After several hours with Planet Coaster 2, it’s hard not to feel like this sequel took inspiration from Cities: Skylines 2 by stripping down the original game’s strengths, resulting in a sequel that’s ultimately a downgrade for PC players. Despite some new features and improvements, Planet Coaster 2 struggles with a range of frustrating limitations and design choices that have taken the fun out of the experience for seasoned players.

The most immediate disappointment is the interface. Clearly designed with consoles in mind, the UI has become a cluttered, menu-heavy obstacle course, sacrificing PC-friendly intuitiveness. Menus that once felt smooth now require several clicks to get to basic tools

One of the most glaring issues is the hard guest cap of 6,000. For a game all about building sprawling, bustling parks, this cap is stifling. Paired with the inexplicable removal of hotels and security guards, the park management experience feels stripped-down and hollow compared to the original. These “small” omissions add up to a park environment that feels a lot less lively and complex, impacting both immersion and long-term playability.

The coaster-building system does introduce some additional options, but the process feels far more cumbersome and clunky than before. What should be an improved feature ends up being a tedious exercise in frustration, slowing down what should be one of the game’s most exciting aspects. The same goes for ride station construction, which feels unpolished and awkward to navigate. Even the little things add to the disappointment: the removal of fireworks may seem minor, but it’s a feature I genuinely miss for park atmosphere and special events.

Adding to the list of letdowns is the lack of Steam Workshop support. Frontier has opted for an in-game asset sharing platform to cater to consoles, but PC players are left with fewer options for sharing and finding custom content. The themes provided feel uninspired, and the removal of user-generated media really limits creativity.

Not everything about Planet Coaster 2 is a step back, though. The addition of water parks is a standout feature, and it’s implemented beautifully. The graphical upgrade also brings an impressive level of detail to the parks, and the new scaling tool is a lifesaver for detailed customisation. However, these positives are too often overshadowed by frustrating design choices that feel aimed at consoles rather than PC.

In the end, Planet Coaster 2 feels like a missed opportunity to build on the original game’s strengths. For PC players hoping for an upgraded experience, it’s difficult not to see this as a sequel that compromised on what made the first game great. Instead of being an exhilarating next chapter, Planet Coaster 2 feels like a stunted, watered-down version of what it could have been.

I really want to be able to change this review to a positive recommendation, but until these issues are addressed - I'd wait before pulling the trigger on this one.

EDIT - Some of these have been addressed ad future hotfixes, I will re-review when all of these eventually go live.