Still being an early access title, the game isn't without it's problems. Sure.
But particularly with the newest update, I feel pretty confident saying I don't see much reason to continue holding off on the basis of it's early access status. The game only has one (?) major update left before full release, if I remember correctly, and updates since my purchase have been consistent and substantive so I can't see any scenario at this point where the game doesn't cross the finish line. Most everything is implemented, and with a surprising amount of polish, too. I've managed to build a proper park to 4 stars, working towards 5, and also some "sanctuary" style maps, so I'd say the game at this point is properly playable.
To get the problems that still linger out of the way though, in just a few areas the early access nature of the game shows itself, and certain features though implemented are a little rough around the edges. Presumably just until they're ironed out. But, for example, in the last update staff refused to use staff rooms sometimes and would become unsatisfied. In the current update, there are four or so animals that still don't have combat implemented. Stuff like that. Otherwise, there are some frustrating bugs with animal behavior at times, like animals getting stuck in logic loops that cause them to pursue a social task while ignoring their need for food and water until you manually move them to get them out of it. Right now, animals will also swim into deep water for no reason, run out of energy so they have to swim back to shore at a snail's pace. All the while their hunger and thirst tick down, often causing juvenile or adolescent animals to die for no reason. I also find that most animals lack many enrichment items, some lack any at all, and the whole category seems to be sort of neglected. Additionally, while the animals that are present are fantastic, animal diversity isn't the best here and several notable families are absent. The last major update only just added the game's first Stegosaurid and Pachycephalosaurid, while other groups remain entirely unrepresented.
In terms of the positives, though, wowser. Pretty much all of the important mechanics that have evolved in the genre since the time of Zoo Tycoon or JPOG are here. Advanced building mechanics, workzones, modular everything, workshop support for prefabs, etc.
BUT, what I think is noteworthy is not that these (now) staples are here, but that they are actually executed in a way that is so intuitive and comparatively easy to work with that the contemporaries look downright frustrating and questionable. I have struggled very much trying to build even simple structures in Planet Zoo, let alone trying to make use of it's advanced construction features. But here, and maybe it's as simple as the presentation, maybe it's because this game is free of the engine constraints of Frontier's titles, but wow is it approachable. I have been able to build some stuff I'm very happy with, and make parks that look a great deal better than big fence squares and prefabricated viewing platforms.
I am most notably very impressed by the developer's philosophy as it pertains to adding new features. In other titles in the genre, heavily requested features are often as deep as a puddle once added. Here, with every single update that has been released since my early access purchase, I'm floored by the depth of each added mechanic. Animal ontogeny? Well not only can they breed, but small, randomized variations in color, size, are accounted for and carried on through the offspring, allowing selective breeding for certain phenotypic traits. The offspring aren't presented through some rudimentary system of 'Hatchling/Adolescent/Adult' either. They continuously and seamlessly grow through their maturity, letting you see the complete and unadulterated change and development of the animal. Some will be born with feather covering, only to slowly lose them as they grow. The mating system itself is similarly complex, with different species having different mating habits. Some animals are monogamous, some aren't. Some will parent their offspring after birth or hatching, some won't. Different species have different mating seasons, and perform different courtship rituals. Different species also build different kinds of nests, and frankly I could go on. This kind of attention to detail and satisfying complexity has gone into pretty much everything I've seen added through updates, and it can't be appreciated enough. Sometimes it has turned out that they actually under promised, keeping certain possibilities under wraps until knowing if they were feasible, only to throw the extra bells and whistles at us as a surprise.
The animals (aforementioned behavioral quirks aside) are fantastic, and the animations and behaviors have greatly improved over time. They look amazing, sound great, and are so much fun to watch. To account for those with differing sensibilities, a lot of animals have different 'skin' options available, with feathering or without, and sometimes an option sort of in-between.
The terrain tools are excellent, and so is exhibit customization. Lots of options as far as contemporary and paleo flora, many different options of rocks and logs and sticks, which can also be resized, and a nice number of different biomes and complimentary ground brushes.
It's just really impressive already, and despite being very wary of early access titles I think it's safe to say this one is a winner.
