It was cool looking at all the old planes like the Lightning and Spitfire, the Mosquito and (my favourite) the Vulcan bomber.
Then we went to McD’s for lunch (1/4 with cheese, fries and a coke) which was also cool.
However, something cooler still was waiting for me when I got back home.
An A4 size package...
Flat...
Dusty (like it had travelled a long way)...
At first I thought it was something from one of my crazy friends. Yay! (I thought) chocolate.
Then I noticed the word Microsoft in the corner...
Microsoft?
Microsoft!!!
There was only one thing it could possibly be!
I tore open the package and there it was;
There was a preview copy of the manual inside (with spaces where some of the artwork hadn’t been added yet), and the disc with the cutest monkey in the world on it...
An advance copy of Zoo Tycoon 2!!!
I was a bit excited (to say the least!).
With trembling hands I fired up my computer and inserted the CD, followed the set up instructions and watched the accompanying pictures of animals as I did.
Then it was time to start my first game.
With baited breath I double clicked the brand new ZT2 icon on my desktop...
And was rewarded with a screen informing me that I didn’t have enough RAM to run the bloody game!!!
It is VERY memory intensive. Your average PC game needs around 64 Meg of memory to play with, ZT2 needs 256 Meg!
Wow.
So now I’ve ordered a memory upgrade and I have to wait until lunchtime tomorrow *sigh*
However, there is one thing I spotted in the manual that got me VERY intrigued (and I quote);
“Downloads
If you have an internet connection, click the downloads button on the main menu to check for game updates and new downloadable game content, including new animals, buildings and scenery, from Microsoft and/or other players via the internet.”
USER CREATED OBJECTS/BUILDINGS/ANIMALS!!!!!
As I write this I have no idea what form that will take (maybe tomorrow...) but damn does it sound MOST interesting.
Most of you are already aware of some of the new features that ZT2 boasts, but for those of you who don't...
You can now step INTO the action in first person mode as a zoo guest or zookeeper and walk around your fully 3-D zoo.
You can take photo's of the animals and create an online photo album to share with people (best animal in action photo competition anyone?).
There are over 300 building objects in the game including exhibit materials, themed buildings, guest atractions and toys.
The Habitat builder allows you to create moats and waterfalls.
The Biome brush allows you to create natural landscapes such as deserts and rainforests instantly.
There are campaign and freeform games.
You can take on Random challenges in a game (such as nursing a sick animal) or tackle Dynamic challenges that relate directly to the level you are playing.
Animal animations can change depending upon the type of zoo you build.
That's it for now guys, just a taste of things to come.
All I can say is that I am MOST excited to see what happens when I actually get the bloody game to work
More to follow...
See the ZT2 forum for part 2 of the first look review.