Genre:Â Strategy video game
Developer:Â Frontier Developments
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S
Publisher:Â Frontier Developments
Initial release date: May 28, 2024
Planet Zoo has already established itself as the best zoo simulation game on Xbox, so more of it can only be good. That is the case with the latest DLC pack, the Planet Zoo: Aquatic & Twilight Bundle, which is the first since the game’s release on platforms.
So let’s pack some lunches, take some pocket money for ice cream, and see what new surprises await us at the zoo this time.
The package includes both the Aquatic and Twilight packs, which can be purchased separately if one is more appealing than the other. To be honest, there isn’t enough in each to review individually, but we’ll assist distinguish which creatures and features belong in which bundle.
Are there any otters in your Planet Zoo? Of course
First up is the Aquatic pack, which includes five new animals: the King Penguin, Giant Otter, Grey Seal, Dwarf Caiman, and Diamondback Terrapin. The latter is an exhibit-only animal, akin to the many insects at Planet Zoo, which thrill and frighten in equal measure.
The Twilight bundle also includes five additional animals: raccoons, red foxes, common wombats, striped skunks, and Egyptian fruit bats. None of the creatures in either pack are just reskinned versions of current Planet Zoo species, so they are completely new and ready to be added to any zoo.
Of course, ten new creatures means ten new habitats to build and precisely plan, but it is this attention to detail that truly distinguishes Planet Zoo. By now, you should be an expert at designing habitats and adjusting them to the species in question, assuming you’ve mastered the difficult console controls. This DLC reminded me that the controls are still a nuisance.
Take the Egyptian Fruit Bat, for example. This nocturnal flyer also includes several all-new walkthrough displays that allow visitors to explore the habitat while the bats fly overhead. Anyone who has visited a zoo will tell you that this is usually a highlight, so being able to build it in your own zoo and then experience it firsthand is fantastic.
Watching the otters and penguins go about their daily lives is very enjoyable. As I noted in my initial review of the game, seeing the creatures is likely my favorite part of Planet Zoo, and some of these new species will be added to my own zoo.
Good day, little Grey Seal
But not the red fox. No disrespect to them, but we have several roaming our streets at night in real life, and their shouts have woken me up on more than one occasion.
Both expansions have a new scenario for you to tackle. The Twilight Pack includes a frightening new zoo in Transylvania. Castle Myers was formerly a popular zoo, but the previous owner let it degrade. You are now in charge of revitalizing this distinctively designed zoo.
The majority of the zoo infrastructure is in place to help you get off to a good start, as long as you first capture the escaping animals. But the actual star of Castle Myers is the castle itself; built on top of an enormous hill, it truly demonstrates the developers’ inventiveness and motivates me to do something similar myself. One day. Eventually.
For the Aquatic Pack, we are given a new timed scenario. Red Barn River Zoo, located in Oregon, USA, has recently received a large grant and has requested that you help expand the zoo in preparation for the upcoming tourist season.
Both of these scenarios do an excellent job of showcasing the new creatures associated with their packs while also allowing you to explore them alone. For example, the Aquatic Pack scenario includes a fantastic penguin exhibit, while the Twilight one requires you to introduce some fruit bats to the zoo.
The Planet Zoo has bats!
If you like how the new scenes look, the DLC packs contain over 350 new scenery components. There’s everything, including new dramatic waterfalls, moody greenery, sculptures, spider webs, cauldrons, and even some new rubber duck enrichment items. But who exactly are the enrichment pieces for? The otters, or the visitors? Why not both?
More animals, settings, and scenery pieces. The Planet Zoo: Aquatic & Twilight Bundle contains no surprises, just more of the same awesomeness we’ve come to anticipate. Perhaps the most surprising aspect is that some of the animals featured here, such as King Penguins and Egyptian Fruit Bats, are the first of their kind to appear in the game. But it’s a tribute to the base game that, with so many animals originally present, we never noticed either one was missing.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 85%
Content – 88%
Aesthetics – 90%
Replayability – 80%
Value – 86%
Overall Rating – 86%
Great
Summary: The Aquatic & Twilight Bundle for Planet Zoo introduces a rich selection of new animals and scenery items that elevate the gameplay experience. With beautifully designed aquatic creatures and mysterious twilight animals, the bundle adds fresh challenges and creative possibilities for zoo management. The visual quality is top-notch, and the content offers good value, making it a worthwhile addition for fans looking to expand their zoo’s diversity and aesthetic appeal.