Dino Crisis

Game review

Dino Crisis is a thrilling survival horror game that transports players to an isolated island laboratory with a terrifying secret. Developed by Capcom, the game shares several gameplay mechanics and control similarities with its sister series, Resident Evil, yet stands out with its unique premise and challenges. Players dive into the role of Regina, a special forces agent tasked with extracting a scientist and his groundbreaking research from a government-funded laboratory. However, the mission takes a perilous turn when the team encounters unforeseen side effects of the scientist's experiments—dinosaurs brought back to life from 100 million years in the past.

Dino Crisis masterfully blends survival horror elements with intense action, requiring players to navigate the dangers of the laboratory while conserving limited supplies and ammunition. Unlike Resident Evil, where supplies are scattered throughout, Dino Crisis introduces a novel system of plugs. These plugs are essential for accessing caches of emergency supplies strategically placed around the complex. However, with only enough plugs to open a select number of caches, players must make strategic decisions about which resources are essential for survival.

Another significant departure from Resident Evil is Dino Crisis’s use of 3D rendering, allowing for dynamic camera movements such as rotations and pans. This enhances the game's immersive experience, though camera angles remain beyond the player's control, adding to the tension and unpredictability of navigating the complex.

The adversaries in Dino Crisis are far more cunning than the undead enemies typically found in survival horror games. Dinosaurs possess the intelligence to chase, disarm, and even follow Regina through doors, presenting a constant threat that requires players to employ stealth and strategic use of the complex's force fields to evade danger.

Dino Crisis is celebrated for its innovative blend of survival horror mechanics, challenging puzzles, and a gripping storyline. The game's atmosphere is charged with suspense, from the eerie silence of the abandoned laboratory to the heart-pounding encounters with prehistoric predators. Regina's battle for survival against these formidable creatures, coupled with the mystery surrounding Dr. Kirk's research, creates a compelling narrative that drives players forward.