Creating an exhibit for an animal to live in takes a matter of seconds. Let's use Zebras as an example. Build an enclosed area of the appropriate fence type, chain link will do for them since they aren't very strong. Purchase a Zebra (male or female...yes, they can have babies) and place it within the fence. You now have an exhibit, but it won't keep your animal happy for long without some changes. The default terrain type is grass but the Zebras prefer savannah grass, which is the golden variety found out on the veldt. They also like a little shallow water, dirt and even some sand thrown into the mix. Even the smallest patch of grass is very distasteful to them, so you've got to hunt it all down and replace it with something more to their liking. Your zoo keeper's insights are invaluable during this whole process, as well as the Zebra's reactions. A green smiley faces floats up from the Zebra when it likes what you're changing, and a red frown appears when it is displeased. The zoo keeper provides much more detailed information on what the animal requires to make it happy, such as less grass and more dirt terrain, or more vegetation or elevation, or more Zebras to keep it company. Whew! Thankfully, unlike Roller Coaster Tycoon, you can build when the game is paused. This allows you all the time in the world to tinker with any part of your zoo and get it just the way you want it. Keeping your animals happy is important not only for them, but for your visitors. They can get upset if they see unhappy animals and poor living conditions for them.
Catering to the needs of your visitors is a little easier, since they aren't quite making their home at the zoo. At the bottom of the screen is your zoo rating, visitor happiness rating, and animal happiness rating. You can click on the icon near each of these for more information. Visitors become unhappy when they can't find a place to eat, drink, or rest their feet. Providing these facilities will not only keep them happy and in your zoo, but will also provide some tidy profits to help with your expenses. Unlike some other games I've played, I felt I had some real direct control over these little sim people's needs. I was able to respond to their wishes, and satisfy them in a timely fashion.
There's lots of extras to keep visitors occupied and things looking gorgeous...
With all of these animals and structures to build, it is good to know that the graphics are quite lovely, and very detailed. This is vital when placing different terrain types and vegetation, which are all easily distinguishable. The animals even have mannerisms, looking and behaving much like the real thing. You'll see Hippos taking a swim, Gazelles leaping, and Chimps throwing temper tantrums or swinging from trees in their exhibit. The game doesn't have that cartoonish look about it as Roller Coaster Tycoon does, giving your zoo a fairly realistic look about it.
Adding to the variety in the game is the opportunity to get new animals for your zoo from the
Zoo Tycoon website. Yes, if the forty or so animals that come with the game don't hold your interest, there are more where that came from! You'll also be able to check out other zoos created by fellow Tycoons at the site, which will no doubt be a source of inspiration for your own projects.
Zoo Tycoon doesn't go off the rails anywhere. It offers something for would be Tycoons of all ages, and may just do a little educating on the side. If previous Tycoon titles are about your speed, this one is most definitely worth a look.
What Thunder learned about one of his favorite animals while playing Zoo Tycoon...
Did you know: Recent DNA tests have dispelled long held beliefs that the Mandrill is part of the baboon family. I suppose this disproves the old saying, "If it looks like a duck..."
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