The game works better as a CGI film. Controls are unresponsive at times, and while it is amusing to watch some of the more outlandish or absurd death scenes, it can get grating after a while, akin to watching multiple takes of a movie that weren't edited out. Unless you enjoy quick-time events, I recommend giving it a pass, especially if, like me, you find the movie-like aspects of the game more compelling than the game-like aspects.
The story is great; a survival horror action drama with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. However, it's not for those who have to dissect most of the scenes for inaccuracies and plot holes, as there are plenty if you scratch beneath the surface. It's very much about entertainment, with scares, thrills, and occasional comedic and tragic moments to boot.
Characters vary from likeable to badass to annoying, depending on taste, but there are plenty to keep track of, and they're mostly well fleshed-out, showing different sides and causing more conflicts as the game progresses. Voice acting is top notch, and dialogue helps in many scenes to add depth by hinting at the histories and secret motives behind some characters, but occasionally the script gives them awkward lines.
Graphics are serviceable, but not stellar. The obvious stars of the show get detailed and lovingly designed models, but while the humans look passably fine, they don't seem to be textured properly. Lighting can be effective in some scenes for ambience, but otherwise, it's all over the place in terms of quality. Less impressive is the animation, which can look downright clunky, though the dinosaurs move believably like real animals. The overall impression is that the dinosaurs got preferential treatment.
Sound is higgledy-piggledy. Fans of the films will like the soundtrack, and will be pleased to hear that the dinosaur roars and hisses are faithfully preserved (with some new ones added to the roster). Sound editing, on the other hand, shows signs of choppiness, as when the volume suddenly goes up or a soundtrack suddenly switches mid-scene.
Overall, the game gives the impression of an engrossing if semi-mindless adventure-cum-thriller, which was shoehorned into game format and unevenly edited. There are genius bonuses scattered about for dino fans, and the game is wonderfully faithful to the films, but it's not for everyone.
Jurassic Park: The Game should have been a movie
The game works better as a CGI film. Controls are unresponsive at times, and while it is amusing to watch some of the more outlandish or absurd death scenes, it can get grating after a while, akin to watching multiple takes of a movie that weren't edited out. Unless you enjoy quick-time events, I recommend giving it a pass, especially if, like me, you find the movie-like aspects of the game more compelling than the game-like aspects.
The story is great; a survival horror action drama with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. However, it's not for those who have to dissect most of the scenes for inaccuracies and plot holes, as there are plenty if you scratch beneath the surface. It's very much about entertainment, with scares, thrills, and occasional comedic and tragic moments to boot.
Characters vary from likeable to badass to annoying, depending on taste, but there are plenty to keep track of, and they're mostly well fleshed-out, showing different sides and causing more conflicts as the game progresses. Voice acting is top notch, and dialogue helps in many scenes to add depth by hinting at the histories and secret motives behind some characters, but occasionally the script gives them awkward lines.
Graphics are serviceable, but not stellar. The obvious stars of the show get detailed and lovingly designed models, but while the humans look passably fine, they don't seem to be textured properly. Lighting can be effective in some scenes for ambience, but otherwise, it's all over the place in terms of quality. Less impressive is the animation, which can look downright clunky, though the dinosaurs move believably like real animals. The overall impression is that the dinosaurs got preferential treatment.
Sound is higgledy-piggledy. Fans of the films will like the soundtrack, and will be pleased to hear that the dinosaur roars and hisses are faithfully preserved (with some new ones added to the roster). Sound editing, on the other hand, shows signs of choppiness, as when the volume suddenly goes up or a soundtrack suddenly switches mid-scene.
Overall, the game gives the impression of an engrossing if semi-mindless adventure-cum-thriller, which was shoehorned into game format and unevenly edited. There are genius bonuses scattered about for dino fans, and the game is wonderfully faithful to the films, but it's not for everyone.