel and I know there's people who feel the same.
