The One


Jurassic Park

Categories: Review: Software
Author: Matt Broughton
Publisher: The Hit Squad
Machine: Amiga 500/600

 
Published in The One #78

Jurassic Park (The Hit Squad)

When Ocean snapped up the rights to the world's biggest and most expensive movie, cynics expected a straightforward platform licence with an obligatory 'driving bit'. Though at the time this assumption may not have been totally unfounded, it could not have turned out to have been further from the truth.

Jurassic Park - the game - is a top-down arcade adventure, with bundles of atmosphere and enough trigger-pumping action to keep even, the most hardened shoot-'em-up fan more than contented.

You know the story... dinosaurs are genetically engineered; dinosaurs get housed on an island; dinosaurs escape from their enclosures; dinosaurs eat fat people etc. etc. Within the game you play the hero of the tale, Dr. Alan Grant, and it's your job to attempt to restore some kind of order to the Park and save the oh-so-cute little kiddies, who quite obviously don't fancy ending up as a Raptor's hors d'oeuvres.

Jurassic Park

This will all come as no surprise if you've seen the film or read the book, and the game follows its plot quite closely. There's the bit in the T-Rex Paddock... There's the bit in the Gallimimus Paddock... There's the bit in the Drainage System... I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Had the game been top-down only, then things would soon become tedious. Thankfully, this is not the case. There are several 3D sections which take place mainly in the bunkers, and these are without a doubt the most exciting of all. Although the window in which the action takes place is small by today's standards, the graphics here are atmospheric and fast. Okay, it's not Alien Breed 3D, but it's nice to see programmers recognising a game's limitations and adding to it in other areas.

Jurassic Park remains an enjoyable romp that will appeal to film and game fans alike. If you fall into either or both categories, then it may be worthwhile checking out.

Matt Broughton

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