Planet Coaster 2 Game Review for Nomad RV Lifers
By nomadrvlife on June 1, 2025
Game: Planet Coaster 2
Genre: Simulation, Strategy, Sandbox
Developer/Publisher: Frontier Developments
Platform: PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release: November 6, 2024
Price: ~$49.99 (Standard), ~$64.99 (Deluxe)
Nomad RV Life Rating: 8/10
Overview
Planet Coaster 2 is a breathtaking theme park management sim that lets you design jaw-dropping coasters, water slides, and sprawling parks with unparalleled detail. Building on the 2016 original, it introduces water parks with pools and flumes, deeper management systems like power and water networks, and enhanced customization tools. While it lacks some Planet Coaster 1 features like resort hotels, realistic parking, and daily open/close cycles, Frontier’s commitment to updates—evident in five major patches by May 2025—keeps the game evolving. For RV lifers, it’s a creative outlet to build dream parks from any campsite, powered by Starlink’s 30–100 Mbps or T-Mobile’s up to 300 Mbps, with a passionate community sharing creations via the Frontier Workshop.
Why It’s Great for RV Gamers in 2025
- Stunning Visuals and Creative Freedom
Planet Coaster 2 is a visual masterpiece, with lush landscapes, dynamic water effects, and customizable rides that shine on high-end RV gaming setups. The piece-by-piece building system lets you craft everything from B&M dive coasters to lazy rivers, with new tools like pool shape editors and flume customization (e.g., transparent pieces, patterns). Recent updates (e.g., Update 5, May 2025) added Sci-Fi scenery, color-customizable glass and rocks, and a returning Planet Coaster 1 coaster, Vector - Return Mk II, keeping the sandbox fresh. For nomads, designing a park while parked at a scenic spot like Zion National Park feels immersive, especially with Starlink’s low latency (~20–50 ms). - Ongoing Updates Show Promise
Frontier is actively addressing feedback, with five updates since launch adding restaurants, security guards, enhanced flume behaviors, and path tool improvements like invisible paths and circle stamps. Update 4 (April 2025) introduced pool color customization and the Scizzer flat ride from Planet Coaster 1, while Update 5 tackled AMD crash issues and added crime mechanics with pickpockets and security cameras. While resort hotels, realistic parking, and daily open/close cycles are absent, community demand on Reddit and Frontier’s roadmap suggest potential DLC or free updates could bring these. For RV gamers, this means Planet Coaster 2 is a long-term investment, growing richer with each patch. - Vibrant Community and Workshop
The Planet Coaster community is thriving, with players sharing coasters, water parks, and blueprints on the cross-platform Frontier Workshop. Reddit’s r/PlanetCoaster and Steam Community pages buzz with tutorials, park showcases, and feature requests, fostering a collaborative vibe perfect for nomads seeking connection. Update 4 added tools to follow favorite Workshop creators, making it easy to download RV-themed parks or share your creations from a campsite. With Starlink or T-Mobile 5G, uploading parks or exploring others’ designs is smooth, even off-grid. - RV-Friendly Performance
Planet Coaster 2 is demanding but playable on mid-to-high-end RV gaming rigs (e.g., NVIDIA GTX 1060 minimum, RTX 2070 recommended). Starlink Roam’s 30–100 Mbps and ~20–50 ms latency handle multiplayer and Workshop uploads well, though tree cover may require dish repositioning. T-Mobile AWAY’s up to 300 Mbps excels in urban campgrounds, ideal for streaming park tours. A portable power station like BLUETTI AC180 ensures uninterrupted play during boondocking. The game’s 80–90 FPS in empty parks (dropping with guests) runs smoothly on optimized settings, letting nomads build without lag. - Management Depth for Strategy Fans
New systems like power management (generators, distributors) and water cleanliness add realism, challenging you to balance guest happiness and profits. Heatmaps and guest thoughts provide clear feedback, while career mode scenarios like “Keys to the Coaster” teach building and management. For RV lifers, managing a virtual park mirrors the logistics of RV life—planning power, water, and guest flow feels like optimizing a campsite setup.
Missing Planet Coaster 1 Features and Wishlist
While Planet Coaster 2 dazzles, it omits key Planet Coaster 1 features, disappointing some fans:
- Resort Hotels: Planet Coaster 1 had hotels where guests could stay overnight, boosting park capacity and prestige. In Planet Coaster 2, the Resort theme is facade-only, with no functional hotels, despite community demand for immersive resort management. We’d love a DLC adding customizable hotels with guest check-ins and multi-day stays, enhancing the “resort” vibe.
- Realistic Parking: Planet Coaster 1 lacked detailed parking, and Planet Coaster 2 follows suit, offering only guest spawners. A parking lot builder with buses, cars, and transit systems would add realism, letting nomads design true-to-life park entrances.
- Daily Opening/Closing: Planet Coaster 1 didn’t simulate park hours, and Planet Coaster 2 misses this too. A day-night cycle with opening/closing, maintenance schedules, and nighttime events (e.g., fireworks) would deepen management, as fans suggest on Reddit.
Other absent features include switch tracks, separate offload stations, and fireworks, though updates may address these. Frontier’s roadmap hints at more Planet Coaster 1 rides returning, and community feedback could drive DLC for hotels or parking.
Considerations for New Players
- Learning Curve: Building tools are intuitive but complex; start with career mode’s tutorials. Water slide physics can feel unrealistic, requiring steep drops for speed.
- Missing Features: No hotels, parking, or open/close cycles may disappoint Planet Coaster 1 fans. Build facades for hotels or use spawners for parking as workarounds.
- Internet Needs: Starlink (30–100 Mbps) or T-Mobile 5G (up to 300 Mbps) ensures smooth Workshop access, but check for obstructions. A signal booster helps in weak cell areas.
- Performance: High system requirements need a robust RV setup. Lower settings (e.g., shadows, textures) for older GPUs. Use a BLUETTI AC180 for off-grid power.
- Bugs: Updates fixed crashes (e.g., AMD Global Illumination) and guest navigation, but minor issues like scenery alignment persist. Check Frontier’s Issue Tracker for patches.
Nomad RV Life’s Verdict
Planet Coaster 2 is a gorgeous, addictive sim that captures the thrill of theme park creation, even if it lacks some Planet Coaster 1 features like resort hotels, realistic parking, and daily open/close cycles. Its water parks, deep management, and stunning visuals make it a joy for RV gamers, especially with Starlink or T-Mobile 5G enabling Workshop sharing from any campsite. Frontier’s five updates by May 2025, adding restaurants, security, and Sci-Fi scenery, show dedication to improvement, with potential for DLC to restore missing features. For nomads, it’s a creative escape that could outshine RollerCoaster Tycoon with continued support. Grab it on Steam and start building your dream park
Why Check It Out?
- Visual Feast: Beautiful parks and water attractions, perfect for creative nomads.
- Evolving Game: Regular updates add features, with hopes for hotels and parking.
- Nomad-Friendly: Runs on RV internet (Starlink 30–100 Mbps, T-Mobile up to 300 Mbps).
- Community: Share parks via Workshop, connect on r/PlanetCoaster.
Tips for RV Gamers:
- Optimize Internet: Use Starlink’s app to avoid obstructions for ~20–50 ms latency. T-Mobile AWAY excels in urban areas for Workshop uploads.
- Power Setup: Pair with a BLUETTI AC180 for off-grid gaming. Monitor battery during long build sessions.
- Community Engagement: Join r/PlanetCoaster or Frontier Forums for blueprints and tips. Request RV-themed parks on Workshop.
- Workarounds: Use Resort theme facades for hotels, place spawners for parking, and simulate night events with lighting.
Where to Buy: Steam Store
Community Hub: r/PlanetCoaster, Frontier Forums