TechRadar Review: Planet Zoo 2 Expands Habitats but Leaves Some Rough Edges

According to the review, Planet Zoo 2 is the sequel to 2020’s Planet Zoo and includes more animals, scenery items and game modes than its predecessor. TechRadar said graphics have received a clear upgrade and that new animal models look gorgeous; older animals such as lions and African elephants have also been updated with new meshes.

Aquariums are the reviewer’s favorite new feature. TechRadar said they can house sharks, rays, turtles and schools of fish, and can be decorated with coral reefs, seaweed and grasses. Walkthrough tunnels make immersive exhibits easier to build, and habitats must be filtered separately for fresh, brackish or salty water, adding depth. The review said Frontier avoided including many sea mammals such as whales and dolphins but did include manatees.

Aviaries add flying birds, including toucans and brightly colored long-tailed parakeets, and give habitats a new dimension compared with flightless birds. TechRadar said aviaries — essentially roof support poles and netting over a classic habitat — do not feel as fresh as aquariums, but still allow for striking enclosures.

The review said the biggest upgrade is the more fluid tools and interfaces, which make it easier to build a dream zoo and decorate habitats. It also said aquariums and aviaries make zoos feel more varied and alive.

TechRadar criticized wildlife reserves as slightly lacking in depth and said the terrain paint tool lacks subtlety. It also noted some bugs at release, although they were being quickly patched.

The reviewer said they had spent more than 1,100 hours in the original Planet Zoo and approached the sequel with a long wishlist, including flying birds and fish. The verdict listed aquariums, aviaries, new animal models and tool improvements as reasons to buy, and wildlife reserves, terrain paint and release bugs as reasons to avoid.