Wikipedia

Planet Zoo

Planet Zoois a 2019construction and management simulationgame byFrontier DevelopmentsforWindows.The game is aspiritual successortoZoo TycoonandZoo Tycoon 2,with gameplay similar to the studio's theme park game,Planet Coaster.Ports forPlayStation 5andXbox Series X/Swere released in 2024.

Planet Zoo
Developer(s)Frontier Developments
Publisher(s)Frontier Developments
Director(s)Piers Jackson
Producer(s)Steve Wilkins
Designer(s)James Taylor
Artist(s)Marc Cox
Composer(s)
Platform(s)
Release
5 November 2019
  • Windows
    • WW:5 November 2019
  • PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
    • WW:26 March 2024
Genre(s)Construction and management
Mode(s)Single-player

As withPlanet Coaster,critics praisedPlanet Zoo'screation tools along with its realisticanimalportrayals and emphasis onwildlife conservation.However, the game was also criticised for the complexity of its management and building mechanics, which were deemed to be overly challenging for some players.Planet Zoohas received severaldownloadable contentpacks adding more animals. The game sold over a million copies in six months.

Gameplay

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AMandrillexhibit inPlanet Zoo

Planet Zootasks players with building azoo,with 76 animal species in the base game and 118 new species available through 18 separatedownloadable contentpacks and the Deluxe Edition. Animals, controlled byartificial intelligence,behave similarly to their real-life counterparts. For instance,wolvesadopt apack mentalityand animals of theAfricanplains(such aselephants,giraffe,zebras,wildebeest,andbuffalo) can live together in a single mixed-species habitat. Each species has its own requirements and needs that players must satisfy through creation of a suitable exhibit environment and adequatebehavioral enrichment.Predatorscan attack and kill other animals, but unlike inZoo Tycoon,cannot attack guests.[1]Each animal has their owngenomewithin the game's breeding system, which reflect its life expectancy, size, health, and fertility and can be passed down through offspring. As such, elements such asinbreedingmay have negative consequences onprogeny.[2]

In addition to ensuring animal welfare, the player must deal with managing the park as an institution. This includes hiring staff, constructing guest amenities and staff facilities, performing research, and working towards the conservation of threatened andendangered species.LikePlanet Coaster,Planet Zooprovides over a thousand building pieces such as seats, lighting, bushes, trees, and items such as individual planks of wood, glass, rocks, and roof tiles. By allowing these items to phase-into and/or lock with each other, the creative player can create elaborate buildings,landscaping,and natural structures such aswaterfallsandcavesystems from scratch. Custom structures can be uploaded as "blueprints"for other players to download for free and place in their own zoos via theSteam Workshop.Safari,boat,train,monorail,andgondola liftrides can also be constructed throughout the zoo for transportation and to offer guests additional ways of viewing animals. The game features a dynamic day/night cycle,weatherpatterns, and animalpoopphysics.[3]

The game features four modes:sandbox,career, challenge, and the online franchise mode.[4]In career mode, the player character works at a zoo company until his Boss goes missing and the company is bought out by Dominic Myers. Myers fires the player character, who begins working for his Boss 's daughter establishing zoos and exposing Myers' criminal behavior. The franchise mode allows the player to build multiplefranchisezoos with a shared economy and animals. Animals can be purchased and traded with other players' zoos through an online marketplace. Regular cooperative online community challenges focused on conservation (such as breeding andreleasingas manygiant pandasto the wild within a certain timeframe) allow players to receive "conservation credits," which can be redeemed for new animals instead of regular in-game currency. The base game features elevencritically endangeredanimal species and subspecies: theblack-and-white ruffed lemur,Bornean orangutan,Chinese pangolin,gharial,Himalayan brown bear,Lehmann's poison frog,Lesser Antillean iguana,red ruffed lemur,West African lion,western chimpanzee,andwestern lowland gorilla.Increasing the zoo's conservation rating through the display and release of endangered animals, informational signs, and educational talks is an important gameplay goal.[5]

Development and release

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The game was announced on 24 April 2019 and released on 5 November 2019.[6][7][8]Its release was highly anticipated by many fans of the originalZoo Tycoonserieswho were disappointed by the significant changes to the2013 reboot.[9][10]Planet Zoowas made using Frontier's Cobragame engine.[11]

Frontier has continued to support the game through free updates to the base game. In addition to patching and bug fixes, these free updates have included new content such as scenery items including foliage and building pieces, new menus for food quality and park rides, and new in-game mechanics like hereditable colour variation, vending machines, educator animal talks, first person camera mode and animal underwater diving. Frontier commemorates the game's yearly anniversary through "Anniversary Updates", commonly adding more animals to the game. So far, the anniversary animals added have been theblack-and-white ruffed lemur,[12]red deer,[13]collared peccary,[14]andAfrican leopard.[15] A version for thePlayStation 5andXbox Series X/S,Planet Zoo: Console Edition,was released on 26 March 2024.[16]

Downloadable content

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Several downloadable content packs have been released for the game, adding new animals, items, and scenarios.

List of downloadable content forPlanet Zoo
Pack Released Ref
ArcticPack 17 December 2019 [17]
South AmericaPack 7 April 2020 [18]
AustraliaPack 25 August 2020 [19]
Aquatic Pack 8 December 2020 [20]
Southeast AsiaAnimal Pack 30 March 2021 [21]
AfricaPack 22 June 2021 [22]
North AmericaAnimal Pack 4 October 2021 [23]
EuropePack 14 December 2021 [24]
WetlandsAnimal Pack 12 April 2022 [25]
Conservation Pack 21 June 2022 [26]
Twilight Pack 18 October 2022 [27]
GrasslandsAnimal Pack 13 December 2022 [28]
Tropical Pack 4 April 2023 [29]
Arid Animal Pack 20 June 2023 [30]
OceaniaPack 19 September 2023 [31]
EurasiaAnimal Pack 13 December 2023 [32]
Barnyard Animal Pack 30 April 2024 [33]
Zookeepers Animal Pack 15 October 2024 [34]

Reception

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Planet Zooreceived "generally positive reviews" according toreview aggregatorMetacritic.[35]It was praised for its attention to detail, graphics, heavily-researchedanimal behavior,robust build tools, in-depth management and economy system, and educational value regarding wildlife conservation. Drawing fromPlanet Coaster,the game was construed as offering players unparalleled flexibility and scope to design a zoological park unbound by creativity relative to previous zoo-based simulation games.IGNdescribed the game as "widely satisfying" and "wowed with a huge amount of customization."[38]Destructoidpraised it as successfully capturing the spirit ofZoo Tycoon[10]and many reviews have characterized it as the finest zoo management game of its time,[35][40]withKotakucalling it "one of gaming's great sandboxes".[41]

However, these features also drew criticism for a steep learning curve and requiring a heavy attention to management; many reviewers considered this potentially off-putting to casual players who may be primarily interested in the animals over broader elements of park management. Although highly complex and detailed structures may be designed from scratch, the building mechanics and pathing system in particular have been described as being very difficult for new players to execute properly, especially for those who had not previously playedPlanet Coaster.[10]Various guest, staff, and animal welfare mechanics have also been described as requiring an at times overwhelming degree ofmicromanagement.[42]GameSpotdescribed the game as a "spreadsheet safari" which "sometimes stumbles under the weight of its own systems",[37]whileGameInformerconcluded that "an unreasonable level of patience [...] creates a barrier around its best qualities."[36]

Reception to post-launch support and updates have been positive, with several attempts to address ongoing criticisms of the management and building systems. The introduction of new animals and set pieces has been highly positive, although some players have advocated for increasing the number of additional animals per DLC pack.[43][44][45]Planet Zoohas adopted an approach of releasing smaller, more frequent content packs in contrast to the larger expansion packs of the originalZoo Tycoonseries. In response to this feedback, the fourth expansion pack, the Southeast Asia Animal Pack, was released with 8 animals;[46]the developers also made rapid modifications to the incomingbinturongmodel after fans identified inaccurate anatomy in pre-release screenshots.[47]

The game had sold more than a million copies by May 2020.[48]It won the awards for "Best Simulation Game" atGamescom2019 and "Best Strategy/Simulation Game" at the 2020Webby Awards.[49][50]It was also nominated for "Best British Game" at the16th British Academy Games Awards.[51]

References

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  1. ^Watts, Rachel (6 November 2019)."I released all of the animals in Planet Zoo".PC Gamer.Retrieved2 December2020.
  2. ^Kent, Emma (24 April 2019)."Planet Zoo will feature" the most realistic animals in any game "".Eurogamer.Retrieved11 May2019.
  3. ^Yin-Poole, Wesley (15 June 2019)."17 minnutes of Frontier's promising Planet Zoo - and a snippet of poo physics".Eurogamer.Retrieved2 December2020.
  4. ^Gwaltney, Javy (24 April 2019)."Five Reasons Planet Zoo Is Promising".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2019.Retrieved11 May2019.
  5. ^"Planet Zoo - Simulation runs wild".Planet Zoo.Retrieved3 December2020.
  6. ^Kelly, Andy (24 April 2019)."Design and manage a zoo in Frontier's next game, Planet Zoo".PC Gamer.
  7. ^Watts, Rachel (10 June 2019)."The Planet Zoo release date has been revealed".PCGamesN.Retrieved10 June2019.
  8. ^Gwaltney, Javy (24 April 2019)."Planet Coaster Creators Reveal Spiritual Successor To Zoo Tycoon".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2019.
  9. ^Lianna, Lianna (23 July 2019)."Planet Zoo: 5 Things It Does Better Than Zoo Tycoon (& 5 Things It Does Worse)".The Gamer.Retrieved2 December2020.
  10. ^abcdDevore, Jordan (9 November 2019)."Review: Planet Zoo".Destructoid.Retrieved2 December2020.
  11. ^"Cobra Development Technology & Tools".Frontier Developments.Retrieved3 December2023.
  12. ^"Update 1.7.2 and Planet Zoo 2nd Anniversary!".Planet Zoo.Retrieved2 April2024.
  13. ^"Update 1.11.2 and Planet Zoo 3rd Anniversary!".Planet Zoo.Retrieved2 April2024.
  14. ^"Update 1.15.2 and Planet Zoo 4th Anniversary!".Planet Zoo.Retrieved2 April2024.
  15. ^"Update Notes".Planet Zoo.15 October 2024.Retrieved17 October2024.
  16. ^"Planet Zoo releases for consoles in March".Eurogamer.net.30 January 2024.Retrieved30 January2024.
  17. ^"Planet Zoo adds Arctic-themed DLC next week".Eurogamer.net.12 December 2019.Retrieved6 November2024.
  18. ^"Planet Zoo goes to South America with new DLC next week".Shacknews.31 March 2020.Retrieved6 November2024.
  19. ^"Planet Zoo is getting Australia themed DLC this week".PCGamesN.20 August 2020.Retrieved6 November2024.
  20. ^L, Stefan (8 December 2020)."Planet Zoo: Aquatic Pack and update 1.4 are out now".The Sixth Axis.Retrieved6 November2024.
  21. ^Comments, Gavin Sheehan | (21 March 2021)."Planet Zoo Will Receive The Southeast Asia & 1.5 Update This Month".bleedingcool.Retrieved6 November2024.
  22. ^Reporter, Imogen Beckhelling Former News; Beckhelling, Imogen (22 June 2021)."Planet Zoo's Africa pack added excellent meerkats today".Rock, Paper, Shotgun.Retrieved6 November2024.
  23. ^Bennett, Matthew (4 October 2021)."Planet Zoo's North America Animal Pack is now live".EGM.Retrieved6 November2024.
  24. ^Comments, Gavin Sheehan | (8 December 2021)."Planet Zoo Will Get The New Europe DLC Pack December 14th".bleedingcool.Retrieved6 November2024.
  25. ^"Capybara, platypus, and more coming to Planet Zoo in new Wetlands DLC".Eurogamer.net.29 March 2022.Retrieved6 November2024.
  26. ^"Planet Zoo adds five endangered animals in new conservation-themed DLC".Eurogamer.net.21 June 2022.Retrieved6 November2024.
  27. ^"Planet Zoo is getting some spooky night-themed DLC just in time for Halloween".Eurogamer.net.7 October 2022.Retrieved6 November2024.
  28. ^"Discover Eight Unique New Species with Planet Zoo: Grasslands Animal Pack - Out Now!".frontier.co.uk.Retrieved6 November2024.
  29. ^Sam (4 April 2023)."Planet Zoo: Tropical Pack Goes Live On Steam | The Otaku's Study".Retrieved6 November2024.
  30. ^"'Planet Zoo' Arid Animal Pack Will Add New Animals And Scenario Later This Month, Coincides With Free Update - Trailer ".WorthPlaying.Retrieved6 November2024.
  31. ^"Planet Zoo gets a new update, Oceania pack also released".GodisaGeek.19 September 2023.Retrieved6 November2024.
  32. ^"PLANET ZOO DLC - EURASIA PACK Review: Where's The Land, Ma'am?".GameTyrant.2 May 2024.Retrieved6 November2024.
  33. ^"Planet Zoo becomes Planet Petting Zoo in the newly announced Barnyard Animal Pack DLC".PCGamesN.22 April 2024.Retrieved6 November2024.
  34. ^"Planet Zoo 'Zookeepers Animal Pack' coming next week to PC".GodisaGeek.9 October 2024.Retrieved6 November2024.
  35. ^abc"Planet Zoo for PC Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Retrieved10 March2020.
  36. ^abWallace, Kimberley (7 November 2019)."Planet Zoo Review – Wearing Down Barriers".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon 8 November 2019.Retrieved2 December2020.
  37. ^abSwinbanks, James (20 November 2019)."Planet Zoo Review - Spreadsheet Safart".GameSpot.Retrieved2 December2020.
  38. ^abHafer, Leana (28 April 2020)."Planet Zoo Review".IGN.Retrieved2 December2020.
  39. ^Livingston, Christopher (5 November 2019)."Planet Zoo review".pcgamer.Retrieved2 December2020.
  40. ^"Wertung: Planet Zoo im Test: Der König der Zoo-Simulationen".GameStar.Retrieved2 December2020.
  41. ^Plunkett, Luke (5 November 2019)."Planet Zoo Has Cute Animals, But The Management Sucks".Kotaku.Retrieved2 December2020.
  42. ^Dale, Laura (8 November 2019)."Planet Zoo shows the attractions are more important than the guests".Polygon.Retrieved2 December2020.
  43. ^Steighner, Mark (26 December 2019)."Planet Zoo Arctic Pack Review".DarkStation.Retrieved2 December2020.
  44. ^Clark, Dean (17 May 2020)."PLANET ZOO: SOUTH AMERICAN DLC & UPDATE Review: Expanding Into Better Gameplay".gametyrant.Retrieved2 December2020.
  45. ^Smith, Jake (28 August 2020)."Planet Zoo Australia DLC Review".Nerdy Bird Games.Retrieved2 December2020.
  46. ^Tablante, Lexuzze (30 March 2021)."Planet Zoo Gets a Southeast Asia Animal Pack Today!".Sirius Gaming.Retrieved30 March2021.
  47. ^"Tweet".Twitter.Retrieved30 March2021.
  48. ^Kerr, Chris (20 May 2020)."Planet Zoo has surpassed 1 million sales in under six months".Gamasutra.Retrieved2 January2020.
  49. ^Mamiit, Aaron (25 August 2019)."PlayStation 4 exclusive Dreams takes home Best of Gamescom 2019 award".Digital Trends.Retrieved25 January2020.
  50. ^"Webby Awards: Games".The Webby Awards.19 May 2020.Retrieved20 May2020.
  51. ^Stuart, Keith (3 March 2020)."Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations".The Guardian.Retrieved4 March2020.
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