Jurassic World Evolution 2
- November 9, 2021
- Frontier Developments
- 16h median play time
When a title gets a grand number, it’s a video-game worth spending your whole life in.
Jurassic World Evolution 2: Deluxe Edition is the sequel to the 2018 management simulation game, featuring a new narrative campaign, expanded dinosaur roster, and additional game modes. This edition includes five unique prehistoric animals, six building signs, and three vehicle skins for use in Challenge and Sandbox modes .
Reviews
- story1,424 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Jurassic World Evolution 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that the main campaign is disappointingly short, often described as a lengthy tutorial rather than a fully fleshed-out narrative. While the campaign consists of only five missions that can be completed in a few hours, the Chaos Theory mode offers more engaging scenarios based on the films, providing a better storytelling experience. Overall, players appreciate the graphics and gameplay improvements but express a desire for a more substantial and cohesive story.
“The campaign mode is engaging, offering a mix of story-driven missions that keep things fresh while gradually introducing new mechanics.”
“The story adds depth to the gameplay, with scenarios inspired by the franchise’s films and new narrative elements.”
“The campaign is a glorified tutorial, but the chaos theory missions provide a more substantial and enjoyable story experience.”
“The campaign is a mere 5 to 6 hours and the story is a blatant setup for DLC.”
“The story mode here is neat, but short and not as engaging.”
“The campaign (what exists of it right now) breaks the formula of the first game by introducing missions that feel more like Jurassic Park (i.e. focusing on dinosaurs and prehistoric species coming into conflict with humanity in the aftermath).”
- gameplay1,350 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Jurassic World Evolution 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements over its predecessor, such as enhanced mechanics, a wider variety of dinosaurs, and more engaging park management features. However, the introduction of tedious micromanagement elements, particularly the scientist mechanic, has been criticized for detracting from the overall enjoyment, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than a fun simulation. While the game offers a visually stunning experience and a solid core gameplay loop, it struggles with balance and clarity in its mechanics, leading to a somewhat frustrating experience for some players.
“The gameplay & design: the core gameplay loop of building and managing a dinosaur theme park is addictive, and the way it balances creativity with resource management is impressive.”
“The game builds on the success of its predecessor with even more immersive gameplay and jaw-dropping dinosaur interactions.”
“With its enhanced gameplay mechanics, diverse dinosaur roster, and engaging narrative, the game invites players to unleash their creativity while tackling the challenges of park management.”
“The park management mechanics are incredibly basic.”
“The gameplay is constantly repetitive.”
“The new scientist mechanic is just stupid and unnecessary, they have an unrest mechanic, if you use them too much they'll sabotage your park, so not only do they cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy, but tens of thousands to maintain them.”
- graphics1,208 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Jurassic World Evolution 2" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and intricate detail, significantly enhancing the immersive experience of managing a dinosaur park. Players have praised the lifelike animations of the dinosaurs and beautifully rendered environments, although some have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered a major highlight of the game, elevating it above its predecessor.
“The graphics are stunning, with beautifully detailed environments and lifelike dinosaurs that bring the park to life.”
“The graphics are incredible, the dino's appearance and movement is awesome and the gene mods for skins is one of my favorite aspects of editing their DNA.”
“The graphics are beautiful, the sound is what you'd expect from a Jurassic Park game.”
“Sad to see the support team suggesting me to close some windows processes because they believe that the problem is the PC that can't handle it... (£5000 machine...), when other games of much more graphically demanding go smoothly.”
“Graphically, even on a high-end machine, I get weird glitchy lines running across my monitor which really should not be happening and is a significant damper on an otherwise beautiful environment.”
“The graphics are pretty bad.”
- grinding355 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the micromanagement required detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the depth and challenge it adds, the consensus is that the game often feels like a chore, requiring excessive time investment to unlock content and manage various tasks. Overall, players suggest that the game could benefit from streamlining these mechanics to enhance the fun factor.
“Sandbox mode is also much better, all of the research is unlocked straight away, so no grinding the story mode using hard-earned in-game cash to unlock scale patterns and genetic stuff.”
“So interesting and not tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The entire experience is just a long list of tedious and repetitive tasks that suck all the fun out of it.”
“The game is just tedious work without any fun.”
“The primary problem is the tedious, excruciating grind you must go through across campaign, challenge, and chaos theory modes just to unlock even the barest minimum in the sandbox.”
- stability232 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as AI pathfinding issues, freezing, and game-breaking errors. Despite some improvements since its initial release, many users still find it frustratingly unstable, suggesting that it requires further patches to enhance performance and fix the myriad of technical problems. Overall, while the game has potential, its current state is marred by significant stability issues that detract from the overall experience.
“I appreciate the more simplistic park management, and the fact it wasn't buggy.”
“I have seen no glitches or had any problems.”
“Probably the most bug-free game I've ever purchased on launch day.”
“The game is a buggy mess, years after release.”
“The reason I am not recommending this game is because there are some major glitches such as rangers getting stuck, dinosaurs starving to death, and dinosaurs teleporting out of their enclosures, making most game modes difficult or even unplayable.”
“Despite the fact that there are some glitches that need to be worked on, it's still a game people should definitely check out!”
- humor110 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely centered around the antics of dinosaurs, with players finding amusement in their chaotic behaviors, such as attacking vehicles or escaping enclosures. While many appreciate the comedic elements, including quirky animations and references to the Jurassic franchise, some critiques highlight that certain dialogues and mechanics can fall flat or feel cringeworthy. Overall, the game's blend of funny moments and glitches contributes to a lighthearted experience, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its comedic approach.
“I so enjoyed just watching their behavior, making sure they are happy, and laughing when they attack a vehicle or escape, eat a guest, and then need medical attention for a phone being stuck inside.”
“Super funny when your gyro station gets attacked by velociraptors and your heli comes and makes the aggressor sleep in the middle of the track, just to get attacked again lol.”
“It's hilarious that lawsuits are an actual mechanic in the game.”
“Except for the cringe and not funny dialogues, and the fuel mechanic which can be easily solved by WeMod, the game's good.”
“It's not funny.”
- music109 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in "Jurassic World Evolution 2" is widely praised for its nostalgic blend of iconic themes from the Jurassic Park franchise, particularly the compositions by John Williams, which enhance the game's adventurous atmosphere. While many players appreciate the original soundtrack and sound design, some express disappointment over the lack of variety and the reuse of tracks from the previous game. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the immersive experience, evoking strong memories for fans of the series.
“The music, which blends the iconic Jurassic Park theme with new compositions, is another highlight that adds to the sense of adventure.”
“The music in Jurassic World Evolution 2 plays a crucial role in creating the authentic and exciting atmosphere that fans of the Jurassic Park universe will love.”
“The musical score has been carefully composed to recreate the iconic sound of the movies and enhance the game's dramatic moments.”
“Music is terrible.”
“My only disappointment was not having the John Williams theme music in the game, so I simply turn the in-game music off and play the main theme to work around this.”
“One thing that is a notable step backwards is the soundtrack.”
- optimization89 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and high frame rates on high-end systems, while others report significant issues such as crashes, stuttering, and inconsistent performance even on capable hardware. Many users noted that the game struggles with larger parks and complex scenarios, indicating that further optimization and bug fixes are needed to enhance the overall experience. Despite some positive remarks about graphics and gameplay, the consensus is that the game is not fully optimized, leading to frustration among players.
“The game is very optimized; I never experienced performance issues even with disasters happening.”
“This game has good graphics, good replayability, good animations, good optimization, and it's still getting nice updates!”
“Well optimized game, running a 1060 6GB, i7-7700HQ, 16GB RAM.”
“Sure it looks nice but even on a high-end computer there are issues with optimization and the bugs are really, really annoying.”
“The game is barely optimized for PCs.”
“Completely garbage optimization and was released before the game was stable and finished.”
- replayability78 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Jurassic World Evolution 2 offers high replayability primarily through its sandbox mode, diverse challenge scenarios, and extensive user-generated content, allowing players to experiment with various strategies and park designs. However, some users note that the short campaign and reliance on DLC for additional content can limit replay value, particularly for those seeking a more traditional management experience. Overall, while the game enhances replayability compared to its predecessor, opinions vary on its long-term engagement potential.
“The game also features a number of user-generated content options, and I've found some fantastic custom scenarios and mods that really extend the replayability.”
“Expansive replayability: explore endless possibilities with sandbox mode and a wealth of additional content through DLCs and updates.”
“The game provides vast replay value - as not only many different layouts will make sense and are worth trying out for the sandbox mode, but the other game modes are also waiting, such as the campaign, and this other 'choose alternative designs from the original movies' mode.”
“A quick lookup of the game says pretty much what I said, but it should be noted that multiple people say that Jurassic World Evolution 1 is better in both replay value and content, so go buy that instead.”
“Running out of content 10-20 hours into the game and having to buy over $150 of DLC to get further content is pathetic when the game costs the same as similar games that easily have 200-300 hours of content without getting into replayable content.”
“The biggest factor is the lack of replayability.”
- monetization52 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the reliance on overpriced DLCs that often feel like recycled content rather than substantial additions. Players have noted the prevalence of microtransactions and the perception that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leading to a sense of frustration regarding the overall value for money. While some still find enjoyment in the game, the overwhelming sentiment is that it falls short due to its aggressive monetization practices.
“Dinosaurs monetization looks fun.”
“[i] Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“I miss the days of having to grind out unlocks without predatory microtransactions in the background tempting you to skip said grind.”
“This game quickly became a cash grab soon after release; the DLCs contain no substance and are an overpriced excuse to make money from a game that the developer is no longer putting time into. The content of the DLCs contains nothing more than a few skins, with the AI for the 'new' dinosaurs being a copy and paste of the closest one already in the game.”
“Honestly, this game feels more like a cash grab than a new game.”
“It shows that the developer's primary concern is cash grabs at this point, with extremely predatory DLC practices. You know they would be microtransactioning every single dinosaur and skin if they could get away with it, and the base game is extremely broken.”
- emotional21 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- -10 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, often feeling nostalgic and invested in the dinosaurs and their experiences. While many appreciate the joy and satisfaction of building and caring for their parks, frustrations arise from technical issues and narrative shortcomings that detract from the overall emotional impact. Despite these flaws, moments of happiness and attachment to the game's world shine through, highlighting a mix of joy and heartbreak in the gameplay experience.
“I cried when I finished the Canada map in 15 hours.”
“Dinosaurs soothe my emotional cortex, associating this game with the joy of being a child.”
“There's much more of an emotional attachment you can form with these dinos.”
“The storyline is pretty boring, mostly just a lot of screwing around with dinosaurs. It becomes very tedious after the main storyline.”
“I found the emotional depth lacking; the characters felt flat and unengaging.”
“The game tries to evoke emotions, but it often falls short, leaving me feeling disconnected from the narrative.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive environment, effectively capturing the iconic feel of the Jurassic Park movies. Players appreciate the relaxing yet engaging ambiance, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack that complements the vibrant visuals and dynamic dinosaur animations. Overall, the atmosphere strikes a balance between excitement and tranquility, making it a delightful experience for fans of the franchise.
“The game offers stunning graphics that make the dinosaurs and the park come alive, with a relaxing atmosphere that's perfect for those who enjoy a more laid-back experience.”
“The music in Jurassic World Evolution 2 plays a crucial role in creating the authentic and exciting atmosphere that fans of the Jurassic Park universe will love.”
“It captures both the epic and atmospheric side of the Jurassic Park universe and helps immerse players in the exciting world of dinosaurs and park operations.”
“The fact that the sights and sounds resemble the atmosphere of the Jurassic movies so closely makes it an enjoyable experience.”
“Beyond the story and new content, the game is unchanged from the previous in feel, gameplay, or atmosphere.”
“Chaos theory still teaches you new stuff, but after getting you settled in, the atmosphere leaves you with a final goal that usually revolves around getting five stars on your park.”
Critic Reviews
Jurassic World Evolution 2 Review
While it doesn't go crazy, Jurassic World Evolution 2 has almost perfected dinosaur-theme-park managers. Just ignore the weird voices and occasional bugs.
80%When dinosaurs ruled the Earth
The sequel to Frontier Developments' dinosaur park management sim gives players plenty to sink their teeth into.
90%Jurassic World Evolution 2 Review
There's still some way to go to make the JWE franchise a viable management sim, but this sequel goes a long way to right a lot of its predecessor's wrongs.
80%