Okay, let’s talk about dinosaurs.
Everyone, literally EVERYONE, loves dinosaurs. That’s a fact. And if by chance you don’t like them, well, you’re lying; you and I both know you do like them, so let’s start off on the right foot and put the lies aside.
Alright, seriously now, it’s true that dinosaur games have become a trend over the last few years, specifically since the 90s, partly driven by film productions that have only increased our cravings to star in one of those Jurassic Park-type stories, or even, when talking about games, the super popular ARK: Survival Evolved, or even the very Dino Crisis itself. Well, you should know, my dear gamer, that you’re in luck, because very soon, starting in these months and extending to 2025, some of the best titles in the history of video games will be coming your way. Would you like to know which ones? Then keep reading…
ARK 2
Yes, we all know that ARK: Survival Evolved has hit the mark in many aspects for many years. We’re talking about one of the most successful multiplayer survival games of recent times, hugely influential in the media, and even more so in the context we’re discussing in this article. The large community of players and followers of this game is simply massive, and they are currently ready to celebrate the upcoming arrival of its very ambitious sequel, ARK 2, with which Studio Wildcard intends to raise the bar even higher for the genre. This game will star Vin Diesel, the acclaimed actor from multiple film productions, including his role as the charismatic Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious saga. The sequel promises to improve many aspects of the original game, including, to mention just one, adding parkour movements that will allow players to climb, slide, and swing agilely through the environments, also providing a more fluid and dynamic hand-to-hand combat. And, as it should be, the stars of the show, the dinosaurs, will also see significant upgrades, now smarter than ever, with more complex and varied behaviors, and looking much more impressive and spectacular than before thanks to Unreal Engine 5.
According to sources, we can expect its release by the end of this 2024.
The Lost Wild
Published by Annapurna Interactive, the indie game publisher that usually has a keen eye for the projects it chooses to support and finance, The Lost Wild aims to be a first-person terror and survival adventure, created by indie studio Great Ape Games, set in a jungle teeming with fierce dinosaurs from which players will have to escape using their wits, appreciated stealth, and without weapons, reminiscent of the Amnesia saga, but able to use distractions, or sometimes deceive them to feel intimidated, having different tools available to achieve their goal. Another of its strong points, they claim, is its carefully crafted narrative, inspired by games like Half-Life and Firewatch.
Although there is no specific release date confirmed, we can expect its debut at some point in this 2024.
Instinction
Instinction is an action adventure developed and published by Hashbane Interactive. A science fiction story that takes the player back to prehistoric times, to the Yucatan jungle, where they must explore a spectacular open world in search of resources, just as they would in a survival game, but having to interact with a strange lost tribe, and above all, having to face more than 30 different types of dinosaurs, which have been recreated with great detail. The title features exploration, stealth, ranged and hand-to-hand combat, puzzle-solving, and even the use of supernatural abilities, which often give the player an advantage over the dinosaurs.
According to information published by Hashbane Interactive, Instinction will see the light by the end of 2025.
Some other titles in the genre that make up this list are:
- Goner: a survival adventure developed by Loco Players Game Studio, product of a Kickstarter funding campaign. Set on a mysterious and prehistoric island plagued with dinosaurs, and to top it off, a super advanced AI. Its arrival is expected at some point in this 2024.
- Compound Fracture: perhaps the most original on this list, as we’re talking about a first-person shooter with a retro look, which we might call “3D pixel art“, reminiscent of the early Dino Crisis games we could play on the first PlayStation. We’re talking about an action-packed game, perhaps more similar to Dino Crisis 2, which left behind the “survival horror” for a more dynamic approach. We also expect its launch at some point in this 2024.
- Deathground: another survival adventure with dinosaurs, and elements of terror akin to Alien: Isolation, where there will even be a radar to detect enemies. As a novelty to this mix of genres, it can be played both solo and in cooperative mode, up to 3 players together. It will feature a class system with unique traits, and very realistic graphics, thanks to UE5. It will also arrive during this 2024.
- Son and Bone: an original proposal in which the player controls a sheriff from the Wild West, who for some strange reason finds himself transported to another world, invaded by prehistoric creatures. Developed by Teamkill, creators of Quantum Error, this intense first-person shooter, which reminds us a lot of Turok, will arrive on PS5 also during this 2024.
- Dinolords: the “different” one on the list, presents a real-time strategy game set in the Middle Ages. Yes, it’s not about terror or survival, let alone a shooter. It’s an RTS with resource management and medieval city building, in which we can have intense battles using and facing hordes of fearsome dinosaurs. A concept undoubtedly fun and original, which will arrive in early access this same 2024.
JURASSIC PARK: SURVIVAL
Well yes, I’ve chosen to save my personal favorite from this list for last. Announced just recently, in December last year, during The Game Awards by Saber Interactive, this title alerted every single one of my neurons. No gameplay has been released yet, though according to certain leaked information, many assure that it will have many similarities with Alien: Isolation. The proposal is a terror and survival adventure in the style of “survival horror“, in which we will be able to explore Isla Nublar, the setting of the first Jurassic Park movie!! Yes, obviously I’m a fan of the saga, mainly the first installments, so the mere idea of being able to virtually visit those iconic settings excited me greatly. According to the information, the action will take place just a few days after the end of the first film, allowing us to control Dr. Maya Joshi, a scientist from InGen who didn’t manage to leave the island in time. We will rely on stealth, and other strategies that do not include any direct combat to survive, and not end up in the stomach of any of the terrible inhabitants of the island that will stalk us throughout the adventure.
I’ve only been able to appreciate a presentation cinematic, but it was enough to place this title very high on my wishlist. Its arrival is also expected soon, at some point in this 2024. I hope so, because I have no nails left to bite.
And now it’s your turn, gamer. Which of these titles catches your attention the most? Besides Jurassic Park: Survival, obviously, haha… Go ahead, share in the comments which one, or which ones are your favorites, and you know, we’ll be reading! 🙂
