Summary
After the massive success ofJurassic Parkin 1992, filmmakers, comic book artists, writers, and video game developers were all racing to capitalize on the growing trend. Still at the height of popularity after its most recent hitResident Evil, Capcom decided to tap into the dinosaur craze.Dino Crisisbecame Capcom’s answer to the interest in prehistoric action/terror, while also serving as a new entry in the “Resident Evilstyle” survival horror genre. Spearheaded byResident Evilcreator Shinji Mikami,Dino Crisiswas set up to be a new classic Capcom franchise.
The generation who grew up watchingJurassic Parkand playingDino Crisisas well as a new younger generation both seem to have an interest in dinosaur media. Whether fueled by nostalgia or a belief in the viability ofdinosaur horror/action, several indie developers, including those behindInstinction, have been working to revive this seemingly lost subgenre and could perhaps inspire Capcom to do the same.
How Indie Games Can Help Bring Back Dino Crisis
The Role Of Instinction And Other New Dinosaur Games
Dino Crisisspawned a successful sequel, a light gun spin-off, and eventually a loosely related third game. As time passed, the franchise entered more of a cult classic status as the mainstream interest in dinosaurs waned. However, after many years, dinosaurs have slowly begun to make a comeback. Though dinosaur games are still very niche, movie franchises likeJurassic Worldhave done well to bring the concept of dinosaurs into popularity once again.
Over the past several years, a multitude of independent developers have announced spiritual successors to the tone andatmosphere ofDino Crisis. Though each of these games offers something unique, they are almost all first-person survival horror/ shooters. These games include:
Aside fromFossilfuel, theseDino Crisis-inspired gameshave not yet been released. They are all available to wishlist on Steam and generally feature images and trailers, but no definitive release date. The success or failure of these games can determine the viability of dinosaur survival horror moving forward. But there is no denying that the interest in this type of game is still there, and major developers are starting to take notice.
How Capcom is Setting a Stage for Dino Crisis
The sheer number of clever dinosaur survival horror games going into development from passionate indie studios along with the outcry of a niche but vocal community have started to get through to major developers. Universal Games and Saber Interactive’sJurassic Park: Survivalfollows the lead of these indie dinosaur games but with the backing of a much larger company. Capturing a similar style of gameplay and aesthetic as the indie games but tied to a major brand,Jurassic Park: Survivalis the bridge between games likeInstinctionandDino Crisis.
Universal had likely seen the growing trend of dinosaur survival horror games and wanted to raise the bar. Now that a franchise as massive asJurassic Parkis returning to this style of game, it is much more likely that Capcom will see the potential of a new or remadeDino Crisis. In arecent Capcom voting poll, the studio gauged fan’s interest in returning to theDino Crisisfranchise, showing that a remake or sequel is at least on the developer’s radar. The trend has been growing, and thanks to games likeInstinction, a newDino Crisiscould be possible in the future.
