ic-games Review - Zoo Tycoon 2 Review - Reviews, Previews and Interviews for PC, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii

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Zoo Tycoon 2

Zoo Tycoon 2 Review

Information
Reviewer: James Collins
Developer: Blue Fang Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Reviewed: PC
Genre: Tycoon
UK Release: 26th Nov 2004
Article Date: 30th Nov 2004
Difficulty: Medium
Retail Price: £34.99
Price Comparison:
0

Score Breakdown

Experience:
Game Play:
Graphics:
Sound:
Overall Score: 90%

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Pros

Perfect for kids

And Adults too

Brilliant first person mode

Rewarding graphics

Download system

Zoopedia

Cons

Poor alert system

High end PC required with large zoos

Screenshots

36 of 41

Zoo Tycoon 2 is a rare breed of game, it doesn’t rely on, or need excessive violence to shock us into buying it. It has the potential to entertain everyone from the smallest toddler to the oldest gamer and at the same time even educate. Zoo Tycoon 2 has matured into a cracking little sequel, no mistake.

Before we get into why we think you should mark down Zoo Tycoon 2 for Christmas, its perhaps wise to explain a little about the series for newcomers. Ultimately the goal In Zoo Tycoon 2 is to build the most successful zoo possible, and in Zoo Tycoon you have two very different game modes to help achieve this. With the campaign mode you are put in charge of a Zoo already established and must complete certain tasks to prove you are fit for the job. This could be anything from rescuing a Zoo from another rogue Zoo Keeper who abused the animals or you could be put in charge of a Zoo chosen to breed specific rare animals. Once the tasks are completed you are allowed to take direct control over the Zoo in a sandbox style mode.

The other option, the challenge mode, is where you get to build a Zoo from scratch. You start the game from a location of your choice, a limited budget and its up to you to design the Zoo from the ground up. The Campaign mode might be better suited for the younger audience or perhaps a refresher course for an older gamer, but its in the Challenge mode where the most fun can be gleamed. The crux of the Challenge mode still involves building a successful Zoo but at anytime you’ll be given a challenge based on your Zoo. You can simply ignore any or all of these challenges but refusal will mean you could lose out on extra goodies for your Zoo, fame, and of course some hard cash. Lastly, there is the sandbox game mode in which you are given everything you need to make the Zoo of your dreams – no holds barred, and sadly because of that, no challenge either.

Perhaps the best feature in this game (for children anyway) is the brilliant first person mode where you can stroll around your own zoo at your leisure. Not only this but you can actually take over the majority of the zoo keepers role (and thus saving you money). You can wash, pamper, feed and clean up after all your animals in the zoo. Ok, this might not seem like a brilliant task for any older teenager or adult but isn’t it commendable that a game is actually teaching correct animal etiquettes? Either way if there are any young children around watching Zoo Tycoon 2 its almost a guarantee that they’ll want to spend the most time in this mode tending to the animals every whim. Even more so when every good deed is rewarded by a small animation and a very happy animal. First person mode is also where you get the best pictures from the inbuilt camera. All pictures taken by the game camera can be saved or even exported out of the game onto a web page for sharing with friends. The same is true of the zoo maps which is a nice touch.

Finding an ‘in-game’ download section for updates and special additions was certainly a welcome surprise and a sure sign that this product will have a significant life span. On installing for the first time it was pleasant to see a present already waiting in the download section. It was a simple matter of selecting the addition, waiting for it to download and install by itself. Its certainly good for parents that any updates are an easy and pain free install, all within the confines of the game and Zoo Tycoon 2 certainly provides this.

There are a few problems sadly, your going to need a pretty meaty PC if you wish to avoid slowdown, especially when your Zoo grows in stature and size. The framerate plummeted when our successful enterprise took off and attracted many visitors. The terrain editor is also not as intuitive as it could be and because of the 3D engine very difficult to gauge exact depths or inclines when adding new features to your zoo. With a little patience though you’ll soon get to grips although it certainly could have been designed a little easier. If you were being picky you could also point out that the Alerts never seem to be able to differentiate between an emergency like your prized elephant dying and that of a someone not being able to access the ATM. If only the developers added a klaxon to the real emergencies accidents would be less likely.

It goes without saying that if you are in the market for a zoo tycoon game this Christmas then there is really only one contender. Zoo Tycoon 2 is colourful, loveable and extremely enjoyable to play. With the incredibly detailed zoopedia, drip fed online downloads and exceptionally fun and rewarding gameplay this is certainly one game I wouldn’t mind my children playing, that’s if they can get me off the thing first. Genuine family fun and for once, brilliance that's suitable for all.

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