Games like Zoo Tycoon really dove into the idea of people wanting to play a game where they could design their own animal park, letting them set up the exhibits and bring in whatever animals they liked. Let's Build A Zoo is a new indie game that takes that same goal and interjects it into a pixel-art top-down experience.
Let's Build A Zoo is to Zoo Tycoon what Stardew Valley is to Harvest Moon. The game has so many options and tools to build the zoo of one's dreams. The best part is that it is available on Xbox Game Pass, and this indie game is simply a download away.
8 Lean Into Customization & Creativity
People can often get caught up in the non-stop management in a game like Let's Build A Zoo, and forget some of its other aspects. Many of the buildings and decorations in the game have several aesthetic choices players can select between, and that's part of its appeal.
Each choice allows the zoo manager to fit every new addition into the look and feel they're trying to create for their zoo. Players should make sure to lean into their creative side and come up with something that feels unique and personal.
7 Manage Expenses & Income
Management games can be overwhelming for players who might not know what they're getting into. Players need to learn (unless they're playing in a creative building mode) that income and expenses are crucial. Knowing how much money one can spend is critical in both maintaining and expanding a zoo in Let's Build A Zoo.
Take things slowly at first and avoid falling into the trap of spending every dollar earned. Also, don't be afraid to slightly raise ticket prices from time to time in order to generate a bit of extra income from visitors.
6 Bathrooms & Trash Cans
The best theme parks are the ones that seamlessly fit trash cans and restrooms into their design in a way that doesn't feel intrusive or off-putting. Zoo owners should do the same in Let's Build A Zoo. Both location and direction are pivotal, and the game lets the player know from which direction the building or trash can will be utilized.
It's best to space out these items in a way that covers the entire park, but at the same time, it shouldn't become an eyesore for people. The balance isn't something that comes easy, but once learned, it starts to feel like second nature.
5 Take Time To Decorate
Sure, placing animal exhibits and research centers can be quite exciting, but a zoo is much more than that. Despite Let's Build A Zoo being a smaller indie game, it offers plenty of options when it comes to decorating the zoo. Between flowers, shrubbery, benches, and signs, there are dozens of ways to spruce up the look of the overall park.
Finding a way to make the spaces between the points of interest just as meaningful fleshes out the zoo and makes it feel like a more immersive experience. Have visitors feel as if they're always in the wild on a safari or exhibition, instead of having the animal exhibits stand out as the only exotic part of the experience.
4 Pausing & Fast-Forwarding
Simulation management games offer plenty of tools that serve as both a blessing and a curse. One of these tools in Let's Build A Zoo is the time manipulation tool. Players can either speed up time or stop it completely, with each option having unique benefits. Speeding up time can solve several issues, including waiting for the delivery of newly acquired animals or getting to a point where a new structure is built.
A go-to strategy is to pause time when looking to make several changes in terms of layout, building, or staff. Only fast-forward time when a critical juncture needs to be reached. Staying on the normal passage of time is most beneficial, but the ability to change that on a whim can be a real lifesaver for those looking to deep dive into Let's Build A Zoo.
3 Consider Diversity & Happiness
Players who manage to keep their animals happy and stimulated will in turn see their parkgoers more entertained and excited to visit the zoo. Having a diverse selection of animals also helps, unless of course the idea is to maintain a reserve or rehabilitation center of sorts for certain endangered species.
The reality is that zoos are glorified animal shelters. People like to turn off their brains and just see happy animals being animals. Let's Build A Zoo allows players to create captivating and engaging exhibits, but it's up to the player to meet the needs of the animals inside their park.
2 Pathing Is Essential
An overlooked part of theme parks is the pathing that designers institute for visitors and how that can dictate someone's experience. Making the transition from an attraction to a vendor to a restroom should be a natural feeling. There's also magic to zoos where a path can set the stage for the building of hype and anticipation.
One neat idea is to have the parkgoers start by walking by animal exhibits featuring more familiar creatures and then have them gradually walk towards the larger-than-life ones that people rush to the zoo to see. Let's Build A Zoo has plenty of choices when it comes to the style of pathing, but it's up to the player to lay it out in a way that benefits both the income of the zoo and the experience of visitors.
1 Plan The Outline
Some people like to take things as they come, and love a more chaotic and spontaneous approach. With Let's Build A Zoo, all that approach is going to do is make the future version of the player hate their past self.
No one is asking for a complete outline covering pages on pages, but having even a small idea of how things should eventually look will be such a benefit. Zoos are complicated machinations full of moving parts and can become overwhelming to manage. The best part about Let's Build A Zoo is that overcoming and fixing mistakes or issues is pretty easy, but that doesn't mean one should skip preparations.
Let's Build A Zoo is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.