Planet Zoo 2 adds aquariums, aviaries and nature reserves to the zoo sim formula

Planet Zoo 2 is out now on PC and PS5, bringing Frontier Developments' zoo management sim to consoles for the first time. The sequel keeps the deep building and animal care systems from the original and stacks three big additions on top: aquariums, aviaries and nature reserves.

Aquariums let you fill tanks with fish. Aviaries house flying birds. Nature reserves flip the script entirely by letting you release animals into open wild habitats, then explore those spaces on foot or in a buggy. It's a solid shift from the usual zoo grid.

Same modes, bigger toolbox

You get the expected lineup of modes. Campaign teaches the basics through structured scenarios. Sandbox gives you unlimited money and freedom to build whatever you want. Franchise mode connects you online so you can trade animals with other players and compete on leaderboards.

Animal welfare, conservation and education remain the backbone of gameplay. You're not just plopping down enclosures. You're balancing habitat needs, guest satisfaction and breeding programs while keeping your zoo profitable.

The building tools are as detailed as ever, with thousands of scenery pieces to customize every corner of your park. A new nature brush tool speeds up the process of placing trees and plants, which helps when you're trying to fill large areas quickly.

The interface debate

Reviews split on how the game handles. Some players report that menus feel nested and fiddly, making simple tasks take longer than they should. Others say the UI feels more intuitive and easier to navigate than the first game. Your tolerance for management sim busywork will decide which camp you fall into.

The career mode also gets mixed reactions. Some find the objectives mundane compared to what Frontier did with Planet Coaster 2. Others praise the tutorial campaign as an excellent way to learn the systems without feeling overwhelmed.

If you burned out on the first Planet Zoo, this sequel won't change your mind. It's more of the same core experience with new animal types and biomes. But if you're still hungry for detailed zoo building and you want fish, birds and open reserves in the mix, Planet Zoo 2 delivers exactly that.