There’s one lovely thing to certain theme park business management games, in that they have a sandbox mode to just go crazy. And that is no different with Planet Coaster 2 by Frontier Developments. And with all the tools that have been added to this second game, including the ability to create water parks, there are so many more ways to create a park of my dreams. Which does involve a lot of water.

To start with, I did jump into the career. Getting the prologue out of the way. This prologue introduces several major parts of the game, including the need for power generators to keep rides and other facilities active. The second part of the prologue then deals with the water parks. Placing the pools and what can be used around them. Such as needing a water filter close by to keep them clean.

Across this prologue and into the four chapters that make up the rest of it, the management of the company have their say. They act as the tutorial explainers, along with just general nattering between each other. I don’t mind them, even with how overly-expressive their voices can be. Some of the interactions can be funny, or charming. I haven’t felt there’s anything wrong with them. And if you feel they do overstay their welcome, all the dialogue can be skipped through.

Of course, the tutorial doesn’t cover everything. So after the prologue, I wanted to mess around for myself in the sandbox mode. This is where I started coming to grips with all the new tools available. And reacquainting with the old. One of the best new tools concerns paths, and the ability to create whatever shape you want with them. Such wild shapes to create, with the same going for pools, too.

This first sandbox where I was messing around, I tested out quite a bit. Various pool depths can be combined, though people don’t seem to move around in wading and shallow pools. Just stand in the middle of the pool. Lazy rivers can also be created, though I didn’t create any until my second sandbox. The flumes are easy enough to make and, as long as the tunnel track is being used, go underwater.

And that is the core of everything I played around with. These things are simple to make. But the depth is there to go beyond. To really get creative with what the game allows. The advanced placement controls allow for a massive amount of control when placing anything. With the great number of scenery objects to use, there are so many ways to just build. Not even rides. Just urban and natural areas.

With the second sandbox, I wanted to go all-in on a water park, utilising everything that Planet Coaster 2 has. And this is where I started to learn a few other things. Such as the fact guests need guest services almost everywhere in a water park for them to take advantage of what is on offer. It’s no good just having them at the entrance to the water park and nowhere else. Guests will turn away from the flumes and even the pools.

Fortunately, most shops and services can be built without needing a building taking up room. Just place a stand, and the vendors will somehow magic up all the burgers, chicken, and drinks people order. The same applies to guest services and making water inflatables appear. Such of course means that entirely custom buildings can be crafted, accurately – or close to – creating diners and restaurants for guests to visit.

With everything looking good, it was then time to test out the feature I’ve been most looking forward to using. The ability to freely wander the park and see it from ground level. Getting down to that level really gives a new perspective on how large these rides can be. The only downside to it is that you don’t count as a guest when joining rides, which was unfortunate for one poor soul waiting for a partner on the double tube flume.

For the next sandbox, I’ll stick with it to really make something I love. Bring in the rides to this theme park, and use everything I’ve learnt from my experimenting to make a park with distinct sections across flat rides, coasters, and water rides. Getting it all looking exciting and worth exploring. Then I’ll give it a wander as if I’m really at a theme park. After that, I might just continue with the career.

For me, Planet Coaster 2 has been excellent so far. There’s a lot to be enjoying with it, both for those with creativity and those who just aim to complete the career. The range of options on offer, and all the new additions, bring it a few levels higher than its predecessor. As such, Planet Coaster 2 gets an easy recommendation from me.

Images Taken From:
Planet Coaster 2 | Steam