The mechanics in the predecessor made custom building construction less efficient, and rides and shops previously could not be built at varying elevations in that game, only rides that had tracks could be built underground, since the first section of any ride had to be placed above ground. The game provides greater flexibility by allowing pieces of scenery, rides, and other structures to be placed at varying heights above and below ground. One notable difference from RollerCoaster Tycoon is a more robust system for building structures, in which one can lay each piece of wall and roof individually. The player must simultaneously balance the park's expenses and income.

The player satisfies park visitors' needs by building facilities and services such as food stalls, bathrooms, souvenir shops, ATMs, and information kiosks, as well as by hiring staff. Various attractions, including transport rides, gentle rides, thrill rides, roller coasters, water rides, and shops or stalls, can be added to the parks as well as landscaping and decorations. The game retains the isometric perspective of its predecessor, allowing for high compatibility with amusement parks made in the previous game.

In RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, players manage amusement parks and attempt to meet various goals to complete assigned scenarios.

An in-game screenshot of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 showing the user interface and some rides

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