RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,164 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum Game Cover
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,164 reviews
graphics174 positive mentions
stability76 negative mentions
  • graphics578 mentions

    The graphics of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2004 release, with many players noting that they do not hold up well against modern standards. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and the game's vibrant visuals for their time, others find the low-poly models and cartoonish aesthetics unappealing. Overall, despite the graphical shortcomings, many players emphasize that the engaging gameplay and creative freedom compensate for the visuals, making it a beloved classic in the simulation genre.

    • “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.”
    • “With its detailed graphics, expansive customization options for roller coasters and attractions, and the ability to experience the rides from a first-person perspective, the game brings a new level of depth to the classic franchise.”
    • “A classic that actually is still very fun and engaging to play today with the only thing having aged is the poor graphics.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay232 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 fun and addictive, allowing for extensive creativity in park management. Overall, it balances complexity with accessibility, making it a classic in the tycoon genre, though some players express disappointment over certain design choices and mechanics.

    • “With a range of scenarios and objectives, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 offers diverse challenges, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The initial campaign is one of my favorite tycoon game campaigns, steadily rising in difficulty while also using different levels to teach you mechanics and strategies that will be useful as you get farther and farther.”
    • “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 worst of the series... pretty poorly 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 Rollercoaster Tycoon series, 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.”
    • “It is a confusing version of the old game with weird mechanics and too much to deal with.”
  • music88 mentions

    The music in Roller Coaster Tycoon Platinum 3 is generally praised for its variety and quality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. However, some players find the limited selection of default tracks repetitive and miss iconic tunes from previous installments. The ability to import custom music adds significant value, allowing players to personalize their parks and rides, though technical issues with file formats can be a drawback.

    • “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. This may sound like a really dumb nitpick, but those songs were a staple of the original series, and their absence sticks out like a sore thumb.”
    • “You can barely hear the music from your rides unless you're zoomed in almost all the way.”
  • stability88 mentions

    The stability of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is frequently criticized for being quite buggy, with many players reporting occasional glitches and performance issues that can detract from the experience. While some users have not encountered significant problems, others note that the game can be frustratingly unstable, particularly when building or navigating the park. Overall, while the game retains nostalgic value and runs well on modern systems, its stability issues remain a common concern among players.

    • “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.”
    • “Game is buggy and left such a bad taste in my mouth.”
    • “Really buggy and a big pain in the ass to do simple things.”
    • “It is a good game, don't get me wrong, but you can't really play this game without glitches and bugs, with the occasional crash.”
  • story84 mentions

    The story mode of the game serves primarily as a tutorial, introducing players to its mechanics through a series of missions that are generally non-fail, allowing for a relaxed gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the variety and creativity offered in both story and sandbox modes, others find the missions repetitive and lacking in depth. Overall, the narrative aspect is minimal, with many players focusing more on the building and management elements rather than a compelling storyline.

    • “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.”
    • “For one, the missions never expire, so it is impossible to fail them.”
    • “The missions have no time limit, so there's no urgency or really any possibility of failure (unless you totally suck and go deep in debt).”
    • “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.”
  • humor38 mentions

    The humor in "RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum" is widely appreciated, with players finding amusement in the chaotic and often absurd scenarios that arise, such as guests flying off roller coasters and humorous bugs. The game encourages creativity in naming guests and crafting outrageous rides, contributing to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. While some mechanics can be frustrating, the overall comedic elements and quirky graphics add to the fun, making it a great choice for players looking to unwind.

    • “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 rollercoaster train into them.”
    • “It's humorous, really neat to work with, and just awfully fun when you need something to chill out and play or don't want to think too hard on something.”
  • replayability34 mentions

    Overall, the game boasts high 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. Long-time fans and those with creativity find the game endlessly engaging, though some note that similar park designs can diminish the experience over time.

    • “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.”
    • “Great game from my childhood with limitless replayability as long as you have an ounce of creativity.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization30 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting smooth performance on various devices, but significant issues arise in high-population parks, leading to lag and crashes. Critics highlight poor CPU optimization and a lack of multithreading, which hampers performance even on modern systems. Overall, while the game offers a fun experience, its optimization shortcomings can detract from gameplay, especially in larger settings.

    • “It runs smoothly (most of the time) and there's plenty of things to do.”
    • “While it could be optimized better (large parks can get a bit laggy), it provides a fun experience.”
    • “Runs smoothly on any kind of device and has aged well.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be both tedious and addictive, often requiring significant time investment to progress through tutorials and challenges. While some tasks, like managing janitors or leveling ground, can feel repetitive and frustrating, many users ultimately enjoy the creative freedom and challenges of roller coaster building, making the grind worthwhile. Overall, the experience can start off slow but becomes more engaging as players become accustomed to the mechanics.

    • “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.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its nostalgic and touching storyline that resonates with those who appreciate heartfelt experiences. Many reviewers describe it as a transformative entry point into gaming, evoking strong feelings of joy and nostalgia, making it a standout title that they would recommend to others. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to elicit genuine emotional responses, with players eager to relive those moments.

    • “11/10 would cry again while playing.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization12 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 too heavily on monetization strategies rather than delivering a complete experience. Expansion packs are viewed positively, as they are seen as legitimate additions rather than cash grabs. Overall, there is a desire for a more traditional game model 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 it didn't rely on microtransactions.”
    • “While the game is enjoyable, I would prefer a traditional model without 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.”
    • “☐ free, but has microtransactions.”
    • “5 ++++, please make a normal RCT4 instead of microtransactions.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, evoking feelings reminiscent of a county fair, especially during sunset. Players appreciate the ability to modify the terrain, which enhances the overall ambiance, and many describe the experience as a unique artistic work that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

    • “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.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game needs to be seen and heard to be understood; it's a work of gesamtkunstwerk.”
    • “Another feature that I love is the ability to change the terrain, which adds some atmosphere to the game.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its poor graphics, including subpar character designs and animations, which can detract from the overall experience. However, these issues do not significantly impact gameplay.

    • “The character design is poor and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “Character animations are glitchy and often poorly executed, detracting from the overall experience.”
    • “There is a noticeable lack of character development, leaving players feeling disconnected from the story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

43hMedian play time
193hAverage play time
16-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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