Dino Hazard
- December 22, 2023
- Bone Collectors
Get on Steam"Dino Hazard: Chronos Blackout" is a narrative-driven RPG set in a dystopian future where a group of people must survive against malicious artificial intelligence, dinosaurs, and hacked robots on a tropical island. Experience fast-paced strategic combat and make moral choices that affect the environment and outcome of the story. Manage a diverse group of characters, utilizing their unique abilities to restore facilities and uncover the identity of the antagonist. Explore a vast island filled with distinct ecosystems and creatures.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful pixel art and an extraordinary soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The narrative is surprisingly deep with many layers to explore, appealing to fans of RPGs and palaeontology.
- The developers are very active in the community, quickly addressing bugs and engaging with players, which shows their commitment to improving the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and crashes, making it difficult to progress and enjoy the experience.
- Combat mechanics can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration for players trying to grasp the system.
- Some players find the game confusing and lacking in clear direction, with issues like unclear quest markers and difficult navigation.
- story18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story draws inspiration from the Dino Crisis series, blending futuristic elements with nostalgic gameplay reminiscent of Earthbound and Jurassic Park, while maintaining historical accuracy regarding dinosaurs. However, players have noted that the narrative lacks depth and immersion, with some quests being poorly marked and the overall experience marred by bugs. Despite its interesting setting and derivative elements being used effectively, the story's development has left some players unable to fully engage with it.
“The game's setting and story are so far very interesting, and while not 100% original, the more derivative elements are used in the best possible way rather than as a crutch.”
“Think of the story of the Dino Crisis series (believe me when I say you will find similarities in the story) but with a bit more of a futuristic application to it, mixed with gameplay similar to EarthBound on SNES, combined with nostalgia for Jurassic Park on SNES. The historical accuracy of the dinosaurs (and other era-related creatures) is spot-on, as the developers work in this field as paleontologists in real life, I believe.”
“Crafting is in the beta stage in the current version; however, I never used it, and the story is kind of like a game of chess, with each chapter so far focusing on a different group of survivors trying to survive.”
“I wanted to like this game, but the story is not well developed and is non-immersive.”
“The game is basically filled with bugs and unplayable; I had to create a new save file 6 times just to get to one mission of the game.”
“Crafting is in the beta stage in the current version; however, I never used it, and the story is kind of like a game of chess with each chapter so far focusing on a different group of survivors trying to survive.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as solid, with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like Earthbound and a unique blend of storytelling akin to the Dino Crisis series. However, some players struggle to grasp the combat mechanics, finding them complex and not intuitive even after several hours of play. Overall, while the art and soundtrack receive praise, the combat system may pose a challenge for some players.
“I think - based on the let's play videos I have seen of Undertale - that if you've played that game, you have a good idea of what you're in for, gameplay-wise.”
“Firstly, the gameplay is solid, the OST is amazing, and the art is killer.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to grasp the mechanics behind combat after a couple of hours, and enabling auto-combat to observe mechanics wasn't enough to pick it up.”
“I never played Undertale, but I have to admit the gameplay is not, for me personally, the style I'd usually enjoy.”
“Think of the story of the Dino Crisis series (believe me when I say you will find similarities in the story) but with a bit more of a futuristic application to it, mixed with gameplay similar to EarthBound on SNES, mixed with nostalgia of Jurassic Park on SNES, but the historical accuracy of the dinosaurs (and other era-related creatures) is spot-on (the developers work in this field as paleontologists in real life, I believe).”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the extraordinary soundtrack that enhances the cyberpunk atmosphere and complements the beautiful pixel art. The variety and quality of the music, along with its ability to evoke a strong sense of ambience and nostalgia through references to movies and video games, contribute significantly to the overall experience.
“The pixel art is beautiful and the soundtrack is extraordinary!”
“I loved all of it: the variety of the characters, the ambience, the mind-blowing music, the cyberpunk atmosphere, the wonderful creatures and droids, and the ton of references to movies and video games.”
“Firstly, the gameplay is solid, the OST is amazing, and the art is killer.”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is currently plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, leading to a frustrating experience for players. However, the developers are proactive and responsive, frequently addressing these issues, which offers some hope for improved stability in the future.
“It's very buggy, and not fun at all.”
“Bugs and glitches do pop up, but the developers are very active and work quickly to resolve them.”
“Maybe it will get less buggy.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's retro aesthetic is charming and enjoyable, with smooth performance that enhances the overall experience.
“Don't be turned off by the game's retro aesthetic; it's very fun and runs smoothly.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Despite its retro aesthetic, the game is praised for its smooth performance and enjoyable gameplay, indicating effective optimization.
“Don't be turned off by the game's retro aesthetic; it's very fun and runs smoothly.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its rich cyberpunk setting, diverse characters, and immersive ambience, complemented by impressive music and numerous references to films and video games. Players appreciate the vibrant world filled with unique creatures and droids, enhancing the overall experience.
“I loved all of it: the variety of the characters, the ambience, the mind-blowing music, the cyberpunk atmosphere, the wonderful creatures and droids, and the ton of references to movies and video games.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for enhanced replayability features, indicating that current offerings may be lacking and hope for future updates to address this aspect.
“Even if this idea isn't the direction the developers want, I do hope they add something for replayability at least when it comes time for that update.”
