Planet Coaster 2

59%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,207 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • stability
Planet Coaster 2 Game Cover
Planet Coaster 2 excels in amusement park management, presenting a superb combination of gameplay depth and accessibility. You’re sure to enjoy the ride in this brilliant coaster tycoon.
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Planet Coaster 2: Deluxe Edition allows you to create your dream coaster park with enhanced building tools and customization options. This edition includes the Vintage Funfair Ride Pack, giving you access to ten vintage rides. Dive into a world of management and creativity, building sprawling plazas and thrilling rides for your guests to enjoy.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

59%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,207 reviews
graphics201 positive mentions
stability283 negative mentions
  • The game offers stunning graphics and improved coaster building mechanics.
  • The addition of water parks and the ability to customize rides with scenery is a significant improvement.
  • The pathing system has been revamped, allowing for more creative park layouts.
  • The game was released in a buggy and unfinished state, with many core mechanics not functioning properly.
  • There is a lack of content compared to the original Planet Coaster, with many rides and themes missing.
  • The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, making it frustrating to navigate and build.
  • graphics540 mentions

    The graphics in Planet Coaster 2 have received significant praise for their stunning visuals, improved lighting, and enhanced detail compared to its predecessor. Many players appreciate the vibrant aesthetics and smoother animations, although some have reported issues with blurriness and performance, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered a major upgrade, there are mixed feelings about optimization and certain visual glitches that detract from the experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, with beautifully detailed rides, dynamic weather, and immersive lighting that make your parks feel alive.”
    • “Planet Coaster 2 delivers beautiful, upgraded visuals that feel fresher and crisper than the original game, and there’s no denying the graphics are a treat.”
    • “The new graphics engine brings the visuals to life in stunning detail, with dynamic lighting and realistic physics that make each coaster ride feel exhilarating.”
    • “A lot of the visuals, assets, and shading have been downgraded to accommodate the console ports, which is fine...if the game was functionally as good or not better than PC1.”
    • “The graphics are blurry even at 4K ultra and they don't look as good as PC1.”
    • “The graphics look great but the game is also buggy.”
  • gameplay480 mentions

    The gameplay of Planet Coaster 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting significant issues with core mechanics, particularly around staff management and maintenance. While the game introduces new features like water parks and improved graphics, players often find the mechanics cumbersome and buggy, leading to repetitive and frustrating gameplay experiences. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, many feel the game lacks the polish and depth expected from a sequel, making it feel more like an expansion of the original rather than a fully realized new title.

    • “The waterpark building and overall gameplay is more enjoyable than I was prepared for, particularly in sandbox mode.”
    • “It's a perfect mix of relaxing gameplay and engaging challenges, proving that simplicity done right can be incredibly addictive.”
    • “The game offers stunning visuals, highly detailed ride mechanics, and an intuitive user interface that makes building and managing parks both accessible and rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay is lackluster and quickly gets boring.”
    • “The game was released far too early and has far too many 'core mechanic' bugs which are ultimately not just a nuisance but flat out deal-breaking in a simulation.”
    • “Mechanics wander aimlessly and don't fix rides unless they're broken (sometimes not fixing them at all), you'll hire a half-dozen mechanics for your small park but still get constant messages about 'service badges' expiring because they just don't fix things.”
  • stability307 mentions

    The stability of Planet Coaster 2 has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that render the game frustrating and often unplayable. Many players recommend avoiding the game until substantial updates are released to address these problems, as it currently feels unfinished and lacks the polish expected from a sequel. While some users acknowledge the game's potential and enjoyable aspects, the overwhelming consensus is that its current state is a "buggy mess."

    • “Plays great and runs great, no issues!”
    • “The game runs great, it's very playable, and has minor issues.”
    • “Game runs great and is fun.”
    • “The game was released in a very buggy and unfinished state.”
    • “It's so ridiculously buggy and so poorly optimized that it's barely playable.”
    • “This game isn't ready, it's a buggy mess bordering on unplayable.”
  • optimization236 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and lag, particularly on PC. While some users noted improvements over the previous installment, others criticized the game for being poorly optimized for PC, feeling more suited for console play, and having a clunky user interface. Overall, while there are glimpses of good performance on high-end systems, many players express frustration with the game's stability and optimization, especially in larger parks.

    • “Overall the game has been optimized to a great extent.”
    • “The massive improvement in optimization is my favorite part as despite having thousands of assets in my park, my game is still buttery smooth, so this is a huge improvement over PC1.”
    • “Despite its complex systems and stunning visuals, Planet Coaster 2 runs smoothly on modern hardware.”
    • “The stuttering, however, adds frustration, annoyance, and as a result, the game is unplayable, especially when you are trying to have a bit of finesse when building detail.”
    • “It's so ridiculously buggy and so poorly optimized that it's barely playable (again, aside from sandbox mode, and admittedly I've seen some absolutely gorgeous creations shared online).”
    • “Performance is below what you'd expect.”
  • music90 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the quality and variety of the soundtrack, which includes unexpected genres and maintains the charming vibe of the original. However, a significant number of players are disappointed by the absence of custom music and media import options, features that were beloved in the previous installment. While the in-game music is generally well-received, the lack of customization has been noted as a major oversight at launch, with promises of future updates to address these concerns.

    • “The music and sound design of this game is amazing.”
    • “The soundtrack is once again pretty neat and relaxing, and fits very well.”
    • “The updated music feels nostalgic yet polished, and ride soundtracks are high quality.”
    • “Cannot recommend the game in the current state... I understand this is an entirely new game, not a DLC or upgrade to the original, but come on, not including custom content (music, videos, images) and legacy items from PC1 is just lazy.”
    • “I was also hoping that the developer would build on the features that were present in the previous Planet games, but instead it seems many have been removed for some reason (we don't even have custom music or billboards anymore).”
    • “One of the worst decisions was removing customizable music and billboards. These features were essential for me, allowing me to add real-life park music or create custom soundtracks that enhanced immersion.”
  • story85 mentions

    The story mode in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lackluster and plagued by bugs that hinder progress. While some appreciate the cute narrative and character interactions, others criticize the repetitive mission structure and lack of clear guidance, leading to frustration and soft-locks. Overall, the story aspect seems to need significant improvements in user-friendliness and bug fixes to enhance the gaming experience.

    • “The career mode has a little story, different parks and themes; it's cute.”
    • “It plays similarly to Planet Zoo, where you get a proper storyline instead of simply a map with stuff and tasks you're supposed to get done.”
    • “The career mode story plot is fun, and I have laughed aloud at some of the character jokes so far.”
    • “The story mode is lackluster, offering little guidance in how to achieve the aims and how to actually perfect the art of making a theme park.”
    • “It's flawed, bugged, and even one of the campaign missions is bugged in a way that you can't complete the scenario in the way you are meant to.”
    • “Game-breaking bugs since mission one.”
  • grinding81 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tedious and cumbersome user interface, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Players find the management systems, building mechanics, and staff assignments to be overly complex and time-consuming, often requiring excessive clicks and manual input. While some enjoy the game's potential, many express frustration with the grindy nature of tasks that feel more like a chore than a creative experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The state of this game currently that have been intentionally designed has made this an awful, tedious, annoying pile of junk that is very unenjoyable to play.”
    • “Building custom coasters and managing the surrounding elements is just too tedious, time-consuming, and buggy.”
    • “The interface is a mess – there are far too many clicks just to open menus or place items, making the whole experience feel clunky and tedious.”
  • monetization64 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of core features from the previous installment and the introduction of paid DLC shortly after release. Players feel that the focus on generating revenue undermines the game's quality and alienates dedicated fans, leading to frustration over missing content and misleading advertising regarding multiplayer capabilities. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, leaving many feeling cheated and dissatisfied.

    • “It’s hard not to worry that these will be sold later as DLC, especially with how the game’s monetization is set up.”
    • “This game has been developed with an aggressive DLC monetization strategy; new attractions are coming at some point with a €9.99/$ price tag.”
    • “It feels like they prioritized quick cash grabs over delivering a polished, functional experience.”
    • “This game was clearly rushed out as a cash grab.”
    • “It's sad to see such a beloved title become such a blatant cash grab.”
  • humor26 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of charming quirks and unintentional hilarity, stemming from bugs and design flaws that lead to absurd situations, such as coaster malfunctions and exaggerated character interactions. While some players find the comedic elements engaging and entertaining, others criticize the game's inconsistencies and the developers' handling of feedback, leading to a perception of the game as a "funny" but flawed experience. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, making the gameplay enjoyable despite its shortcomings.

    • “It's funny, charming, and perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of playing god with a rollercoaster tycoon twist.”
    • “The best part about exiting a ride is stopping at the photo booth and laughing at your terrified face as you went over the big drop.”
    • “This game makes the career mode funny and interesting with the characters and makes me want to play more.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some users express concerns about its initial low replayability, many highlight the positive impact of multiplayer features and community workshops, which significantly enhance the experience. The potential for future updates and improvements also suggests that replayability may increase over time, with players finding endless opportunities for creativity and challenges.

    • “The ability to share designs via the community workshop ensures endless replayability and inspiration.”
    • “Anyway, if I have any critique, I might say it may have low replayability.”
    • “Whether you’re trying to build the perfect park, beating a specific challenge, or browsing through the creative works of others in the community, the replay value is through the roof.”
    • “Multiplayer is a welcome addition, letting you collaborate or share designs with friends, adding endless replayability.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engaging theming, realistic lighting thanks to ray tracing, and vibrant graphics that enhance the overall experience. However, some users express disappointment with certain features, such as the removal of fireworks, which detracts from the park's ambiance. Overall, while the visuals and sound contribute positively to the atmosphere, there are mixed feelings about specific elements that could be improved.

    • “The theming and atmosphere are amazing, and this is the first time in a while that I've felt so engaged in a world.”
    • “Thanks to ray tracing, indoor areas are actually dark and realistic now, which adds much to the atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics feel sharp, vibrant, and capture the atmosphere of the original, while updating to meet current-gen standards.”
    • “Starting from the clunky GUI, the uninspired atmosphere, on to the poor graphics.”
    • “Even the little things add to the disappointment: the removal of fireworks may seem minor, but it’s a feature I genuinely miss for park atmosphere and special events.”
    • “I am a scenery buff, so it's more about the atmosphere I can create for a ride/coaster.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting both nostalgia and disappointment. While many appreciate the graphics and community elements that evoke childhood memories, frustrations arise from game-crashing bugs and user interface issues, leading to a sense of heartbreak over the game's unrealized potential. Overall, the emotional responses reflect a mix of joy and frustration, underscoring the game's impact on players' feelings.

    • “I want to cry, finally playing Planet Coaster 2 after so long waiting for a water park game with much more realism and graphics.”
    • “The most important thing about this game: it made me feel like a child again.”
    • “It seems that game developers might be overlooking these core emotional responses.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for its strong design and seamless integration into the game's progression and tutorial, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.

    • “The character design is excellent, and it seamlessly integrates with the progression and tutorial aspects of the game.”
    • “I love how the character development is tied to the story, making each progression feel meaningful.”
    • “The way characters evolve throughout the game adds depth and keeps me engaged in their journeys.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy Planet Coaster 2

Play time

20hMedian play time
179hAverage play time
5-170hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 44 analyzed playthroughs

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