Planet Coaster 2

Planet Coaster 2 was developed and published by Frontier Developments, and it was released on 6 November 2024. The game is available on multiple platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. As a direct sequel to the 2016 original Planet Coaster, Planet Coaster 2 continues the theme‑park construction and management tradition of the series.

In Planet Coaster 2, players design, build and manage their own theme parks. That includes constructing roller coasters and water‑park rides, building scenery, managing paths and park layout, and controlling guest flow, amenities, and services. The game provides a suite of building and design tools — including more flexible coaster‑ and scenery‑editing, scalable objects, ride decoration, and enhanced pathing — giving players more creative freedom than in the first game. Players can choose among different modes including “career,” “sandbox,” and “challenge,” allowing varied approaches from structured progression to fully open‑ended park creation. A new feature is water‑park‑style attractions, letting players build water rides and pools alongside traditional coaster thrills.

Post‑launch, Planet Coaster 2 has already seen additional content and updates. The developers have released downloadable packs that expand ride and theme options, and patched in new features. For example, updates added customizable restaurants and pool customisation, giving players more control over park amenities and aesthetics. The ongoing support suggests the team intends Planet Coaster 2 to be a living, growing platform rather than a static release.

When the game was promoted ahead of release, Frontier highlighted what made it more than just a typical theme‑park sim sequel: upgraded design and building tools, the addition of water‑park attractions, more creative freedom for players, and cross‑platform availability. The marketing — including trailers and official reveals — emphasized the ability for players to build complex parks, fantastical coasters and water slides, to customise every aspect of their park environment, and to share creations with the community.

Reception to Planet Coaster 2 has been mixed but trending positive overall. Many critics and players praise the game for its improved visuals, vastly expanded building options, flexible customisation, and the creativity it allows. The sandbox mode and design tools are often cited as the game’s strongest points. On the other hand, some criticism has been directed at aspects like management depth, ride‑maintenance or AI issues, and certain user interface elements — some reviewers felt that guest and staff management remained somewhat shallow compared to the grandeur of the building tools. Still, with ongoing updates and support, many see Planet Coaster 2 as a solid, creative, and evolving successor that captures much of what fans love about theme‑park simulation.