Frontier Developments released Planet Zoo on 5 November 2019 with 73 animals in the base game, well past the 50 originally promised. Four modes ship together: Career, Franchise, Challenge and Sandbox, with Franchise running on Conservation Credits earned by releasing well bred animals back to the wild. Career runs 12 scenarios, opening at Goodwin House and closing at the Bernie Goodwin Memorial Zoo in Upper Bay, New York.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | A | Balanced | Zookeeper | Yes |
| Asia | A | Balanced | Veterinarian | Yes |
| North America | A | Balanced | Mechanic | Yes |
| South America | A | Balanced | Caretaker | Yes |
| Australia | A | Balanced | Security Guard | Yes |
New player? Start with Asia. See our beginner's guide for why.
Africa
Africa is a strong option in Planet Zoo.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Zookeeper |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Welfare from nutrition, social and suitability |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Zookeeper
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Goodwin House to learn Africa-specific mechanics
- Focus on Welfare from nutrition, social and suitability. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Zookeeper as your first major upgrade
- See our full Africa build guide for the optimal gear progression
Asia
Asia is a strong option in Planet Zoo.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Veterinarian |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Conservation Credits from releasing animals |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Veterinarian
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Goodwin House to learn Asia-specific mechanics
- Focus on Conservation Credits from releasing animals. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Veterinarian as your first major upgrade
- See our full Asia build guide for the optimal gear progression
North America
North America is a strong option in Planet Zoo.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Mechanic |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Research at the Research Centre |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Mechanic
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Goodwin House to learn North America-specific mechanics
- Focus on Research at the Research Centre. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Mechanic as your first major upgrade
- See our full North America build guide for the optimal gear progression
South America
South America is a strong option in Planet Zoo.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Caretaker |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Barriers and terrain shaping |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Caretaker
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Goodwin House to learn South America-specific mechanics
- Focus on Barriers and terrain shaping. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Caretaker as your first major upgrade
- See our full South America build guide for the optimal gear progression
Australia
Australia is a strong option in Planet Zoo.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Security Guard |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Guest education and donation bins |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Security Guard
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Goodwin House to learn Australia-specific mechanics
- Focus on Guest education and donation bins. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Security Guard as your first major upgrade
- See our full Australia build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Asia is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Africa is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Zookeeper for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Australia offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
South America shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Planet Zoo Guides
- Planet Zoo Planet Zoo Overview
- Planet Zoo Best Builds
- Planet Zoo Tier List
- Planet Zoo Walkthrough
- Planet Zoo Beginner's Guide
- Planet Zoo Tips & Tricks
- Planet Zoo Weapons Guide
- Planet Zoo Combat Guide
- Planet Zoo Boss Guide
- Planet Zoo Maps & Locations
- Planet Zoo Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Planet Zoo, check out these related guides:
- Cities: Skylines Classes Guide: city-builder game with similar mechanics
- Manor Lords Classes Guide: city-builder game with similar mechanics
- Timberborn Classes Guide: city-builder game with similar mechanics
