There are so many games out there that feature animals, but often they aren’t central to the plot. These games, on the other hand, all feature animals at their core, meaning they’ll be super popular with anyone who loves the natural world. They’re all available to play on PC, so if you’re reading this on a computer, you’ll be able to play them. Some of them are also available on dedicated gaming consoles too, so if you prefer a controller to a trackpad then you’ll be well catered for as well.
Starters Orders Series
As horse racing video games go, the Starters Orders series is best suited to real fans of the sport. Some horse racing games are made a little less complex than the real thing in order to appeal to a younger audience, but this game allows you to get really deep into the complexities of the sport. You can play as a bettor only, a trainer, or an owner/trainer combination. You can breed your own racehorses, taking care to work out how their genetics might impact the foal. You can buy cheap horses at auction to train up into champions, assuming they’ve got the bare bones of a champion. You can swap between flat racing and jumps, race at famous courses around the world, and expand your facility to give your herd of neddies the best chance of success. There are now seven different versions of the game to choose from, with the most popular being the latest two editions.
Planet Zoo
Although this game isn’t made by the same team as Zoo Tycoon, you can see that this game was clearly influenced by it. The game allows you to build your own zoo, using all kinds of incredible exotic animals. There’s a huge focus on conservation, whereby it’s important to educate guests on the animals in your zoo, as well as the threats facing them in the world. Not only this, but the Zoopedia is full of interesting facts about the animals that you’ll find on the game, meaning that you get to learn just as much as your guests do. It’s not all learning though! This game encourages creativity, with thousands of different building parts and beautiful flora and fauna, you can create a seriously realistic zoo, even if you’ve never played before. If you enjoy games that don’t limit your creativity and allow you to play in a freeform way, then you’ll love this animal-filled release.
If you enjoy Planet Zoo, then Hot Safari might appeal to you as well. One of the most prolific makers of slots games is Pragmatic Play a company based in Malta that has won numerous awards for its contributions to casino gaming. Of their slot games, Hot Safari is one of the most highly awarded, having been shortlisted for the Game of the Year. You’ll find meerkats, zebra, elephants, and rhinos on the standard reels, plus, if you find a colorful baboon or a lion then you’ve found a special symbol. This game is super easy to pick up and play, even for those who’ve no slots experience. It’s also free to try, as long as you’re sure to check Free Play mode, meaning that you can find out whether you like it or not before committing any money to it.
Farm Together
If you like your animals to be of use to you, as well as just looking cute, then you’ll probably enjoy Farm Together. This game allows you to create your very own farm, starting with just a tiny plot of land. You’ll be able to plant trees and flowers, as well as fields full of crops. You can tend to these until your farm is big enough to allow you to purchase some animals. This game runs in real-time, so even when you leave, your crops will carry on growing. This means that you can be sure you’ll always have a farm job to get on with, no matter how long you leave. One of the neatest features of this game is that you can allow others to visit your farm and help just by customizing your settings. It’s possible to let just your friends in, or you can open it up to the public. Setting up limits for what others can help with on your farm means that you always remain in control, but that other player can enjoy it too.