Planet Coaster 2

Planet Coaster 2 is one of the pinnacles of the theme park simulator genre and while it doesn’t have a smooth learning curve for newcomers, it’s safe to say that those who have already mastered its systems will enjoy it immensely.

Starting at $41.41Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 908 reviews

graphics56 positive mentions

optimization28 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and improved lighting, making it visually appealing.
The new pathing system allows for greater creativity and ease of building compared to the first game.
The addition of water parks and customizable rides enhances the gameplay experience.

The user interface is clunky and not intuitive for PC players, making navigation frustrating.
There are significant bugs and performance issues, including problems with guest pathfinding and ride operations.
Many features and themes from the original game are missing, leading to a feeling of limited content at launch.

graphics
179 mentions
31 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics in Planet Coaster 2 have received widespread praise for their significant improvements over the original game, showcasing stunning visuals, enhanced lighting, and better water effects. However, some players have reported issues with blurriness and performance, particularly when using high settings, leading to mixed feelings about optimization and user experience. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight, they are accompanied by some technical challenges that may detract from the experience for certain users.
- “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.”
- “Frontier has done an outstanding job with the graphics in this game – they’re absolutely stunning.”
- “The graphics look incredible, especially with the lighting and global illumination!”
- “The graphics are blurry even at 4k ultra and they don't look as good as PC1.”
- “That's not even mentioning the horrendous performance and graphics issues this game is launching with.”
- “The graphics are not as sharp, running on a Ryzen 9 (7900x) and a 4070ti, and looks like, dare I say it, it was made for console.”
optimization
101 mentions
24 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
28 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly on PC, despite having high-end hardware. While some users report smooth performance and improvements over the previous installment, others criticize the user interface as being overly optimized for consoles, leading to a frustrating experience on PC. Overall, while there are positive aspects regarding performance and graphics, many players feel that further optimization is needed to fully realize the game's potential.
- “The game is well optimized if you have a decent computer, which is always a great thing to see amid more recent games released with horrible optimization on launch.”
- “The global illumination looks much better, and the game now supports FSR3 and DLSS, giving players more options for performance and visual quality.”
- “In terms of performance, the game runs much better at launch than the first game, and it looks really nice at 2K ultra settings.”
- “It is poorly optimized in the build menus.”
- “The worst thing they did is probably the user interface; they mixed up some buttons and removed some features, optimizing it for console, which is stupid.”
- “This is one of the worst optimized games I've ever seen.”
gameplay
77 mentions
18 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Planet Coaster 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the improved graphics and new mechanics, such as power and water management systems. However, frustrations arise from bugs, a convoluted interface, and an ineffective mechanics system that detracts from the overall experience, leading to repetitive gameplay and a lack of depth in park management. While some players find the game enjoyable and a step up from its predecessor, others feel it requires significant refinement and optimization to reach its full potential.
- “It's everything I loved in the original and now with new mechanics we wanted, like making plaza areas and lots of upgraded management functions.”
- “A superb upgrade from the original game, yes it needs the core themes (western, fantasy, adventure, and spooky especially) but the new themes are exciting, the coasters are smooth, the gameplay is fantastic and once you work out how to move around the menus everything flows easily.”
- “New gameplay features, like power and water systems, and the inclusion of water parks in the base game, enhance the experience significantly.”
- “There are several upgrades from the first game, but they are overshadowed by bugs and gameplay mechanics that make the game more frustrating than fun.”
- “The variety of rides feels noticeably limited, which quickly leads to repetitive gameplay, and the mechanics don’t introduce anything particularly new to keep you engaged.”
- “While the performance and graphics are impressive, the overall user experience is hindered by the convoluted building mechanics and the unintuitive interface.”
stability
50 mentions
14 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that hinder gameplay. While some users note that the game runs well on their systems and has impressive graphics, others express frustration over persistent issues with the user interface, pathfinding, and overall performance. Overall, the game appears to be in need of significant optimization and bug fixes to enhance the player experience.
- “The game runs great on my PC.”
- “Runs great, looks great.”
- “Overall, the game runs great and looks good.”
- “My PC exceeds the recommended specs, yet the game freezes every 10 to 15 seconds, creating a stuttering effect.”
- “Things are clunky to edit, menus are buggy, the game crashes, and the depth of field is hopelessly searching for a focus point at all times.”
- “The game has game-breaking glitches where some of the rides don't even spawn in the ride vehicles or run.”
music
36 mentions
14 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received praise for its fresh and diverse soundtrack, featuring niche genres like dnb and chillwave, which many players find enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere. However, the removal of custom music options has disappointed some users, as they valued the ability to personalize their parks with their own soundtracks. Overall, while the in-game music is well-received, the lack of customization features has been a significant drawback for many players.
- “When I bought this game, I wasn't expecting to find DnB, kawaii future pop, and chillwave as part of the soundtrack, but I'm definitely not complaining.”
- “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.”
- “I really like some of the new features, but why would they remove basic features like custom music.”
- “One of the worst decisions was removing customizable music and billboards.”
- “You cannot add your own music and audio to your parks.”
story
24 mentions
17 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the engaging character-driven narratives and humorous dialogue in the career mode, while others criticize the lack of depth and coherence in the storyline. Many feel that the missions are challenging but short, and some express disappointment that the game does not build on the storytelling elements that made the previous title enjoyable. Overall, while there are moments of fun and creativity, the story is seen as lacking substance and integration.
- “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.”
- “Planet Coaster 2 brings engaging storylines with main characters that guide you through the game, helping you progress while learning the ropes.”
- “The story is trash; the first park after the tutorial was just cringe-worthy.”
- “It also doesn't really provide many changes beyond the first title besides minor management sim things, minor 'story', campaign research, and pools.”
- “Also... why add a story to the campaign??”
grinding
20 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, primarily due to a poorly designed user interface that requires excessive clicks and navigation through numerous menus. While the game offers a wealth of features, the cumbersome controls and slow processes detract from the overall enjoyment, making tasks like building coasters and managing resources feel laborious. Many reviewers express a desire for a more intuitive and streamlined experience, particularly for PC users.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game looks fantastic, but the clunky navigation and tedious interactions make it frustrating to play.”
- “My main issue with the game is the change in control scheme for mouse and keyboard; things seem to take more button presses, making path building and coaster editing a bit more tedious.”
- “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.”
monetization
12 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as aggressive and reminiscent of a cash grab, with players expressing dissatisfaction over the reliance on paid DLCs and a confusing advertisement system. Many feel that the game's features, such as cross-platform multiplayer, are misleading, and there are concerns about the overall quality and updates, which seem rushed and lacking in essential elements for a theme park builder. Overall, players are hoping for improvements to justify the costs associated with the game.
- “This game has been developed with an aggressive DLC monetization strategy, similar to Planet Zoo, with new attractions coming at a price of €9.99/$.”
- “I would happily change my review should they tackle these issues, but for now it feels like a rushed out cash grab to me.”
- “This game has been developed with an aggressive DLC monetization strategy (ehm, Planet Zoo), new attractions are coming at some point with a €9.99/$ price tag.”
- “Waiting for updates on a cash grab game is pointless.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd and chaotic elements, such as exaggerated audio effects and the comedic outcomes of player-created roller coasters. Players find amusement in the game's quirks, like the hilarity of terrified ride photos and the unintended consequences of buggy mechanics. Overall, the humor is described as a blend of intentional comedy and unintentional hilarity, making for a fun and entertaining experience.
- “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.”
- “Then there is me creating the most tragic roller coaster rides ever and doing crazy layouts; there are a few bugs like a roller coaster going through a stone and not affecting it or a building, but I'm not complaining about it, it's way too funny.”
- “Epic game, you can kill people with the coasters, really funny and customizable.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, with users highlighting its vibrant graphics and immersive sound design that effectively capture the essence of the original while modernizing it for current-gen standards. Overall, the aesthetic and atmospheric elements significantly enhance the gameplay experience, compensating for some minor flaws.
- “I also like the atmosphere and visuals.”
- “The sound atmosphere is really good.”
- “The graphics feel sharp, vibrant, and capture the atmosphere of the original, while updating to meet current-gen standards.”
replayability
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game's exceptional replayability, citing the ability to build unique parks, tackle various challenges, and explore community creations as key factors. This infinite replay value significantly enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature for many users.
- “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.”
- “It offers infinite replayability, making it my favorite mode by far.”
- “The game is highly replayable and has drawn me in deeply.”
- “The game lacks significant changes in gameplay, making it feel repetitive after just a few playthroughs.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there isn't much incentive to dive back in, as the side quests feel uninspired.”
- “While the initial experience is enjoyable, the lack of varied content means I don't find myself wanting to replay it.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to Planet Coaster 2, highlighting feelings of nostalgia and joy reminiscent of childhood experiences. The game's realism and graphics evoke strong emotional responses, though some users feel that developers may not fully recognize the significance of these feelings in gameplay.
- “I want to cry, finally playing Planet Coaster 2 after so long waiting for a water park game with much more realism and graphics.”
- “It seems that game developers might be overlooking these core emotional responses.”
- “The most important thing about this game: it made me feel like a child again.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative 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 feels natural and rewarding as you progress through the story.”
- “The depth of character development really enhances the overall experience, making each choice feel impactful.”