Dino Crisis (1999)

The game delivers intense tension with limited resources, atmospheric sound design, with a good balance between graphical and psychological horror, and smart enemy AI that makes dinosaurs more unpredictable than typical horror foes. Its real-time 3D environments (unlike Resident Evil’s pre-rendered backgrounds) were groundbreaking for the time and enhanced immersion. While the puzzles (some are very hard) and backtracking may feel dated now, the game remains a unique, action-packed survival horror experience. It’s a must-play for fans of classic PS1 horror games.

Another highlight is Regina as a protagonist, unlike many survival horror leads of the era, she feels competent and proactive rather than helpless. Her design is memorable without overshadowing her role as a skilled special operations agent, and the supporting cast adds tension through conflicting decisions and mounting desperation. The story, while straightforward, keeps the pacing tight and the stakes consistently high.

The OST and sound effects deserve special mention, the unsettling ambient tracks and the sudden, piercing dinosaur cries create a constant sense of danger. Footsteps echoing in metallic corridors and the distant roar of a T-Rex can instantly puts you on edge. Combined with dynamic camera movement in fully 3D environments, the audio design amplifies the fear factor in ways that still hold up today.

Even for today's standards, this title stands apart from other survival horror titles of its generation. By blending sci-fi elements with primal terror, it carved out its own identity instead of simply imitating zombie-based horror trends. Though some mechanics show their age, its atmosphere, challenge, and originality ensure it remains a memorable and influential classic in the PlayStation library.

This was my second attempt at beating Dino Crisis. The first time I almost immediately quit playing due to the drab, unimaginative set design and confusing gameplay mechanics. But once GOG did a full porting of both DC 1 and 2, I decided to give it another shot - this time it won me over.

There’s lots of reasons to dislike this game. Besides the dull gray corporate atmosphere, the wonky combat is incredible off-putting. It’s never a fair strategic fight, your options are to run away (works 50% of the time) or get in a standoff and quickly heal from unavoidable attacks. It feels very clunky, and the dinosaurs are just so boring compared to the zombie designs of Resident Evil.

And it is just a Resident Evil reskin. Capcom for whatever reason, possibly due to the success of Jurassic Park, deciding to make these games. But despite all this, I managed to have a pretty good time.

Where I think the game shines is in its puzzle design and exploration. The puzzles here are often quite challenging, and you have to use your brain to navigate the building and slowly make your way forward. There’s a ton of logic puzzles - standalone mini game type puzzles that weren’t present in Resident Evil. This aspect alone made the game completely worth playing for me.

So yeah, a bit of a mixed bag. While I found the enemies and set a complete bore and the combat annoying, the main gameplay loop of exploration and puzzle solving is really good. I do recommend checking this out on a GOG sale if you never played it.

1. Little to no musical score
2. All sci-fi and no HORROR
3. Unnecessary code sequences for puzzles that just waste your time
4. 3 enemy types throughout the whole game and by the end you just tranquilize them
5. Literally NOT one SINGLE BOSS FIGHT IN THE ENTIRE GAME. The last boss is an "on rails segment" where you shoot 4 grenades and GAME OVER.
6. Shortest damn FMV ending sequence in Capcom history

For THE ONLY title to be PRODUCED and DIRECTED by Shinji Mikami I was expected a lot more given it's reputation. It's gameplay is still behind RE1/2/3 hell even 0 is better than this! In DIRE need of a modern remake!

6.7/10

PROS

• Awesome premise for a survival/horror game
• Inventory management is a satisfying step up in complexity from RE
• Lots of options for how to navigate the environment and deal with the dinos
• Scenario design allows for an impressive amount of player choice
• Some enemy encounters are guaranteed to make your palms sweaty
• Genuinely challenges the player to pay attention to their environment, read every document, and take notes

CONS

• Poor script and VA
• Button-mashing "Danger" sequences are kinda stupid
• Feels a bit low-budget in a few places
• Game length is padded by tons of back-tracking and repetitive keycard puzzles