First timer - question

[bh750]

Hi all,
My 9 year old son and I have been playing Roller Coaster Tycoon on mobile and love it! Unfortunately its a free app with tons of bugs and poor support. Someone mentioned Planet Coaster.

My question is this: the game seems to be very detailed and in depth, maybe more than a 9 year old can handle. Can it be played in a "simple" mode or something like that?

 

[WingardiumLevicoaster]

Hello! Welcome. The scenarios start off easier and got harder as you progress, but he could play in Sandbox. A lot of the in depth features are not required. He will be able to download thousands of prebuilt coasters and buildings from the workshop. You tube has some great tutorials if he wants to get more advanced as he goes on. If he has any issues, you can ask for advice here on the forums. I started playing Themepark and the original Rollercoaster tycoon at a similar age and had great fun. [happy]

 

[breezerHOG1]

Please get RCT Classic ($5 for mobile) and also RCT2 ($10 for PC), they are compatible so you can transfer saves between the two. RCT Classic includes RCT1 and RCT2, while the PC version of RCT2 has a free-expansion-mod that allows for co-op multiplayer (with two PCs) called OpenRCT2. They are simpler and easier than Planet Coaster but still great fun!

That is a great way to introduce yourselves to the series, as RCT is where Planet Coaster began once you get used to RCT Classic or RCT2 you might also want to checkout RCT3 as it will help you make the leap to the much bigger Planet Coaster! Check out some videos of RCT3 and RCT2 here https://forums.planetcoaster.com/showthread.php/24090-RCT-Classic-and-RCT3-Nostalgia

RCT4Mobile and RCTTouch and RCTWorld are bad, stay away from them!

Also take note that Planet Coaster requires a very powerful PC to run smoothly. Enjoy and checkout Channel5 Gaming on youtube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=channel+5 [up]

 

[Tillietwos]

Listen to breezerHOG's advice. It is spot on.....you can have tons of fun with RCT Classic games.

You really do need a powerful PC to play Planet Coaster.

 

[Joël]

Hi bh750,

Welcome to the Planet Coaster forums. You have come to the right place for questions about Planet Coaster.

WingardiumLevicoaster and breezerHOG have posted excellent suggestions. There is no 'simple mode' in Planet Coaster, but there are things that can make the game easier. Like the ones before me posted; you can start with the easy scenarios and just play with the game, or start with the sandbox which lets you play without money restrictions. From there, just play along while you and your son start to learn how the game works.

I personally compare Planet Coaster with an advanced box of LEGO. You can start with simple creations, keep your parks small and see how it goes. You will be able to pick up management in the game from there and slowly but surely improve the skills of you and your son to create bigger and better creations in the game.

It also depends on how quick your son will be able to pick up how the game works. If he likes simulation games in general and is easily able to learn how things work, then this might be a great game for both of you.

Another point that you need to keep in mind is that Planet Coaster requires a high end computer to run smoothly.

What I would like to recommend is that you watch some videos on YouTube to see how the game works, to get a better idea of how this game works.

One of the best things to start watching on YouTube are tutorials, such as the ones from Silvarret.

Feel free to ask questions about Planet Coaster! Enjoy your time here on the forums and with the game!

 

[bh750]

Thank you all. This is really helpful. I think at minimum I'll try RCT Classic and see. As far as having a powerful PC I just got a gaming laptop not too long ago, how do you think this would perform if we tried it out?

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-15-6-In...nt-20&linkId=26ec3446e22b7c12e51f69f06b99d368

 

[breezerHOG1]

even though your laptop is decent, its a dell you have good GPU and SSD, but your CPU is actually just average. you certainly will be able to play Planet Coaster on your current laptop, but it will probably start to lag/slowdown in larger parks. You're Dell was a bit over priced at $800 with that CPU in my opinion, and laptops are not quite as good at gaming compared to desktops (since you cant upgrade a laptop). If you do decide to play Planet Coaster, I would recommend getting an extra 8GB ram for your laptop

Remember: Planet Coaster is not the same as a game like grandtheftauto or unreal, Planet Coaster is very demanding because of the fact that it has thousands of guests with individual needs so the more guests you have the higher your spec requirements will need to be. Even top of the line CPUs will reach a peak at some point (but you will be fine with small to medium sized parks)

Let us know how things go

also here is a copy of RCT including all 3 games with all 6 expansions for PC https://www.amazon.com/Rollercoaste...9548278&sr=8-4&keywords=roller+coaster+tycoon

 

[bh750]

Hey all, sorry I havent been back.
Unfortunately still playing RTC 4 Mobile . Definitely decided not to get the PC game now at this point. But on advice I went ahead and downloaded RTC Classic on my android tablet. My son wasn't too impressed (older graphics) but I was. RIght now plan is to exhaust ourselves on the free mobile app, then I'll spend some times learning the ins and outs of RTC Classic and teach my son. I think that one will be awesome long term. Just havent had the time yet.

I also didnt see the link to the amazon product until now. For $19.99 is that the PC version of RTC and not the more demanding planet coaster? That sounds like a good deal for PC and easier to use than my tablet.

 

[breezerHOG1]

Unfortunately still playing RTC 4 Mobile

Lol its really sad how Atari ruined the newer RCT games
show your son this video of rct4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WKgGPbC0YM
and this video of rct3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QamLPF2xzFY

I also didnt see the link to the amazon product until now. For $19.99 is that the PC version of RTC and not the more demanding planet coaster? That sounds like a good deal for PC and easier to use than my tablet.

The amazon link I posted is for all 3 RCTs on PC (PC = Personal Computer ... PlanCo= Planet Coaster), there are several expansions for the original games which add even more rides, scenery, and maps. The entire collection is there in that bundle for $20 with all expansion packs, Planet Coaster is $45 not including DLC add-ons. You can also buy the games on Steam. Downloading from Steam gives you access to achievements, a friendslist, and other features.

if you don't know what Steam is then don't worry about it, but Steam is a popular game downloading site and actually Planet Coaster uses Steam too. But you do not need Steam to play RCT. I read the reviews on Amazon people said they have problems installing RCT on Windows 10 so if you need help just message me here.

If you decide to get RCT for your PC, you can also download mods or custom scenery which can have better graphics and cool features like new themes. You can also transfer saved games between RCT Classic and RCT2 which is a pretty cool feature. And there is a mod for RCT2 which allows multiplayer co-op (requires 2 PCs). All of the mods are free!

I went ahead and downloaded RTC Classic on my android tablet. My son wasn't too impressed (older graphics) but I was.

The graphics of RCT3 are a bit better. The cool thing about RCT3 is that you can zoom in on a guest, like right in their face, you can follow them around the park in guest view, and you can even ride the rides in first person (just like in Planet Coaster). So if your son wants better graphics, he will probably like RCT3, and I recommend playing RCT3 with a mouse (its much easier) the expansion called Soaked is my favorite it has pools and water slides and a lot of fun scenery.

RCT Classic and RCT3 are very similar, but for some reason I still think the original RCT1 has the best scenarios (must be nostalgia)

Keep us posted

 

[BigDragon]

Hey all, sorry I havent been back.
Unfortunately still playing RTC 4 Mobile . Definitely decided not to get the PC game now at this point. But on advice I went ahead and downloaded RTC Classic on my android tablet. My son wasn't too impressed (older graphics) but I was. RIght now plan is to exhaust ourselves on the free mobile app, then I'll spend some times learning the ins and outs of RTC Classic and teach my son. I think that one will be awesome long term. Just havent had the time yet.

I also didnt see the link to the amazon product until now. For $19.99 is that the PC version of RTC and not the more demanding planet coaster? That sounds like a good deal for PC and easier to use than my tablet.

Your laptop is perfectly capable of handling Planet Coaster. You could try Planet Coaster and experiment in sandbox mode. Remember that Steam does have a refund feature if you find out the game performs poorly or don't like it.

The core concern I'm seeing is whether or not Planet Coaster's user experience is too complex for a 9-year old. If the child's maturity level is higher than average then I'd say no, the game is not too complex. It will seem that way at first, but when you enjoy something you will be motivated to get better at it. I remember playing the original RCT back in the day. My brother and I would play it until our eyes hurt and we got headaches! It was so good, but the coaster builder was hard for a while. We eventually improved our techniques (after many station breaks failure crashes!).

I think a lot of people are recommending the older RCT games because they include a piece-by-piece building mode. Planet Coaster gives you pieces for major elements, such as loops and corkscrews, but does not provide pieces for turns or hills -- you manipulate a free-form curve to build them. This level of power also adds complexity. The building of flat rides is the same in Planet Coaster and RCT games. The only significant difference is the lack of a grid to align things. Your child is so young they're probably not accustomed to the grid and therefore don't have that experience in the back of their minds screaming for things to be aligned just perfectly. ;-)

If the graphics of RCT1 and 2 aren't appealing while Planet Coaster seems too complex, then consider RCT3. That one is 3D and contains a ton of content. It also uses the same building mechanism as RCT1 and 2 so it's easier to grasp. The Soaked expansion is particularly good because of the water parks and added rides. Wild is nice too, but I never got much out of animal management.

EDIT: BTW, keep in mind that the staff, stall, and ride management is the same in all versions of RCT and Planet Coaster. There's very little difference. The complexity difference is in the coaster and path construction tools.

 

[breezerHOG1]

Your laptop is perfectly capable of handling Planet Coaster. You could try Planet Coaster and experiment in sandbox mode. Remember that Steam does have a refund feature if you find out the game performs poorly or don't like it.

His laptop is capable of running Planet Coaster, with small parks. But I doubt his laptop would run some of the larger more detailed parks "perfectly" also the refund policy gives you exactly 2 hours, after that no refund

I think a lot of people are recommending the older RCT games because they include a piece-by-piece building mode.

thats not true at all, I recommended RCT because its easier, has better tutorials, and is more fun for scenario mode... and his son clearly thinks RCT4mobile is a fun game, so hes just starting to learn the basics. I don't think he should jump directly into PC (thats just my opinion) its like RCT is a crayon box and PC is a paintbrush with easel

keep in mind that the staff, stall, and ride management is the same in all versions of RCT and Planet Coaster. There's very little difference. The complexity difference is in the coaster and path construction tools.

I dont remember there being pickpockets or training or security cameras or ride operator/shop vendors or ride animation sequences in RCT classic, and RCT was more about "paid admission" and also we dont have the ability to purchase land in PC or create our own scenarios
so yea... other than all those things... yea management is exactly the same

 

[cerealfruitcakes]

I would have played the heck out of this game at 9 years old. My 9 year old mine-craft loving niece wants this game so bad but her computer can't handle it. If they like something enough, they'll power through the learning curve and would probably surprise you with how quick they'll learn it.

 

[breezerHOG1]

I would have played the heck out of this game at 9 years old. My 9 year old mine-craft loving niece wants this game so bad but her computer can't handle it. If they like something enough, they'll power through the learning curve and would probably surprise you with how quick they'll learn it.

are you referring to my comment about kids playing RCT before PC?? well, the OPs son is playing RCT4 mobile... so its clearly not the same situation have you tried showing your niece RCT3 or is it just the graphics she likes? RCT3 does have more content to offer, like water parks and zoos and mods but I guess its the graphics that turn people away

 

[Chems]

I don't believe Planet Coaster is too complex to have fun with as a 9 year old. Not at all. I was 9 years old when RCT3 released, and at the time it was my favorite game ever. I mostly screwed around in Sandbox and did so for years. Planet Coaster isn't really any more complex than RCT3. Yes, it offers more freedom, but in terms of complexity it is still the same basically. For coasters, you still place individual track pieces (except you have more freedom in how you shape them), same for paths, same for buildings, etc.

I cant really speak of the management, since when I was a kid playing RCT I just built stuff to look cool, etc and didn't really care about actual managing. But the general opinion about management seems that it is extremely easy (and lacking) and from what I have experienced of it, it shouldn't really give too much problems for younger kids. But the game is mostly about building cool stuff anyway.

 

[cerealfruitcakes]

are you referring to my comment about kids playing RCT before PC?? well, the OPs son is playing RCT4 mobile... so its clearly not the same situation have you tried showing your niece RCT3 or is it just the graphics she likes? RCT3 does have more content to offer, like water parks and zoos and mods but I guess its the graphics that turn people away

No, I'm responding to the OP. She likes PC because it's really pretty, the guests are cute/adorable and she likes building things and watching Lets Play/pov videos. She also has a season pass to Disney World so I think that has a huge impact on her desire for this game. She's not interested in the previous RCT games, she wants to play what I'm playing.

 

[breezerHOG1]

she wants to play what I'm playing.

lol yeah

I don't believe Planet Coaster is too complex to have fun with as a 9 year old.

I didnt mean it like that, just that everybody is different. I can understand though, that I have a love for RCT1 that most people probably would not understand if it was not the first theme park game they played. Before RCT1 i played bullfrogs Theme Park and also Disney's Coaster (both are horrible games but great for 1994) and rct was my dream game that mashed TP and DC together

To me, RCT1 has a great way of teaching new players (or non-coaster experts) the basic understanding of coaster design (its very simple in RCT1) not that RCT3 is much different, just a bit bigger imo... The way I see it is, its probably easier to transition from rct1/3 to PC, then it is to play PC and then go back to the classics

 

[Chems]

Ah, like that. I agree, and besides, RCT 1 is a classic everyone should play at least once in their life.

 

[breezerHOG1]

also

Planet Coaster isn't really any more complex than RCT3. Yes, it offers more freedom, but in terms of complexity it is still the same basically.

IMO coaster building is a lot different, with many more options to choose from. And it is also a shame that other things are tedious. Terrain could have more options, like flat square shapes, or faster intensity... building walls could be click + drag, and/or have the ability to place a blank wall piece then multi-select and change the texture (like a color menu), but unfortunately those improvements have not happened (yet)

 

[redrum]

My advice: get Planet Coaster. You have a gaming laptop and a 9yo son. Enough said.

 

[BigDragon]

Thank you all. This is really helpful. I think at minimum I'll try RCT Classic and see. As far as having a powerful PC I just got a gaming laptop not too long ago, how do you think this would perform if we tried it out?

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-15-6-In...nt-20&linkId=26ec3446e22b7c12e51f69f06b99d368

Just a thought -- you may want to invest some money in a laptop cooler. I would recommend https://www.amazon.com/Antec-Notebo...501082676&sr=8-2&keywords=antec+laptop+cooler as a good option (I use it). The quad-core and 960M can handle most games you throw at it (including Planet Coaster), but you'll have to provide some additional cooling support to keep the machine from throttling aggressively. Cooling pads work too. I've found that Pacific Breeze or Notebook Cooler S work better though. They prop up the back of the machine and flood the underside with cool air. It should fit right between those exhaust vents (don't worry if it doesn't).