Frontier’s Planet Coaster 2 builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, delivering an engaging and robust theme park simulation experience. The game introduces an expanded toolset for park customization, offering a lot of creative freedom with improved pathing systems, terrain shaping, and water park features. While the game is largely intuitive, especially if you have prior experience with Frontier’s games, the sheer scope of possibilities may require some time to master. Time for a closer look at a fun and family-friendly option, especially now that the Thrill-Seekers Ride Pack has been released.
The gameplay strikes a balance between creativity and management, challenging players to design captivating parks while attending to guest satisfaction and budget constraints – in a relatively accessible manner that makes this one console-friendly. New mechanics, like detailed heat maps and additional guest insights, streamline park monitoring and decision-making, though some the micromanagement aspects can be a bit tedious during extended sessions where there is lots to tinker with in your growing park. These tools, however, also help bring out the simulation’s depth, making it rewarding for those willing to invest the time.
Visually, Planet Coaster 2 is a stunner and the decision to make this current gen-only pays off. From the lush, vibrant environments to the intricate ride designs, the game captures the spectacle of real-world theme parks beautifully. However, performance hiccups can be seen during highly detailed scenes in busy parks, which slightly detracts from the overall polish and needs further work. The game’s audio design complements the visual presentation, with atmospheric sounds and ride-specific effects adding to the immersive experience.
The new Thrill-Seekers Ride Pack expands the base game with five new attractions, offering a mix of creative designs and high-adrenaline thrills. Standouts like the Whirlpool (a reimagining of a classic Planet Coaster ride) and the 540 ride (a unique surfing-like ride) provide fresh experiences for both guests and players. The LIM launch coaster, Vector, adds a versatile family-friendly option, while Strike and Ultra Spin cater to fans of intense, dynamic rides.
The new DLC rides integrate seamlessly into the gameplay, in both new and existing parks. The designs are visually striking, maintaining the same level of detail as the base game. Customization options for these rides are robust, though we’d welcome more in terms of interactive features or innovative mechanics compared to the base content. Still, the Thrill-Seekers Ride Pack effectively enhances the game’s content library, especially for players focused on creating high-adrenaline attractions.
Overall, Planet Coaster 2 and the Thrill-Seekers Ride Pack deliver an attractive package that caters to both creative enthusiasts and simulation fans. While a steep learning curve and occasional performance issues may deter some, the game’s impressive customization tools and engaging and streamlined mechanics make it a must-play for fans of the genre. The DLC, while not transformative, adds a thrilling edge to the already rich theme park experience, making it a worthwhile addition for dedicated players – and we can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring for this one, both in terms of optimizations and new content.
Score: 8.0/10
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