Parkasaurus is Wildly Fun

Over the years, classic Tycoon games have evolved into deep, sometimes daunting experiences that don’t necessarily capture the joy and simplicity of the early days. While I loved the original Roller Coaster Tycoon, Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, and Zoo Tycoon games on PC, the moment that Zoo Tycoon was released on Xbox, Planet Zoo on PC, and Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 and future titles across multiple platforms, I was disinterested in the franchise. Parkasaurus is bringing me back to the fold.

See, there is something inherently easy and calming about building paths that only work on 90 degree angles, and putting together simplistic parks. I don’t want to worry about a thousand different needs for guests, I don’t want all that stuff. I just want to build a park and make sure folks have somewhere to go pee.

As games aimed to become more realistic in their design, I became less interested. It got to a point where I didn’t play tycoon games for quite a long while, until Two Point Hospital rolled around. But right now, as  I wait for Two Point Campus, my heart and soul has been poured into Parkasaurus, a dinosaur park building game where absolutely nothing makes sense. And I love it.

See, regardless of the size of the dinosaur, the fence heights remain the same. That means the same chain linked fence that keeps a triceratops contained will also contain a brontosaurus. And while other games might try to curttle that unrealistic presentation and provide you the option to build massive, electrified walls, this one just embraces the silliness. And again, I love it.

As you worry about a few key aspects of your park – giving you dinosaurs privacy, keeping guests happy, researching and developing new dinosaurs and items – you quickly realize this is a love letter to simplistic and strategy light games of the past. Sure, there is still a challenge here to enjoy, but for the most part, it’s like playing the original Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs all over again. Will many people want a more complex experience? I’m sure they would, but I’m here for the simplicity, and guess what? I love it.