Gameplay
If you've ever played a Frontier park builder, you know they deliver an exceptional experience. The customization options in each game are unmatched, and Planet Coaster 2 (PC2) somehow takes them even further. The first Planet Coaster (PC1) was a huge success, focusing mainly on theme parks, but for a sequel, Frontier had to add something fresh, right? Enter water parks—a fantastic addition that feels perfectly suited to the game.
Some of the issues from PC1 have been addressed in PC2, showing that Frontier listens to their fans. Nearly every problem I had or feature I felt was missing in PC1 has been thoughtfully improved or included in PC2. Is it a perfect game? No, but it certainly gives you more tools to tap into your creative potential when designing your theme park.
PC2 not only adds water parks but also introduces new in-game themes. In PC1, we had Classic, Western, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Spooky. PC2 brings Mythology, Viking, Aquatic, Resorts, and Planet Coaster themes. While I miss some of the original themes, I understand that including all of them could have overloaded the game with pieces.
Another exciting addition is the customization of coaster cars. Frontier has made it easier than ever to bring your vision to life by allowing you to add scenery pieces directly onto coaster cars, not just change their colors. For instance, if I create a coaster called "The Submarine" for my aquatic area, I’m no longer limited to just a dark blue paint job—I can add windows and decorative elements to make it feel like a real submersible.
Mechanically, PC2 brings a feature that should have been there from the start: the ability to scale items. If you’ve ever struggled with objects being too large or too small, that’s now a thing of the past. You can scale items to your heart’s content, allowing for more convincing facades and perspective tricks. Path building has also improved significantly. You can use the classic path system if you’re attached to it, but there’s also a revamped system with a new stamp tool for adding individual path pieces, as well as a draw tool that lets you create custom shapes quickly.
With everything PC2 offers, it’s clear that Frontier has kept their fans in mind. As a longtime fan, I feel that anything I hoped would improve has been thoughtfully upgraded in this game.
Graphics & Audio
Planet Coaster 2 takes the visual and atmospheric elements of its predecessor to an entirely new level, delivering stunningly improved textures and a more immersive ambiance. The game showcases intricate details in every aspect of its design, from the vibrancy of the foliage to the lifelike quality of its lighting and water effects. When running on powerful hardware like the 4070 Super, these enhancements truly shine. The lighting system creates dynamic and realistic shadows that shift with the time of day, while the water textures ripple and shimmer, giving every park an authentic, alive feel. These graphical improvements make Planet Coaster 2 not only a joy to play but also a feast for the eyes, setting a new benchmark for theme park simulation games.
Feedback
Frontier’s park-building games are known for their depth and complexity, but they also come with a learning curve that can take time to master. In the case of Planet Coaster 2, this learning curve feels especially steep, largely due to the inclusion of new path-building mechanics and a host of additional customization options. While these features are exactly what I had hoped for after playing the first game, they might feel overwhelming for newcomers diving into the series for the first time. The sheer amount of tools and options can be intimidating, and it may take some time for players to become comfortable with all the mechanics on offer.
On a more technical note, I encountered performance issues during my time with the game, specifically when playing in Sandbox mode. While Career and Franchise modes ran smoothly without any noticeable problems, Sandbox mode presented a recurring issue with crashes. This was particularly frustrating because Sandbox mode is often where players want to unleash their creativity without limitations. Hopefully, these stability concerns will be addressed in future patches, as the rest of the experience is polished and enjoyable.
Verdict
Planet Coaster 2 is a brilliant evolution of Frontier’s iconic park-building series, delivering fresh features, enhanced customization, and stunning visuals that elevate the experience to new heights. The addition of water parks, along with new themes like Mythology, Viking, and Aquatic, expands creative possibilities, while improvements like scalable objects, revamped path-building mechanics, and enhanced coaster customization showcase Frontier’s commitment to fan feedback. Visually, the game is breathtaking, with lifelike lighting, textures, and water effects. However, the game’s steep learning curve and performance issues in Sandbox mode, which is prone to crashes, may prove challenging for newcomers and frustrating for creative players. Despite these setbacks, Planet Coaster 2 is a triumph of design and imagination, offering an inspiring and immersive playground for both veterans and first-timers alike.
