The original Zoo Tycoon was in 2-D. This sequel has made the jump into full 3-D and the game is all the better for it. There are two things about Zoo Tycoon 2 that make it unique. Firstly, it doesn’t try to be like other tycoon titles. There isn’t a focus on creating money and wealth but more an open focus where can do really what you want. Secondly, it feels like a bit of a genre mix. Apart from being “tycoon-lite”, it has dashings of Real Time Strategy and the style of simulation that you’d expect to find in The Sims. The results of this are somewhat pleasing.
Yogi and Booboo couldn't believe their luck when the picnic was brought to them!
The gameplay is simple enough that any RTS or Sims veterans will be able to jump in and play without too much trouble. Yet it manages to add just enough depth to allow you to keep digging and finding new things to do. As with all games of this style, the key is to balancing all the things that are going on. Except this time, the primary objective is making your zoo into the most famous. Your degree of fame is measured by the amount of “Stars” with the lowest being a half and the highest being five. As you become more famous, you will have a greater access to animals and objects for purchase.
It’s very important that when your zoo adopts an animal, that you cater for its needs. Needs are divided into Basic and Advanced. By satisfying all the basic needs such as hunger, thirst and hygiene, you get a happy animal. This will include the size and type of habitat that they’re placed in. For an example, a lion won’t be happy if you place him in a Tundra habitat and give them nothing but grass to eat. By satisfying advanced needs such as sociality and privacy, you get a very happy animal. This paramount for pleasing your guests. However, pleasing the animals is only half the job.
Pleasing the other animals is also very important. Yes, the people that come and visit your zoo can be a very picky bunch. However, as long as you keep them happy, they’ll keep filling you coffers. Apart from keeping lively animals, you can keep people happy by providing drinks and snacks, resting areas, amusements, education, fancy scenery and of course amenities for when nature calls or the need for money arises. As long as you can keep this in order, the guests will keep coming.
There are three modes in Zoo Tycoon 2. These are Campaign, Challenge and Freefrom. The Campaign mode is probably the best place to start. You can take an optional tutorial and this is a good idea since it is very comprehensive. After that you have access the six campaigns, each with three to four scenarios. These scenarios need to be played and completed in their sequence. Completing simply requires you to satisfy all the objectives. Apart from being a comprehensive workover of a lot of what the game has to offer, there are several unlockables that can only be obtained by complete the objectives within scenarios. When all campaigns are done, a seventh and final campaign is unlocked. The Challenge mode plays out with you trying to create a famous zoo but you are very limited funds wise. The freeform mode is similar but you no limit of finds and everything is unlocked.
Would anyone like to clean that up?
What makes the Campaigns interesting is that you are placed in a scenario and you are then able to play with it as you see fit. They’re somewhat campaign specific. For example, one campaign is dedicated to the dealing of abused animals. In one scenario, you have four African Elephants dropped at you doorstep you need to take care of them. To complete the scenario, you must take care of their needs and make sure they’re happy. This needs to be completed in the given time limit. As you go further into the game, the scenarios get a bit more complex and deeper but the underlying gameplay and objectives remain similar. Still, you can do pretty much anything you want as long as you fulfill the necessary objectives. Build an exhibit here, adopt a Crocodile instead of a Peafowl, it’s up to you.
The tools for building, constructing and going about everything are simple but very effective. For the most part, you’ll spend your time observing everything from a traditional RTS perspective. From here, construction is a simple as pointing, clicking and dropping. Everything is conveniently placed in the bottom left hand corner and there is seldom need to even use the keyboard. You also have the choice to switch to a first person perspective and watch the animals close up as you walk around their exhibits. From this perspective, you can conduct petty duties such as cleaning and feeding animals. This is a simple tasks but the employment of zookeepers and trash cleaners can make it easier once you get busier. From the first person perspective, you can take some nice photos and save them in an album.
Zoo Tycoon 2 has an abundance of help within it. There is very extensive in game documentation that gives you a lot of precise information about the game, how to play and just animals in general. The financial aspect of Zoo Tycoon 2 is very basic. You can see what’s going on but the only real decisions are ones that are to change the price range of admission or food. Really, the only reason for money is so you can keep building, not for making a profit. It’s not a bad thing but it does mean that the financial aspect is somewhat secondary.
There one major flaw to the game that sets it apart from other games in this genre. There are too many occasions where the player is sitting around and left with nothing to do. Nothing but sit and wait until something happens. Sometimes, your fame will increase or an animal will have a crisis but the game is designed a little too simply. There is so much time that can be spent in observation and the downtimes get in the way simply because they’re too frequent. Simply, the scenarios feel like they go on for longer than they should. Another issue to the AI. Your zookeepers will generally go about the business as needed but there are times where they will refuse to do something because they can’t “reach” it. Sometimes, they just get stuck and can’t find their way. Then there are animals that complain about things like hunger, even though they are next to their food bowls.
The only other thing that stands out is the game has a lack of substance that is more apparent than in other RTS games or a game like The Sims. The campaign won’t take you that long. That’s even though it feels longer than it should. Once it’s done, the only people that will hang around are the ones that really did take to this admittedly unique concept. The only thing that can be said, is that if you ever wanted to run a zoo, this is the best way that doesn’t involve actually doing it. That said, Zoo Tycoon 2 is a very clean and polished title with very little the way of bugs and problems.
Jumbo does all our media in his spare time
Graphically, the game is nearly two years old and it somewhat shows. The details are somewhat low and things like texture work and models are a little under done. However, the game manages to ooze it’s own colourful style and for all that is technically deficient, there is some make up in the basis of style. Sure, the game may not look brilliant when you go first-person but it definitely looks like it has some life and the animals can be quite amusing the watch at times. Sound-wise, the game has a few laid-back jungle-style tunes and some colourful sound-effects that include bird noises and monkey squeals but it general it’s a fairly subdued affair.
The best thing about Zoo Tycoon 2 is that it succeeds in what it sets out to do. You can make your zoo and make it your own way. It’s not as deep, long or expansive as other games in the neighbouring genres and it’s not much of a tycoon game. However, the only relevant point is that the game is about playing with zoos. If this interests you in the slightest, this game has something to offer for you.
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