Let's Build a Zoo Reviews

Let's Build a Zoo is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10
Nov 9, 2021

To summarise, Let’s Build A Zoo is a very satisfying, darkly funny and moreish tycoon game. A few tiny glitches are the only issues with a game I imagine I’ll be revisiting many, many times over the next few months. There’s just so much to do and it does it all with a unique, macabre charm. It’s unlikely I’ll ever see all 300,000 animal hybrids you can Cronenberg together but I’ll sure have a good time making my (bacon factory) zoo along the way.

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Marti n Hosking
Nov 8, 2022

Let’s Build a Zoo takes me back to the days of Zoo Tycoon, Rollercoaster Tycoon, and Theme Park. Of course, this game has its own stance in the “tycoon” world of games.

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Sep 26, 2022

I’m practically overflowing with positively for Let’s Build a Zoo and it’s absolutely deserved. Once you become accustomed to the controls, as well as the basics, everything flows brilliantly.

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8 / 10
Oct 3, 2022

Let’s Build A Zoo is just as wonderful on console as it was on its initial release on PC. As with any building management simulator, some controls will never feel completely intuitive moving from mouse to controller, and Let’s Build A Zoo is no different, but only in minor areas. The Dinosaur Island DLC takes all the highlights from the base game and amplifies them in a fantastic addition to an already extremely enjoyable game.

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GAMES.CH
larissa.baiter
Top Critic
65%
Oct 17, 2022

All in all, "Let's Build a Zoo" unfortunately could not convince me. But maybe you like it better? I'm sure that especially experienced simulation players can get into the game much easier and appreciate and fully enjoy the many possibilities, even without the stress I slipped into.

Review in German | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Oct 8, 2022

Let's Build a Zoo is a modern take on zoo management games like Zoo Tycoon. The game is very unique in the genre and has a choice system that actually matters. A huge part of the game is collecting all animals and this is very addicting because there are many animals with fun designs to collect. The port to console is alright but not perfect. Controls could be slow and frustrating at times. But nevertheless is this still a game you should try if you enjoy managment and simulation games.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

7 / 10
Jan 17, 2023

The game's tasks and incentives to attract more visitors are great fun, and its colourful visual environment and good performance helps with creating a more enjoyable experience. Its lack of tutorials and the way it throws players right into the action will make it less welcoming for those who are not experienced in the genre, however.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

6.8 / 10.0
Sep 27, 2022

While a terrific idea, and there are good bones here, the interface and lack of direction make it tough to enjoy

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8 / 10.0
Nov 8, 2021

Still, Let’s Build a Zoo’s comedic approach to zoo management belies just how deep it is. It isn’t perfect and I’d love a patch that halved the number of animals you need for splicing, but seeing your visitors gawp in wonder at your creations is worth the price of admission alone. The moral choices it throws at you, which aren’t all just for the sake of being evil, elevate it even further. If you’ve the slightest interest interest in sim games, you’ll have hour after hour of ethically-dubious fun with Let’s Build a Zoo.

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90 / 100
Oct 15, 2022

Let's Build a Zoo excels at balancing the already traditional mechanics of management games with huge doses of charisma and fun. However, it is in the genetic manipulation system and in the challenge of caring for its illustrious guests where it proves most brilliant, not by bringing megalomaniacal ideals, but by making what is simple into something enchanting.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

73 / 100
Oct 15, 2022

Let's Build a Zoo is an enjoyable management game that allows you to create and construct your own zoological park. The moral dilemmas you are often presented with are absurd and humorous, as you choose to either be a steady-eddy business hustler with an ecological mindset or be a sinister and exploitative tycoon.

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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 2, 2022

Create over 300,000 hybrid animals, make moral choices, and run and design your own zoo all in one game. A best-of-best-worlds mix of creativity and business management, Let's Build a Zoo provides a lot to do, a ton of people to meet, and a crazy number of animals to adopt/splice.

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8 / 10
Sep 29, 2022

There is a lot to love about Let's Build a Zoo. Players can get stuck into the minute details of managing their own zoo or they can take a more relaxed approach to building an animal empire, but the amount of freedom is really what makes this game stand out among other management sims on the market. The sheer variety of animals on offer and the charming visuals make up for the monotonous music and sparse tutorials. This is a solid choice for players who are looking for something fun to play at a bargain price.

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Dexerto
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 28, 2022

Overall, Let's Build a Zoo is an in-depth and delightful tycoon management sim. Its mechanics are detailed, going above and beyond to create an enjoyable experience. Players will get lost in decorating their habitats, and revel in the difficult choices that shape their zoos. There is no denying the love and dedication put into crafting the game, and it is a true treat to play.

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7 / 10
Sep 29, 2022

Still, with enough humour and its fun game mechanics, Let’s Build A Zoo will have you sinking hours into your park, if you can get past its poor UI and lack of guidance.

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8.5 / 10.0
Oct 4, 2022

You begin with nothing; what you make is up to you. Let's build a Zoo allows players to be as creative, or not, as they want. Design a layout that feels more like a theme park, or tourist trap if you want. Be the leading zoo breeder in the world if that's more your thing. The vast array of in-game options allows the imagination to make your zoo whatever you want it to be. The game's controls make it a little harder to bring your vision to life. Let's Build a Zoo does a poor job of showing you all the possibilities, but if you can get through the semi-steep learning curve, it's easy to zone out for hours building your zoo.

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Jun 30, 2022

Regardless of whether you're just dipping your toes into management simulators for the first time, or you're a hardcore experienced management tycoon, this game has something to offer you. Let’s Build a Zoo: Dinosaur Island is the sort of simulator you load up for half an hour only to look at a clock when you’re done and realize you’ve lost half a day.

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95 / 100
Jun 2, 2022

I hope that the future of Purrasic Jark is bright, and not filled with escapees mauling my guests like those "other" dinosaur theme parks. My experience with Dinosaur Island has been very relaxing, at times downright funny, and not too overwhelming. A lot of sim games, and especially some sim games in the same genre, like to over complicate things. Let's Build a Zoo: Dinosaur Island is just the right combination of giving you enough to manage without making things hectic. I had an absolutely wonderful time over the long weekend enjoying every aspect of this charming title, and I look forward to playing some more.

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Unscored
Nov 25, 2021

A quirky little tycoon game with enough weirdness to keep you coming back for more.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 5, 2021

With animal fusion and a fantastic morality system, Let's Build a Zoo brings some great new ideas to the tycoon genre.

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