Can you create and run a successful zoo? That is the premise of the storyline in Zoo Tycoon 2.

While the storyline revolves around the success or failure of your zoo, there are some factors that alter the possible outcome of your story. Zoo Tycoon 2 features several game modes such as campaign game, challenge game and freeform game. As I've said, the basics of the story is for you to run a successful zoo, but depending on which game mode you select there are different challenges before your task is complete.

For example one of the scenarios that you can play is titled Prevent Animal Abuse. In this scenario a group of African elephants were scheduled for termination in the Kingdom of Sironjia because of overpopulation but instead of termination the elephants are being offered to a zoo that can provide the best habitat for them. If you complete all the necessary tasks at hand you can save the elephants and get them in your zoo. Not only that but a successful completion of this scenario also unlocks the sundial statue. While each scenario has different tasks that need to be solved, in the long run they all revolve around your successfully created zoo.