Zoo , zoo , skip to my zoo

ZOO TYCON : COMPLETE COLLECTION
System requirements : Intel Pentium II 300MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 600MB free hard disk space, DirectX 8.0a-compatible video card.

Zoo Tycoon, as its name suggest, requires you to build a zoo and attract as many visitors as you can. This "complete collection" comes with the other expansion packs, namely Dinasaur Digs and Marine Mania. The basic gameplay for Zoo Tycoon is pretty straightfoward, you start with an empty lot, built exhibits to house the animals, and take it from there.

Handy hints and status menus are on hand to help you determine what makes you're animals happy, healthy and well-fed - importance considerations since they are your main attractions.

The original Zoo Tycoon comes with about 40 different animals, while Dinosaur Digs and Marine Mania add some new exhibit types and more interesting creatures.

Jurassic lark and swimming shark

In the Dinosaur Digs expansion, your exhibits arrive as eggs, which are looked after by scientists- not the zookeeper until they hatch. Safety precautions such as reinforced concrete walls and electrified iron fences are needed to keep the dinosaurs from eating your visitors.

Six new scenarios and a specific tutorial for Dinosaur Digs are threaded in nicely with the game. New filters are also added which enable players to remove guests, foliage and buildings, making it easier to pick animal and staff members out of crowd.

Marine Mania brings 20 aquatic creatures such as dolphins and sharks inthe the picture where you can put on an aquatic show for paying visitors. Although it is an interesting addition, the animation and sound effects could do with some imprevements.

Very young children would enjoy these show, while older gamers will lose interest after a while. They are 10 new scenarios in this expansion, which includes a kid's map, where all objects and animals are already researched and there is an unlimited supply of money.

Every which way but loose

The gameplay is undemanding, and most of the time it is left open-ended: You can play it any way you want, as long as the basic objectives are met at the end of the game day. A "freedom" mode is also available where you get to build a zoo from scratch with as little or as much starting money as you want, but be prepared to encounter little activity or interactivity here.

The game's audio effect and music are sparse, but sufficient for a game of this genre. Overall Zoo Tycoon : Complete Collection is an enjoyable strategy game that is suitable for all ages.