Dino Crisis (PS)

You play as Regina, a member of a four-person team sent to retrieve an expatriate scientist. Your radio man became a midnight snack for the T rex, so it's up to you and your two remaining team mates to explore a dino-infested research station, rescue the scientist, call for a helicopter retrieval and escape with your lives. Along the way you'll uncover the grizzly remains of those who got in the dinosaurs' way, and you'll unravel the mystery of how a top-secret energy research project turned into a Jurassic nightmare.

And about those dinosaurs: they're all over the island. One instant you'll be walking along a second-story balcony admiring the view, the next instant you'll be dodging a T rex as it smashes his huge maw through the concrete walls. Velociraptors chase you down blood-spattered corridors, flying reptiles circle the outdoor areas, and your only weapons are your pistol, whatever else you can salvage, a dwindling supply of ammunition and your wits.

Packed with clever puzzles and heart-pounding surprises, all superbly presented with realistic graphics and horror-movie camera angles, Dino Crisis is a triumph of survival-horror gaming. --Mike Fehlauer

Pros:
• Great sound effects and music
• Well-integrated, varied and clever puzzles
• Awe-inspiring, terrifying dinosaurs
• Branching story line improves replay value

Cons:
• Doors impervious to explosives

THE GRAPHICS ARE BETTER THAN RESIE'S USING POLYGONS INSTEAD OF PRE-RENDERED BACKGROUNDS AND THE DINOS LOOK FRIGHTENINGLY REALISTIC. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ACTUALLY MOTION CAPTURD SOME OF THEM.

THE PUZZLES ARE VERY GOOD, INTUITIVE AND INVENTIVE AND FIT INTO THE STORY WELL.

THE BOSS BATTLES IN THE GAME ARE TENSE AND THROUGHOUT THE GAME THE FEAR OF BEING TAKEN DOWN IN ONE BITE LEADS TO MOST FIGHTS BEING AVOIDED AND HEIGHTENS THE TENSION GREATLY. THIS IS THE GAME'S MAIN PLUS POINT WHEREAS RESIE RELIES ON A HEAVY TRIGGER FINGER DC MAKES THE PLAYER THINK OF OTHER WAYS AROUND.

THE MAIN CRITICISM WITH THE GAME IS THE RATHER PUNY WEAPONS, THE PISTOL FOR EXAMPLE IS MORE LIKE A C(R)AP GUN AND DOESNT SEEM TO DO MUCH DAMAGE AT ALL. THE SHOTGUN IS USELESS FOR KILLING BUT WITH TRANQUILISERS IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE. ITS THIS LACK OF SERIOUS FIREPOWER THAT WILL TURN A LOT OF PEOPLE AWAY, AS NONE OF THE ARMORY REALLY PACKS AS MUCH PUNCH AS A GATLING GUN IN RESIE OR THE RIFLE IN SILENT HILL BUT DONT LET THIS AFFECT YOU, OR YOU'LL MISS OUT ON THE 2ND BEST SH GAME ON PSX.

GET IT BOUGHT!


Dino crisis   October 17, 2000
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is the best game ever it's really scary and the way the dinosurs get you without nowing is terrifing and the music is really scary if you think you are going to buy this game buy it it is way beyyer than the lost world which i liked a lot and this is better so this game is awesome! I can't wait for dino crisis 2 it looks better!


Superior Thrills and Chills   August 8, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Although a devoted fan of the RE series I actually think this game beats them all hands down. The voice characterisations are better than usual, the storyline and setting, though derivative, work really well along with lashings of atmosphere enhanced by sound effects of creepy nocturnal jungle sounds and the waves crashing against the islands perimeter. The scare tactics can result in a dropped controller in places and the craftier 'saurs follow you from room to room through certain sections of the game. All in all an essential investment. Oh, and that opening cinematic! Buy this game!