Fans of the Jurassic Park franchise are holding their breath for the release of “Jurassic Park: Survival”, a first-person action-adventure game that promises to transport players back to Isla Nublar. Set 24 hours after the events of the iconic 1993 film, the game offers a fresh perspective on the chaos left in the wake of the dinosaur breakout.
The synopsis reads: “Return to Isla Nublar the day after the events of the beloved 1993 Jurassic Park film in an original adventure 65 million years in the making. Survive thrilling first-person action as InGen scientist Dr. Maya Joshi, who was unable to evacuate Isla Nublar, in this single-player action-adventure game and discover a never-before-told story.”
With players taking on the role of Dr. Joshi, the game explores what happened after the surviving characters fled the island. Dinosaurs with distinct, adaptive behaviors promise to provide a level of danger and immersion worthy of the Jurassic legacy. But despite the hype generated by the trailer at the Game Awards last December, and an in-depth look provided by IGN earlier this year, an unsettling silence has followed.
The lack of updates has sparked fears among fans that the game could be quietly canceled. Unfortunately, such cancelations are not uncommon in the gaming industry. Even completed games have occasionally been shelved without warning, often for reasons unrelated to quality or development progress.
Related: Upcoming ‘Jurassic Park’ Sequel Teases R-Rated Levels of Intensity and Violence
If “Jurassic Park: Survival” is canceled, it would not be the first game with this title to meet such a fate. In 2001, a “Jurassic Park: Survival” game was planned as a tie-in for Jurassic Park III but was ultimately abandoned by Savage Entertainment. Similarly, “Jurassic World: Survivor”, a third-person game tied to the 2015 blockbuster, was scrapped due to the closure of its developer’s Seattle office.
This history of canceled Jurassic games adds to the concerns surrounding the current project. The repeated use of the title “Survival” seems almost cursed, raising eyebrows among fans. However, Universal and Saber Interactive have not announced any changes to the project, and the game is still listed as an upcoming release for major platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Watch the trailer for “Jurassic Park: Survival” below:
Given the rich legacy of Jurassic Park, shelving this project would be a missed opportunity. The franchise remains one of the most beloved in pop culture, and a game exploring untold stories from Isla Nublar has enormous potential. As the tagline from the original film reminds us, “If it’s not Jurassic Park, it’s extinct.” Let’s hope this is true.
For now, fans can only hope that Universal and Saber Interactive are perfecting the game in their metaphorical labs. Whether “Jurassic Park: Survival” becomes a groundbreaking addition to the franchise or another fossilized dream remains to be seen.
Are you excited to be going back to Isla Nublar in 1993? Let us know in the comments!
