“Zoo Tycoon 2 DS” leaves originality caged up

From Friday’s The Oklahoman: 

By Matthew Price

Assistant Features Editor

THE NEXT LEVEL

Zookeeper wannabes wait for a portable sequel to the popular “Zoo Tycoon” title is over  —  however, gamers will be disappointed. “Zoo Tycoon 2 DS,” for the Nintendo DS, isn’t much of an upgrade.

In the Zoo Tycoon series, gamers can build the park of their dreams. Designers can pick from dozens of animals, even exotic species. Gamers must match the correct vegetation and terrain for each animal for a successful habitat. Available animals hail from several different continents and range from ordinary to exotic to over the top. If a zoo is wealthy enough, it can even afford a prehistoric dinosaur for its collection.

Zoo designers can add educational buildings, as well as practical structures such as restaurants, gift shops and rest rooms to their parks. Keeping the zoo fiscally sound is essential for raising funds to build new exhibits and import new animals. Gamers can adjust admission prices, vendor prices, research funds and more. Gamers are also responsible for hiring staff to care for the animals and the zoo grounds.