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Zoo Tycoon at E3 2001

The Specs

Zoo Tycoon can be played in either the freeform sandbox mode or as a series of scenarios. Although you can build hamburger stands, restrooms, and landscaping, the basic elements of your zoo are the animal exhibits. Build fences with a simple click and drag interface, then adopt animals to put inside. There are over thirty species you can choose from, each with various needs. For instance, plant savana grass and baobab trees in the lion exhibit, give your mountain goats rocky inclines, and give the flamingoes shallow wading pools. The better you meet your animals' needs, the happier the animals are. Happy animals will have special animations that will in turn make your guests happier. Happier guests spend more money and give your zoo a higher rating. Animals can esacpe if your fences are poorly maintained, but in keeping with the game's light-hearted (i.e. family) tone, lions simply toss guests into the air when they pounce on them. You sick bastards who starve your Sims to death and drown your RollerCoaster Tycoon visitors will have to look elsewhere to get your jollies.

The Speculation

Tom's Comments: If you're going to copy another game formula, stealing the RollerCoaster Tycoon/SimTheme Park schtick is a pretty safe bet. You'd think throwing in cute animals would help your case, but the unique twist of building a zoo may not bear up so well. It's entertaining watching people in an amusement park while they're riding rollercoasters, driving bumper cars, and vomiting in the food court. But is it entertaining watching people file past a cage to gawk at an animal inside? A god's eye view of a zoo may not be a spectator sport the way it is of an amusement park. Hopefully, the animals will have enough variety and personality to give Zoo Tycoon a real hook.

Mark's Comments: The animals can escape from their cages if you don't build them properly, but they can't eat the humans. That to me says it all. This is a cautious, safe grab at the Rollercoaster Tycoon market, but like Tom notes, I wonder if they've captured the gist of what makes those games fun? Zoos are fun, but they're not exciting. Do you really want to spend your time trying to make your antelopes happy? That's the challenge of Zoo Tycoon.

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May 22, 2001