DINO CRISIS (PS)
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Publisher: Virgin Interactive.
Developer: Capcom. Released: October 1999 (Europe). Genre: Survival Horror. Other versions: DC; PC. Posted 2nd November 2015. By Tom Clare © 2015 |
To describe Dino Crisis as “Resident Evil with dinosaurs” seems like a gross simplification, and yet, the phrase perfectly encapsulates what made the game such a big deal in 1999. Fans were champing at the bit for another slice of Shinji Mikami magic after the monster success that was Resident Evil 2, and as cinematic adventures continued to pursue new and exciting avenues around the turn of the millennium, the prospect of Capcom replacing the shambling zombie masses with an altogether more ferocious, deadly kind of foe was met with considerable anticipation.
A trio of operatives are sent to a remote island for what starts out as a simple extraction op, before developing into a perilous mission for survival. The team discovers the compound in question is largely bereft of (living) human inhabitants, instead consisting of rather more giant, carnivorous lizards than one would strictly prefer. The basic objective remains the same however: locate the illusive Dr Kirk; get the hell out of there. It's a strong, focused story bolstered by cult, flame-haired heroine Regina, a likeable protagonist who's lent an obdurate sass by Stephanie Morgenstern. Her cohorts, Gael and Rick, spend much of the ordeal at loggerheads and do stray into theatrical waters at times, though by the standards of the time (and indeed the genre), their voicing can be considered passable.
Not content with simply replicating Resident Evil's successful formula, DC makes bold moves to distinguish itself on its own terms. Even relatively minor changes come to have a significant (and usually positive) effect on the overall gameplay, such as the camera. Whilst the cinematic, static angles remain the foundation for the game's appearance, many of the locations have been rendered in 3D, as opposed to the pre-rendered backdrops more common to its genre. As a result, locations look just that bit more tangible, and more like you're actually exploring a 3D space. The introduction of a dynamic camera lends the game an array of new, atmospheric possibilities. Regina's movements are occasionally tracked, like on a dolly, by a camera that's positioned behind a grate or window, as if being stalked by unseen prey. In larger locations, it serves more practical uses, granting a greater sense of manoeuvrability and greatly reducing instances of walking blind, into-the-screen. In other instances, such as a thrilling walkway chase that sees Regina trying to outrun an indomitable T-Rex, the tracking gives the game a cinematic gravitas that was missing from the first couple of Resident Evil's.
"I don't think I was meant to press that. Run away!"
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"SURPRIIIIIIIZZZE!"
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Thanks to these neat new additions, as well as Capcom's well-honed appreciation of crimson blood trails, macabre office spaces, ominous music and formidable enemies, it's a tense survival horror experience. The compound isn't quite as iconic a setting as the mansion and the police station prove to be in the first two Resident Evil's, chiefly because the layout is a little less labyrinthine and there's a little less in the way of visual variety, but it's still a fairly masterful design, and one that lends itself to another enthralling dose of adventuring.
Gameplay is tough but rewarding. Ammo is in extremely short supply, as outside of the occasional designated storage box, there's very little left lying around. The dinosaurs are a significant threat, easily capable of outrunning Regina and big enough to make circling round them tricky, so quick wits and a good sense of direction are necessary. The puzzles are also some of the most elaborate you'll find in any Capcom game. Many locked doors require two seperate keys, as well as the deciphering of a code, in order to unlock them. There's a couple of occasions where you must acquire fingerprints, and then root out personal employee numbers so as to reprogram I.D. cards. And who can forget rearranging storage crates via crane, in order to clear a route? There's plenty to give the old grey matter a work out.
Dino Crisis also introduced aiming on-the-move, whilst the crafting and health systems were also more advanced than earlier Capcom titles. Controls are solid and responsive; you're rendered vulnerable enough that survival will demand full attention, but the system itself never comes across as clumsy. The standard difficulty is undeniably pretty steep, as not only does Regina have dinosaurs to contend with, but the equally deadly threat of death through bleeding. Only certain health kits and hemostats can redress this. Fail to find either, and her health starts to deteriorate rapidly, adding an uncomfortable sense of hurriedness to a genre that's normally best tackled at a steady pace. There's a myriad of ways to protect yourself however; any number of hemostats, resuscitation packs and first-aid kits can be combined with various boosters to create greater potency or numbers. You can even make darts (lethal and tranquillising) which is really cool. They can be super-effective, but in requiring so many resources, you'll need to make each count.
Gameplay is tough but rewarding. Ammo is in extremely short supply, as outside of the occasional designated storage box, there's very little left lying around. The dinosaurs are a significant threat, easily capable of outrunning Regina and big enough to make circling round them tricky, so quick wits and a good sense of direction are necessary. The puzzles are also some of the most elaborate you'll find in any Capcom game. Many locked doors require two seperate keys, as well as the deciphering of a code, in order to unlock them. There's a couple of occasions where you must acquire fingerprints, and then root out personal employee numbers so as to reprogram I.D. cards. And who can forget rearranging storage crates via crane, in order to clear a route? There's plenty to give the old grey matter a work out.
Dino Crisis also introduced aiming on-the-move, whilst the crafting and health systems were also more advanced than earlier Capcom titles. Controls are solid and responsive; you're rendered vulnerable enough that survival will demand full attention, but the system itself never comes across as clumsy. The standard difficulty is undeniably pretty steep, as not only does Regina have dinosaurs to contend with, but the equally deadly threat of death through bleeding. Only certain health kits and hemostats can redress this. Fail to find either, and her health starts to deteriorate rapidly, adding an uncomfortable sense of hurriedness to a genre that's normally best tackled at a steady pace. There's a myriad of ways to protect yourself however; any number of hemostats, resuscitation packs and first-aid kits can be combined with various boosters to create greater potency or numbers. You can even make darts (lethal and tranquillising) which is really cool. They can be super-effective, but in requiring so many resources, you'll need to make each count.
Zombies struggle to open doors, dinos struggle to fit through 'em
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Always awkward when someone tries to turn the morning run into a social
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As alluded to earlier, Dino Crisis looks beautiful. The character models are some of the best on the PlayStation, whilst the blood-splattered corridors and haphazard lab spaces create another highly-detailed, immensely sleek survival horror vision. The militaristic vibe leave environments looking a touch grey here and there, but its supremely sharp. The variety and design of the dinosaurs, right across the board, is a real high point too.
At points during the game, you're given branching paths. In essence, Gael and Rick will suggest courses of action to Regina, the former favouring uncomplicated but dangerous action plans, the latter tending towards safer, but often longer and more cerebral outcomes. Opting for different choices not only affects the immediate gameplay and puzzles you'll encounter, but influences which ending you'll uncover. This means you'll playthroughs, and is a smarter, more creative means of ensuring replay value above and beyond mere galleries and trinkets. That said, there are plenty of fun unlockables to be unearthed as well, with a first completion rewarding the player with a host of new outfits, whilst witnessing all the endings gets you the humorous cave-woman attire complete with eXistenZ-style bone guns.
Dino Crisis is a fine entry amidst Capcom's esteemed lineage. Sticking to the survival horror blueprint whilst adding some smart technical advancements of its own, its a game that exudes quality. Some of the more obscure puzzles threaten to kill the pace at times, and it isn't quite as compelling as its zombie sister-series, due in part to the settings and also some slightly underwhelming weaponry. Nevertheless, if you ever wondered whether “Resident Evil with dinosaurs” was a good idea, then perhaps posing the dumbest questions sometimes results in the best games.
At points during the game, you're given branching paths. In essence, Gael and Rick will suggest courses of action to Regina, the former favouring uncomplicated but dangerous action plans, the latter tending towards safer, but often longer and more cerebral outcomes. Opting for different choices not only affects the immediate gameplay and puzzles you'll encounter, but influences which ending you'll uncover. This means you'll playthroughs, and is a smarter, more creative means of ensuring replay value above and beyond mere galleries and trinkets. That said, there are plenty of fun unlockables to be unearthed as well, with a first completion rewarding the player with a host of new outfits, whilst witnessing all the endings gets you the humorous cave-woman attire complete with eXistenZ-style bone guns.
Dino Crisis is a fine entry amidst Capcom's esteemed lineage. Sticking to the survival horror blueprint whilst adding some smart technical advancements of its own, its a game that exudes quality. Some of the more obscure puzzles threaten to kill the pace at times, and it isn't quite as compelling as its zombie sister-series, due in part to the settings and also some slightly underwhelming weaponry. Nevertheless, if you ever wondered whether “Resident Evil with dinosaurs” was a good idea, then perhaps posing the dumbest questions sometimes results in the best games.
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VERDICT
Visual: 9/10
Audio: 7/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 OVERALL: 8/10 |
PIXEL SECONDS: DINO CRISIS (DC)
With Dino Crisis proving a smash success in 1999, and Capcom porting much of the Resident Evil series to Dreamcast, the new kind of terror would come to SEGA’s system 13 months later. Unfortunately, it would be one of the weaker ports from Capcom, with so few improvements over the PlayStation original that those who exhausted the original will find this one barely worth revisiting. That being said, a lot of the brilliance still shines through. After an undercover agent discovers the resurfacing of the presumed dead Dr. Kirk, as well as his involvement in a scientific weapons project, a military group known as SORT send agents in to retrieve him. But things go south with the presence of dinosaurs. Efficient storytelling overcomes dodgy voice acting, and Regina makes for a likable protagonist. Fans of Resident Evil will be immediately familiar with the unfolding puzzle of Ibis Island, but the game also makes some important tweaks. Fully 3D environments, aspects such as losing your weapon, bleeding, and excellent dinosaur AI come together very well. However, while impressing on PlayStation, the low-res models and animations look far less flattering on the Dreamcast, especially next to the likes of Shenmue. A lack of meaningful additions is disappointing next to other Capcom ports, but for those who had yet to experience panic horror, Dino Crisis’s DC port proved quite serviceable. [7] – Shane Battams © 2022
With Dino Crisis proving a smash success in 1999, and Capcom porting much of the Resident Evil series to Dreamcast, the new kind of terror would come to SEGA’s system 13 months later. Unfortunately, it would be one of the weaker ports from Capcom, with so few improvements over the PlayStation original that those who exhausted the original will find this one barely worth revisiting. That being said, a lot of the brilliance still shines through. After an undercover agent discovers the resurfacing of the presumed dead Dr. Kirk, as well as his involvement in a scientific weapons project, a military group known as SORT send agents in to retrieve him. But things go south with the presence of dinosaurs. Efficient storytelling overcomes dodgy voice acting, and Regina makes for a likable protagonist. Fans of Resident Evil will be immediately familiar with the unfolding puzzle of Ibis Island, but the game also makes some important tweaks. Fully 3D environments, aspects such as losing your weapon, bleeding, and excellent dinosaur AI come together very well. However, while impressing on PlayStation, the low-res models and animations look far less flattering on the Dreamcast, especially next to the likes of Shenmue. A lack of meaningful additions is disappointing next to other Capcom ports, but for those who had yet to experience panic horror, Dino Crisis’s DC port proved quite serviceable. [7] – Shane Battams © 2022