Park Beyond takes the theme park genre to new heights with its captivating gameplay and innovative concepts. From the moment you enter the game, it introduces fresh ideas like “Impossification,” a mechanic that allows players to bend the laws of physics and create insane and impossible roller coasters. This feature sets Park Beyond apart from other theme park games and adds a new level of excitement and creativity to the experience, even though the title is not without its shortcomings.

The campaign in Park Beyond is well-crafted and engaging. One exciting addition is the pitch meetings before each map. These meetings give players a sense of personal agency and set specific targets for the theme park to aim for. It provides a clear direction right from the start, ensuring that your park caters to its target audience. Each new park offers the option of a different demographic and theme, such as space, western, or candy land. This diversity of options keeps the gameplay fresh and encourages players to tailor their parks accordingly.

Building roller coasters in Park Beyond is a game-changer in the genre. Unlike other games where you pay for each track segment as you build, Park Beyond allows you to draft the entire coaster before making a final decision to build. This approach provides more flexibility and allows players to experiment with different designs without constantly incurring costs. However, it’s worth noting that there is currently no way to save coaster designs or share them with others, which is a missed opportunity for community engagement and creativity.

At launch, Park Beyond offers a solid foundation of content with three coaster types, 25 flat rides, and thousands of set pieces. It’s worth mentioning that an annual pass is available, which includes three expansion packs that have yet to be announced. With these expansions, there is hope for the introduction of additional ride types such as transport rides or attractions like animal shows or exhibits. The absence of trains, monorails, or paddle boats feels like a missed opportunity for variety and immersion in the park-building experience.

However, it’s not without its flaws. The presence of game-crashing bugs is a significant issue that can really disrupt enjoyment. There are instances where rides and shops fail to process guests, resulting in stagnant lines and no income generation. These technical issues can be frustrating, and attempts to resolve them, such as restarting the game or closing and reopening affected establishments, often prove ineffective. The only viable solution is to restart the campaign, which can be disheartening for players who have invested time and effort into their progress.

Another disappointing aspect is the lack of gameplay support for the vast array of set pieces and decorations available. While the game boasts over 1000 themed decorations that players can place in their parks, there is little to no reason to utilise them strategically. Unlocking these decorative items through research becomes an underwhelming endeavor, as they offer no tangible in-game benefits. The lack of gameplay ties for these set pieces undermines the potential for immersive park customization and leaves players yearning for more meaningful integration.