Players will have to maintain a diverse stock, or else run the risk of inbreeding. Intriguingly, this acts as a foundation for a more unusual part of Planet Zoo's gameplay, which involves the careful breeding of animals. The genomes determine an animal's appearance (such as different stripe patterns on zebras), but also their longevity, size, immunity and fertility. The individuality of animals also seems to be a major theme for Planet Zoo, with each having their own name, personality and genome. Animals that sustain injuries are left with visible scars that heal over time, which is a nice touch (not for the animal, perhaps). According to the devs, the custom terrain created a technical challenge when it came to programming animal movement - nobody wants floating feet or animals clipping into slopes - but the team has managed to create animations that adapt to real-time editing. There are plenty of tiny details here: at one point I even noticed a bear's claws retracting as it swam around. Although a management sim, Frontier wants players to zoom in to view the micro, perhaps to admire the game's new "fur technology". They're really packing in the details.īeyond the editing tools, the animals themselves seem lovingly crafted and well-researched. Managing the temperature requirements apparently becomes even more difficult should your zoo be in a challenging location such as the Arctic. In the midst of a snowstorm, the outdoor areas became cold - but the cave remained warm, thus prompting the animals to move inside to seek out the warmer temperature and fulfil their needs. Planet Zoo has its own weather system, with the ability for snow and rain to be partially (or completely) occluded under structures such as trees and caves. This means terrain painting has a direct effect on an animal's wellbeing, so you can't just plop a miniature Mount Everest in the hippo enclosure.ĭuring a gameplay demo, we were shown a glimpse of just how deep these systems go. Each creature has an information panel with a seriously complex set of needs, such as the ideal amount of grass or water required in the exhibit. The most impressive thing about this is how the editing tools directly impact the wellbeing of the animals. Exhibits are constructed piece-by-piece, with players given tools to adjust the terrain, biome, and walls. The game seems packed with customisation options and the ability to tweak every conceivable aspect of an animal's life. This certainly isn't the case for Planet Zoo. In 2013, the studio released a Zoo Tycoon title which received fair reviews but was criticised for its lack of personalisation options and depth. Who needs the Lion King remake or Game of Thrones anyway?Īlthough the first animal entry in the Planet franchise, this isn't Frontier's first go at creating a zoo management game. And, for the first time in the Planet franchise, this one has a narrative campaign - along with some unusual additions such as a genetic system and inbreeding. Like Planet Coaster, it's looking like this will be an excellent sandbox game, with plenty of options for tinkering and perfecting your zoo. Planet Zoo is planned for release as a standalone PC title in autumn this year, but earlier this month I was invited to take a peep at the game in its pre-alpha stages. So much, in fact, Frontier believes it's creating "the most authentic, most realistic animals in any game". The developer seems determined to make this an authentic zoo management game with an unprecedented level of detail. Frontier's working on another entry for the Planet franchise, and this time it's ditching coasters for critters. It's a huge claim, but one that could actually be true.
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