The Bottom Line
If you need a little push in the right direction in campaign mode of "Zoo Tycoon 2," you'll want to have this book by your side. Advice on general issues, such as zoo layout and design, are included, however much of it can be discovered through play.
Pros
- walkthroughs for campaigns that work
- tips for challenge games
- charts on animals covering reproduction, space, and donations
Cons
- majority of book focuses on campaigns and challenges over general play
- full retail price is high
Description
- Publisher: Sybex
- ISBN: 0782143571, Pages: 214
- Chapter 1: Getting to Know the New Tycoon
- Chapter 2: How to Become Rich and Famous
- Chapter 3: Making People Happy
- Chapter 4: Caring for Animals
- Chapter 5: The Animals Within
- Chapter 6: Freeform and Challenge Games
- Chapter 7: Campaign Games
- Appendixes cover: Animal, Biomes, Buildings, and Challenges
Guide Review - "Zoo Tycoon 2" Official Strategy Guide Review
"Zoo Tycoon 2" is a low stress game. The gameplay encourages you to walk around your zoo and enjoy the sites. The strategy guide adds another tool to making the most of your zoos. Charts about the animals, fame, and objects are a valuable resource when starting out. Some of the information (like when objects become available) can be discovered through normal play of "Zoo Tycoon 2."
The walkthroughs are detailed and include tips for general gameplay that you may have missed from reading the other chapters. Of course, there is always more than one way of solving a campaign. I have found the walkthroughs in the book offer solutions that solve the objectives quickly, often times more quickly than working through it my own way. What is important is enjoying the game and it is more fun to work through by yourself. The guide is good for a push in the right direction.