Planet Zoo 2
Frontier's zoo-sim sequel launched October 13, 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S — adding the two things the original never had: fully aquatic animals and flying birds, plus releasable Wildlife Reserves.
What's actually new
The three headline additions over the first game.
Fully aquatic species
Freshwater and saltwater aquariums with fish shoals, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Hawksbill Turtles — plus filtration systems and diving keepers.
Flying birds
Custom aviaries add vertical habitat building the original's walk-only animals never needed.
Wildlife Reserves
A conservation layer that takes animals beyond the zoo — release them into large natural spaces as part of global projects.
Rebuilt building tools
Pathing stamp, snapping custom fences, foliage and rock brushes, upgraded terrain tools, and cross-platform Frontier Workshop sharing.
The review split — why scores disagree
84 on Metacritic, 5.1 user score, Mixed (62%) on Steam.
Critics landed high — several 9s and a 10/10 — praising the aquariums, aviaries and deeper building tools as a real sequel rather than a safe follow-up. Players are cooler on it. The recurring complaints: dense menus and heavy micromanagement carried over from the first game, launch bugs (stuck animals, misread habitat requirements, resetting key bindings), and six species locked behind the Deluxe edition.
Verdict in one line: the best zoo sim available if you accept the genre's complexity; wait for a patch or two if launch jank bothers you.
Editions
| Edition | Price | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $49.99 (often listed $43.99) | Base game, all core species |
| Deluxe | Higher tier | Base game + 6 Deluxe-only animal species |
The Deluxe-only species are a visible sore point in user reviews — check the species list before paying the premium.
FAQ
Is Planet Zoo 2 a big step up from the first game?
On animal variety and building tools, yes — aquatic and flying species change how exhibits work. On menus and management friction, it's the same series.
Does Planet Zoo 2 have multiplayer?
It's a single-player management sim; the social layer is sharing zoos and blueprints through the Frontier Workshop.
Is it on Game Pass?
No — it's a paid release on Steam, Epic, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.