Planet Zoo 2 review: sharks, birds and reserves – Frontier at its best
The zoo sim launched on 13 October for PC, PS5 and Xbox. Reviews award 9 to 10 points but criticise animal species missing from the original game.
Photo: lensnmatter / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Trailer: YouTube · Planet Zoo 2 · youtube.com
Critics' rating
Scores: Push Square 9/10 · Insider Gaming 10/10 · AltChar 9/10
- Platforms
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Studio
- Frontier Developments
- Release
- 13.10.2026
+ Pros
- New aquariums and free-flight aviaries
- Wildlife reserves for releasing animals
- More flexible tools for paths, plants and scenery
- Three modes: career, sandbox and online franchise
– Cons
- More than 30 species from the original are missing
- Steep learning curve
- Fiddly menus on a controller
- Occasional clipping and pop-in
Critics' verdict
Critics see Frontier at its finest – only the slimmer launch animal roster spoils the picture.
Summary of published reviews – sources below.
Frontier Developments’ Planet Zoo 2 has been available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S since 13 October. The standard edition costs $49.99 in the US and the Deluxe Edition $64.99. The headline additions are aquatic animals and birds: aquariums with sharks, turtles and fish, and aviaries where birds fly freely. Conservation projects also let players release animals into their own wildlife reserves.
Push Square gives the PS5 version 9 out of 10, praising the visuals, animal animations and the three modes – career, sandbox and the online Franchise with animal trading. Insider Gaming awards a perfect 10/10 on PC, highlighting the improved tools for paths, habitats and planting. AltChar gives 9 out of 10 and welcomes scenery that can be resized and recoloured.
The animal roster draws criticism: according to AltChar, more than 30 species from the original base game are missing, including cheetahs and grizzly bears. Insider Gaming wants clarity on which animals will later be sold as paid add-ons. Push Square cites a steep learning curve and fiddly controller menus, while AltChar also notes occasional graphical glitches.