I've been playing Planet Coaster for roughly two years (I played Alpha). There has not been any significant changes to roller coasters in the game. For a game called Planet Coaster, it's severely lacking when it comes to roller coasters. Previous entries in the genre have much more when it comes to coaster than Planet Coaster offers, it's time that they need to have some sort of improved functionality. I find coaster building more frustrating that enjoyable.
Here's some changes that Planet Coaster's roller coasters would benefit from:
Coasters in General:
Here's some changes that Planet Coaster's roller coasters would benefit from:
Coasters in General:
- All coasters should have the ability to switch their Operation Mode (Shuttle, Circuit, Blocked Circuit), Circuit and Shuttle for Transport Rides. This really should be the basis of how coasters operate, all coasters follow these rules. Have different options available per mode. Shuttle: Station Passes, Limited to single train; Circuit: Station Passes (for single train), Multiple trains (all need to fit in the station); Blocked Circuit: Multiple Trains, needs to follow coaster block logic. This allows coasters to be more streamlined in terms of operations. Perhaps if a certain special piece is placed, it locks out other operation modes, like placing the Corkscrew Coaster's reverse lift would disable Circuit mode options.
- All coasters have the same basic track pieces available: Normal Track, Station, Lift, Launch, Brake, Block Brake, Transports. Special Pieces can be exclusive to certain coaster types, like Tiamat's Lift Hill, Viper's Vertical Spiral, Typhoon's Lift Segments. Possibilities! Launched Hybrid coasters anyone? Volcano:Blast Coaster!
- Tracked Rides need to have the ability to have guest simultaneously load and unload riders. This inability makes tracked rides, coasters, flumes, very inefficient when it comes to guest throughput.
- Allow coasters and tracked rides to have at least two stations.
- In the Operations Tab add a STATION section. This section will have a dropdown menu to choose stations on the current coaster or transport ride. This allows multiple stations per coaster and tracked rides. Cycling through the dropdown menu's Stations reveals options unique to that station like Minimum load, Min Wait Time, Max Wait Time, and STATION SYNC (next bullet).
- Rename COASTER CHAIN to STATION SYNC, this way it's pretty obvious what it does. This module will have a list of stations that are synced dispatch with the current station with an Add button to have stations dispatch simultaneously.
- In the Customization Tab, remove the phrase "Car/Train to Spawn". 'Spawn' is severely out of place in a game like this. Instead use something like "Car/Train Style". Show the thumbnail picture of the train as well when the dropdown menu is open, like a mini-coaster browser window. We can see what we choosing instead of blindly cycling through a list.
- Allow us to change the colors of each train, a lot of real-world coasters use different color schemes per train. It would be amazing to replicate that.
- Remove wording on trains, the "AMERICAN ARROW" is an eyesore for anything that isn't themed to America. Keep trains as word-free as possible. However the Show Name option that some trains have is super cool! I love this feature, I would very much rather see that implemented across more trains.
- While building coasters, there should be the a Strict Entry and Strict Exit checkboxes per section. By default tracks should feature continuous rolling, making banking transitions smoother. Marking a segment with Strict Entry would force the entry of that segment level out completely, disabling the continuous roll which is good for brake runs, launches and lift segments.
- Pre-fabricated track pieces cannot be customized, which goes against the fluid nature of building coasters in this game. Once built, they should convert into the standard flexing track pieces. This allows us to edit the shape of the element. This would greatly increase the usability of these pieces.
- There should be 3 sections in the track builder menu.
- Track Section(Has 2 Tabs): Tab 1: Standard Track Pieces and unique track pieces are found here. Tab 2: Pre-Fabricated Elements. Shaping Options also found here, Strict Entry/Exit, Heartline.
- Operation Section: Used to change brake/transport speeds, exit/entry speeds, acceleration/deceleration, car unlock/lock, car orientation (4D and Motion Vehicle), stop time.
- Cosmetic Section: Track Color, Catwalks, Supports Enabled/Type
- Remove the "Ride Details" module in the Overview Tab for all attractions, it provides no addition information, more important information can be placed there.
- Condense Coasters in the Build Custom Coaster browser. It's cluttered and repetitious, especially with the ability to change the train's style. This also allows compatibility between people who don't have DLCs. Download a Go Kart track the uses the Munster's DLC, but don't have it? No Problem, Planet Coaster defaults to a Go Kart style you do have. Increased usability of Workshop tracks and layouts! This also enables Frontier to create "Train Skins", which would be a cool aspect to the game. Future updates include the generic version of coaster trains, tracked ride styles, while DLC packs included themed versions of trains.
- Option to place a blueprint coaster without scenery. Which also increases the usability of Workshop coasters.
- Slightly off-topic, but a Photos Shop would be a pretty cool addition. Coasters can have a Photo Spot placed along the track (like a trigger, not a special track piece) and guest buy their photos at a Photo Shop. That'd be refreshing to see.
