While not state of the art, graphics realistically depict animals and habitats. Graphics: Consistent artwork shows guests and animals at play. For the majority of gamers, though, the game will maintain interest for only a little while before being shelved for a rainy day. Those who don't mind the leisurely pace will find hours of decorating enjoyment.
Beyond basic maintenance, you'll mostly just watch and wait for the next rush of action. Zoo Tycoon is a nice diversion from the tedium of other tycoon games, but not overly exciting. The game will appeal to a creative segment of gamers who need a break from the blood and mayhem of other games, and the downloadable extras reward loyal fans of the title.
The official website has several new animals, scenarios, and buildings for download. Zookeepers can expect continued support from Microsoft for this single-player game. Unfortunately, the action happens in spurts, not evenly enough to excite most gamers. After making an exhibit just right, there's not much else to do except wait for money to come in to start another. Zookeepers are assigned paths, but often can't reach some cages, which results in the hiring of an extra worker or regularly reworking pathways. Since many stores and donations hardly make any cash, zoos must rely on selling baby animals for a big portion of their income, but most animals take forever to reproduce. Others, like the jaguar, are much more finicky and nearly impossible to please. Some animals, like camels, are exceedingly easy to take care of, with only slight modifications to the cage. The game won't put your speakers to the test, but it isn't terrible either.Īlthough realism is a key part of Zoo Tycoon's formula, it is also its biggest fault. Overall, sound plays a backseat, being neither intrusive nor absent. There is no soundtrack other than the title screen's jungle theme song, however. The hoots, growls, snorts, and honks of over 40 types of animals are faithfully recreated. Zoo Tycoon does a nice job of recreating the sounds of the zoo.
The menus are easy to navigate and relatively intuitive the panda icon shows a list of animals while a shovel/hammer icon readies construction options. No zoom feature is available, but several tycoon games have suffered from blocky close-ups so perhaps it's understandable. For the mean spirited, overcrowding cages with predators and prey results in a cartoon scuffle-cloud, but nothing more violent. Especially amusing are the frightened guests screaming and running from freed lions. Creatures frolic, prowl, paw, and sleep with convincing realism. The animals and buildings are nicely rendered and easily identifiable. Plenty of buildings and maintenance facilities can be placed, such as trash or rest areas, but they're not nearly as customizable as the terrain or flora options. Once the animals are happy and content, adding the amenities for the public is a bit of a letdown. Reading the database is a very educational experience as well. A virtual zookeeper informs you of animal needs with usually sound advice congruent with the detailed entries in the animal information database. Considering there are over 40 different types of animals, there are nearly endless landscaping possibilities.Īfter laying out the cages, buying animals, and staffing the zoo, there really isn't much to do except fine-tune the environment for optimum comfort for the animals or fix trampled areas. This leads to some very intriguing design possibilities, as long as the balance remains within the limits dictated by the animal's needs. A polar bear is just as happy with an island surrounded by fresh water as it is with a small pond and a shore of snow. Animals need appropriate terrain and housing, but how the cage is detailed is up to you. The most striking aspect of Zoo Tycoon's gameplay is the level of customization. To that end, there are several animals, terrain types, and fence styles for the exhibits in addition to food kiosks, gift shops, and smaller attractions to spruce up the landscape. Zoo Tycoon answers the age-old question, who picks up the scat after the crowds go home?Īlthough Zoo Tycoon doesn't have a true storyline, it does follow the conventional pattern established by RollerCoaster Tycoon: build attractions, supply shops to sell items, and deal with the difficulties of meeting the basic needs of large crowds. Now you can experience the joys and pains of maintaining a zoo suitable for both animals and guests. Behind the scenes, however, there is an army of vendors, veterinarians, and visitor guides making sure the zoo runs smoothly. Examining the menagerie of exotic animals in reconstructed habitats makes for a fun and educational afternoon. After theme parks, one of the most enjoyable experiences is visiting the zoo.
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