Zoo Tycoon Review - You Feel Like You're Managing A Zoo!

[@zakkoehler6820]

Now Rollercoaster Tycoon, with the ability to launched meeples from an unfinished rollercoaster. LOL

[@maxf.7262]

That set up is so scarry!😅 I had a fun time with the dinosaur expansion back in the days. Ty for the video!

[@wsiegel9539]

I took a drink every time Alex said "A Lot Going On", now I feel manage I can the zoo... [hic] This looks right up my alley for heavier thematic games.

[@aonline_abridged]

Thank you Alex for the procs and cons, it really helped me make my final decision. I watched 5 other videos and while most did give some pros and cons, your list was more in depth and addressed my interests/concerns, so way more helpful. I should have started with your video ;p

[@guimauve-rose]

Exactly what i though after watching their rules explanation video, didn't expect a game so complex. I wouldn't say i'm disappointed but it's not the game that i wanted. I don't see myself explaining all the rules, i would never table it...i wish they had done a game more accessible like wingspan. I was so ready to go all in xD well too bad. I sold Wild Serengeti, maybe i have to try Ark Nova but i don't like the "art" :(

[@Nidamir]

Thanks for review and a bunch of things to consider. One question, where would it land od compared to Dinozaur World/Island?

[@bunny2101]

I would love to know this too!

[@JuliusCorvinus]

"Arche Nova rapidly climbing through the rankings" -> it is already #4 😅

[@sloikalamos]

Does it feels like Ark Nova in terms of feels pretty solitaire?

[@notsocherry6336]

Great review. Definitely sticking with Ark Nova. I'd rather have the vast variety of animal cards with powers than a limited range of animals represented by meeples. I think I'll play Zoo Tycoon the PC game if I want that tycoon feeling.

[@VillainCollector1]

I was 99% ready to back this one, but this review is giving me strong reservations. I was hoping it wasn't a heavy game. I'm a little disappointed. 3 hour game? Ouch. The review is thorough, thank you

[@VillainCollector1]

Sounds like giraffes will be an expansion or eventually added in the campaign. Maybe? I wonder if there will be a different set of rules to play a lighter version.

[@angelk.8285]

Excellent review!

[@bennaylor3674]

I am so excited for this game. I loved Zoo Tycoon as a kid and love heavy games so this is right up my alley. Do you know when the campaign will launch? Also are there plans for a solo mode?

[@move3spaces246]

Its on kickstarter now

[@BlueSteelCat]

Ugh did you think the score tracker is a humongous eye sore that takes up 1/3 of its table presence? I’m so excited about the meeples, but a part of me feels like I should chill out and just play Planet Zoo on a console until they define how this plays and looks.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Dinogenics with the Controlled Chaos expansion is fantastic.

[@Vectrex-pi5ib]

Once again in the board gaming world, Sponsored content with prototype gameplay. 17:15 - 'There is no Giraffes'. There are Giraffes in the final product. Also, the Loans mechanic has changed since this payed off review.

[@BoardGameCo]

There weren't giraffes...now there are...I'm not sure what you're saying exactly? Also this wasn't a sponsored video, my reviews are never sponsored and 95% of the content on this channel isn't sponsored.

[@Vectrex-pi5ib]

@@BoardGameCo So, you bought the prototype you mean?

[@VampguyN85]

Aww no solo mode. Kind of a deal breaker for me. I did play zoo tycoon in the old days as well as tons of Roller Coaster. A heavy game like this I can only play solo. It's way over the head of my family. So I will be missing the nostalgia it seems.

[@shelbywilliams1926]

Not sure if you're keeping up with the kickstarter but there is a solo mode now. :)

[@BenKirkpatrick]

I watched the rules teach video by the developer, 90 minutes of explanation!! Then a 3 hr game time for your first play at 4 players, I’ll never be able to get this one played with my gaming group

[@nirszi]

Thanks for the review. I think it's a good Zoo management game but might be a bit too deep and and has too much overhead for what I want from my zoo management game to be. Plus no solo mode yet.

[@zakkoehler6820]

It is going to be hard to complete with Ark Nova

[@yoonkl8101]

How would you compare this to Dinosaur World? I didn't love DW because I found the strategic depth lacking.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

I never played zoo tycoon. What I am noticing is that ark nova has a lot more species of animals and every card is unique. This one looks better though.

[@Berndr]

I missed your review for Zoo Tycoon when this was on Kickstarter ... I actually backed it, because Ark nova does not do it for me, I am so happy to hear about the complex strategy in Zoo Tycoon because, from a strategic point of view, Ark nova is totally unfulfilling, each time I tried to do some kind of strategy, due to totally unbalanced deck I am always forced to play just random cards and get by whatever is available or tags allows me, whilst tags work great in Teraformoing Mars even in Mosaic ... in Ark Nova, these tags are frustrating and not as smooth strategically ... On the other hand, I kinda liked The Feast of Odin - like the player's board... whilst catds and deck felt unbalanced this puzzle board was much better even though it is not much for the Feast of Odin that was taken from ... Yey in my opinion, the best part of Ark nova and the most exciting strategically are actually the green conservation cards, but sadly due to limitations by the gameplay design and only one starting worker, you don't get to use this part of the board much, and when you finally do get more workers and you are able to do more ... the game is over :( ... In my opinion, the green conservation cards should have been a personal objective or at least more accessible, because Conservation cards were the only thing for me that drives the strategy and engine for collections similar to what we do in the Encyclopedia boardgame, but unlike in Encyclopedia, in Ark Nova, collecting is too restricted and frustrating, I just find the whole part of this gameplay done badly, designers should have let people finish collectins and satisfy that primal urge we all have for hoarding and completing the collections that make us feel fulfilled ... In my opinion, The Ark nova is not a bad game just not great either, and each time we finished it I felt unfulfilled even if I won, and let's be honest the Artwork is terrible... so for the life of me, I don't understand the hype and the rating, I can think of 100s much better games, that are way lower on the chart... I think even Catan and Ticket to ride beat Ark nova in every single aspect as a family game ... that's why I am really looking forward to this one! As you said many times "not every game is for everyone" but it seems Zoo tycoon might be for me ... thanks for the great review P.S Giraffes are now included, they were the final stretch goal!

[@catherinetaylor556]

Looks fun but no GIRAFFES- how could they leave the best zoo animal out 😱

[@renefrank3030]

thats totally fine as the elephants are in

[@catherinetaylor556]

@@renefrank3030 😂🐘

[@move3spaces246]

They might put them in

[@ogreman2229]

I’m sure it’s relatively enjoyable but I don’t feel that a game this complex suits this IP. I don’t think I realistic could get this to the table with any frequency.

[@Listan1]

Great review.

[@BoardGameCo]

Thanks :)

[@patriziopastore9895]

mmm I just check now the preview... as usual super work to explain what is good and what is less good. I was thinking that was more kids oriented but definitely not... too many things on the table

[@BoardGameCo]

Happy to help!

[@srebme2]

Not another crowdfunded game to seriously consider next week!!! Now I’m up to 7! My poor poor wallet. But seriously, thanks for putting this on my radar, Alex, and for sharing your thoughts.

[@BoardGameCo]

Uh oh...don't watch the video that goes up this Thursday....

[@srebme2]

@@BoardGameCo Ok, I’ve been warned. I take total responsibility for any damage that is done by watching Thursday’s video.

[@jonathancheung8545]

7? Those are rookie numbers lol JK you’re better off with less than 10 at a time

[@srebme2]

@@jonathancheung8545 to clarify, there are 7 campaigns that launch next week that I’m seriously considering backing.

[@michaelcarter6522]

What is the first game recommendation? I can't understand it haha Thanks for the review though! ;)

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I loved Zoo Tycoon. I still own the game. This game intrigues me greatly.

[@dplentz]

how does this compare to Ark Nova? Can we expect a review for Ark Nova soon?

[@twinkle04evr]

Which one do you like better and which one is easier to learn? Thanks Alex

[@BoardGameCo]

Which one of what?

[@lazulin]

A pass for me. I'd need to play it before buying. I really hate 'rich get richer' mechanisms and the whole game feels very fiddly to me. Plus, the family-friendly cover with the heavy euro gameplay is a real mismatch that might make it hard to get to the table, like Dungeon Petz. I can see this being a game that sits on the shelf, with me needing to relearn rules between plays, because it's fiddly and doesn't make it to the table enough. I prefer deep but with streamlined rules.

[@pawnstorminreno]

take a shot every time Alex says "a lot"

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Wait! What? No Giraffes?

[@mrp4242]

In his early prototype copy--but in my copy there is. They are a level I animal and look great in the zoo.

[@JonathanNation]

Too bad it's not 5+ player ... I have multiple kids would would like this theme at least.

[@BoardGameCo]

I think 5 would be a lot...

[@JonathanNation]

@@BoardGameCo yes, it would ... wait until you have 3 kids who are board gammers ... I bet you will judge more of your stuff if your whole family can play or not. It's not that we would always or often play 5+, yet ... there are so many gaming options, having the option for the whole family (or two couples and one of the kids) is important.

[@MrAndypree]

Why meeples? Why not just animals…?

[@aperturius]

You talk way too fast.

[@felwin4772]

I think you listen too slow. You can always play the video at slower speeds if it presents a challenge. ;)

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

I watch on 2x.

[@trannhat6304]

is this game have good interaction? each player have their own zoo, just like ark nova, I'm afraid there will be little interaction too 🥲

[@FranciscoArena]

most games are like this nowadays :/

[@mrp4242]

There is a little bit of interaction, but it’s not very much. First, there is the animal exchange. You take turns via snake draft during ‘Summer’ in getting animal arrivals; it’s possible another player will take a species you want that round before you can get it. Second, there are bonus enclosure (terrain) tiles you can acquire during ‘Autumn’ over the other players when you meet certain criteria for example, having ‘happier animals’ or having a higher conservation score. While everyone gets at least three of those tiles each fall, those bonus tiles can help quite a bit. Lastly, bonuses are given in ‘Winter’: the player highest on education track gets another conservation point, the player with the highest buzz gets additional money, etc. But this is not a game with high interaction.