Frontier Developments has announced Planet Zoo 2, arriving October 13 this year with a major expansion into fully aquatic animals and birds that promises to finally deliver on years of community requests for proper aquariums and aviaries.

This sequel builds on the original's conservation focus by adding wildlife reserves where players can rewild areas with minimal staff while conducting research projects, alongside the headline features of mola mola, various ocean fish, big turtles for saltwater setups with functional filtration and diver access, and flying birds like the toco toucan and secretary bird in their own netted enclosures.

The announcement trailer also teases a deluxe edition bundling extras like golden lion tamarins, hammerhead sharks, and axolotls, but the human visitor models remain a jarring contrast to the hyper-realistic animals, raising questions about who this game truly centers in its push for more inclusive, thriving habitats for all species.

While the industry celebrates these additions as wins for mola mola fans and broader biodiversity representation, we must acknowledge that expanding animal rosters without addressing potential labor issues in development or ensuring equitable access for diverse players risks perpetuating exclusionary practices in the sim genre.