Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Jurassic: The Hunted delivers a classic first-person shooter experience that centers on high-octane dinosaur combat and exploration. You take on the role of Craig Dylan, an expert in weapons and survival, whose plane crashes on a mysterious island after investigating a decades-old S.O.S. signal. From the outset, the game throws you into dense jungles and volcanic caverns where you must juggle limited ammo, environmental hazards, and relentless prehistoric predators.

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The game’s signature Adrenaline Burst mechanic adds strategic depth to the run-and-gun formula. Activating this ability slows time and highlights weak points on dinosaurs, offering a gratifying moment of carnage that distinguishes it from other shooters of its era. Learning when to deploy Adrenaline Burst—whether to take out a pack of raptors or to finish off a lumbering T. rex—creates tense decisions that keep encounters fresh and rewarding.

Weapon variety further enriches the gameplay loop. You’ll cycle through everything from a Civil War–era rifle to crossbows with explosive arrows, and even a futuristic plasma rifle. Stationary turrets punctuate key choke points, providing temporary firepower surges against swarms of smaller dinos. The inclusion of a “Survivor Mode,” pitting you against endless waves of increasingly aggressive enemies, adds replay value long after the twelve-story levels are mastered.

Graphics

Visually, Jurassic: The Hunted strikes a balance between realism and pulpy adventure. The dense jungle foliage feels claustrophobic, with shafts of light filtering through thick canopies, while volcanic regions glow ominously against darkened skies. The game’s color palette and weather effects, from sudden downpours to swirling mist around energy portals, contribute to a consistently immersive atmosphere.

Dinosaur models are a highlight: each species—from the sleek velociraptor to the winged pterosaur—boasts distinct animations and behaviors. The way a triceratops charges or a T. rex shakes the ground with each step underscores the game’s ambition to make you feel truly outmatched. While up-close textures may seem dated by modern standards, the sheer scale and motion of these creatures remain impressive.

Environmental details help sell the illusion of an island lost in time. Crumbling fortifications hint at past expeditions, and scattered research outposts evoke a sense of history. Occasional frame-rate dips occur in the busiest moments, but optimization on most platforms maintains a steady performance that seldom detracts from the visual spectacle.

Story

The narrative hook of Jurassic: The Hunted revolves around an expedition that vanished in the Bermuda Triangle in 1983, only to resurface three decades later via a mysterious distress call. As Craig Dylan, you’re thrust into a rescue mission that quickly devolves into a fight for survival when energy portals transport you to a dinosaur-infested island. The setup is straightforward but effective for grounding the action in a tangible sense of purpose.

Characterization remains minimal, with Dylan serving primarily as a silent protagonist for whom you project your own urgency and grit. Occasional radio transmissions from fellow team members add texture, but the focus stays squarely on the environmental storytelling and the emergent drama of life-or-death encounters. It’s a tale told more through atmosphere than elaborate dialogue.

Plot progression follows a familiar beat: clear an area of predators, locate fragments of a powerful weapon, then unlock the next portal. While the story doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it maintains momentum through varied settings—from dense jungle canopies to hidden caverns—and the looming threat of volcanic activity. Enthusiasts of straightforward, action-driven narratives will find it suitably engaging.

Overall Experience

Jurassic: The Hunted stands out as a solid action shooter that merges explosive firefights with the thrill of prehistoric survival. Its best moments come when adrenaline-fueled slow-motion clashes escalate into cinematic set pieces against some of gaming’s most iconic creatures. The blend of weapon diversity, Adrenaline Burst tactics, and environmental traps ensures that each level feels distinct and challenging.

Despite a few technical hiccups and a storyline that favors action over depth, the game sustains a compelling atmosphere throughout its dozen main levels and extended Survivor Mode. Exploration and item scavenging add a light metroidvania element, encouraging players to revisit earlier areas once they’ve unlocked new gear. This design choice extends playtime and makes mastery feel rewarding.

For fans of dinosaur-themed action or classic shooters, Jurassic: The Hunted offers an entertaining romp through lush jungles, volcanic ridges, and ancient ruins. It may not boast a revolutionary narrative, but its mix of tense encounters, varied armaments, and immersive setting make it a worthy adventure for anyone craving a taste of prehistoric pandemonium.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10