I've been playing the Demo for the game, since I bought the Deluxe version a ways back, and the game is pretty cool. It's pretty demanding on your system - I have a $1,300 gaming laptop and it still kinda lags - but I am wondering if any lag issues will be eliminated once the game is finished and is more stable.
It is pretty realistic, with different social systems and breeding systems for each species. I noticed last night next to the genders of the Gray Wolves, it actually said "Alpha Male" and "Alpha Female." Some species will stop reproducing at a certain age, plus you can also apply contraceptives to individuals you don't want breeding.
Each animal is also labeled with a difficulty when it comes to breeding. The only animals labeled as hard were Titan Beetles and Nile Monitors - if I remember correctly - with Indian Rhinoceros, Snow Leopards, and some other species that I expected to be harder were given the an easy label. (Another great thing is that they have decently realistic litter sizes!)
The management of the animals is grater than any game I have seen before. The fact that they emphasis the use of putting new animals from other zoos in quarantine before introducing them to existing animals is great! The custom climbing structures, genetics, and boredom that animals can get from continuously using the same enrichment is amazing!
