Much of the work can be done from an omniscient, birds-eye-view. Using the simple menu system and a circular cursor, you select a new display or restroom or concession stand and plant it wherever you'd like on a flat grassy map, gradually creating a sprawl of restrained wildlife.

Zoo Tycoon is a smart and charming simulator that looks pretty and is fun for the whole family. Some of the tasks quickly become annoyingly repetitive, but that's the nature of the beast, and it's mostly a well rounded package as one of the few Xbox One launch games that will actually be enjoyed by...

+ Family fun; + Kinect interactions; + Looks great; + Do it alone or with friends; + Family fun; + Kinect interactions; + Looks great; + Do it alone or with friends

- Text can be hard to read; - A few small glitches; - Small tasks are very repetitive; - Text can be hard to read; - A few small glitches; - Small tasks are very repetitive

aims to be educational and entertaining for kids of all ages, and in some instances it succeeds. While the animals are gorgeously detailed in their own right, learning about them and creating an enriching environment for the cuddly critters isn't always presented in an enjoyable way.

Great animal detail; Fun animal facts

Useless Kinect controls; Unintuitive menus; Boring research

Zoo Tycoon impresses you immediately with its animals. The authentic and adorable behaviors they exhibit make Zoo Tycoon an endearing game that fosters an appreciation for the diversity of creatures with whom we share this planet.

Animals are adorable and behave in believable ways; Makes its concepts accessible and easy to manage; Driving around in a buggy is fun

Clunky interface adds numerous unnecessary steps to many basic actions

"Can't talk now, busy making faces at tigers."

When you look at the Xbox One launch titles, there's no a whole lot on offer for the younger audience; a large chunk of the line-up is comprised of violent action games and complex sports sims.

Release Date: November 22 (Worldwide) Platforms available on: Xbox One Developer: Frontier Developments Publisher: Microsoft Genre: Strategy/Simulation Following the delay of Kinect Sports Rivals , all eyes are on Frontier Development's Zoo Tycoon to showcase the Xbox One's Kinect capabilities.

Maybe I want more complexity as an old Tycoon fan but I feel the port of the style has been managed well and showcases a nice enjoyable game where you aren't forced to battle Romans/Zombies every 2 minutes.

I've always had an interest in the Tycoon games. There's something about managing a theme park or perhaps a casino -- or in this case a zoo -- that always felt so enticing to me. Whether it was laying out the land, choosing which animals to showcase near the entrance, or what entertainment will keep...

- Frontier is more than up to the job, delivering a game that lacks depth, but can be enjoyed by all of the family.