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| | Publisher: Aspyr Media  Genre: Simulation | | | Min OS X: 10.1 CPU: G3 @ 233 MHz RAM: 128 MB Hard Disk: 600 MB Graphics: 16 MB VRAM |
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Obviously, I wanted more than chimps. Right off the bat I drummed up a moose and some lions, the latter of which were the only animals I could keep reasonably happy for the whole game. Managing these was a true high-wire act, and at some point I must have ticked off a zoo health agency because I wasn't allowed to buy animals anymore. I know I must of bothered the organization because I remember seeing the pop-up about it, but after a few cycles of more spending on the chimps I couldn't find out why I wasn't allowed to purchase animals. Much later the "ban" was lifted and I was allowed to once again purchase the ornery, fickle creatures. In fact, I would quickly find that the most manageable attractions were the reptile and primate houses that you can build, which offer little to no personal joy in the game.The scenarios offer more to the casual player, but simulation lovers and freestyle builders will ultimately be disappointed. Learning the menu system and the faster ways to figure out why your polar bear is bumming helps, but there is a heavy feeling that you are training yourself to enjoy the game, not just play it. The frustrating differences between this and other simulation games is not unlike the gap between Windows and Mac. I'm sorry, but it had to be said, especially given that this is a Microsoft baby. Conclusion I relay this story of zoo construction largely because it was indicative of my experience with Zoo Tycoon, but also because it reveals a fatal flaw in games of this nature: It's not the Sims. Yes, that's a harsh and generalized comment to make, but there's a purpose in making it. The Sims, and in fact most of the Sims-based games, have set a high standard that Zoo Tycoon just doesn't match. Zoo Tycoon has cute animals hidden in a very bland and often frustrating world of menus, choices, and unhappy testimonials from chimpanzees. It should be more candy-corn in color and interface and it is clearly designed to be the opposite, for whatever reason. The bar has just been set too high for this sort of game. It's two years old, and even for that age it seems behind the curve set for simulations. As an "E: Everyone" rated title it is safe in terms of violence, but not in terms of ease of play. Kids and adults alike will end up with too many questions and moments of frustration early on to make this a re-playable game. At $50 this game is completely overpriced (compare with $20 for the same game on the PC side and you strike closer to the value). To answer the question: "Wouldn't it be cute to manage a zoo full of animals?" Yes, it would. Just not with this game.
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