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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.
Planet Coaster 2 Game Cover
74%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
stability, grinding
70% User Score Based on 7,170 reviews
Critic Score 79%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStation
Planet Coaster 2 Game Cover

About

Planet Coaster 2 is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Frontier Developments and was released on November 6, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Dive into the thrilling world of Planet Coaster 2! Construct the theme park of your dreams with an intuitive piece-by-piece building system, as you meticulously craft and customise every aspect of your park down to the smallest detail. From towering rollercoasters to spectacular twisting water slides, let your imagination reach new heights to delight and thrill your guests.

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70%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,170 reviews
graphics259 positive mentions
stability397 negative mentions

  • The game has significantly improved since launch, with regular updates adding new features and fixing bugs.
  • The coaster building mechanics are much better than in the first game, allowing for more creativity and smoother designs.
  • The addition of water parks and pools adds a fun new dimension to gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including frequent crashes and pathfinding problems.
  • Many features and content from the first game are missing, making it feel incomplete and less enjoyable.
  • The user interface is clunky and not intuitive, making it difficult for new players to navigate and build effectively.
  • graphics
    678 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in Planet Coaster 2 have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals, improved lighting, and overall aesthetic compared to its predecessor. However, some users have reported issues with blurriness, performance drops, and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. While the game showcases significant advancements in graphical fidelity, it has also been criticized for not fully optimizing these improvements, leading to a less satisfying experience for some players.

    • “The graphics are stunning, with beautifully detailed rides, dynamic lighting, and realistic physics that make each coaster ride feel exhilarating.”
    • “The graphics look incredible, especially with the lighting and global illumination!”
    • “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 graphics of the environment, plants, flowers, and accessories are horrible, small sandbox map, weak creative ideas that are ready-made.”
    • “The graphics are barely better.”
    • “The graphics are not great even on ultra and you have to go into ini files to edit the ones that make it look bad.”
  • gameplay
    647 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Planet Coaster 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the improved graphics, new mechanics, and creative freedom, while others criticize the clunky interface, confusing controls, and numerous bugs. While some enjoy the depth of park management and the introduction of water parks, many find the mechanics frustrating, particularly regarding staff management and ride maintenance, leading to a less enjoyable experience overall. Despite its potential, players feel the game requires further refinement and bug fixes to fully realize its capabilities.

    • “Amazing quality, really fun gameplay, and endless ideas and creations.”
    • “The gameplay offers intricate park management tools, allowing you to micromanage everything from staff assignments to roller coaster physics.”
    • “The new mechanics make this enjoyable standalone.”
    • “It's just clunky, and the mechanics feel like they weren’t fully thought out.”
    • “The mechanics are janky, the UI is terrible, the controls are confusing, but if you can adapt yourself to it, you can build anything you want... eventually.”
    • “There are major gameplay and UI issues, everything from being unable to complete even the first few scenarios, to the nightmare that is the pathing system, that is probably the worst part and biggest contributor to the issues this game has.”
  • stability
    424 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of Planet Coaster 2 has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players acknowledge improvements since launch, many still find the game to be a "buggy mess" with issues affecting core mechanics, pathfinding, and user interface. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game feels unfinished and is not yet ready for a full release, leading to recommendations for potential players to wait for further updates and fixes.

    • “I absolutely love this game - so much better than the first - the coaster and ride decorator is exceptional and with all the latest updates it is, for me now bug free - love this game and it exceeds in every way the first.”
    • “Plays great and runs great, no issues!”
    • “The game runs great, it's very playable, and has minor issues.”
    • “What a bitter disappointment... the game is beyond buggy, it's unplayable.”
    • “The game is buggy to the point of being unplayable.”
    • “Despite my system meeting the requirements, the game repeatedly crashes and freezes my entire computer.”
  • optimization
    291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of Planet Coaster 2 has received mixed reviews from players. While many have noted significant improvements in performance compared to the first game, particularly with features like DLSS and better handling of complex parks, others have reported persistent issues such as stuttering, crashes, and a clunky user interface that feels more suited for consoles. Overall, while some players enjoy smooth gameplay on high-end systems, many others experience frustrating performance problems, indicating that further optimization is still needed.

    • “The graphics are exceptional, yet impressively optimized so that even the average gaming machine can handle the experience smoothly.”
    • “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.”
    • “Performance-wise the game works great for me.”
    • “I'm unable to play the game for 10 minutes before it crashes, and when I do play it, it wouldn't stop freezing and stuttering every second.”
    • “Not to mention how terribly optimized and buggy this game is.”
    • “Performance issues: the game is plagued with bugs and is poorly optimized, leading to significant lag.”
  • story
    116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either lacking or overly simplistic. While some appreciate the charming and lighthearted narrative elements in the career mode, others criticize the repetitive mission structure and cheesy dialogue, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, numerous bugs and balancing issues have hindered players' ability to progress through the story, leading to frustration and a sense of incompleteness.

    • “The storytelling is charming and the level design is nice.”
    • “The story in the career mode is simple and provides some lore for each scenario.”
    • “The career mode story plot is fun, and I have laughed aloud at some of the character jokes so far.”
    • “The overall rating and ride testing bugs are the worst as they keep stopping me from progressing the missions.”
    • “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.”
    • “Story mode is a repeat of 'get x rides, get x coaster with drop or inversions, get x people, get x reputation, get x money' more than 10 times the same thing, the waiting game even in x3 speed.”
  • grinding
    102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players expressing dissatisfaction with the user interface and management mechanics. Tasks such as staff management, building paths, and adjusting settings require excessive clicks and manual input, detracting from the overall enjoyment and creativity of gameplay. While some players appreciate the game's potential and graphics, the repetitive and cumbersome nature of these tasks often makes the experience feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Everything, and I mean absolutely everything from building a roller coaster to placing a tree, is slow, tedious, and fiddly as all hell.”
    • “The user interface is tedious and poorly thought out; the path-laying tool is clunky and really not well designed, even just trying to manage banking on track is cumbersome.”
  • music
    98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received praise for its beautiful and immersive soundtrack, which blends whimsical melodies with ambient sounds, enhancing the overall atmosphere. However, many players express disappointment over the absence of custom music options and features that were present in the previous installment, which detracts from the experience for some. Despite these issues, the core soundtrack is generally well-received, with a variety of genres included that add to the game's charm.

    • “The soundtrack is a joy, perfectly blending whimsical melodies with ambient park sounds to create an immersive experience.”
    • “The music is beautiful, the atmosphere is just incredible, and I absolutely love getting lost in the world.”
    • “The game is gorgeous, well crafted, with a lot of personality, vibrant style, amazing guest animations, lovely music, and lots of fun and dynamic energy.”
    • “One of the worst decisions was removing customizable music and billboards.”
    • “I patiently waited for the custom music for several months, it arrived and doesn't work.”
    • “Cannot recommend the game in the current state... not including custom content (music, videos, images), and legacy items from PC1 is just lazy.”
  • monetization
    85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing frustration over the high prices of DLCs and the re-release of old content. Players feel that essential features from the previous game are locked behind paywalls, and the aggressive push for additional paid content undermines the overall experience. Despite some enjoyment of the gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the monetization approach detracts significantly from the game's value and integrity.

    • “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 (ehem, Planet Zoo), new attractions are coming at some point with a €9.99/$ price tag.”
    • “It's just a cash grab.”
    • “This feels like a cash grab; I really was looking forward to the new things in the game, but especially the switch tracks, drop tracks, elevators, etc. are only for a couple of coaster/water rides.”
    • “This game has been developed with an aggressive DLC monetization strategy, new attractions are coming at some point with a $9.99 price tag.”
  • humor
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players finding joy in the quirky physics, amusing character interactions, and the often hilarious outcomes of poorly designed rides. While some bugs can be frustrating, they also contribute to the game's charm, leading to unexpected and funny moments that keep players engaged. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with gameplay, making it entertaining for those who enjoy a lighthearted approach to roller coaster simulation.

    • “People can literally fly out of them if you design them poorly (which is hilarious and highly recommended).”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the combination of sandbox and challenge modes, as well as the ability to share designs through a community workshop, others feel that initial quality issues and a lack of a scenario editor have hindered its long-term appeal. Recent updates have improved playability, but some users still find it less addictive compared to its predecessor. Multiplayer features and community engagement contribute positively to replay value, suggesting that the game may become more enjoyable as further updates are released.

    • “Exceptionally fun management game with a ton of replay value.”
    • “The combination of sandbox and challenge modes ensures endless 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.”
    • “Thus, making replayability very low.”
    • “Anyway, if I have any critique, I might say it may have low replayability.”
    • “Cringe-worthy tutorial that is voice acted... resources better spent making the game more playable.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful music, stunning visuals, and immersive world, which together create an engaging experience for players. Many reviewers highlight the realistic lighting and sound design that enhance the overall ambiance, although some express disappointment over certain missing features that could further enrich the atmosphere. Overall, the game's aesthetic and atmospheric elements significantly contribute to its appeal, despite some criticisms regarding graphics and user interface.

    • “The music is beautiful, the atmosphere is just incredible, and I absolutely love getting lost in the world.”
    • “The theming and atmosphere are amazing, and this is the first time in a while that I've felt so engaged in a world.”
    • “Beautiful lighting creates a wonderful atmosphere at different times of the day, and the sounds of people, coasters, and the environment enhance it.”
    • “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.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautifully laid-back and creates the right atmosphere.”
  • emotional
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mix of nostalgia and disappointment regarding the emotional impact of the game. While some feel a deep connection to the community and a sense of joy reminiscent of childhood, others are frustrated by technical issues that detract from the overall experience. The emotional highs of anticipation and enjoyment are contrasted with feelings of heartbreak over unmet expectations and bugs.

    • “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 development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 the progression system is well integrated, serving as both a tutorial and a way to deepen the story.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
    • “The depth of character development really enhances the overall experience, allowing players to connect with the story on a personal level.”
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18h Median play time
179h Average play time
5-154h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 73 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Planet Coaster 2 is a strategy game.

Planet Coaster 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 179 hours playing Planet Coaster 2.

Planet Coaster 2 was released on November 6, 2024.

Planet Coaster 2 was developed by Frontier Developments.

Planet Coaster 2 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Planet Coaster 2 is a single player game.

Similar games include Park Beyond, Planet Coaster, Cities: Skylines 2, Parkitect, Theme Park Studio and others.