Zoo Tycoon 2
The Endagered Species expansion lets you breed them back from extinction
Tags: Zoo Tycoon 2 Categories: PC Reviews, Reviews
Posted by Craig "American Idle" Hansen on Nov 23rd, 2005
| Title | Players | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoo Tycoon 2 (title page) | 1 | ||
| Developer | Publisher | Genre | Online |
| Simulation | No | ||
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When it was first released, almost a year ago now, Zoo Tycoon 2 was not necessarily revolutionary in the sim management/tycoon genre, but it was a fun title. Zoos offer a chance to manage the needs of animals as well as humans, which is a nice twist, and the time Microsoft and Blue Fang put into the title was obvious, since the game was nicely detailed, looked great, and had plenty of depth. That’s what makes the Endangered Species expansion pack a bit of a disappointment. The sad-puppy-dog eyes come not from what is in the game, most of which varies from good to inspired, but from what isn’t in the game. To be specific, it’s a pretty thin expansion pack and most gamers should be able to expect more than this for an expansion pack fee.
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On the animal front, we’re good, or close to good; the expansion introduces about 20 new animals to include in your zoos. I would have felt better about 30 or so, but 20 isn’t terrible. The fact that all of them are on the endangered species list is a nice touch, adding a touch of real-world concern to what is otherwise a straightforward entertainment title. Yet in nearly every other category in which Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species adds to your original game, the expansion is far too stingy. There’s only about five or six new buildings (I haven’t counted that closely – no need), a bunch of new foliage and, well… not a lot else. Oooh! More trees and bushes? Why, that’d be worth it at one-tenth the price, and even that’d be too much.
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There are other add-ins, though. Sky Rides and Jeep Tours make their appearance for the first time, allowing another way for you to display animals to customers, as well as for your own benefit in the Virtual Tour mode. Jeep Rides allow visitors to view animals safely, but from inside the exhibit. Sky Rides allow customers a bird’s eye view of the park. However, the features aren’t bug-free; Jeep gates can often lead to animals escaping from their cages, for example. Elevated paths, conservation areas and the ability to trace the family tree of your animals as they breed and die off, replaced by their young, are also highlights of the touch-ups to the game.
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In the end, Endangered Species is a nice expansion, but even with it installed, you have barely about 50 animals, which isn’t much variety. I’ve done some research and found out the original Zoo Tycoon had 60 animals included before any expansion packs came into play, so maybe that’s why ZT2 feels a bit bare-bones at this point, even after Endangered Species. Of course, for perspective, keep in mind that I was one of the few gamers who felt the 100+ hours of game play offered by Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced just wasn’t enough. Guess I’m just hard to please. But then, in at least some areas, I don’t think I’m alone in this. Zoo Tycoon 2 is a fun game and it’s hard to say no to anything that can expand and extend its appeal; but even on the terms of most expansion packs, this one’s just a bit chintzy.
| What Works | Score |
|---|---|
|
+ Most of the new animals are a hoot. + New features like Sky Rides, Jeep Tours and elevated walks add fun. |
7.1 |
| What Doesn't | |
|
– Still not as many animals included as the original Zoo Tycoon possessed. – Very skimpy on adding new buildings and the like. |
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| Under the Shrink-wrap | |
| If you own Zoo Tycoon 2 already, you’ll need this; just don’t expect it to contain more than is actually there. | |
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Tags: Zoo Tycoon 2
Posted by Craig "American Idle" Hansen on Nov 23rd, 2005 and is filed under PC Reviews, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can post a comment, or trackback from your own site.
