Zoo Tycoon 2 (PC, Microsoft)

Reviewed by PETER ELEY

Zoo Tycoon has been one of Microsoft's most enduring titles, largely because of its non-violent nature and addictive, intelligent gameplay.

After a number of expansion packs to the first game, Microsoft has scheduled Zoo Tycoon 2 for release before Christmas.

A look at a beta version reveals a game much like the original, but with much better 3D graphics, more depth and greater empathy for the animals.

This can be seen in missions such as the one in which you try to save a group of elephants due to be culled in their home country of Swaziland because of overpopulation.

You start off with one animal, and if you care for this successfully in your zoo, you get the other three from the family group.

The animals are beautifully detailed, much more so than in the original, and this helps to create a real affection for them.

But keeping them fit and healthy, while turning that all-important profit that helps feed and house your animals is a complex task.

Constant messages pop up, telling you alarming things such as, "Greater flamingo seven is very sick", "Greater flamingo 10 is pregnant", or "Guests are out of money and can't find an ATM machine", and create an undercurrent of anxiety that reminds you running a zoo isn't all about going Aaaah at cute animals.

The interface is simple to use for such a big game, where so much is going on and most tasks can be performed with a simple point and click. One great feature is the ease with which you switch from third-person to first-person view and see the zoo as a visitor.

It's easy to conclude that Zoo Tycoon 2 is a refreshing change from an increasing number of modern games, which rely heavily on graphic violence for their appeal.

Whether it will sell as many copies as a Doom 3 or Far Cry is doubtful, but many people will derive a great deal of pleasure from playing this excellent and thoughtful game.

* Email Peter Eley