Zoo Tycoon Review

Creator: Microsoft, Bluefang
Release: September 15th, 2001
System Requirements: Pentium II 233, or equivilant, 32 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM, SVGA, 4MB VRAM, 250 MB disk space, mouse, sound card
Graphics: 7.5 / 10
Sound: 7.5 / 10
Fun Factor: 9.5 / 10
Overall Rating: 8.2 / 10

Zoo Tycoon is one of the more recent titles in the vast sea of Tycoon games that having been flooding out lately. With all the other Tycoon games on the market, it can be hard to distinguish between the games that are worth putting up your hard earned buck for, and the fly by night games that are popping up just to cash in on an overcrowded market.

Straight up, Zoo Tycoon delivers the goods that prove that is as deserving of the "Tycoon" name as is it's predecessor, Roller Coaster Tycoon. The little animals are fun to watch, and the balancing skills required to manage the park are both challenging and entertaining.

Zoo Tycoon puts you in the hotseat as a zoo designer. Your goal is to design successful zoos that keep both you animals and visitors content. Quite simply, when the animals are happy, the guests are happy, but it does go deeper then that. In order for your animals to remain happy you must control the foliage, terrain type, elevation, crowds, etc, in order to maintain a proper suitability for your animals. You also run the show as far as food stands, washrooms, and special attractions go.

An in-game "zookeeper" provides you with information on how to keep your animals happy, and a forgiving undo button lets you quickly correct mistakes, but don't let the game fool you. Even though you pick up on the basics quickly, the challenges become increasingly difficult as you progress through the scenario levels.

Overall, Zoo Tycoon offers a fun packed game suitable for kids and adults alike, while still managing to keep more advanced players busy in the later scenarios. The graphics and sound, while not amazing, do compliment each other nicely. It would have been nice if some in-game music had been included, but there are many animals and attractions to fill up some of the silence.