You start with one park and one theme available and set out to meet certain goals. Some include attracting a certain number of guests, earning a set amount of cash, staying in business for a minimal amount of time, etc. Completing the goals earns gold tickets which can be used to open up other parts of the game. The interface is easy to navigate as descriptions for the buttons are always on the screen. There is also a helpful, although annoying sometimes, tutor that will guide you through handling problems and the various interfaces.

You have to decide which rides to build and their placement. The coaster design system is fairly simple to pick up on. The only problem I had was trying to tweak one ride where it would go from 'boring' to 'sickening' with just one tweak of a pylon for my coaster. But that is also what makes it fun. You can even get awards for really good coasters. You also have to hire staff such as security, researchers, janitors and entertainers.

This isn't an adrenaline fueled game. I really enjoy because I can kick back on my couch and relax while having a great time. One of the highlights is that you can walk around you park, play the games and ride the rides and coasters you have constructed. This one requires a little more in the congnitive department than a fighting or shooting game. But pick it up, it's definitely up there with SSX and Madden.

67 of 74 found the following review helpful:


What a cool game!!  Nov 05, 2000
I have this game on my playstation and its so cool! If you had the first game, Themepark, then you'll notice the difference! It has brilliant 3-D graphics and you can go on the rides yourself, build themeparks in different worlds like in space, or in a spooky place or in a cheerful happy flowery land. You have researchers to research new rides, features or shops, I definatley recommend this game!!

32 of 34 found the following review helpful:


Theme Park Blows everyone else away  Dec 13, 2000
I played this game from 7 am to 9 pm with breaks in between, but I wasnt bored with it. It has so many different things to do. The graphics have improved greatly over its playstation cousin. The way the game feels is different, and letting you ride the rides is even better, and with improved everything on the ps2, it makes it all the more realistic. If I were any gamer, I would hand over the money quickly, because a rental just isnt enough.

56 of 71 found the following review helpful:


not as good as I thought  Dec 14, 2000
I have never played the themepark game for PS1, but I have played Roller Coaster Tycoon for the PC. I bought that game last year and still play it at least once a week on my laptop. It's addicting. I liked RCT because it was so real life. You can buy property, you can raise land, lower land, build water, and build rides that actually do exist. Yet in Theme Park Roller Coaster for the PS2,..it has none of that. It's too cartoony. Granted, the game has cool graphics, but your building rides that dont exist. This is not a "sim" game in my eyes. I have another gripe, one being that little helper guy that constantly comes to "help" you. He always contradicts himself.. he says "your payroll is too high, you should consider letting go some of your staff", but not even 2 mins later he says "guests are complaining that there isnt enough places to eat, maybe you should build a restaurant" ..umm hellooo? ..doesnt that require staff on a payroll?!. And another gripe, after the payroll too high comment, I get a "message" saying "guests are complaining about the admission price, you should consider lowering it". Well, I had the admission price at only $10. How else do I pay the hired help?. The "helper" contradics himself. And, in RCT, you could add waterfalls, plants, trees, bushes, rocks etc.. but in this game, you need to hire a researcher and then need to wait for the "research" to be complete. Little things like that are annoying. I just thought it would be life like, similar to RCT. But, its extremely cartoonish and out in left field. I wish I would have rented it beforehand, because if I did, I would have noticed the overly cartoony feel and would have continued playing my RCT and building REAL rides, not a ride that is a monkey with swinging arms that have midgets under the age of 16 roaming my park. I hope someone comes out with a lifelike themepark sim like RCT for the PS2, then i'll be a happy guy!. In the meantime tho, i'll stick with Madden 2001, and SSX as im playing RCT on my laptop.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


Of all rollercoaster videogames, this one may be the best...  Dec 14, 2003 By stone
This themepark creator game is absolutely THE BEST, its got so many cool features...

U can desighn your own roller coaster, and you are rated on it with remarks like faster, please and slow it down!

U can hire and pay your own staff, but you must raise enough money to pay them or else you may end up having to fire them!

U can actually become a guest at your own themepark and play your sideshows, ride your rides and even go on the roller coaster thet you spent so much time constructing!

In conclusion, BUY THIS GAME! it is worth every cent.

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