Is there management enough to compare it to a tycoon game ?

[Natasha]

I read about their games before and they seem to be really lacking in management usually, i don't care about building just to build, manage has to be main focus of the game otherwise there is no point building in the first place.

Economy
Pathing and movement
Information of zoo members and their moods and needs.
Buildings that improve managing.
Assigning workers and managing them.

Just to mention a few things.

I am a practical person if i can't do anything with what i spend so much time on building then what is the point ?

[Razamanaz]

To me it is a builder's game first and foremost. That being said, it also contains a huge amount of management to keep your zoo operating smoothly and earning money to expand and keep your animals and guests happy.

It meets all the criteria you laid out. A few of the game elements such as paths, terrain modifications, etc.. can be a bit fiddly but you will learn to work with them.

[swskydancer]

There is quite a bit of management to the game. You have to make the zoo profitable; manage guest and staff happiness; even manage breeding the animals for good stats. You even have the option of taking a loan if you hit a downward spiral, which, of course, has to be paid back.

This is a complex game which meets the needs of builders and managers both, in my humble opinion. I've gotten more into building than I planned to but there is some strategy involved as to where you place habitats in the zoo to maintain a good flow for guest movement, as well as place staff buildings to ensure efficient habitat maintenance. It does meet the criteria you've listed as important to you.

[MattLangWrites]

Definitely a builder's game. There are management systems, but the challenge isn't really in the management for the long term. It's relatively easy from a management perspective - take loan, place more animals, rake in money and then tweak/optimise at leisure. Outside of the early game, it's pretty easy to just rake in the money and there's no real management challenge events.

[Eekhoorn]

Yup, it's an architect game.

The management mainly consists of placing the right stuff close enough together or leveling up your employees.
Economy is non existent: I have two snales, a frog and a few shops that pay for my entire operation :)

If you're looking for a deep management experience, this is not it.

[Grumpy Cynic]

I agree with what others have said it's a building game. The management aspect is simple, and really almost impossible to screw up on, outside of the career scenario's and they are set up intentionally to provide a challenge. But succeeding in franchise mode (even on hard difficulty) is pretty straight forward and simple. Sure there is some nuance to setting up your layout to provide optimal traffic flow, but even a poorly designed zoo with slapped together exhibits will more than likely turn a profit unless you've done something monstrously wrong.

Don't get me wrong, I'm 300 plus hours in and I enjoy the game despite the fact that I'm not very creative or good at building. Its a relaxing game and the amount of things you can create is breathtaking, but if you are looking for a challenging management game this is certainly not it.

[Djungelskog]

There's a little bit of management but this is definitely more focused on building

[grampers62]

While building is a part of the game one can find many prefab buildings and such that only need be placed. As well as habitats that are prefab to use. The steam workshop is a great place to find more of them and even some zoos that are in various stages of creation that one can just play and not do much building at all. Yes there are staff and animals to manage as well as finance and guest needs. There are also many facilities that need to be used to promote a sustainable zoo.
Final thought is that there is room for all sorts of players in the many game modes and play options available.