Ludography
69/100
Players115 ratings
74/100
Critics13 reviews
More scores
Metacritic61 critic reviews
69/100
Metacritic usersuser score
73/100
GameFAQsEasy-Just Right
3.71/5
Player reviews
87% positive48,364 reviews
Steam Deck
Verified
Runs on
Windows
Price
US$44.99

Where to get it

Jurassic World Evolution cover

2018 · Frontier Developments · Business simulation · Simulation

Jurassic World Evolution

Take charge of operations on the legendary islands of the Muertes archipelago and bring the wonder, majesty and danger of dinosaurs to life. Build for Science, Entertainment or Security interests in an uncertain world where life always finds a way.

Released
12 June 2018
Platforms
Nintendo SwitchPlayStation 4WindowsXbox One
Genres
Business simulationSimulationStrategy
Developers
Frontier Developments
Publishers
Frontier Developments
Series
Jurassic Park
Modes
Single-player
Perspective
Bird view / Isometric
Themes
ActionScience fiction
Engine
Cobra Engine
Country
United Kingdom
Age ratings
CLASS_IND 14CERO BACB MPEGI 16USK 12ESRB TGRAC 12+
Languages
Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, English (UK), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Mexico) and 1 more
Copies sold
4 million as of 2021
Entry
#1 in Jurassic Park
Time to beat
25hmain story70hcompletionist

About

Jurassic World Evolution is a construction and management simulation video game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Based on the 2015 film Jurassic World, the game was released in June 2018, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch port of the game was released in November 2020. In the game, players construct a dinosaur park on Las Cinco Muertes Archipelago, a group of five islands also known as the "Five Deaths".

The game features more than 40 types of dinosaurs; their genes can be modified to introduce new features. Players are given contracts to fulfill by three divisions, Science, Security and Entertainment, allowing them to progress. A sandbox mode set on Isla Nublar, the setting of the first and fourth films, can be unlocked. It can also be used from the main menu without having to be unlocked.

›Story

Set within the world of the Jurassic World films, the game places the player in command of an ambitious dinosaur theme park operation spread across the five tropical islands of the Las Cinco Muertes Archipelago. Starting from the ground up, the player must construct attractions and research facilities, dispatch paleontologists to fossil dig sites to recover ancient DNA, and use that genetic material to sequence, breed, and even genetically modify living dinosaurs. Bringing these prehistoric creatures back to life is only half the challenge, however. The player must satisfy three competing divisions, Entertainment, Security, and Science, each vying for influence and offering contracts that shape the park's direction. Balancing awe-inspiring spectacle against the ever-present danger of powerful, unpredictable animals, the player strives to build a thriving five-star park while keeping catastrophe at bay.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Jurassic World Evolution is a business simulation game that allows the player to construct a Jurassic World dinosaur theme park with attractions and research facilities. Players must build an Expedition Center, which sends paleontologists to fossil dig sites to obtain dinosaurs' DNA material. DNA sequencing, which can be done in the Fossil Center unlocks new dinosaurs and updates their statistics, such as lifespan and resilience. With enough DNA content, players can use the Hammond Creation Lab to breed and incubate dinosaurs.

Players can also improve the dinosaurs' genes by integrating DNA from modern species with that of the dinosaurs to fill their gaps and allow them to evolve. Modifications to the dinosaurs' DNA change their base statistics, as well as everything from their level of aggressiveness to their appearance. The game features a terrain tool which allows players to modify the environment by planting trees and creating water sources.

Development

Jurassic World Evolution was developed and published by Frontier Developments, and is based on the 2015 film Jurassic World, although the game is not considered canon, which allowed for more creative freedom. NBCUniversal had wanted a game to accompany the theatrical release of its 2018 film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and approached Frontier Developments about creating it two years or so before the film's eventual release date. Frontier Developments was also interested in creating a dinosaur game.

The game was created with a development team of approximately 100 people, on a budget of around £8 million. It was built using Frontier Developments' Cobra game engine. Universal Pictures provided the developers with dinosaur models from the films to allow for a high level of detail, as well as reference materials and audio. To aid in creating the game, the development team closely watched the films and read Michael Crichton's novels, Jurassic Park and The Lost World, and fan theories.

Reception

Jurassic World Evolution received "generally favorable reviews" for the Xbox One and Switch versions, while the PC and PlayStation 4 versions received "mixed or average reviews", according to review aggregator platform Metacritic.

Critics praised the dinosaurs featured in the game. Sam Loveridge of GamesRadar+ liked the variety as well as the cutscene that was displayed when a dinosaur is released from the incubation center. She enjoyed being able to control the jeep and the ACU helicopter from a third-person perspective, a mechanic she applauds for allowing players to relate to the dinosaurs. She added that she "lost entire evenings to [the game] without even thinking" due to its relaxing nature.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Windows11 June 2018Worldwide
Xbox One12 June 2018Worldwide
PlayStation 412 June 2018Worldwide

Editions and related releases

Downloadable content
Jurassic World Evolution: Herbivore Dinosaur PackJurassic World Evolution: Claire's SanctuaryJurassic World Evolution: Carnivore Dinosaur PackJurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. WuJurassic World Evolution: Cretaceous Dinosaur PackJurassic World Evolution: Raptor Squad Skin CollectionJurassic World Evolution: Expansion Collection
Expansions
Jurassic World Evolution: Return to Jurassic Park
Editions
Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition

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Collections7 collections

Years

Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.