It’s been seven years since Planet Zoo first launched all the way back in 2019, being a spiritual successor to the Zoo Tycoon games from the early 2000s. Now though, Frontier Developments have finally revealed a follow up, as Planet Zoo 2 just got announced for launch later this year.
Releasing on October 13, Planet Zoo 2 builds on the original in a few significant ways, with Frontier describing it themselves as “the most advanced zoo simulation game to date”, with a “generational leap forward in gameplay, graphics, and animal behaviour.”
Perhaps the most significant additions to the world of Planet Zoo 2 come in the form of two new animal habitats: aquariums and aviaries! The hugely requested areas will be home to aquatic life and flocks of flying animals respectively, with the reveal blog showing off expansive homes for your new animals, from toucans to turtles.
Zoos will be more customizable than ever, as five themes return from the first Planet Zoo along with four entirely new ones. Once you’ve nailed the aesthetics, it’s time to dive into the deep management systems, from keeping zookeepers satisfied with their working environment to entertaining guests and giving them an experience worthy of becoming a regular.
Going beyond the zoos, Planet Zoo 2 also adds Wildlife Reserves, which are expansive and customizable habitats across the globe that your animals can be released in when taking part in conservation projects. When reintegrating them back into their natural habitats, you’ll be in charge of both rewilding and observing the environments you craft to meet the needs of your recovering species.
Planet Zoo 2 will be available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on October 13, and comes with two versions: standard and Deluxe. The standard edition comes with a Bonus Content Pack pre-order bonus for those who purchase early, which gives an interactive tiger photo wall, a Toucan Eat shop and signage, along with three animal-themed donation bins. The Deluxe Edition comes with six new animal species including axolotl and hammerhead sharks, along with signs based on these animals.
More from Planet Zoo 2 will be shown at both the Wholesome Direct and the PC Gaming Show next week, so check back often to GameObserver for all the latest.
