Summary
A unique hybrid classic that unfortunately vanished into oblivion.
The Good
Graphics in this game are top-notch, perhaps the best ever done by Ocean. The Levels are a very well-designed and highly playable. Most of them are viewed from the top-down perspective and the game plays like a shooter with a few puzzles thrown in. The music is haunting and highly atmospheric, but only plays during the intro. In the rest of the game, we hear only gun shots and dino crys. The dino cries are well-done and scary, especially the Velociraptor cries. The plot and the level design of the game is roughly based on the movie. Even all the characters from the movie appear in the last level of the game! Most of the dinosaurs were taken from the movie, with some additional ones. The mighty Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) also makes an appearance in one level chasing Grant (throwing the sticks of dynamite at him is the only way to slow him down). Other boss dinos like a Pterodactyl and a Triceratops also make an appearance. The weapons that include a shootgun and an electric gun are effective and a whole lot of fun.
The Bad
Well, I love this game, but there are some complaints. Such as, it can be too difficult at times. The levels get increasingly *very* hard, so newbies will have a difficult time. Another complaint is that the game does not allow saving. Using the passwords provided at the end of each level is the only way to progress. On top of that, there are limited lives and Grant dies very quickly due to the constant dino attacks. So, obviously I had to play some difficult levels over and over, which can get frustrating. Another minor complaint is that too many keys are needed to play this game and they have an odd configuration. Strangely, the controls configuration can only be done during the installation, so once the game is installed, there is no way to change it.
The Bottom Line
It's basically a top-down/3D arcade shooter and it reminded me of Chaos engine. So, arcade fans will love it. In the first few levels, the player is supposed to search for the two kids, while shooting the nasty dinos and in the later part, Dr. Grant (our character) enters the compound to switch on the electricity in order to prevent the dinos from escaping (just like in the movie). How many games do you know that have both top-down and 3D levels? Not many, right? This is the reason why I said it's a unique, hybrid game. When Grant finally switches on the electricity in the compound, the previously dark and deadly corridors (filled with velociraptors) light up brilliantly, a sight to behold! Great lighting effects indeed. In the final and awfully difficult tunnel levels, Grant even uses a night vision device to find his way in the dark tunnels infested with velociraptors!
