The original Jurassic Park film was the first movie I remember going to see with my dad. And for as long as I live, I will never forget leaving that theater thinking I’d never see a scene that captured the feeling of a tyrannosaurus rex eating a man off a toilet ever again.
Over thirty years later, that still hasn’t happened.
In the meantime, I’ve consumed a huge amount of content related to this franchise. One of the best ways to experience the world of Jurassic Park is through the video games.
Chief among them were the ones that let me live out my fantasy of operating an actual dino theme park. For the past seven years, Frontier Developments have been absolutely crushing that concept with the Jurassic World Evolution series.
This franchise has been getting better with each new entry, and Jurassic World Evolution 3 continues that trend. It’s Frontier’s most complete effort to date, introducing key new features that I’ve begged for since the first game.
If you’ve been a fan of this series in the past, then this latest version is going to be everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Frontier has outdone themselves in every possible way, crafting the ultimate dino park simulator.
The Peak Of Dino Park Simulators
Tycoon management games are one of the most prevalent styles of game out there today. And there may not be a more obvious fit for the genre than the world of Jurassic Park.
Every ’90s kid has grown up wanting to run their own dinosaur park, and even dating back to OG classics like Operation Genesis, this mash-up has produced some spectacular games.
The ferocious conflict between humans and dinosaurs from the films has produced some awesome action titles, but the best games based on the IP have always been the park management sims.
In my roughly 50 hours so far with Jurassic World Evolution 3, I’ve come away a very, very happy camper.
The slower, more methodical pace of that genre is in sharp contrast to the high energy of the films, but I think that’s always been the strength of the concept.
I played the first game for 400 hours, and put an additional 500 into the sequel. In my roughly 50 hours so far with Jurassic World Evolution 3, I’ve come away a very, very happy camper.
Everything I’ve wanted and pleaded for since 2018 has been addressed. New mechanics like breeding make dinosaurs feel more important, as the first two games left them feeling a bit sterile in that regard.
The path from expedition to fossil recovery, then synthesizing dinosaurs and breeding them, feels far smoother than previous entries. The whole process is just much more fun and engaging, as the first two games left dinosaurs feeling like soulless clones of each other.
In The Hands Of Engineers
There are a few ways to engage with Jurassic World Evolution 3. Each of them offers their own unique way to play the game, though one is infinitely more interesting than the others.
With the campaign, you have an adventure that aims to capture the cinematic nature of the films. This story mode is packed to the brim with voice acting and some pretty interesting cutscenes.
The issue is how lackluster a majority of the campaign feels.
You hop from one site to the other in rather quick succession, but also find yourself going back to locations for more story.
Any game that has Jeff Goldblum being his usual charming self is worth playing, delivering his trademark philosophical musings on the dangers of what humanity is doing. It’s all good stuff.
The issue is how lackluster a majority of the campaign feels. Jeff Goldblum may be fantastic, but even he’s not enough to save it.
Granted, campaign modes for this style of game tend to always be that way, focused more on getting you familiar with the game. But even so, it would be nice if it was more interesting.
The real meat of these games has always been the challenge and sandbox modes. This is where the game really, genuinely comes to life.
A Tale Of Two Game Modes
Both Challenge and Sandbox mode offer two different ways to play. They are where you’re likely to spend most of your time with Jurassic World Evolution 3.
Sandbox offers complete, unlimited freedom. You have a never-ending pot of money and the ability to create the ultimate dinosaur park of your wildest imaginations.
You also have a pretty wide range of different locations you can put your park in. Being the 1990s obsessive that I am, my first instinct was to place my park in Isla Nublar from the first film.
That said, you can also go to locations from nearly every film in the franchise. One thing I’ve always appreciated about this series was how much genuine care Frontier has for the IP, and it always shows in situations like this.
It’s also so fantastic being able to take control of the various jeeps and ground units, as well. It makes the entire game feel more intimate and honest, with being able to go all the way to ground level adding so much depth.
Challenge mode, on the other hand, is built around exactly what it says on the tin. The game gives you a series of challenges across the islands and sites, rewarding you with dino statues for your park in the other modes.
It can be quite fun, but it does begin to feel a little stale the deeper you get in. Not only that, you already have everything you need to run a full-feature park in sandbox mode from the jump, so it’s not really that compelling.
At the end of the day, the modes are interesting for their variety, but the real star of the show is the sandbox mode. You can really dig into what makes these games so much fun, and this version of it is easily the best that Frontier has ever made.
It’s All In The Atmosphere
Music and atmosphere have been a key part of the Jurassic Park film franchise ever since its inception. The music by John Williams and fear mixed with hope has defined the feeling of Jurassic Park from the beginning.
That sense of still, quiet calm is a big part of what makes these games so good. The gentle music, distant roar of dinosaurs, and park chatter all work together brilliantly.
Like the other games in this series, I often find myself slipping into a zen-like state of content happiness. Every once in a while, a piece of music from the films comes roaring in, and I feel a blast of nostalgic charm.
That sense of still, quiet calm is a big part of what makes these games so good.
It also pays homage to the entirety of the franchise, and allows for cosmetic customization. If you’re a fan of the classic films, you can plaster old-school branding everywhere, even on the more modern enclosures from the current films.
If you’ve ever enjoyed the Jurassic Park franchise at any level, this is one that you simply cannot skip.
Closing Comments:
Jurassic World Evolution 3 is without a doubt the absolute best dino park management game that has ever been made. Any of the issues or complaints I had from the first two games have either been improved on or completely eradicated. The campaign and challenge modes are worth checking out, but you’ll find yourself absolutely absorbed by building and maintaining your park in the sandbox mode. It’s a magnificent blend of nostalgia and contemporary game design, and is well worth dumping hours of your life into.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
