“This isn’t a joke, you idiot! We were just attacked by a big-ass lizard!”
Dino Crisis was one of the games I picked up after absolutely crushing it in Resident Evil. Take the survival elements of Resident Evil and add T-Rex into the mix and not a lot could go wrong. For years fans have been hoping for a remake of this classic PlayStation title from 1999, and… well… we may have to just wait a little longer. With Capcom focusing on remakes of its Resident Evil franchise, it’s hard not to wonder why Dino Crisis hasn’t received the same treatment. Resident Evil is a huge franchise, with blockbuster movie spin-offs and a Netflix TV series released in 2022. Perhaps zombies are more popular than dinosaurs – who knew?
While Capcom remains silent on the prospect of a Dino Crisis remake, some fans have taken matters into their own hands. Enter Stefano Cagnani, an independent developer, and one of those dedicated fans who couldn’t wait any longer. Stefano has created Dino Crisis Rebirth, a fan-made PC remake that reimagines the original game for modern audiences. While not a full remake, this project brings the tension and atmosphere of the original to life in a fresh and updated way. Stefano’s effort to capture the terror of Dino Crisis in a modern format is impressive, especially given the challenges of developing such an ambitious project without a full team.
Released on the original PlayStation in 1999, Dino Crisis was a survival horror classic, set in a high-security island facility overrun by deadly dinosaurs. Directed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, the game showcased Capcom’s expertise in crafting high-stakes action where every bullet counted and danger lurked in every shadow. While the Resident Evil series has enjoyed multiple remakes and re-releases, Dino Crisis has been largely forgotten. The last new game in the series, Dino Crisis 3, came out in 2003 to mixed reviews, leaving fans without much hope for a revival.
But perhaps an official remake of Dino Crisis isn’t as far-fetched as it, at first glance, seems. The original version of the game has been released exclusively to PlayStation Plus customers this month (October 2024) and some (hopeful/deluded) fans may see this as Capcom testing the waters for the potential for a full scale remake. This marks the first time in years that the game will be readily available on modern consoles, offering a new generation of players the opportunity to experience its tense survival horror gameplay. Capcom have already seen the original Resident Evil remakes well received by fans. Working on the assumption that a Dino Crisis remake would use the same engine as its Resident Evil counterpart, perhaps people are more hopeful than deluded? Time will tell.
Whilst we wait, hopefully, for an official announcement of a Dino Crisis remake which may never come, there are a couple of new games which may scratch the itch.
Jurassic Park: Survival
Jurassic Park: Survival, a single-player action-adventure game that returns players to Isla Nublar. Set the day after the events of the 1993 Jurassic Park film, players take on the role of Dr. Maya Joshi, an InGen scientist who must navigate the dangerous island, filled with reactive wildlife and dinosaurs with distinct behaviors. The game promises to blend exploration, stealth, and puzzle-solving in a fully realized version of Isla Nublar, bringing Jurassic Park to life like never before. Jurassic Park: Survival can be wishlisted on Steam.
Paleophage
Another promising title is Paleophage, an indie survival horror game developed by Logan Chitwood. Set to release on Steam, Paleophage offers an intense over-the-shoulder third-person experience where players must survive encounters with a range of prehistoric creatures. What sets Paleophage apart is its focus on environmental storytelling and puzzle-solving, in addition to its action-packed gameplay. While Paleophage isn’t a direct Dino Crisis clone, it taps into the same survival horror spirit, offering a fresh take on the genre for those eager for a dinosaur-based horror experience.
Despite an official Dino Crisis remake being something we can only dream about currently, the fact that Capcom have given us a PlayStation Plus release is a source of some comfort. Coupled with fan-projects and exciting new releases on the horizon, there is hope of a remake at some point. I’d love to see it. It would be a sure-fire entry on my list of Games to Play.
I really must start that list.