Planet Zoo

Hardcore management sim fans may enjoy Planet Zoo, but others may find it overly complex and packed with an overwhelming amount of management options.

It has been six years since Frontier Developments last allowed people to create their own zoos with Zoo Tycoon on Xbox One – many developers do not seem to attempt a business simulation game set with the theme of zoos, so seeing Frontier Developments...

Planet Zoo is simply wonderful; a bright and breezy park builder that gushes with enthusiasm for its charges. There’s depth to spare here, pushing further than either of Frontier’s most recent management games have, and it leans into its own identity, with a keen eye for the importance of education, animal welfare and preservation.

Planet Zoo is a beautifully detailed and mechanically rich management sim that sometimes stumbles under the weight of its own systems. The diverse lineup of exquisitely rendered animals is utterly delightful, and the tools you're given to build your...

Planet Zoo is a decent zoo simulator that gives the impression of being easy and light-hearted, but goes a little bit too deep into micromanaging and bogs the gameplay down much of the time. Slower pacing, clearer instructions and some randomized...

Planet Zoo is everything that fans of Zoo Tycoon and similar park management sims have been waiting for. The deep management systems are extensive, yet intuitive and allow for plenty of customisation whilst providing a decent challenge for those looking...

Planet Zoo is fantastic – it's both relaxing and intense, depending on how you go about it, and it's one of my favorite sandbox building games in a good long time. You are basically designing, building and managing a zoo. And the tools are your disposal...

Planet Zoo is a wildly satisfying park-builder with a menagerie of lovely looking animals.

Planet Zoo pulls off the act and manages to be a great time for it. Plus, people will accidentally learn about the subject matter without ever feeling like they are playing a dreaded “educational” game. There are myriad technical issues that keep the title from being perfect and some of them are biggies. Based on Frontier Developments’ track record, these will be smoothed out in the coming weeks and months. Once this is done, Planet Zoo is arguably the best of this type of game to date.

Planet Zoo put up a lot of obstacles to my enjoyment, but once I broke through the majority of them, I found that engaging loop of mastery and success that makes simulation games fun. I enjoyed trying to one-up my last creation and surpass my previous revenue and years in business. Unfortunately, Planet Zoo requires an unreasonable level of patience that creates a barrier around its best qualities.

Planet Zoo is a great management game that lets you impose your own goals and always gives you something to strive for. With incredible graphical fidelity, a huge overlapping array of mechanics to balance and incredible detail, the only issue is the...

Planet Zoo's management layer is thin and its construction kit occasionally frustrating, but a cast of lifelike animals and an if-you-dream-it-you-can-build-it spirit make this one of the most charming builders ever.