PSN Review: Jurassic Park – The Game, Episode 2: “The Cavalry”

After having been rather disappointed by the layout and tediousness of Jurassic Park: The Game with its first installment — “The Intruder” — I had hoped that they game would, in some small way, redeem itself when “The Cavalry” showed up in Episode 2. But even my innate sense of pessimism could not have prepared me for the spiraling nosedive this game would take in the game’s second of four outings. We begin with the titular troop — three annoying mercenaries — arriving via helicopter to save the day; something that doesn’t go over very well once they realize they’re specific brand of bad-assery isn’t meant for kicking dinosaur butt.

Eventually, the mercs (who bear ridiculous names such as Yoder, Oscar, and D-Caf) find the heroes from the last episode, as well as a scientist who stayed behind to watch over the dinos. Shortly thereafter, the groups split up once Nima (the bad girl) hijacks the whirlybird — which becomes the focus point of the dual cliffhanger ending.

“The Cavalry” seemed much longer than the game’s initial installment, but it wasn’t for the better. This time ‘round, the game’s controls became even more irksome to me in this outing. A good two-thirds of the episode is mostly devoted to people talking (with pointless interactions ostensibly thrown in to make it not look so much like an animated movie), while the more “action-packed” moments are forgettable. The writing and dialogue took a nosedive here as well: characters spout banal gibberish that wouldn’t even make it in one of the Star Wars prequel movies, while situations are about as pigeonholed as they could possibly be.

I don’t know if the lights were too damn low when I played “The Intruder,” but the graphics seemed awful this time as well. I noticed in the game’s closing credits that each episode is planned and directed by a different person, so maybe Episode 3 will a least bit slightly more enjoyable?

Jurassic Park: The Game, Episode 2 – “The Cavalry” is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB for Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence. This game can also be found on: PC, Xbox 360, iPad, Macintosh.