RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum

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RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum is a strategy simulation game that lets you build and manage your own theme park, including roller coasters, water slides, and safari attractions. With 3D graphics, controllable cameras, and changing weather patterns, you can experience your park in stunning detail and realism. Customize your experience with personalized guest designs, music, and ride options.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,082 reviews

graphics87 positive mentions

stability38 negative mentions

graphics
289 mentions
30 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, with many users noting that they feel reminiscent of early 2000s visuals, which can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and the detailed animations that were impressive for their time, others find the low-poly models and cartoonish aesthetics less appealing compared to modern standards. Despite the graphical shortcomings, many players emphasize that the engaging gameplay and creative freedom compensate for the visuals, making it a fun experience overall.
- “RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 boasts impressive graphics and detailed animations, bringing the park and its attractions to life with vibrant visuals.”
- “The graphics for the time it was made are fantastic.”
- “Even for around a 12-year-old game, the graphics are still outstanding (even though I care more about the gameplay rather than graphics).”
- “The graphics may be old but the core gameplay loop is amazing, and to this day I'm still playing and building theme parks.”
- “While the graphics have aged poorly (and were dated from the get-go, arguably), the gameplay is still quite fun.”
- “The graphics are showing their age; however, the gameplay is still enjoyable.”
gameplay
116 mentions
34 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is a mix of nostalgia and innovation, offering a variety of scenarios and challenges that keep players engaged, despite a steep learning curve for newcomers. While some mechanics can feel clunky and the graphics are dated, the core gameplay remains enjoyable and addictive, allowing for extensive creativity in park management. Overall, it balances complexity with accessibility, making it a classic in the tycoon genre.
- “With the still very active modding community, and gameplay that works, this will keep you playing for hours.”
- “The gameplay is very simple and is fun to use, the creation is really diverse in which you can create a vast many of things either in different themes or a jumble of all of them.”
- “The gameplay is awesome.”
- “The worst of the series... pretty badly made, all the tools from the items are hidden, you have to lose a lot of time just to find a simple tool... they tried to make a clean look, but just turned out a horrible gameplay... I love the series Rollercoaster Tycoon, and this one is the first that I seriously don't recommend at all, even for a dollar...”
- “The poorly designed UI makes almost any action a struggle, and the gameplay is riddled with bugs.”
- “If you played the original, first version from 1999 and valued it for its simple yet multifaceted gameplay, then this game will badly crush your dreams.”
music
44 mentions
11 % positive mentions
82 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in Roller Coaster Tycoon Platinum 3 has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the variety and quality of the soundtrack, others find it repetitive and miss iconic tunes from previous games. The ability to import custom music enhances the experience, allowing for personalized park atmospheres, but the limited selection of built-in tracks can lead to boredom over time. Overall, the game's music adds a memorable layer to the gameplay, though it could benefit from a broader selection of original tracks.
- “No other rollercoaster game has water physics or dynamic lighting or music as good as this game.”
- “The ability to add your own music to each ride or at loudspeakers anywhere you want in the park is a really nice touch.”
- “It is also worth mentioning the kick-ass soundtrack, which really makes the experience even better.”
- “Roller Coaster Tycoon Platinum 3 is a really good game that I have spent hours playing, but with changes to Microsoft apps, it's hard to add my own music to the game, and there are only 16 tunes to choose from, so it gets a bit boring.”
- “Also, the iconic merry-go-round music from the original game is nowhere to be found.”
- “You can barely hear the music from your rides unless you're zoomed in almost all the way.”
stability
44 mentions
11 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The stability of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent glitches and bugs that can detract from the experience, though most agree they are not game-breaking. While some players have encountered no issues at all, others find the game to be quite buggy, particularly when building paths or managing terrain. Overall, the game runs well on modern systems, but players should be prepared for occasional technical hiccups.
- “No glitches, bugs, crashes, or anything I have encountered.”
- “The game runs great on laptops if you want to play on the go, and the price makes it an even better value.”
- “Runs great on almost any PC.”
- “This game is great, just needs some bug fixes. Sometimes it bugs and glitches; this needs to be fixed knowing that it's an old game and it's on Steam.”
- “Game is buggy and left such a bad taste in my mouth.”
- “I like this game honestly, but it is very, very buggy.”
story
42 mentions
19 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as minimal, with many players focusing more on the gameplay mechanics and creative building opportunities. While the story mode provides structured missions that help players learn the game, it lacks urgency and challenge due to the absence of failure conditions, leading to a more relaxed experience. Overall, players appreciate the variety of missions and the freedom of sandbox mode, but the narrative elements are often considered secondary to the gameplay itself.
- “The story mode is addicting, and the sandbox mode is still absolutely fun.”
- “Its main storyline is so touching.”
- “In summary, this game is the pinnacle of all games; no more boring GTA or COD. Everyone should buy this game and realize its beauty and touching storyline.”
- “The chance of losing a mission/scenario is pretty low, especially if you make the 'swimming pool'.”
- “Sure the 'story' mode has different maps and settings, but at the end of the day you're just running another crappy amusement park, advertising in the same venues, and figuring out the best way to rip off faceless droves of NPCs just enough that you gouge them without turning them away.”
- “My biggest complaint with this game is that the missions tend to get a little monotonous.”
humor
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum" is a standout feature, with players enjoying the absurdity of creating dangerous rides and witnessing the chaotic reactions of guests. While some mechanics and bugs can be frustrating, they often add to the comedic experience, with players finding joy in quirky interactions and amusing visual glitches. Overall, the game provides a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere, perfect for casual play.
- “I'm recommending this because you can build dangerous roller coasters and kill people, and it's funny when they die.”
- “The guests aren't as charming as RCT1/2, but they are still funny and will fly all over the place if you send a roller coaster train into them.”
- “Some of the mechanics can be frustrating at times, but you'll get used to it, and the bugs are hilarious anyway.”
replayability
17 mentions
47 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits strong replayability, with players appreciating the freedom to explore various strategies and methods. While sandbox mode offers a fun, relaxed experience, some feel it lacks the challenge that enhances replay value. Many users highlight the game's enduring appeal and creativity as key factors contributing to its high replayability, despite some concerns about repetitive park designs.
- “There's no 'correct' solution that you are forced into; you are free to figure out your own methods and try multiple different approaches, so it has some decent replay value.”
- “I'm a little biased being a hardcore theme park enthusiast, but this game just hits all the right notes for me and has endless replay value, even so many years after its release.”
- “The expansions (all included in the platinum version) greatly enhance the experience and grant hours of fun and a high replayability factor, whether you choose to play the scenarios or just chill out in sandbox mode with no money hassle whatsoever.”
- “Sandbox mode is fun and carefree, but you don't have the same management features in-game to make it challenging, so the game loses a lot of replayability.”
- “So my parks all end up looking kind of similar to each other, which really takes away a lot of replay value in the game.”
- “These kinds of simulators basically rely on replay value, so I don't recommend it.”
optimization
15 mentions
27 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on many devices and offers a fun experience, users report significant performance issues, particularly in high-population parks and with certain roller coaster types. The game's aging engine struggles with CPU-intensive tasks, leading to lag and crashes, especially on modern systems. Despite these challenges, some players have experienced smooth performance without major issues.
- “It runs smoothly (most of the time) and there's plenty of things to do.”
- “Runs smoothly on any kind of device and has aged well.”
- “While it could be optimized better (large parks can get a bit laggy), it provides a fun experience.”
- “Frontier's games have poor engine design and optimization for CPU performance.”
- “The game's only downside is its age, and it doesn't multithread, meaning your performance will suffer once you start to fill up a park, no matter how powerful your processor.”
- “This game is poorly optimized, and even modern computers will struggle to play this CPU-intensive, poorly programmed monstrosity.”
grinding
11 mentions
9 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
82 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while it can be tedious and time-consuming, it also fosters a sense of addiction and enjoyment. Many appreciate the challenge of building roller coasters and managing park elements, though some criticize the lack of hotkeys and repetitive tasks that can detract from the experience. Overall, despite its grindy nature, players feel that the game offers rewarding gameplay that encourages creativity and long-term engagement.
- “Roller coaster building is enjoyable - not tedious or repetitive - while also being challenging in where you have to adjust the twists and turns just right in order to achieve a certain nausea or excitement rating.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's so tedious having to click tiny buttons.”
- “And with no hotkeys, it made the process even more tedious than it should have been.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its touching storyline and nostalgic elements that evoke strong feelings. Many reviewers describe it as a transformative experience that stands out from contemporary titles, emphasizing its beauty and emotional impact. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to resonate with players on a personal level, often leading to tears of joy and nostalgia.
- “11/10 would cry again while playing.”
- “Its main storyline is so touching.”
- “I enjoyed the emotional roller coaster.”
monetization
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the ability to control pricing and customize advertising, while others criticize the presence of microtransactions and feel that the game leans towards exploiting players rather than providing genuine content. Expansion packs are viewed positively, but there is a strong desire for a more traditional experience without the reliance on microtransactions.
- “The game is free to play, but it does include microtransactions.”
- “I appreciate that the game is free, but I wish there were fewer microtransactions.”
- “While I enjoy the game, I would prefer a version without microtransactions.”
- “☐ free, but has microtransactions.”
- “Sure the 'story' mode has different maps and settings, but at the end of the day you're just running another crappy amusement park, advertising in the same venues, and figuring out the best way to rip off faceless droves of NPCs just enough that you gouge them without turning them away.”
- “5 ++++, please make a normal RCT4 instead of microtransactions.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, evoking feelings reminiscent of a county fair while also offering a unique charm during sunset. Players appreciate the ability to modify terrain, which enhances the overall ambiance, making it a captivating experience that combines visual and auditory elements into a cohesive artistic work.
- “This game is a never-gonna-be-old legend, and the atmosphere when it's just about the sunset: simply priceless.”
- “The atmosphere in this game needs to be seen and heard to be understood; it's a work of gesamtkunstwerk.”
- “The overall atmosphere feels similar to the county fair until you start building the big rides and hiring lots of employees.”
- “Another feature that I love is the ability to change the terrain, which adds some atmosphere to the game.”
character development
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has been criticized for its poor graphics, including subpar character designs and animations, which can detract from the overall experience. However, these visual shortcomings do not significantly impact gameplay.
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “There are limited options for character customization, which makes each character feel generic and uninteresting.”
- “The progression system for character development is poorly implemented, leaving players feeling unfulfilled.”