Is there anything better than a zoo builder? Yes. A dinosaur zoo builder.
With the recent release of Jurassic World Evolution 2, a game I’m very much looking forward to getting as soon as I am not in the clutches of light poverty. I thought I’d go back to a game that defined my childhood. Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis for the mighty PlayStation 2.
There’s nothing more a child of 8 years old needs than to create a park full of dinosaurs, using those easy to find cheat codes to avoid any of the actual business strategy involved of course. Tame those dinosaurs with a PlayStation 2 controller and you’ve got hours of wasted time before your dad turns off the electricity.
Going back to it now, it actually holds up quite well. The graphics are obviously nothing compared to the new generation, but there’s something about a considerably well designed T-rex spurting out square drops of blood over the almost faceless block-headed guests.
The dinosaur’s had clearly been given the budget in the design department, and rightly so, but the other aspects are laking.
Overall though I’d say graphics were pretty decent, as were the build mechanics.
Aside from everything working on 90° angles only, it all worked well, buildings did what they were supposed to and guests interacted as well as they do with modern games, so essentially they’d complain they hadn’t seen any dinosaurs just after seeing a Spinosaurs go to town on an unsuspecting Parasoroluphus and devour his corpse. Food and drink gave guests a choice of 3 meals that they always complained about and left them running for the restrooms, and obviously you charge them extortionate amounts to use because, well, fuck em. We’re here for dinosaurs not people, people suck.
The game has mission modes that were fun yet challenging, the main building mode – operation genesis, scenario modes where you get to recreate the original Jurassic park in one of them and lastly site B, a free for all.
All of these were great modes to play, scenarios were always my jam, though I don’t think I ever finished them all without cheats. There was, however, one thing I always thought could be improved. Only giving me access to 3 dig sites meant that I could never get all those big boy Dino’s in one park which always left me wishing they’d make a new one with every possible Dino in.
I spent many hours of my youth on this game and even replaying it now, it really holds up. The graphics are hit and miss, the Dino’s are still pretty great, mainly though it’s just pure tasty gaming.
9/10 from me, for that nostalgia gives it a bonus point.
Review by MoonHead
Playstation 2
Release Date: March 28th 2003
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