Is it worth a buy as a casual?

[NovaGB]

I had a steam voucher given to me by my wife at christmas, there is nothing i really want at the moment, i'm mainly interested in games that are upcoming, i saw this game was pretty cheap, i kept a eye on it around the time of launch but i noticed it got pretty bad reviews on IGN so i forgot about it.

So as most kids growing up in the 80s/90s i loved Dinos, but i wouldn't say i was a avid fan anymore.

I like the JP/JW films, i have the best memorys of the first 2 films, as i was quite young when they came out and watched them in the cinema on release, by the time the 3rd film came out i had lost interest a bit, i didn't mind JW or the new film, but found them difficult to watch at times, especially the spliced between non related dino physically impossible hybrid stuff.

I used to play Theme Park growing up and Sim City, and when i was in my early 20s i got quite hooked on the zoo tycoon games and they became a guilty pleasure.

Now not being a hardcore fan, and i class myself as a late 30s lazy gamer, do you think this game would be worth my while?

[Swans]

I think I am slightly older than you and I am playing this game a lot at the moment, it's actually my son's game but we share libs. My view is this:

The dinosaur elements are very well done, they are well realised, they roam about, misbehave, attack guests, all sorts of fun things. I have always been interested in the prehistoric world and so this glimpse at (virtual) dinosaurs is something I quite enjoy. But the game has its fair share of flaws.

In terms of the park management stuff, it's nowhere near as deep as Sim City or Theme Park, and in all honesty those elements get boring quite quickly as there's no depth or variety of gameplay, the park management elements feel rushed and superficial.

That said, I've got 72 hours in the game and am only just getting bored of it. I am about to start the final island in the campaign but can't bring myself to as I know it's more of the same, so I'll probably come back to it after a break.

I'm hoping that Frontier Developments expand upon what is a solid foundation for this game, as it has a lot of potential. But I own Elite Dangerous and that's another half-finished feeling game from Frontier Developments, which again feels like it has a lot ot potential but ideas are not properly fleshed out. And that's now 3 years old, so I am wondering if this particular developer is simply not that good at delivering a completely fulfilling gaming experience (Planet Coaster excepted).

That may sound a bit harsh and I don't want to put you off unfairly, but IMO this game is not worthy of the full price tag, instead it is something to pick up in the Steam sale. But, if you are thinking Theme Park/Sim City levels of management, that does not exist here and, if you are not that interested in dinosaurs, which is the one area where the game really shines, then I think this one is perhaps not for you.

If you want a more rounded park management game, look at Planet Coaster, it's essentially a modernised Theme Park.

[Vroomi]

Yes. It's more casual than other park management games.

[Inardesco]

Its casual as in, theres not much to do when you plonked everything down.

[NovaGB]

Would you say it fits my lazy gaming criteria?, im not a fan of thinking to much when it comes to games, i prefer to relax, so never been a fan of strategy or complex rpgs or stealth games unless they really click with me, but at the same time i dont like a game to be so easy i get bored inside a few hours, i know obviously this game is nothing like the ones i mentioned but just trying to paint a picture of my gaming personality, i have a slight interest on dinosaurs and like JP and i dont want something really intense to play either.

[Stoffie]

As a lazy gamer myself, I'll have to say yes. I had this on my wishlist waiting for a price drop and decieded to take it. But as a fan of Zoo Tycoon, this game does have its disapointments. Don't expect to act ethically to 'win'.

[Inardesco]

If you want to play a game, then this'll disappoint you considering a majority of the time you're waiting for things.

Waiting for genome, waiting for cash, waiting for reputation.

[Swans]

Originally posted by GBLShorty:

Would you say it fits my lazy gaming criteria?, im not a fan of thinking to much when it comes to games, i prefer to relax, so never been a fan of strategy or complex rpgs or stealth games unless they really click with me, but at the same time i dont like a game to be so easy i get bored inside a few hours, i know obviously this game is nothing like the ones i mentioned but just trying to paint a picture of my gaming personality, i have a slight interest on dinosaurs and like JP and i dont want something really intense to play either.

It's certainly non-taxing. It's very easy, money is so easy to get that it feels like each 'challenge' is a sandbox.

Looking at the sale price, I think it's worth a punt, now I can see you want something simple to play.

[Bustar Shared]

I am an early 90s gamer and I liked and played the games that you mentioned and also I am a dinosaur enthusiast. I bought the game - deluxe edition and the 5 euro dlc and I don't regret it. In my opinion you should buy it... not necessarly with the dlc's. It is relaxing and fun. If I had to compare it I would say that it is most likely a zoo tycoon where a good portion of time you will spend it around the dinosaurs. P. S. : I am sure you will like it. Plus you could also check Frostpunk

[Swans]

Originally posted by Bustar:

I am an early 90s gamer and I liked and played the games that you mentioned and also I am a dinosaur enthusiast. I bought the game - deluxe edition and the 5 euro dlc and I don't regret it. In my opinion you should buy it... not necessarly with the dlc's. It is relaxing and fun. If I had to compare it I would say that it is most likely a zoo tycoon where a good portion of time you will spend it around the dinosaurs. P. S. : I am sure you will like it. Plus you could also check Frostpunk

Just bought Frostpunk thanks for the tip, looks excellent from the reviews.

[YunggGravy]

I am a 42 year old gamer like many here and played every single classic, and I would say this game is a steal at the current Dec 2018 Holiday prices. Like others mentioned, I think this game has done very well with the detail of the dinosours, and the explanations of real life ( I am assuming) dig sites. It is a nice mesh of archeology and sci-fi, that I am really enjoying it.

So back to your OP, I think it is great casual game that you can enjoy whenever you have the time.

[ElPrezCBF]

I enjoy this game a lot (without dlcs). That said, I learned to adapt my expectations. In general, park sims can never compare to grand strategy games in terms of depth in gameplay mechanics. If that's your expectation, this isn't the game for you and you'd probably want to look at 4x or even some survival games like oxygen not included or frostpunk.

My impression of JWE is it's a casual park simulator that dino fans will enjoy. Good alternative when you need to give your brain a break from grand strategy.

[Bustar Shared]

Originally posted by Swans:

Originally posted by Bustar:

I am an early 90s gamer and I liked and played the games that you mentioned and also I am a dinosaur enthusiast. I bought the game - deluxe edition and the 5 euro dlc and I don't regret it. In my opinion you should buy it... not necessarly with the dlc's. It is relaxing and fun. If I had to compare it I would say that it is most likely a zoo tycoon where a good portion of time you will spend it around the dinosaurs. P. S. : I am sure you will like it. Plus you could also check Frostpunk

Just bought Frostpunk thanks for the tip, looks excellent from the reviews.

I hope you will enjoy it and please let me know if it is so. :)