Planet Coaster 2 Preview.

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Naturally, when the news broke earlier this year that Planet Coaster 2 would be released in late 2024, with pre-orders live and a launch date set for November 6, my excitement skyrocketed.

Early Access to Planet Coaster 2: What’s New?

Although the original Planet Coaster provided me with countless hours of joy, there were definitely areas for improvement. That’s why I jumped at the chance to get early access to Planet Coaster 2 and see how Frontier Developments has enhanced the experience.

The most significant new feature? Water parks. Yes, Planet Coaster 2 introduces pools, flumes, and water-themed attractions, marking a massive shift for the franchise. Frontier has dabbled in this area before, with their Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 expansion, Soaked, which added water rides, so they’re no strangers to this kind of content.

Though water parks have never been my primary interest, having more design tools is always a plus. And trust me, adding water attractions takes this game to a whole new level.

Water Parks and Beyond: More Than Just a Splash

The introduction of water parks isn’t just a minor update; it’s a colossal undertaking for the developers. Aside from all the new art assets and models, they’ve introduced an entirely new physics system to simulate water rides, like slides and pools, accurately.

Building a water park follows a similar process to creating roller coasters in the original game—piece by piece. If you’re familiar with Planet Coaster, you’ll find the learning curve manageable, even with these new additions. The flexibility of the building tools means you can create some jaw-dropping water rides fairly quickly, though whether your guests will want to ride them is another story.

Testing your creations is crucial. Before you open a ride, you can send a test dummy through it to see if it’s too extreme (or, you know, launches someone into the sky). The game gives you feedback on how exciting, terrifying, or nauseating the ride is. This part of the gameplay is pure art—balancing thrill with comfort is key. Make the ride too intense, and guests might avoid it; make it too mild, and they’ll be bored. You’ve got to find that sweet spot.

Deeper Customization for Park Perfection

Customization is where Planet Coaster 2 truly shines. You’re not just building rides—you’re crafting an entire experience. You can tweak almost every element of your park, from the design of coaster cars to the layout of food stalls. During my limited time with the game, I quickly realized how vast the customization options were, and I can’t wait to dive deeper when the full game launches.

Though I wasn’t initially excited about the water park features, they ended up being a blast. Constructing the pools and slides was intuitive, and the results were visually stunning. The sparkling, realistic water under a clear blue sky made me wish I could jump right into the screen. It was enough to make me nostalgic for warm summer days—despite the rainy UK weather we’ve been dealing with lately.

Weather Systems Add a New Layer of Strategy

Speaking of the weather, one intriguing new feature in Planet Coaster 2 is its dynamic weather system. While I didn’t get to experience it firsthand, the game’s trailer shows guests running for cover during rainstorms, and there’s even a weather forecast icon in the menu. This is a significant departure from the endlessly sunny skies of the original game, and it adds another layer of realism.

Adapting to changing weather conditions could present new challenges. Rain might drive guest numbers down, but there’s always a silver lining—set up umbrella shops and, just like in Rollercoaster Tycoon, you could make a tidy profit by increasing prices when the clouds roll in. Capitalism strikes again!

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Successor

Though I only had a short time with Planet Coaster 2, it’s clear that Frontier has taken everything that made the original great and pushed it even further. The inclusion of water park features is more than just a shiny add-on—it’s a thoughtfully integrated new element that opens up a world of possibilities for park creation.

Customization options have expanded, giving players more control over their parks than ever before. And while I didn’t notice a massive visual upgrade from the original game, the graphics still hold up well, blending realism with a touch of whimsy. The pools, in particular, look amazing.

I’m especially excited about the dynamic weather system. It adds a level of unpredictability and strategy that wasn’t present in the first game. I can already imagine the tension of trying to keep guest numbers up during a rainy spell while selling overpriced umbrellas.

Planet Coaster 2 promises to be another time-sink for anyone who loves building, managing, and, let’s be honest, exploiting their theme park guests for profit. November 6 can’t come soon enough.

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