Minus the moose (considering its pretty much already ingame) that could be a decent children's zoo kind of pack
October
Between Summer and Autumn DLC Always was the longest time to wait especially last year. But both regular autumn DLC came in October (2021 early and 2022 mid October)
I totally understand what you are saying, and agree in a lot of ways. Like I said in my post, a “sampling” of a broader variety of habitat species (terrestrial, full aquatic, flying, etc.) would have made me way more content with PZ’s final form (once content ends), than all the “repetitive” large terrestrial species we received in the game. Yeah we’ve got every big cat species in PZ, but how many more creative/diverse habitat building options would we be able to achieve if we would have received even half the amount of total animals in PZ, but far more unique species that use unique mechanics/animations. PZ has over 166 species in it, but how many aviaries, aquariums, petting zoos, etc. can we build that aren’t pretty much empty? Pretty much none. It’s even difficult to build small, “filler” habitats that aren’t overly repetitive on species selection because of PZ’s hyper-focus on terrestrial, mammalian megafauna.Now that you bring this, the thing is that at its current state it could be argued that the game isn't really the greatest zoo game, considering the year each game was released.
Planet Zoo is a wonderful game, no doubt, and the degree of freedom it gives you is unparalleled. It's by far the game that allows to build the most realistic zoos, not only in the building side but also on other areas like quarantines or veterinarians. The models of the animals are great (even the derpiest base game bears), the best we ever had in a zoo sim. In the last DLCs they are even the best animals I've ever seen in any videogame. But isn't that something that should be expected? I mean, the leap of quality of the animal models is as big between PZ (2019) and ZT2 (2004) as it was between ZT2 (2004) and ZT1 (2001).
At the end of the day, in a zoo sim game the animals are (at least) as important as the building and management systems. And the animal roster of PZ is still behind that of any of the ZTs. We had dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and other fish in ZT2, which is something that doesn't feel like it could arrive to PZ. And then ZT1 not only had all sort of marine animals (including invertebrates), but they also had bird houses and bug houses (with no creative freedom at all, but those graphics weren't suited for small animals). PZ has already surpassed the number of species any ZT had, but diversity is as important as quantity. Is it really better having 4 ungulates, 2 dogs and 2 cats (total 8 species) instead of 1 ungulate, 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 cetacean and 1 shark (total 5 species) and 1 uncustomizable bird house?
That's one of the big reasons I think it's important for PZ going for longer support and diversify the animal roster and mechanics. As it is right now, most of what makes Planet Zoo a better zoo sim is just inheritance from Planet Coaster and Frontier's staple building system. But its low-diversity species roster hampers the creative freedom that could be achieved with that great building system. The game calls itself Planet Zoo but right now it fails to reflect the diversity of zoos around the planet, it's more like Province Mamalian Park [forced laughter].
TLDR: As long as PZ keeps without fishor birds
, it will fail to surpass what Zoo Tycoon meant to the zoo games community.
(Interestingly, both ZT went for marine animals expansions but with PZ and the WEs it looks birds are by far the most safe bet)
Now, a quick meme to make lighter my wall text:
My guess is late September or early October.
You are totally right. This year dlcs are being less exciting than last years. We had some awesome inclusions, like deep diving with 1.4 and custom billboards with the 1.5, hot springs with 1.9, and etc. But what we are having this year, is a bit meh for me. Less exciting inclusions and more basic updates. Ya know, I love every animal that was launched in these 2 packs, like we had the Red River Hog, Fossa and the Porcupine in the same year! But i think Planet Zoo needs a breath of fresh air. Maybye a new mechanic or fix or remade one already existing, more exciting updates and just like SanRazo said, it would never feel complete without Flying birds and Aquariums, they are just necessary to the game at this point when we are only receving mammals and 1 or 2 reptiles.
Same goes for different cranes and storks
Weeell it also had the dodo, elephantbird, killer penguin and proarchaeopteryx, which isnt a bird but just looks like one. So its technically still ahead in the bird department
oh that's true. I did forget about the extinct animals. I guess I should say that PZ is ahead of ZT2 in terms of realistic zoo birds.Weeell it also had the dodo, elephantbird, killer penguin and proarchaeopteryx, which isnt a bird but just looks like one. So its technically still ahead in the bird department
But yeah i agree, PZ is the best Zoo game ever made, its just not the best it can be
I agree, while i would enjoy aquariums, birds are more essential to the standard zoo imo
Another arena Zoo Tycoon 2 really dropped the ball in, but Planet Zoo FIXED was herpes (reptiles and amphibians).
Funnily enough the dreaded Zoo tycoon 3 had the best bird roster of any zoo game to my knowledge. It had like 30, admittedly alot were just different species of bird "archetypes" like 6 macaws, 3 flamingos and 2 peafowls and so on but also a couple unique ones like roadrunners and quail
The most ironic thing to ever happen in the history of zoo simulation.
I personally disagree. I think aquariums are just as vital but maybe that’s because every zoo I’ve been too has had them. I personally just don’t think there’s a big enough market for a game of the magnitude of planet zoo to be purely aquarium based in my opinion
