Planet Zoo

About

Planet Zoo is a single player casual strategy game with a business theme. It was developed by Frontier Developments and was released on November 5, 2019. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Planet Zoo: Digital Deluxe Edition allows you to build and manage your own wildlife park, featuring authentic animals with unique needs and behaviors. This edition includes three exclusive animals, wallpapers, and the original soundtrack. Create habitats, manage resources, and make decisions to nurture and grow your animals in a world you design.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+51

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 72,388 reviews

graphics4.4k positive mentions

stability1.7k negative mentions

graphics
6,386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
29%
2%
The graphics in "Planet Zoo" are widely praised for their stunning realism and attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of animals and their behaviors. Many players highlight the beautiful environments and immersive visuals that enhance the gameplay experience, although some note that the game can be demanding on hardware, leading to performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are considered a major strength of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal and enjoyment.
- “The graphics are beautifully done and the architecture aspect is one of my favorites, especially with what can be done.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and sometimes screenshots of the animals almost look like photographs.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and very immersive.”
- “Also, to be honest, the graphics are pretty awful but it was released in 2019, so I guess I expected a bit too much.”
- “I liked how fun the gameplay and building is; however, this version (it's probably just my computer) is very laggy, slow, and the graphics are really bad.”
- “The only downside is you need a pretty expensive/handy computer to run this game; I wouldn't recommend doing this game on a laptop, and if you do, keep the graphics low.”
gameplay
4,414 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
65%
6%
The gameplay of "Planet Zoo" is characterized by its intricate management mechanics and deep customization options, allowing players to create and manage their own zoos with a focus on animal welfare and conservation. However, many players find the building mechanics to be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration, especially for newcomers. While the game offers a rich and engaging experience, it also presents a steep learning curve and various bugs that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Planet Zoo provides a rich zoo management experience with deep customization and immersive gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and challenging, with hours upon hours of playtime available.”
- “The mechanics are easy to learn, medium to master, and the gameplay is dynamic and wonderful.”
- “However, the building construction mechanic is not intuitive and takes a lot of trial and error to get things right.”
- “The game itself is not the issue, it's the mechanics and how very little is explained while learning how the game plays.”
- “This game idea is amazing, to be able to build a zoo and customize to suit the animals and guests' needs; however, in reality, the gameplay is awful and very difficult to control any tiny item.”
stability
1,728 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The stability of the game has been a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, others describe it as frustratingly unplayable due to persistent technical problems, particularly with pathing and AI behavior. Overall, the game is seen as needing substantial improvements to its stability before it can be fully recommended.
- “Beautiful animals, satisfying gameplay with lots of styles of play supported, and reasonably stable and bug free.”
- “The game looks beautiful, runs great, and the animals have pretty convincing behavior.”
- “Despite what many have said about this game on the forums, it isn't all that buggy and although there are some, Frontier seems to be doing a good job early on with updates.”
- “This game has a lot going for it but there are just way too many glitches and weird visual bugs that I can't see it being worth the money.”
- “The game is far too buggy and it's very frustrating.”
- “It's extremely buggy and unintuitive to the point that it honestly makes the rest of the game not worth playing.”
story
1,296 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
74%
7%
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the engaging career mode that features a charming narrative and well-developed characters. However, some find the storylines to be simplistic or repetitive, and there are complaints about bugs and glitches that hinder the experience. Overall, while the story mode serves as a useful tutorial for new players, it may not be the primary draw for those seeking a deeper narrative experience.
- “The career mode is challenging and follows a good storyline, and the game allows for a great deal of creativity.”
- “The story mode is amazing to do and develop, very challenging on hard mode but very rewarding and satisfying.”
- “To my surprise even the single player campaign has a very fun storyline, and nice developed characters you're working for that really gives a feeling of interest.”
- “Sadly, the campaign (what I enjoy on most games) seems to drag on and on with a story-line that is sadly uninteresting.”
- “I actually got angry trying to play the 'story mode' because the requirements make little to no sense with really vague and confusing instructions.”
- “The campaign is poorly designed, missions are boring they feel like starting off on higher difficulties is left entirely up to chance.”
optimization
764 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
54%
24%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially as zoo size and visitor counts increase. While some users experience smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others face severe lag and frame drops even on decent hardware, particularly when managing larger parks. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has potential, it requires further optimization to enhance performance and stability, especially for players with lower-spec PCs.
- “The game is well optimized and very good looking.”
- “Absolutely stunning graphics, impressive game mechanics and controls, sexy optimizations and lovely animals.”
- “Well optimized given the enormous number of entities in the game.”
- “Doesn’t run very well making it unplayable; stuttering sound and glitchy gameplay, nothing wrong with PC specs say it should run fine.”
- “I really wanted to like this game; however, like Planet Coaster, the game just isn't optimized for a larger zoo.”
- “The performance is not great; average 20 fps in a park with 250 animals and 5000 guests (AMD Ryzen 5 2600X and NVIDIA 1070 Ti).”
music
720 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The music in Planet Zoo has received widespread acclaim for its relaxing and immersive qualities, often described as soothing and uplifting, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create a calming atmosphere, reminiscent of the beloved Zoo Tycoon series, while some note that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The music is great as well!”
- “The soundtrack has no right to be as good as it is.”
- “Planet Zoo is such a beautiful, relaxing sandbox game with endless building possibilities, a great soundtrack, and absolutely stunning visuals!”
- “But the lack of banger, ear-wig music in this game, compared to its predecessor, is disgraceful.”
- “The music loops and is monotonous, and I was finding myself just feeling really bored.”
- “I just personally find some of the animal noises repetitive and very annoying after a set amount of time, music however... never get tired of that.”
grinding
656 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
20%
79%
The grinding aspect of "Planet Zoo" is frequently described as tedious and overly complex, with many players expressing frustration over the micromanagement required for animal care, building, and resource management. While some enjoy the depth and detail, others find the repetitive tasks and unintuitive controls detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than a game. Overall, players suggest that those who appreciate intricate management systems may find enjoyment, but it can be overwhelming and exhausting for others.
- “For years, sim games have just erased your progress and started you from square one, and I appreciate the carryover because it allows me to focus on things that are fun and not tedious and makes me feel as though I am adding to the game.”
- “Expansive building, cute animals, engaging but not tedious management system.”
- “Better than Planet Coaster, and the management side of things is not that tedious at all (I'm useless when it comes to management).”
- “The game is a tedious, micromanaging version of Zoo Tycoon.”
- “I like this game, but man, the breeding system is so tedious that it takes the fun out of the game for me.”
- “The combination of tedious micromanaging and buggy gameplay can lead the zoo management gameplay of Planet Zoo to become quite frustrating.”
humor
282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
1%
3%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding joy in the quirky animal behaviors, amusing glitches, and light-hearted interactions. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create funny moments, whether through unexpected animal antics or the humorous reactions of guests, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy sandbox simulations. Overall, the game combines charming graphics with a playful sense of humor, contributing to its fun and engaging atmosphere.
- “My sister and I play this game nonstop and are always laughing!”
- “It's a wild, hilarious, and often chaotic ride, just like my days at the zoo.”
- “The animals have personalities of their own, which can lead to hilarious moments.”
- “First, the tutorial is maddeningly slow, and you're forced to listen to the unfunny and emotionless banter of two characters I could care less about.”
- “Too many things require your heavy attention, not funny to play.”
- “At this game, all of that is complex, super frustrating and not funny at all.”
emotional
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Planet Zoo" is characterized by a deep connection players form with their animals, leading to both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. Many players express joy and nostalgia as they create and manage their zoos, while also experiencing sadness when animals die or are unhappy, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings. Overall, it is praised as a wholesome and immersive experience that fosters a genuine appreciation for wildlife and conservation.
- “Whether you’re meticulously designing habitats, managing a thriving zoo, or simply enjoying the sight of happy animals, Planet Zoo delivers a heartwarming and engaging journey that celebrates the beauty and complexity of the animal kingdom.”
- “Seeing a baby animal born in your zoo or nursing a sick animal back to health is a genuinely heartwarming experience.”
- “This game has a small little story in the campaign that is charming alongside that the graphics and music is overall heartwarming.”
replayability
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a vast array of customization options, multiple game modes, and engaging challenges that keep players returning for more. Many reviewers highlight the game's depth and variety, noting that even without all the DLC, it provides countless hours of entertainment. Overall, it is considered a must-play for fans of zoo management and simulation games, with an emphasis on creativity and exploration.
- “The sheer amount of things you can do to customize and perfect your zoo are staggering, making the game infinitely replayable and interesting.”
- “It's a testament to the game's replayability, as there's always something new to explore or a fresh challenge to conquer.”
- “The wealth and variety of animals, building tools, and customization options mean this game really is infinitely replayable.”
- “Sure you can waste five hours on this but then replay value is pretty low.”
- “A simple phone app has more replay value.”
- “Planet Zoo has low replay value because it is too buggy.”
monetization
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
22%
74%
The monetization model of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with many players labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the frequent DLCs and microtransactions that feel excessive. While some appreciate the base game's content and find the pricing fair, others express frustration over the constant advertising for additional paid content and the perception that essential features are locked behind paywalls. Overall, concerns about predatory monetization practices and the potential for diminishing returns on future DLCs persist among the player base.
- “☑ No in-app purchases.”
- “The monetization is fair, no greed.”
- “If you're at all interested in a zoo sim, I absolutely think it's worth it (perhaps on a sale if money is tight) and the semi-frequent DLC packages are both promising for the game's future and concerning for the monetization model.”
- “It can feel like a cash grab, and many players, myself included, find it hard to justify spending more on a game that starts to feel monotonous.”
- “Predatory monetization.”
- “Now you gonna ask why I don't recommend it simply because the game hasn't been out for more than 12 days and there are already unlockable animals with real money, 3 animals that you'll never get because buying the game wasn't enough; after all the scandal caused by microtransactions and in-game purchases in the world of gaming, there are still some trying to milk the cow.”
atmosphere
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
34%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, relaxing music, and immersive sound design, creating a calming zoo vibe that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the dynamic and creative environment, with a variety of design options that contribute to a beautiful and enjoyable setting. While some management issues exist, the overall ambiance and aesthetic appeal make it a highly recommended game for those seeking a tranquil gaming experience.
- “The sound design is also well done, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The atmosphere of the game in general is very nice, with the music and graphics you really get into a relaxing zoo vibe.”
- “The graphics and the atmosphere this game offers are just astonishing and amazing.”
- “Unfortunately, it is very much a zoo and you cannot create another atmosphere.”
- “Nice game, awesome atmosphere, good mechanics, but the way building sucks hard.”
- “The relaxing atmosphere (and the calming of sandbox modes, no stress, but that's just me) makes the game super simple to just space out to if you aren't careful.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The character development in the game is praised for its charming and cute designs, particularly the animals and guests, which contribute to the overall appeal. However, some players noted that the controls can be challenging to grasp initially, which may affect the experience of engaging with these characters.
- “Charming character designs for guests.”
- “I love the character design and how the animals look.”
- “Great game with lots of content and cute character design.”