Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 17 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 89% | 83 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 90% | 83 | 259 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Oct 23, 2025) · 247 reviews sampled · 259 total reviews in window · weighted 182.5 up / 21.3 down · computed 9h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (20)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Create over 300,000 hybrid animals, make moral choices, and run and design your own zoo all in one game. A best-of-best-worlds mix of creativity and business management, Let's Build a Zoo provides a lot to do, a ton of people to meet, and a crazy number of animals to adopt/splice.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There is a lot to love about Let's Build a Zoo. Players can get stuck into the minute details of managing their own zoo or they can take a more relaxed approach to building an animal empire, but the amount of freedom is really what makes this game stand out among other management sims on the market. The sheer variety of animals on offer and the charming visuals make up for the monotonous music and sparse tutorials. This is a solid choice for players who are looking for something fun to play at a bargain price.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“While a terrific idea, and there are good bones here, the interface and lack of direction make it tough to enjoy”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Still, with enough humour and its fun game mechanics, Let’s Build A Zoo will have you sinking hours into your park, if you can get past its poor UI and lack of guidance.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The game's tasks and incentives to attract more visitors are great fun, and its colourful visual environment and good performance helps with creating a more enjoyable experience. Its lack of tutorials and the way it throws players right into the action will make it less welcoming for those who are not experienced in the genre, however.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Let’s Build A Zoo is just as wonderful on console as it was on its initial release on PC. As with any building management simulator, some controls will never feel completely intuitive moving from mouse to controller, and Let’s Build A Zoo is no different, but only in minor areas. The Dinosaur Island DLC takes all the highlights from the base game and amplifies them in a fantastic addition to an already extremely enjoyable game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall, Let's Build a Zoo is an in-depth and delightful tycoon management sim. Its mechanics are detailed, going above and beyond to create an enjoyable experience. Players will get lost in decorating their habitats, and revel in the difficult choices that shape their zoos. There is no denying the love and dedication put into crafting the game, and it is a true treat to play.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Still, Let’s Build a Zoo’s comedic approach to zoo management belies just how deep it is. It isn’t perfect and I’d love a patch that halved the number of animals you need for splicing, but seeing your visitors gawp in wonder at your creations is worth the price of admission alone. The moral choices it throws at you, which aren’t all just for the sake of being evil, elevate it even further. If you’ve the slightest interest interest in sim games, you’ll have hour after hour of ethically-dubious fun with Let’s Build a Zoo.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Let’s Build a Zoo takes me back to the days of Zoo Tycoon, Rollercoaster Tycoon, and Theme Park. Of course, this game has its own stance in the “tycoon” world of games.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Let's Build a Zoo is a modern take on zoo management games like Zoo Tycoon. The game is very unique in the genre and has a choice system that actually matters. A huge part of the game is collecting all animals and this is very addicting because there are many animals with fun designs to collect. The port to console is alright but not perfect. Controls could be slow and frustrating at times. But nevertheless is this still a game you should try if you enjoy managment and simulation games.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“All in all, "Let's Build a Zoo" unfortunately could not convince me. But maybe you like it better? I'm sure that especially experienced simulation players can get into the game much easier and appreciate and fully enjoy the many possibilities, even without the stress I slipped into.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Let's Build a Zoo excels at balancing the already traditional mechanics of management games with huge doses of charisma and fun. However, it is in the genetic manipulation system and in the challenge of caring for its illustrious guests where it proves most brilliant, not by bringing megalomaniacal ideals, but by making what is simple into something enchanting.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Push Square
Starbit
FingerGuns
Dexerto
GameSpew
Thumb Culture
XGN.nl
GAMES.CH
PSX Brasil…and 8 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hats Update - General Bug FixesOct 31, 2025
- Hats Update - Out Now!Oct 23, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- General Bug Fixes - 18th SeptemberSep 18, 2024
- The Monstrous Structures UpdateSep 5, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- General Bug Fixes - 5th SeptemberSep 5, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- General Bug Fixes - 4th OctoberOct 4, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- General Bug FixesAug 31, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- 🐳 Sloths & Spas Update and Aquarium Odyssey DLCApr 10, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- General Bug FixesJul 19, 2022
- Dino Island Hot Fix #5Jun 24, 2022
- Dino Island Fix #4Jun 22, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Dino Island Hot Fix #3Jun 9, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Dino Island Hot Fix #2Jun 1, 2022
- Dinosaur Island out now! + HUGE free update for everyone!May 26, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- MASSIVE NEW DLC + HUGE FREE UPDATE COMING MAY 26!!May 5, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- The Make A Splash Update is OUT NOW!Jan 26, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hot Fix Update (1.1.8_1)Jan 4, 2022
- WELCOME TO THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY UPDATE!Dec 16, 2021
- Update 2 - The BUG AND CRASH SQUASH!Nov 22, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- UPDATE ONE & ONE DAY LEFT TO GRAB 10% OFF!Nov 11, 2021significant · resets scoring window