Rollercoaster Tycoon 3
Details
Release date: 2004 [Original], 2005 [Soaked & Wild]
Format: PC
Developer: Atari
Genre: Management Simulation
Review Score: 74%
Date added: July 2012
Format: PC
Developer: Atari
Genre: Management Simulation
Review Score: 74%
Date added: July 2012
Review
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 is as the name suggests the third game in the Rollercoaster Tycoon series. Unlike many other major franchises (The Sims 3) this sequel does the original proud. What it lost slightly in novelty value I think it made up for in graphics quality, attention to detail and production value. Obviously the game concept is not particularly new, designing and running theme parks has also been extensively done by the 'Theme Park' series and the Wild expansion pack has strong similarities to the Zoo Tycoon series.
It should be stated that this review is for the whole Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 package, I would strongly recommend buying both expansion packs as well as the original game. The Soaked expansion pack is brilliant and added something completely new to an (even by then) old franchise. I was never a huge fan of the Wild expansion, I easily get bored of monitoring my animals in a Sims type fashion but the pack is still worth it at today's prices for the extra levels and rides it includes, although if your only going to get one expansion it should be Soaked.
The original Rollercoaster Tycoon is well worth a go as well but for me I prefer the third iteration for long term re-playability. Every time you replay a level you can complete it a different way with different rides and a different theme. The game includes what are still convincingly good graphics. It is possible to build believable themed parks and then explore them from a first person perspective and ride the rides yourself. The game also includes some pleasant music and sound effects, the music is perfectly suited for being set up around your park to give different themed areas an ambient atmosphere.
The game is still compatible with Windows 7 so you shouldn't run into any major problems during installation or running of the game that I'm aware of, there is a minor issue where the game may slow down during construction on some modern systems although there is a patch to address this. If you do have a modern widescreen PC you may need to set a custom resolution as explained below, but it is incredibly simple to do.
Ratings
Originality Re-play Value Compatibility Visual Quality Sound Quality
5/10 9/10 8/10 8/10 7/10
Total Score
74%
It should be stated that this review is for the whole Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 package, I would strongly recommend buying both expansion packs as well as the original game. The Soaked expansion pack is brilliant and added something completely new to an (even by then) old franchise. I was never a huge fan of the Wild expansion, I easily get bored of monitoring my animals in a Sims type fashion but the pack is still worth it at today's prices for the extra levels and rides it includes, although if your only going to get one expansion it should be Soaked.
The original Rollercoaster Tycoon is well worth a go as well but for me I prefer the third iteration for long term re-playability. Every time you replay a level you can complete it a different way with different rides and a different theme. The game includes what are still convincingly good graphics. It is possible to build believable themed parks and then explore them from a first person perspective and ride the rides yourself. The game also includes some pleasant music and sound effects, the music is perfectly suited for being set up around your park to give different themed areas an ambient atmosphere.
The game is still compatible with Windows 7 so you shouldn't run into any major problems during installation or running of the game that I'm aware of, there is a minor issue where the game may slow down during construction on some modern systems although there is a patch to address this. If you do have a modern widescreen PC you may need to set a custom resolution as explained below, but it is incredibly simple to do.
Ratings
Originality Re-play Value Compatibility Visual Quality Sound Quality
5/10 9/10 8/10 8/10 7/10
Total Score
74%
Where To Get It
Amazon Play.com Ebay
Installation Instructions
Install all three games from their respective CD following the on screen instructions as normal. They should be installed in the following order: Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 then Soaked and lastly Wild.
Recommended Files
There are three patches available for the game if you install both expansion packs these are explained below. There are also patches available if you have only 1 or none of the expansions, these are explained and available from the second to last forum post located here.
Wild Patches
These patches are not region specific
Wild Update 1: Fixes game slow downs at night
Wild Update 2: Fixes the games auto-updater
Wild Update 3: Fixes game slow downs during construction
For update 3 to work you must have installed WIld after Soaked not before.
Optional Files
Changing The Screen Resolution
If you have a modern widescreen PC you may want to set a higher resolution than is available from the in game options menu. To set a custom resolution navigate to the RCT3 Application data folder.
On Windows Vista this is usually found at:
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USERNAME\Application Data\Atari\RCT3
On Windows 7 it can be found at:
C:\Users\YOUR USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Atari\RCT3
Within this folder open the Options.txt file. The first part of the first line states the screen resolution to use, change this to your screen resolution for example: Resolution 1366 768. The first number is for the screen width, the second for the height.
Recommended Files
There are three patches available for the game if you install both expansion packs these are explained below. There are also patches available if you have only 1 or none of the expansions, these are explained and available from the second to last forum post located here.
Wild Patches
These patches are not region specific
Wild Update 1: Fixes game slow downs at night
Wild Update 2: Fixes the games auto-updater
Wild Update 3: Fixes game slow downs during construction
For update 3 to work you must have installed WIld after Soaked not before.
Optional Files
Changing The Screen Resolution
If you have a modern widescreen PC you may want to set a higher resolution than is available from the in game options menu. To set a custom resolution navigate to the RCT3 Application data folder.
On Windows Vista this is usually found at:
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USERNAME\Application Data\Atari\RCT3
On Windows 7 it can be found at:
C:\Users\YOUR USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Atari\RCT3
Within this folder open the Options.txt file. The first part of the first line states the screen resolution to use, change this to your screen resolution for example: Resolution 1366 768. The first number is for the screen width, the second for the height.