Planet Zoo 2 is a zoo management sim where you build habitats, keep animals happy and try not to run your park into debt. It launched on October 13, 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and the big pitch is that it finally adds birds and aquatic animals.

The loop is build, manage, expand. You design enclosures, care for animals, keep guests satisfied and slowly grow your zoo. New in this one are aviaries, aquariums and wildlife reserves where you can release animals.

What works is the animals. Reviewers say they look and move beautifully, and the building tools give a lot of creative freedom. Some critics call it Frontier’s biggest and best game yet, and the conservation angle gives the zoo a bit more purpose.

How it runs: One PC review notes a Steam Deck preset that gives a mostly stable 30 FPS, and also mentions a couple of bugs. Frontier’s older zoo games struggled with big parks, so keep an eye on patch notes for the sequel.

Downsides: PC Gamer found habitat building fiddly, with too many variables to juggle. The career mode isn’t as imaginative as Planet Coaster 2’s, and it can feel like work rather than play.

But honestly, that’s not really the point.

If you like tinkering and care about the animals, the details are the fun. It’s a sim for people who enjoy fixing little problems.

Verdict: Great for sim and management fans who like building. If you want something quick and simple, the fiddliness may wear on you.