Zoo Empire
- September 3, 2015
- Enlight Software Limited
Get on Steam"Zoo Empire" is a zoo management simulation game where you build and run your own zoo. Attend to animal needs, provide facilities for visitors, and hire staff to ensure success. Choose from over 40 species, including rare and endangered animals, and unlock features through research. Play in sandbox mode or career mode, with the goal of keeping animals, employees, and visitors happy and profitable.
Reviews
- The game is a nostalgic experience for many players, bringing back fond childhood memories.
- It's fun to play and offers a simple, engaging zoo management experience.
- The cartoon-style graphics and variety of animals provide a charming atmosphere.
- The game frequently crashes, especially during key gameplay moments, making it frustrating to progress.
- Graphics and animations are outdated, leading to a less enjoyable visual experience.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, resulting in diminished interest over time.
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 45 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, with many users noting issues such as bugs, minimal shading, and poor animations. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the art style and find the visuals enjoyable, though they acknowledge the presence of glitches and bright colors that can be overwhelming. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they still evoke a sense of nostalgia for some players.
“I love the art style.”
“The game offers some nice graphics; although there are some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
“It is easy to pick up, and the cartoon-style graphics are nice.”
“Sadly, not only was it lacking graphic-wise (which is understandable considering how old it is), it also had many bugs.”
“The graphics are awful and the staff don't do anything you ask them to, but I still managed to really enjoy this game!”
“Speaking of visuals, the lack of shading (or minimal shading) makes it hard to distinguish items and animals sometimes, and it can make your eyes hurt because the colors are so bright.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in Zoo Empire is highly praised for its quality and emotional impact, with players noting that it significantly enhances the gaming experience compared to Zoo Tycoon, which lacks in-game music. Despite having only a couple of tracks, the music is described as fitting and memorable, making players miss it when playing other titles. However, some users have reported technical issues, such as the game getting stuck on a black screen with music at launch, affecting playability.
“However, I would still buy it again just for the music and the feels that come with it.”
“One thing that is definitely better is the music. In Zoo Tycoon, it is non-existent except for the main menu theme, and even if there are only two in-game tracks in Zoo Empire, they are pretty awesome and fitting. I often find myself missing that music when playing Zoo Tycoon 2.”
“One thing that is definitely better is the music. In Zoo Tycoon, it is non-existent except for the main menu theme, and even if there are only two in-game tracks in Zoo Empire, they are pretty awesome and fitting. I often find myself missing that music when playing Zoo Tycoon 2.”
“Game gets stuck on a black screen with music at launch, rendering it unplayable.”
“And one thing that is definitely better is the music, which in Zoo Tycoon is non-existent except for the main menu theme. Even if there are only like 2 in-game tracks in Zoo Empire, they are pretty awesome and fitting; I often find myself missing that music when playing ZT2.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its poor mechanics and overwhelming number of features, resulting in a watered-down experience reminiscent of Zoo Tycoon 2. While it attempts to polish familiar elements, it ultimately fails to innovate or provide a fresh take on the genre.
“The features are identical, and the gameplay is a slightly polished version of what you know and love from your childhood.”
“As much as I really wanted to love this game, the mechanics are truly awful.”
“In short, they tried to put so many features and mechanics in this game that in the end it came out as a really watered down Zoo Tycoon 2 clone.”
“The features are identical and the gameplay is a slightly polished version of what you know and love from your childhood.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story mode is highly praised for its quality, but some players express frustration over the inconsistency in obtaining promised rare animals during missions, leading to repeated gameplay without the expected rewards.
“The story mode is fantastic.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is shallow, and I found it difficult to care about their fates.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features appealing graphics but is marred by notable bugs, including issues with animals not interacting properly with their environment, which can lead to serious gameplay consequences. While these glitches can detract from the experience, they are not consistently game-breaking.
“But I must say that this game can get pretty buggy, such as when animals randomly won't drink water that is available in their exhibits, and in turn become sick. If you're playing at the highest game speed and don't notice fast enough, an animal you just adopted can die in seconds; though this only happened to me once.”
“The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting their desire to relive the experience despite encountering frustrating technical issues. The heartfelt plea for assistance underscores the game's significant impact on their gaming experience.
“I'm sure it's not the game's fault. If I were to rate the game, it would be a thumbs up, but I'm only giving it a thumbs down because this is the only game that has ever caused this unfixable glitch for me, and it's heartbreaking. If anyone has a solution that could help me fix it, message me on my Steam account <3 because I want to relive this game so badly!”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of Zoo Tycoon 2 (ZT2) has been criticized for its poorly implemented features, which were intended to enhance gameplay complexity but instead often feel pointless or frustrating. Players feel that the game's financial management elements, such as budgeting for staff and research, do not contribute positively to the overall experience, leading to a sense of unfairness rather than engagement.
“The monetization in this game feels exploitative, as it constantly pushes players to spend money to enjoy basic features that should be included in the game.”
“I was disappointed to find that many of the game's mechanics are locked behind paywalls, making it difficult to progress without spending real money.”
“The in-game purchases are overwhelming and detract from the overall experience, as it feels like the game is designed more to generate revenue than to provide enjoyment.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its amusing designs and clever names, but it is ultimately undermined by the poor AI of the visitors, which detracts from the overall comedic experience.
