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It’s been more than two decades since we’ve had a Dino Crisis game. Capcom brought the franchise to life in 1999 with the original game and, in quick succession, released a couple of sequels. Unfortunately, the last new entry hit shelves in 2003 with Dino Crisis 3. Gaming technology has evolved substantially since then and there have been calls from fans in recent years to see Capcom reboot the series. Unfortunately, the game’s creator Shinji Mikami has cast doubt on such a thing. Why, exactly? Blame Monster Hunter.
Speaking recently with Eurogamer, Mikami was made aware of recent calls by fans to get a Dino Crisis reboot going. First and foremost, this came as a surprise to him. Beyond that, he believes that the popularity of Capcom’s own Monster Hunter franchise in recent years would get in the way of the proposed reboot. Here’s what he had to say about it:
“I’m very surprised to hear that. The awesomeness of dinosaurs and the stuff you can do with dinosaurs, that’s been kind of really nailed down by Monster Hunter in recent years. So even if I were to decide to make a remake or a new version of Dino Crisis, I don’t really feel like there’s a whole lot of space for that kind of game right now, just since Monster Hunter has become such a big game. But yeah, it is surprising.”
Funny enough, Monster Hunter started in 2004, the year after the final Dino Crisis game hit shelves. While Mikami is right in that Monster Hunter does involve hunting down big monsters, it’s not exactly the same thing. There is a palpable sense of nostalgia for Dino Crisis, with games like Dinobreak serving as deliberate homages. Those are nice, but the genuine article for modern consoles would be something else. For those who may not be familiar, a description of the first game in the series reads as follows:
“You play as Regina, a member of a four-person team sent to retrieve an expatriate scientist. Your radio man became a midnight snack for the T.rex, so it’s up to you and your two remaining teammates to explore a dino-infested research station, rescue the scientist, call for a helicopter retrieval, and escape with your lives. Along the way you’ll uncover the grizzly remains of those who got in the dinosaurs’ way, and you’ll unravel the mystery of how a top-secret energy research project turned into a Jurassic nightmare.”
For their time, the games were great fun. Unfortunately, time has caught up to them and they show their age. Modern players could use a modern version of Dino Crisis to revitalize the brand. Particularly when looking at a remake or remaster of the original, it doesn’t feel like there’s a lot to lose. Capcom has done great work with the Resident Evil remakes/remasters, why not give this series a shot as well? Your move, Capcom.
For more, check out the trailer for Paleophage, which just might help fill that Dino Crisis void.
