Strategy games aren't typically well-adapted to consoles. For the most part, the somewhat awkward and restrictive nature of a controller prevents titles in this genre from really establishing a foothold. That hasn't stopped various studios from trying though, even if it means mixing things up with other elements. One such title was Zoo Tycoon, launched in 2013 for both Xbox One and Xbox 360. As the name might imply, the game put players in charge of running a zoo as a manager, looking after the animals, the park itself, the finances, and so on. It also featured Kinect integration for interaction with some of the critters. The title must have done well with audiences, as Microsoft has now re-launched the game in time for the Xbox One X and Windows 10 as Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection is a nice re-release offering for those who have missed the original game. Perhaps it would have been nice to offer the new content as DLC for owners of the 2013 release, but at $30 it's not too big of an ask anyway. There is plenty to do, between the tons of different animal types and their interactions, to the structured campaign and challenge modes. Everything should have been unlocked from the start in Sandbox mode, though. The third person view mode will immerse players in their zoos, and the tycoon aspect should satisfy most, even despite its sometimes awkward menu system and a few gameplay design blemishes. It's not the most technically impressive Xbox One X launch title, but it is certainly one that should appeal to both casual and family audiences. * Windows 10 Version 10.0.16299 or higher required for online multiplayer. The wildly popular Zoo Tycoon series gets fully-remastered and set to crank up the excitement, challenge, and fun of building the ultimate zoo. Let your imagination run wild with Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection! Choose from almost 200 visually stunning animals and the largest, most detailed selection of environments ever, then build, manage, and maintain your dream zoo alone or with up to four players on Xbox LIVE. This zoo simulation will charm animal lovers of all ages. Easy to start and easy to play, Zoo Tycoon gets you up close and interacting with the animals and zoo, offering intuitive controls and fun tutorials that allow players of all ages to have fun. Play smart as animals and guests will react to your creative choices and ultimately decide your chances to become a Zoo Tycoon. Published byXbox Game Studios Thing is, with Planet Zoo, Frontier is free to do as they wish. Which was not the case for Zoo Tycoon as they were not owners of the license.  Jynn Zoo Tycoon was limited to controller controls as well, which i feel is one reason it was so simple and lacked any real creative control, because they had to make it so you could do things with just a joystick and some buttons instead of mouse and a full keyboard Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection was a console game developed on a contract for Microsoft. It was later converted to a PC game by a different developer. I wouldn't put any blame on Frontier for the way that game was. Its better to look at Planet Coaster and Elite Dangerous if you want to know how they handle their in-house games. Last edited by Vinolik;12 Jun, 2019 @ 2:05pm Basing assumptions of this game on a game from 6 years ago. Seems legit. I agree it was trash! However, since there is previews and gameplay, it will be much better and based on what I saw you can build your own habitats. Hope there won't be any grind for the animal unlocking This is like planet coaster but with animals, which means PREORDER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS GONNA BE AMAZING. Frontier did the original 2013 version for Xbox 360 / Xbox One under a pay to develop contract for Microsoft but detatched as developer in 2016 as they wanted to concentrate on self publishing. Microsoft licensed Frontier's Cobra engine and gave Zoo Tycoon and Disneyland Adventures to Asobo. The PC port and Ultimate Animal version was all Asobo. Frontier are only named as a courtesy on Steam for being a previous developer. At the end of the day Zoo Tycoon (2013) would have been held back by having to work on the end of life Xbox 360 and by the time MS decided to ditch the X360 version Frontier were already detached and there's only so much Asobo can fix from limitations originally imposed by having an X360 version in the first place without having to rebuild from the ground up and I doubt Microsoft would want to fund that. Zoo Tycoon (2013) was held back by also having to work on what was essentially a mid range PC from 2005. As a PC exclusive Planet Zoo hasn't got the same hardware limitations nor do they have a third party publisher dictating what they can and can't do this time around. Nobody can argue it wasn't what it could have been but it was crippled from day one by having to launch on a last legs system. Last edited by Harbinger;12 Jun, 2019 @ 4:03pm ..or just wait for reviews lolll?? Redix 12 Jun, 2019 @ 9:06pm so yah they have a right to make this game as long as it not a direct copy but isnt this just basicly zoo tycoon HD Originally posted by Chonchy: you are using sesame street logic .... i had a game six years ago, so do not buy a this new different game. wtf? Ummmm that was Zoo Tycoon NOT Planet Zoo... the two things are totally unrelated other than them having Zoo in the name and that Frontier was under license for tycoon.. Here they can do as they please and will hark more towards Planet Coaster! (are these trolls writing these posts age 7 or something and not able to read properly, or use a search engine and research, before hitting the keyboard like a lonely heartbroken drunk at 3am?) |
