Another PC port of an ageing PlayStation title to emerge from the Capcom vault this week, Dino Crisis delivers, as you would expect, a faithful conversion with some much appreciated tarted up graphics.

One year has passed since Regina's fight for survival against prehistoric dinosaurs and the capture of the rogue Dr. Kirk in the first of Capcom's Jurassic Park-style survival horror games. Third Energy research continued recklessly. Another "accident" was imminent. Suddenly, Edward City ... more >>

Another PC port of an ageing PlayStation title to emerge from the Capcom vault this week, Dino Crisis delivers, as you would expect, a faithful conversion with some much appreciated tarted up graphics.

One year has passed since Regina's fight for survival against prehistoric dinosaurs and the capture of the rogue Dr. Kirk in the first of Capcom's Jurassic Park-style survival horror games. Third Energy research continued recklessly. Another "accident" was imminent. Suddenly, Edward City, an entire town devoted to Third Energy research completely vanished, mysteriously replaced by prehistoric jungle. Now, a search and rescue to recover survivors and locate the missing research data begins. Armed with heavy artillery, only Regina has any idea of what to expect when the team arrives... pure terror.

As with the original PlayStation game, a number of changes have been made for this sequel. The most significant change in direction for the series is the surprising transition from 3D to 2D. Where the first game was played in 3D, the second consists of static pre-rendered backdrops, a la Resident Evil. Players of the original will also notice a change in gameplay. Dino Crisis 2 is evidently more combat-based than its predecessor, placing an emphasis on more on-screen action, as opposed to the genre's trademark puzzle solving. You will also be scored in certain sections of the game on your killing abilities. Finally, you are now able to take control of two characters, giving DC2 a greater sense of longevity.

With a sub-£13 price tag, Dino Crisis 2 quite easily falls into the 'impulse buy' category, which is great because the game was decent enough when originally released - now it also looks good.
<< less