Planet Zoo is a detailed and immersive zoo simulation game that has captured the hearts of many players, especially those with a passion for animals and environmentalism. Players appreciate the game's realistic animal behaviors, extensive customization options, and deep management systems, which allow for creative zoo building and conservation efforts. The game offers both relaxing sandbox modes and challenging franchise modes, catering to a wide range of playstyles. Many users praise the game's stunning graphics and attention to detail, which enhance the overall experience.

However, the game is not without its drawbacks. Numerous players find the controls and building mechanics unintuitive and frustrating, especially the path-building system. The steep learning curve and complex interface can be overwhelming for newcomers. Additionally, performance issues arise when zoos grow large, causing lag even on high-end systems. The pricing model, with extensive and costly DLCs, is also a frequent point of criticism, with some players feeling the game is overpriced and monetized aggressively. Despite these issues, Planet Zoo remains a beloved title for fans of zoo management and creative simulation games.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Planet Zoo for its realistic and lifelike animal animations and behaviors, which contribute to an engaging and authentic zoo experience. The game’s graphics are widely regarded as stunning and detailed, enhancing immersion. The extensive customization options and creative freedom in building habitats and zoo layouts receive high acclaim. Many enjoy the balance between management challenges and relaxing gameplay, as well as the emphasis on conservation and animal welfare. The variety of animals and thematic packs further enrich the gameplay, making it highly replayable and addictive.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's steep and sometimes excessive learning curve, with many players struggling with the unintuitive controls and complex building mechanics, particularly the path system. Performance issues, such as lag in larger zoos, frustrate users even on powerful hardware. The game's monetization strategy, involving numerous paid DLCs that some feel should be included in the base game, is seen as excessive and a barrier to full enjoyment. Some players also report bugs and occasional crashes, as well as a lack of creative freedom due to technical limitations in sandbox mode. The control scheme on consoles and devices like the Steam Deck is also criticized.