Tutorials - Frustrating and infuriating at the same time.

[AngryWolf]

So I'm new to Tycoon games, though have played games since you could only do so by heading down to the local pinball hall. So generally do well with games of all types and thought this may be a good title to dip my toe in. I did played one YEARS ago..early 90's maybe, and did ok. Then generally were intuitive etc. I've got the creativity of rock, so I don't plan on miracles here so that's why I figure I'll do this right by going through the tutoriala, absorb all I can and off to the races.

I love the voice acting. The kindly old English gal really sets a calming mood while you learn, which is a good offset to the old guy who, though is great voice acting, seems to want to talk to you like your five..and...uhmm...want to adopt me...weird.

So 80 percent of the time I find the tutorial really helpful. As she talks visual indicators show where to go accomplish what she asking, but sometimes it just doesn't and you are scratching you head wondering what the heck to do, so frustration comes in. I'm thinking they may have some expectation that you have previous Tycoon experience or something.

Stuff happened in the first zoo tutorial, but I'll stick with the 2nd zoo where I'm currently getting frustration.

Some of it could absolutely be my fault. For instance setting up a research station in the second tutorial zoo. I head over and am as close to the object as I've been to any other object in initiating tutorials. There is an object there so I try to place the structure and wonder what the heck. So as the tutorial isn't telling me anything I try and figure it out on my own. Ok, well obviously this structure must go. Maybe getting demolishing bring backs needed resources. Ok, existing structure gone.Still can't place the research building. flying around the object trying to figure out WTF and suddenly the kind english lady finally comes back from her cuppa. "As you can see there is something there already. It's a shell and needed so fit it in there". Well, hey, will you were at tea, I demolished it. Great...start tutorial over from scratch. Just a simple thing, but something than came really frustrate.

Then we are over to adopt a gila monster. Need to add in an enclosed space inside the object that I now know not to destroy. Add it, she says it's great and we keep moving on. near finished the scenario and should be seeing the monster, but there isn't anything the space but a rock we added. Zooming around now I see the enclosed space is put in too low and everything is below the ground or viewable area at least. So why has the game said all is hunky dory and think I've learned something right. After some frustration I get the glass enclosement raised in the structure and we see everything. But where is the Gila? Zooming around I find him in a buried area next to he glass, just sitting there. In the past zoo if saw an animal like, they aren't happy. Even though the old english lady wants me to move on, something doesn't seem right and she didn't even know I initially didn't place things right. I check all the gila's stats, he seems fine, but looking at where he is, I don't believe he can get out. So I try and terraform a bit to make way out bigger. Can't do it.

Here is a screenshot in what I'm talking about: https://i.imgur.com/kKnYanx.jpg

It's just the tutorial and I guess I could move and if this guy starves, oh well. But I'm here to learn and something seems wrong and another place where I feel the Tutorial has let me down.

Is anyone else having issues with the tutorial? Could it be they haven't gone completely through to make sure all aspect of the tutorial is working right(like saying I placed something right when I clearly haven't etc, letting me delete a structure I need, properly visually indicated where I need to go find something etc). Maybe I just need to leave the game for now while they patch and finish up the tutorial? I just don't feel the game is currently setting me up for success.

There is a LOT to this game and things to know and I'm cool with that as long as it teaches me, but I just feel frustrated wondering if should have plopped money down on something like Farming Simulator instead or maybe Tycoon games really don't work the way I learn and play. It's been awhile since a game made me feel like an idiot. Hell I sim race and have learned to set up all aspects of car properly based on track, car, conditions etc in pretty technical way to eek out every millisecond advantage possible, but can't do a Zoo Tycoon game lol.

[Nox]

The problem with the tutorials is they are very "gated" ( Do THIS and only THIS). So while you'd like to change something simple, it does not let you. It's literally a 1 way ride through the different controls. Just a tip, if they want you to look at a specific place, it often has a little marker on the checklist you can click on and it will take you there.