Planet Coaster Alpha Preview

Frontier Developments, probably best known for creating RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and Elite: Dangerous are creating their very own theme park management game. One not bound by the directions of a third-party publisher. That game is Planet Coaster.

Currently in alpha, Planet Coaster allows you to play either a sandbox or challenge modes, with career mode currently locked away for now. The main difference between the two modes that are available is that in sandbox you have unlimited funds and can do what you please, whereas in challenge you have a finite amount of cash and a park to build, without any particular goal. The tooltip for the challenge mode suggests that it may well change, as it’s labeled as a “work-in-progress” mode.

But a theme park management game is for nothing if it doesn’t play well, or the actual construction tools aren’t up to par. Thankfully, this is where Planet Coaster truly shines. I recall playing the demo of Screamride when it launched and thinking; “Damn, Frontier have a truly excellent coaster creation model here and I’d love to see it used in a fully fledged RollerCoaster Tycoon title”. And well, wouldn’t you know it, here is exactly that. Now, I’m thinking that Screamride was something of a precursor allowing them to get any criticisms sorted for their building mechanics before announcing this title. The ability to modify the track in any way shape or form you feel really opens up the creative abilities when it comes to making roller coasters. Whilst I do love the original grid-based setup of RollerCoaster Tycoon 1 / 2, when it comes to coasters in a 3D space being able to move the track freely - applying exact levels of rotation and elevation allows for the creation of true-to-life masterpieces.

But that’s not all, you can terraform the land with a whole host of tools, allowing you to perfect the setting for your coasters. You want to build one that dips in and out of the side of a mountain? Fine, do it. How about one that dives into the middle of a moat-like water surround? Check! When you combine this with the absolute freedom given to you when placing scenery and other decorative objects, Planet Coaster truly becomes a theme park designers dream. Since the scenery objects aren’t on a fixed plane, you can spin them round and resize them to your hearts content, meaning you can take your coaster that bounces in and out of the mountain, and theme it in such a way that it looks like a runaway train ride - or that drop into the moat can be surrounded by castle-like buildings and decorations, which really helps bring your parks to life.

I’m most keen to see what the Career mode will bring to Planet Coaster as even with challenge mode in place, it can feel a little flat without having a defined goal to work towards. Sandbox usually ends up for me with it being less about the creativity that comes from having to work within a budget to creating ridiculous structures that are so extreme no human in their right mind would want to ride them.

Anyone that enjoyed the creativity of making a realistic theme park with defined zones and stylistic choices should be watching Planet Coaster for updates. It’s set to release in November 2016.