Some new regular (non-timed) scenarios would be nice

Jeminyne

Jeminyne
Loving the direction Planet Zoo has been developing in this year, and all the great work Frontier is doing! Couldn't get this out of my head, though:

Anyone else prefer the non-timed scenarios to the timed ones? Maybe I'm in the minority for actually enjoying the scenarios. But I found the career mode levels in the base game to be a really cool challenge. Only the Arctic pack came with regular scenarios instead of timed ones, and it's a real shame. The timed scenarios were a cool addition, but I don't like that they completely replaced the other ones. I also miss the bigger, more extravagant zoo layouts, though I understand those probably took a lot of time and labor to make!
 

NZFanatic

NZFanatic
Based on what I've seen here and on Reddit (I hate Reddit but it's interesting to see where opinions cross over), this is a fairly popular opinion. Personally I'm not bothered because I don't play the scenarios anyway, but I do agree that the timed scenarios are a step in the wrong direction as far as making the game challenging goes. I'd have to assume it's because they don't want to be building their own zoos all the time for these campaigns.
 

Jeminyne

Jeminyne
NZFanatic said:
Based on what I've seen here and on Reddit (I hate Reddit but it's interesting to see where opinions cross over), this is a fairly popular opinion. Personally I'm not bothered because I don't play the scenarios anyway, but I do agree that the timed scenarios are a step in the wrong direction as far as making the game challenging goes. I'd have to assume it's because they don't want to be building their own zoos all the time for these campaigns.
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That reminds me of an aspect I always found strange: they seem to make big extravagant zoos for the trailers, to show off new animals and building pieces, but then we never see them in game. Like, I remember a bigger, prettier looking Australian-themed zoo being used in the Australia DLC trailer, but the only scenario they included had a smaller, dinkier roadside zoo. Cool idea for a scenario, but it seems like a waste to not also include the bigger zoo as well? I think the same goes for every recent DLC they've made. Strange to spend all that time building for just a trailer. I'd have loved to play with those zoos.
 

FoxyDee

FoxyDee
Indeed, its very stressful and I am unable to enjoy or explore the beautiful zoos they build for the timed scenarios, I just play in bird view and honestly dont even check on the animals/zoo because there is no time.

Perhaps when the covid restrictions started, they could not work with the voice actors or something and now they just go on with it? They said in the past that only a small fragment of players played the scenarios so they might see it as not worth to hire the voice actors. But tbh I would be fine with normal scenarios withou voice actors and just a regular text guide. Make it so Bernie just email you or something, idk.
 

iloveyourzoos

I
Jeminyne said:
That reminds me of an aspect I always found strange: they seem to make big extravagant zoos for the trailers, to show off new animals and building pieces, but then we never see them in game.
Click to expand...


Chante (former CM) wrote that they would look into including these, but that they couldn't make any promises. She said the reason was that a lot of what they made for the trailers weren't actually functioning zoos, but were just made to show things off.

I'm not entirely sure if that meant they are a graphics trick and so don't actually exist as something that can be easily placed (like an artist's rendition of the game created outside the game itself), or simply that they were similar to some sandbox or workshop items that only work if you turn off all the game mechanics (and thus they don't want to risk messing up players in other modes who think there's something wrong with how they're placing them).
 

Pinup-doll

P
I completely agree this is my biggest wish for the game right now. I understand not everyone would want it but for me it makes the game much more enjoyable especially being able to play some free time career mode with all the new dlc animals that have been added included. I want to feel challenged but not rushed. I’m not keen on the times scenarios as it’s too rushed I don’t get to enjoy creating and managing a zoo properly just trying to get everything done ASAP which is just tbh annoying. The story aspect is also important to me and I want to feel like I am achieving something. Maybe even a non times scenario that you have to get hold to unlock a new exclusive animal?? 🤔😊
 

Jeeminee

Jeeminee
I Agree.One day I want to achieve every challenge, and earn the statues.But I loved to play the non-timed scenario's and I really miss them.
Did try a time scenario a few times, but was only getting stressed out by it, while I did complete all the non-timed ones.
I want to get feeling with the zoo and the animals and miss that feeling in a time challenge.
 

SirTophamHatt

SirTophamHatt
Agreed.

I played the first Timed Scenario today.
Well, there's an hour of my time I'll never get back...

Had the 5 minute warning and I'd got just four species and a couple of exhibits. Built the ride but no power.

Not sure what the Devs were really thinking when they included timed scenarios. I'd challenge anyone to make a "nice" zoo under the pressures. I couldn't do it and had paths all over the place - it looked awful. But the aim is to complete within the time set (obviously), not make a nice zoo I suppose. But do people get enjoyment of having buildings floating in mid air or paths looking awful? It seems these are aimed at fast paced playing, here today, gone tomorrow, yet the rest of the game has a much more relaxed feel so it's a bit at odds with who it's trying to attract.

I do hope this isn't an effort to be all things to everyone.

I wouldn't bother with any more timed scenarios and give up on the story too (that's finished now).
Just add in normal scenarios.
 

iloveyourzoos

I
I haven't tried the timed scenarios yet, but might actually benefit from them. I tend to work so slowly, and I feel like there must be some tricks that one would pick up when forced to move quickly, that might transfer over and end up making me better/faster at managing when I do go into my "prettier" zoos.

But then again, I enjoy anything that gets us thinking about the game in new ways. Even if they don't become our preferred method. And a forced focus on time and management aspects does seem to be a different style than what you can pick up watching youtube.
 

FoxyDee

FoxyDee
Yeah, it is pretty stressful. Its definitely possible to beat (even I - and I hate ANY timed missions/campaigns in any game - was able to beat them all to the gold level, just missing the newest bazaar one).

I like the basic thought of having a reward for scenarios, I would still much prefer the normal ones. If Frontier is not willing to hire voice actors (Frontier once said that only a small amout of people actually finish scenarios, might be a reason why they dont want to waste money on it for hiring voice actors), just make it so the Bernie/Nancy email you so we dont have to have the voiceover.
 
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JDT89

J
In a game that's all about creative freedom. It seems really odd that times scenarios are being pushed so much. Whacking down shoddy looking habitats without a care in the world in order to meet a time limit is pretty baffling.

The thing is, the scenarios are really nice looking and the leg work is done. Is it really that difficult to add a bit of storyline and make regular scenarios again? I don't think people would mind if it didn't have the voice acting but these timed scenarios are pants!
 
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