What you see above isn’t just an ordinary trailer, it’s the gameplay debut for the next RollerCoaster Tycoon game. You might be under the impression that what you’re looking at is early alpha. Nope, the game is coming out in just a few months. I wish I was kidding.
When evaluating how disappointing this trailer is, you have to understand that RollerCoaster Tycoon is an award-winning series. Yes, it’s been in a downward spiral for a few years, but the first two games were outstanding. This is a franchise with all the potential of the greatest construction and management simulators out there, including SimCity. Sadly, it’s been mismanaged for more than a decade leading to it becoming another story about what could have been rather than what it actually is.
The burying of RollerCoaster Tycoon was particularly put on display last year when RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile was released for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Chris Sawyer’s absence from development was sorely missed, and the game was not only considered unsatisfying, but was one of the worst offenders of anti-consumer microtransaction models that the world has ever seen. It deservingly stands at a 35 Metascore.
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What this gameplay reveal does more than anything is show how half-hearted the attempt has been at reinvigorating the franchise. Its visuals look somehow worse than 2004’s RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, and the only innovation to speak of is the game’s online multiplayer modes, which have yet to be demonstrated. Though, blame shouldn’t necessarily be placed on developer Area 52 Games. For all we know they’re working to a sweat, but are just under-equipped to produce a proper RollerCoaster Tycoon game.
In a nutshell, as a fan of the franchise I’m absolutely not sold on this upcoming release.
