In RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, you can now build your own structures from a variety of walls and roofs, but this new scenery often highlights the limitations of the 2D engine. It's very satisfying when it finally comes together, but fitting overlapping pieces together is often an exercise in trial and error. An "undo" option to backup from a mistake would have taken a lot of the frustration out of playing with RollerCoaster Tycoon 2's new scenery.

This time around there's no unlocking scheme for the scenarios. RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 takes the approach of dumping everything it's got into your lap and saying, "There you go -- have at it!" While this opens the game up, it removes the first title's reward system for completing scenarios.

In addition to a number of original scenarios divided by difficulty, RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 features scenarios based on real-world Six Flags theme parks. While this is a nice touch, it appears there were some limitations to the deal when it came to licensed rides. For instance, RCT2's version of Magic Mountain includes the "Superman" ride, but the superhero's name has been removed and the little Superman figure at the top of the ride is missing. And, there's no sign of the Batman-licensed "Riddler's Revenge," a thrilling overhead rail coaster. Still, if you have visited any of the Six Flags parks included in the game, it's nice to recognize the layouts and actual coasters, even if the parks aren't exact replicas.

Six Flags Magic Mountain.
When all is said and done, maybe you'll feel that RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 is really just a glorified expansion pack ... or maybe you won't. Regardless, you'll know it was $30 well spent when you're building your next big coaster (perhaps grumbling that you still can't pause while building) and you notice something different -- a peep stopped dead in his tracks, looking right up at the last track segment you dropped. He's not moving. This has never happened before. Is it a bug? You click on the peep's thought bubble tab and find he's thinking, "Wow! A new ride being built." The little guy takes a picture of your work in progress and you think, "Damn … this game has won me over again…"

Perhaps the best advice is to ignore the little "2" at the end of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 and just enjoy the ride.