Zoo Tycoon

 Xbox One
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 45
  3. Negative: 1 out of 45
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  1. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Nov 18, 2013
    85
    This is a polished, full-fledged, very fun game. You’ll buy it for your kids so they don’t feel left out of the next-gen joy, but once they go to bed you may well end up spending as much time designing your dream zoo as they do...Maybe more.
  2. Gaming Age
    Dec 18, 2013
    83
    Overall, the game may be simplistic on the surface, and lack some of the real in depth creating tools that many PC gamers have come to love, but it could also be that the game is also meant to get the controls into the hands of little ones as well.
  3. Digital Chumps
    Dec 9, 2013
    80
    Zoo Tycoon is engaging, rewarding, and fun, just don't burn yourself out on it too quickly. It isn't so much for the hardcore sim manager, but for those not looking for a tremendous amount of depth, there's a lot to like with what Frontier offers.
  5. God is a Geek
    Dec 2, 2013
    80
    It may ultimately be a little shallow, but it has bags of charm and there is more than enough on offer here to provide hours of animal magic.
  6. Guardian
    Nov 22, 2013
    80
    The game struggles a little over the mid-to-long term: the difficulty doesn't fluctuate much and, soon enough, you're merely turning the cogs rather than responding to thrilling challenges, but Zoo Tycoon is pleasant and engaging, even in its absence of spectacle.
  7. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 22, 2013
    80
    Simulation gaming with a sense of fun we haven’t experienced in years. Think Viva Piñata meets Theme Park and you’re close. Plus it actually works really well with Kinect. A winning combo.
  8. Polygon
    Nov 18, 2013
    80
    It's charming and sweet, to the point that I never wanted to stop playing — even when my colleagues demanded we use the console for one of the bigger launch titles.
  9. Eurogamer Italy
    Nov 18, 2013
    80
    The Xbox One episode of Zoo Tycoon has both the strategic elements of the PC games and the cool direct interaction granted by the new Kinect hardware. If you're looking for a deep single player and multiplayer experience with gorgeous looking animal 3D models, this is the game for you.
  10. NZGamer
    Nov 25, 2013
    79
    A simulation game fan looking for a hardcore micromanaging experience might want to look elsewhere, but for anyone else, Zoo Tycoon offers a whole lot of fun - with an important and oft neglected side dish of education and awareness raising.
  11. Impulsegamer
    Dec 9, 2013
    75
    Zoo Tycoon is definitely a family friend game that can be played by all ages.
  12. Destructoid
    Nov 22, 2013
    75
    Zoo Tycoon has a distinct lack of depth, but if you're capable of sitting down with this simplistic simulator, you'll smile more times than you can count. The simulator fan in me was a bit disappointed by the ease of it all, but the child in me couldn't help but enjoy myself.
  13. Xbox Achievements
    Nov 18, 2013
    75
    Zoo Tycoon’s biggest crime is its lack of ambition.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best Xbox One Game of 2013
13
#13 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2013
3
#3 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 323 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 323
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 323
  3. Negative: 210 out of 323
  1. Tom129
    Jan 4, 2014
    4
    Graphics and controls are great. It is easy and convenient to check on the well-being of your animals and the satisfaction of guests. TheGraphics and controls are great. It is easy and convenient to check on the well-being of your animals and the satisfaction of guests. The variety of animals available is good as well.

    This game has a serious flaw: the Zoo Limit. With every enclosure, animal, concession stand, decoration (and anything else) that you place, the zoo limit fills a bit. In the challenge mode of the game (which restricts what you can build based on cost and income is determined by guest satisfaction), I reached the zoo limit in about 3 hours of play. I had about a dozen enclosures, each full of animals, two mini--enclosures, and about half a dozen other buildings. The zoo limit does not increase with zoo level, so once you have reached the zoo limit, you can't build anything new without selling something else.

    This is a severe limit on how large the zoo can be and how many animals can be had at one time.

    Additionally, the extent to which zoos can be customized is disappointing. Enclosures are limited to three sizes: small, medium, and large, and are predefined shapes. Exhibit enhancements can only be placed in a small number of preset locations around the edge of the enclosures, and to keep your animals happy you generally must have one of each type (feeding station, cleansing station, and toy). Due to the lack of customization, adding enhancements becomes tedious and repetitive.

    The game would be very fun if not for these limitations.    … Full Review »
  2. VibroKnife
    Dec 31, 2013
    4
    Great for kids, but nothing like the originals Being the 16 year old that I am I loved the original zoo tycoons so I bought this one just forGreat for kids, but nothing like the originals Being the 16 year old that I am I loved the original zoo tycoons so I bought this one just for the sake of my love. It's nothing at all like the original. I stopped playing after I put down the first plot of land. Its a handicapped downgrade of the originals. Offering very little customization, mediocre graphics and lots of animal interaction for the kiddies.

    I guess its good if your 5 or 6 years old. But if you're like me and bought this because of the original. You won't be satisfied.    … Full Review »
  3. AdrianChan
    Jun 9, 2014
    4
    I am a Zoo Tycoon fans and this Zoo Tycoon feels nothing like the original Zoo Tycoon. The original Zoo Tycoon give players a lot of freedomI am a Zoo Tycoon fans and this Zoo Tycoon feels nothing like the original Zoo Tycoon. The original Zoo Tycoon give players a lot of freedom to develop or to build a park, but the new Zoo Tycoon just feel extremely restricted. XBO Zoo Tycoon is just not as fun as the original. Basically, it is just boring. Graphics certainly look great and all animals and character models look very detailed considering it is a next-gen games but overall it is very disappointing… Full Review »
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