Planet Zoo 2 gameplay reveal shows off aquariums, aviaries, and animal conservation

Frontier Developments Planet Zoo 2 made its gameplay debut at the PC Gaming Show, and the trailer focused on the two biggest new additions to the management sim formula: fully functional aquariums and aviaries. The game launches October 13, 2026, and is available to pre-order on Steam right now.

On the aquarium side, you can build both saltwater and freshwater tanks to house turtles, pufferfish, and ocean sunfish — those enormous, perpetually sideways-looking creatures. Divers go in to clean the tanks and keep the fish healthy, while guests crowd around to watch the marine life swim past. Aviaries are equally impressive: tall, wide, netted enclosures for white-tailed sea eagles and other birds, complete with toys to keep them stimulated. You can eventually release birds into wild nature reserves, a feature that nods to the real conservation work zoos do rather than treating animals purely as entertainment.

Planet Zoo 2 builds on the 2019 original by expanding from land animals to cover sea and air as well. Animal welfare is tracked through visible need bars that fill as you meet each species' requirements — and since every species has different needs, building enclosures that keep everyone happy is where the real challenge lies. Making those enclosures look good rather than just functional is, as ever, a separate skill entirely.

The Steam page is live for wishlisting and pre-orders, and the October 13 date gives players plenty of time to plan their dream zoo before launch.