This game could easily capture the interest of all age levels. Grandparents looking for a great item to have around for the grandchildren should read on! Children of all ages, including the child in all of us, might get a lot of joy (and learning) by giving Zoo Tycoon 2 a try. After that, you may be hooked. James, (my eleven-year-old son) and I have been given this wonderful opportunity to test drive this game. We will share with the rest of you what we have discovered, enjoyed, learned, and we will even mention a few areas that we see could be improved upon.

Zoo Tycoon 2 is packed full of options, both within the software and on the Internet. When you first open the game, a screen is opened that allows you to see “Zoo News” and the “Community.” Upon clicking one of these selections, you can be connected to the Web page that will allow you to join the Web forums and to get additional downloads. You can get tips, bonus downloads for free, and you can purchase additional expansion packs that can be added on to your game. For example, right now they are offering the Dinosaur pack. Or you can just click in the lower right-hand corner of this opening screen which gives you the option to Play.

 Running a zoo with this game is incredible. The player gets to start from the beginning. There are a lot of choices. From the layout of each animal home size to the various animals you bring in, the variety is amazing. If there is something you don't know about the animal you are selecting, there is a symbol of a book that you can click on. It will bring up a window with the information that you would need to know. You also get to lay out the food and gift shops. James says, "Don't forget to give your visitors maps in various locations." You can set up viewing binoculars and recreation areas that include inflatables to jump on and various activities for everyone. Donation boxes can be set up through the zoo, along with water fountains and other facilities. You also get to turn on your camera and go take snapshots of your animals to compile a photo album. When the animals are happy, they will have wonderful bright green grins hovering above their heads. You make them happy by giving them enough room, the right habitat, coming in and cleaning them, feeding them the right food, and finding just the right toys they like to play with. They are really happy when you remember to do all of this and give them a mate. If your zoo is lucky, they will have babies. Sometimes twins are even born.

Your zoo can become the most sought out tourist attraction yet! You can create a wonderful Jeep vehicle tour that the visitors will line up and wait their turn for. This takes them among the animals and really allows for some close-up photography. You can even put in a sky tram that will allow your guests to get a bird's-eye view of the animals in their natural habitats. You can choose the Zoo Guest Mode, which allows you to go in among your animals and be a participant with the various activities taking place with your animals. You can even choose to swim with the penguins!

Upon being asked to give a review of this software, we were also asked to include any complaints and suggestions that might make it better. We pondered this and came up with a few. In James' opinion, he would like to see the Zoo Guest Mode expanded. He loves that he can be active in his own zoo by swimming with the animals and walking through the zoo. It would be nice to include the ability to be able to do other various activities such as eat in the restaurants, buy food from the booths, play in the children's play areas, and to be able to look through the binoculars. While building and creating your zoo and running it, there is always the same music playing in the background. It would be nice to have a variety of music to select from. Another item that we would like to see but never discovered was a bilevel viewing area for some of the animals. For instance, the Hippopotamus loves to swim, but the only view we could arrange was for the guest to be looking down on him in the pool. It would be nice to set up an area that would include a looking glass area similar to an aquarium. That would enable the different angles. James says a petting zoo would be nice! Last, we never could find the proper food for the koala. Therefore, we could never keep him in our zoo.

As a mother and a home educator, I was continuously amazed at what educational value this game has. Any adult should try these types of games at least once before being too quick to ridicule games. There is always so much going on. The player must continuously keep up with it all. They are multitasking tenfold! They must constantly go in and clean and feed the animals. If the guests seem unhappy, they must find out why and fix the issue. They must research the animals to know what the proper habitat will be. They learn that taking care of anything or anyone is not easy. They also get the joy and reward of being successful. I was so impressed by my son's progression in his created zoos. He also loves to open his zoo from the beginning and give a formal presentation. It is very impressive. We will definitely be adding this one to our own personal collection.

Are you interested? Here is a little bit of detailed information that you may want to know. We hope this gives you an idea of what to expect as you get started. The ease of use is excellent. On loading the game for each user, you are asked, "Would you like to learn how to play Zoo Tycoon 2?" (This makes it very easy to jump right in.) If you click on the green check mark, then it will take you through various tutorials teaching you the particulars of the game. You can also choose to do a Campaign, a Challenge, or a Freeform game from the main menu. One thing to remember is that while you are in your level working, you must use your keyboard keys to get back to the main menu. Maybe they will add an Exit button. Until then, use the Escape key to bring up the option to save, exit or return to main menu.

If you choose a campaign, then you are given a list of objectives that you are to complete. The first three titles to choose from are tutorials of the various game themes that are included with this installation. One is Zoo Tycoon 2, the original, while the other two are the tutorials for the Endangered Species and the African Adventure expansions that are included in the Zookeepers Collection. The tutorials are highly useful for someone who is not familiar with the particulars of playing Microsoft Games. Other titles include Zoos in Trouble, The Globe, and Conservation Programs. When you select one, the details are listed in the right column of the screen telling you the various information of that specific selection. Items such as the location your zoo will be in, the difficulty level, the map size of your zoo, and the amount of money you get to start with to create your zoo.

The Challenge selection is set up with a little bit more choice to accept or decline the challenges being offered. They present you with specific criteria that you can say yes or no to. When you accept, you can be rewarded, but if you fail the challenge, there can be negative consequences. With the challenges, you have a little more freedom. You can even increase the amount of money you have to start your zoo with. When playing this level, you can decline until you feel you have had enough time to get your zoo started and are ready to focus on tasks.

The Freeform game is exactly as it implies. You have unlimited cash and you are not given any objectives or goals. You can just feel free to play and build your zoo up to a success. This level seemed more enjoyable to my son at first. It allowed him time to discover the game and its methods.

With all of the above choices, you are always given the same screen while playing. When the game begins, you see three main and very important items along the top of the screen. In the left you see five stars that are hollowed out that fill in as your zoo gains popularity. In the center you have a message queue that keeps you informed of various situations throughout the game. For example, you may get a note saying that your Pygmy Hippopotamus is pregnant. Or you may be notified that one of your animals needs more room. In the top right corner you see your operating funds. You can increase your revenue through admissions, donations, and profits from your concessions, restaurants, and the gift shop.

Zoo Tycoon 2 is rated “E” for Everyone to Everyone 10 +. As an ICON member who saw a lot of grandparents looking at various game systems at our March of Technology event, I would suggest some turn straight to their PCs. This is good clean fun, and most will enjoy it and never even suspect there could be any benefit other than fun. It is recommended to have Windows XP or Vista, 512 MB RAM, 1GHz Processor, 1 GB hard drive, Video Card of 32 MB hardware, T & L Direct X 9.0 or later.