Introduction

Planet Coaster 2 aimed to expand on the successful foundation of its predecessor by offering greater creative freedom, enhanced visuals, and exciting new features like water parks. With high player anticipation, the game launched with a mixed reception. Does it build on the fun of the first game or fail to impress? Here’s my take after diving into its theme park management and coaster-building world.

Gameplay

At its core, Planet Coaster 2 retains the engaging park management mechanics that fans love. You have extensive creative tools to build custom coasters, landscape your park, and ensure guest satisfaction. The introduction of water park elements adds new layers of management, and the coaster-building options offer more precision and complexity. However, some controls feel clunky, particularly on PC, where the UI seems optimized for consoles. Building and editing features often require extra clicks, slowing down the flow for PC players.

Visuals and Audio

Graphically, the game has made strides. The environments are vibrant, and the details on rides and guests are impressive, but certain textures and assets feel inconsistent. Some player complaints mention occasional blurriness, which detracts from the immersive feel, particularly on larger screens. Audio, meanwhile, is well-done; ambient sounds bring life to the park, and effects are spot-on, enhancing the experience of managing and observing your creation.

Park Management

The management side has seen minor improvements, but issues arise with the balance between user control and guest AI. Guest behavior can be unpredictable, which can result in bottlenecks and unexpected drops in park ratings. In addition, some fan-favorite assets from the first game are absent, which limits creative variety for veteran players looking for iconic themes and decorations.

The Verdict: Fun but Lacking in Innovation

Overall, Planet Coaster 2 brings some enjoyment and solid management mechanics, yet it lacks the polish expected from a major sequel. The UI struggles on PC, and while the water parks and new coaster tools are interesting, they don’t radically alter the experience. The game feels like an enhanced version of the original rather than a fully refreshed title.

Final Thoughts

For newcomers to theme park simulators, Planet Coaster 2 is enjoyable and offers a comprehensive introduction to the genre. However, long-time fans might feel underwhelmed by the limited innovations and UI issues. While it’s worth exploring if you’re curious about theme park management, it may not live up to the high standards set by its predecessor.

Rating: 6/10