Park Beyond - Game Review

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Veteran Game

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Published on June 18, 2023 9:00:08 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZDzLkzdANI

Game:

Park Beyond (2022)

Category:

Review

Duration: 4:03

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Park Beyond - Game Review

Hello, gaming veterans! Today we'll dive into Park Beyond, the amusement park management simulator and "impossible" rollercoaster builder that defies gravity, available for PS5, Xbox, and PC.

From the days of Theme Park and RollerCoaster Tycoon, rollercoaster building has been a staple of simulation games, typically bound by real-world gravity laws. But developers Bandai Namco and Limbic Entertainment have tossed aside those constraints, considering them a bit dull. Instead, they've created Park Beyond, an amusement park management and construction simulator that focuses on the concept of "impossification," or building rides that defy physics and gravity.

While a sprinkle of fantasy in park games isn't new, Park Beyond aims to elevate this feature, delivering an "impossible" aspect without neglecting realistic and deep management mechanics. Has it hit the mark? Let's explore where Limbic has succeeded... and where they've come off the rails.

Park Beyond enters the fray alongside big names like Planet Coaster, Frontier's evolution of RollerCoaster Tycoon. Despite a more whimsical premise, Park Beyond is just as complex in its simulation aspects. Simulation enthusiasts won't be disappointed; they can delve into Park Beyond without fear of a too "arcade" experience.

The game also offers comprehensive tutorials and assistance for those overwhelmed by the array of options. However, the menus can occasionally be confusing, and while the default text size is a little small, it can be adjusted in the accessibility options.

One significant part of Park Beyond is the construction and management of amusement parks. If you start the campaign mode, after an initial rollercoaster-focused level, you'll quickly learn the basics of park construction.

Limbic, the creators of Tropico 6, have added a great depth to this component of Park Beyond. There are fewer construction options compared to other games, but there's an extensive range of decorative objects, modules for large buildings, and terraforming tools.

Park Beyond's standout feature, the "impossification" of rollercoasters and attractions, however, isn't entirely convincing. The exaggerated fantasy elements, presumably to attract a broader audience, have some merit. Still, they also underscore the game's lack of many attraction types present in other games, much to the disappointment of park enthusiasts.

So, is it worth it? If Planet Coaster overwhelms you, Park Beyond offers a similar gameplay scheme with nearly the same depth in a slightly more accessible form. If traditional rollercoasters bore you, in this game, they can fly, jump, and swim... although, as with many other things, reality often surpasses fiction.

Park Beyond was released on June 16th for PlayStarion 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with three editions available. The Standard Edition costs 49.99 euros for digital and 59.99 euros for physical copies. The Visioneer Edition, equivalent to the Digital Deluxe, costs 79.99 euros and includes the game, the "Zombeyond" DLC pack, and a Season Pass for 3 upcoming DLCs. The Impossified Edition, the collector's version, costs 119.99 euros, and includes physical items like an art book, poster, steelbook, postcards, stickers, and a soundtrack, as well as digital content from the Visioneer Edition.

As a management and construction simulation game, Park Beyond is quite comprehensive. It's very similar to other games on the market, like Planet Coaster. So, if you have experience with those games, you'll soon feel at home once you get used to its controls and interface.

Until next time, game on, veterans!