There are moments in Second Life when you stand at a virtual reception desk, hover your mouse over a “Join Group – L$500” button, and think:
Am I about to invest in culture… or in regret?
Reader, I clicked it.
For a one-time L$500, you gain lifetime access to Everwild Aquarium & Safari Park. That’s right. Lifetime. As in: I can return at age 87, log in with arthritic fingers, and still admire digital guppies.
Frankly? That kind of commitment deserves respect.
The Reception Desk of Mild Suspicion
After joining, I picked up a free gift pack. Which is the universal Second Life way of saying: “You will absolutely attach something to the wrong body part.”
Inside the gift:
- A landmark to the Amusement Park.
- A stuffed turtle you can wear.
- An educational HUD that is supposed to whisper fascinating animal facts into local chat when you approach exhibits.
The turtle? It attached proudly to my neck like I had defeated it in battle and claimed it as a trophy. It also threw script errors at me like confetti. A bold start.
The HUD? Silent. Stoic. Mysterious. Possibly observing me instead.
But listen. We move forward!
The Aquarium: Fish. Glorious Fish.
The elevator in the lobby transports you to the Aquarium and Safari levels. Dramatic. Anticipatory. Slightly ‘shoppingmall’ in aesthetic.
I began with the aquarium tour, where you walk past aquariums. With fish. And educational signs. I know. Groundbreaking.
In all seriousness, though, it’s well done. Clean builds, immersive lighting, informative plaques. You can genuinely learn things, assuming your HUD isn’t staging a quiet protest.
The snake enclosures? Absolutely not. Glass boxes full of coiled nope. I power-walked past them as if they owed me money.
Downstairs, however, is the crown jewel: a huge shark tank, beautifully built and surprisingly atmospheric. Moody lighting. Big ocean vibes. Slight anxiety. Loved it.
The Safari: Jurassic Pink
Back upstairs, I climbed into a Gyro Sphere. Yes. A Gyro Sphere.
Immediately, I felt like an extra in Jurassic Park, except instead of rugged khaki, I was sitting in a pink bubble of questionable safety.
And here’s where things got… interesting.
The fences around the safari enclosures? Phantom. As in: I could drive straight through them.
Which led me to wonder:
- Why are the elephants respecting the barrier?
- Have the lions signed a social contract?
- Is this the most well-behaved wildlife park in existence?
Despite the existential fencing crisis, the safari area is lush and nicely landscaped. Animals are placed throughout enclosures, and it’s genuinely charming to cruise around like you’re on a PG-rated dinosaur expedition.
The Amusement Park: Chaos in a Lily
The included landmark led me to the Amusement Park, small, cute, and clearly aimed at family RP. Think: cozy carnival vibes. Kid-friendly rides. Wholesome energy.
I bravely boarded a lily-pad ride. It spun. It spun more. It spun at a speed usually reserved for NASA centrifuge training.
I exited halfway through and required emotional support and to recover, I grabbed a popsicle. I clicked strawberry. I received cucumber.
Was it what I wanted? No. Was it free? Technically. (Included in my L$500 lifetime membership.) Did I eat it anyway? Obviously.
So… Is It Worth L$500?
Here’s my honest verdict:
Everwild Aquarium & Safari Park is well-made. Clean. Thoughtful. Smaller than I expected, but clearly built with care.
Is it worth L$500? Maybe.
Let’s be real, maintaining a region in Second Life is not cheap. And the fee gives unlimited access. If you’re into family roleplay, educational outings, cute date ideas, or you just enjoy cruising past well-behaved lions while sitting in a pink death orb, it absolutely has replay value.
Would I go again? Yes.
Would I attach the turtle again? Absolutely not.
In conclusion:
I arrived skeptical.
I left a bit educated.
And I ate a cucumber popsicle.
And yes, that’s what adventure is all about!
Landmark to Everwild Aquarium and Safari
