Note to Parents: Realistic violence, gore, horror

An abandoned research complex on a remote jungle island, a team of special forces operatives, a horde of vicious velociraptors, and one big, mean Tyrannosaurus rex constitute the setting and cast of Dino Crisis, the latest masterpiece from the makers of Resident Evil.

You play as Regina, a member of a four-person team sent to retrieve an expatriate scientist. Your radio man became a midnight snack for the T.rex, so it's up to you and your two remaining teammates to explore a dino-infested research station, rescue the scientist, call for a helicopter retrieval, and escape with your lives. Along the way you'll uncover the grizzly remains of those who got in the dinosaurs' way, and you'll unravel the mystery of how a top-secret energy research project turned into a Jurassic nightmare.

And about those dinosaurs: they're all over the island. One instant you'll be walking along a second-story balcony, admiring the view, the next instant you'll be dodging a T.rex as it smashes its huge maw through the concrete walls. Velociraptors chase you down blood-spattered corridors, flying reptiles circle the outdoor areas, and your only weapons are your pistol, whatever else you can salvage, a dwindling supply of ammunition, and your wits.

Packed with clever puzzles and heart-pounding surprises, all superbly presented with realistic graphics and horror-movie camera angles, Dino Crisis is a triumph of survival-horror gaming. --Mike Fehlauer

Pros:

• Great sound effects and music
• Well-integrated, varied, and clever puzzles
• Awe-inspiring, terrifying dinosaurs
• Branching story line improves replay value

Cons:

• Doors impervious to explosives

1 Player

Average Customer Review: ( 100 customer reviews )
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The graphics are very good and use a different technique than RE allowing for much more user interaction. In RE the graphics are made up of pre-rendered backgrounds but DC uses polygonal characters and backgrounds to better effect and look very much like the areas they are trying to convey. This style of graphics works better than in RE and heightens the tension very well.

The gameplay is more innovative than in the RE games with more puzzles and less emphasis placed on action. DC's weapons are reasonably feeble compared to those in RE but this works for the better. Instead of just splattering every enemy you come across you need to think of alternatives as shooting everything will soon either get you killed or make you run out of ammo fast. Throughout the game you have to use security fences to your advantage, running past a raptor when its back is turned, past a sensor and then turn on the fence, much better than just killing the raptor and more satisfying to boot.

Enemies are also more intelligent than in RE games, as they would need to be, and will chase you through doors and follow your trail of blood. They are all also more agile than those in RE and so those encounters you cannot avoid are made even more visceral.

The use of puzzles through the game is also well done and some are real brainteasers, they are also more inventive than in RE, such as finding the right combination of gases for a poisoned room to gain entry or searching corpses for fingerprints to make a keycard. Much better than RE's simple need key, find key approach.

The enemies in the game is where it starts to slip a bit with not too many variations in there but this isnt much of a problem as dino encounters are not all that frequent anyway. The way the dinos are presented to you is good and the ways you are encouraged to beat them is refreshing. such as guiding a pterodactyl into a fan or electrocuting a raptor.

The main boss, although it hd to be a T-Rex, is better a good alternative to the tyrants in the RE series and provides a constant menace much like in RE3 and always seems to be breathing down your neck. Even when you think youre safe he bursts through a window or finds some way of spoiling your day.

The longevity of the game is pretty much what you expect of a game of this type, a fast play through can take approximately 3 hours but the first time took me about 5 1/2.The game length did surprise me though as at one point i was sure that i had finished the game but i was only half way through.

There is significant replay value in the game with three endings and many different costumes to be unlocked and with the game made in such a way you can play through and experience it differently each time.

Overall there is not much to gripe about with this game and i really cannot find much fault with it at all. Although the game length is expected with this sort of game it can seem annoying to others for it to be over so fast but with MGS the game is so enjoyable that this isnt a problem. Also hardcore blasters may complain about the puzzle orientated gameplay but if you ask me its far better this way.

i'd give it a 95%

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

This game is a dream come true, whether you liked RE or not!Nov 13, 1999

This game is a few steps ahead of Resident Evil! The camera angles are improved, and perfected. Some will hopefully be used in future RE games! The FMVs are absolutely amazing. They run perfectly, making the game as realistic as humanly possible. The graphics, sound and music are all great! The graphics really push the Playstation to its limit, but keep it to where it still plays without a problem! The storyline branches at points, making it all that much more enjoyable. The story itslef is absolutely great. The way the saving works could have been made better, but it sure beats the heck out of finding ribbons and typewriters. This game is almost flawless, and I reccomend it to anyone who enjoys RE, or just likes being scared. If you hated RE because of the zombies' slowness, then this is the game for you. The dinosaurs are FAST! You'll like RE more after you've beat this game. Contains life-like graphics, very light language, and extensive gore. Rated mauture; 17+

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Please use DDK T disks to unlock title of reviewAug 08, 2003
By Ian
As my first forray into the world of survival horror, I was very curious to see how this game would hold up in this age of Playstation 2s and Halo. I am pleased to say that this is a pretty fun game that has its strenghts and weaknesses.

You play as a secret agent named Regina. Your mission is to infiltrate Ibis island to find a mysterious scientest named Dr. Kirk. Upon landing on the island, it quickly becomes obvious that there is something very wrong with the island. Then it becomes a quest to survive the evil reptillian menace.

Many, many people have complained about how dino crisis should be called puzzle crisis. It is true that there is an unusual amount of puzzles in the game that you must solve to advance. They range from simple (switch the batteries) to the moderatly difficult (move the crates with a crane) to the quite difficult (Rotate electronic chips to divert power). There are also a mamoth amount of keys that you must get (Around 50). There are also DDK locks that you have to dechiper to unlock doors (Hence the title of this review). Most of these puzzles can be solved moderatly easily, if you really think about it. Overall, I'd say that the game is a 50/50 mix of puzzles and dinosaur action.

As for the fighting part of the game, you get a total of three weapons, (Shotgun, handgun, and grenade gun) to exterminate raptors, pteradons, etc. Some people might be turned off at the idea of only 3 weapons, but I dont find it a problem. Combat is handled in the RE control scheme, which works pretty well. As with a lot of survival horror games, you have to be carefull as to how you make your way through with ammo, which is not unlimited (Except in 1 case). Fighting the dinosaurs can be difficult, but mastered. Overall, I'd give the combat a B

There are some things to really like about Dino Crisis. At certian points during the game, you have to make decisions aka "Choose your own adventure" style (Do you investigate the underground area, or go save a comrade?). This adds a nice touch of replay value. The graphics are pretty good (By PS1 standards). The best part of the game however, is the T-rex. The T-rex provides the most exciting elements in the game, and each encounter is a adrenaline charged rush. Likewise, the 4 possible different endings are all very exciting and cool to play through, although there are a few things I am curious about. For example, (Spoiler!!!) how can a T-rex swim 30 miles an hour in water? That dosent make much sense. (End Spoiler)

The weak points of the game are mostly the puzzles. There are a bit too many of them, and not enough dino battles. Also, the devlopers throw puzzles at you when you least suspect it, and when you dont want them. While racing to a heliport for example, a big race against time with tense dramatic music, the game tosses a box pushing puzzle that you have to solve to advance. Another time, you have to solve 2 big puzzles in the span of 10 minnutes, where you have to power an elevator, then move cranes when they are only 3 minnutes apart. Also, the unlockable mini-game you earn if you beat the game in under 5 hours, is dissapointing (At least to me). The element of strategy is unwelcome, I just want to blast dinosaurs, and not worry about ammo, and Why isint the T-rex included?

overall, I think that Dino Crisis is a fun game, and a good start to the world of Survival horror. I recomend picking it up if you find it for uner $$$ .

The good:
good graphics

good dino action
good story
Choose your own adventure style branches
The T-rex
4 cool endings

The not so good:
a bit too many puzzles
some really difficult puzzles
not enough dino action
mediocre mini game (See above)

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Resident Evil anyone?Dec 28, 2001
By Jason Colucci
Let me give it to you really short and sweet! Did you like Resident Evil? Then you will like Dino Crisis; it's Resident Evil with dinosaurs. All Capcom did was change the characters and instead of shooting zombies you get to shoot and kill raptors and other dinosaurs that are trying to eat you.
I myself am a fan of Resident Evil so for the price this is a cool game. The same problems from RE come with Dino Crisis however.... lack of ammo!! Besides this it's a fun game, lots of puzzles to figure out and lots of shoot first ask questions later type of fun.

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