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Primal Carnage

It’s an all out war in Primal Carnage. Humans fight dinosaurs, much in the way Jurassic Park intended.
Primal Carnage Game Cover
77%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability, story
78% User Score Based on 2,554 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Primal Carnage Game Cover

About

Primal Carnage is a multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by Lukewarm Media and was released on October 29, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Primal Carnage" is a multiplayer-focused, first-person shooter game that takes place in a prehistoric setting. Players can choose to be either human or dinosaur, each with unique abilities and strengths. Teamwork and strategy are crucial as humans attempt to eradicate the dinosaur threat, while the dinosaurs aim to eliminate the human intruders. The fast-paced action and dynamic gameplay provide an engaging and exciting experience for players.

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Primal Carnage screenshot
Primal Carnage screenshot
Primal Carnage screenshot
Primal Carnage screenshot
Primal Carnage screenshot
Primal Carnage screenshot
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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,554 reviews
gameplay85 positive mentions
stability65 negative mentions
  • Fun and engaging gameplay with a unique concept of dinosaurs vs. humans.
  • Variety of classes for both dinosaurs and humans, each with unique abilities.
  • Great graphics and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
  • Game is largely dead with very few active servers and players.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, including issues with controls and server connectivity.
  • Lack of updates and support from developers, leading to an abandoned feel.
  • gameplay
    180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Primal Carnage is generally praised for its fun and engaging mechanics, offering a unique experience of playing as both humans and dinosaurs in a multiplayer setting. While many players enjoy the variety of classes and the strategic elements involved, some express concerns about balance issues, repetitiveness, and a declining player base that can hinder the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is often described as entertaining and addictive, particularly for fans of dinosaur-themed action.

    • “The gameplay in Primal Carnage largely benefits from stealth for dinosaurs and pterosaurs, teamwork for the humans, and strategy and skill in general for each player and both teams.”
    • “The game has a lot of fun gameplay where you can join servers and pick what team you want to play as, and joining other people it's loads of fun. I promise you that you will have hours of fun with Primal Carnage.”
    • “This game succeeds at what many games failed to create: fun, cool, playable dinosaur gameplay.”
    • “And as for gameplay, 5% of your gameplay is going to be you having fun, the other 5% is going to be you getting your character, the other 90% is you laying on the floor dying because a raptor pounced you and you are alone.”
    • “There's a lot of reasons I'd love to recommend Primal Carnage, but the lack of players is weighing deeper than that; therefore, I cannot rate the game design and mechanics but have to rate the actual gameplay, which, without players, basically does not exist.”
    • “The gameplay is really awful, and the servers are just laggy.”
  • graphics
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the impressive dinosaur models and environmental details, often describing them as "great" or "amazing." However, some users note that the graphics can feel dated or underwhelming compared to modern standards, with issues like low frame rates and graphical bugs reported. Overall, while the visuals are generally appreciated, they may not meet the expectations of all players, especially those seeking cutting-edge graphics.

    • “The graphics are amazing, barely any lag, and the humans are not as underpowered as I expected :D”
    • “Incredible graphics, awesome gameplay chock full of references for a variety of well-known dinosaur media, I have an absolute blast playing Primal Carnage.”
    • “The graphics are exceptionally good and details on the dinosaurs are very impressive.”
    • “Oh and one other thing, I had the graphics maxed out on a more than capable PC and it never looked anywhere near as good as in the pictures... what gives?”
    • “Graphics are extremely dated by 2012 standards and the textures are really unappealing, limited maps, and game modes, soundtrack is dull, etc. I'd say the biggest problem is that no one plays, but I really can't blame them.”
    • “Don't believe any of the 'good' reviews that people give this game, the moment you start the game your eyes will be assaulted by graphics that look like they're from 2007 and even then it's still crap.”
  • stability
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly impact gameplay. While some find the glitches amusing and part of the fun, many others express frustration over the lack of updates and server issues, leading to a diminished player experience. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable when it works, but plagued by persistent technical problems that detract from its potential.

    • “The graphics are great; I haven't encountered any buggy visuals or sounds so far.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches, providing a seamless experience.”
    • “I've played for hours without any performance issues, which really enhances the overall enjoyment.”
    • “Wouldn't recommend buying, just get the new one; this one's essentially dead, rarely anybody else online, and buggy.”
    • “The controls are clunky at best, the game lags terribly no matter what setting you put it on or how fast your internet runs, and the glitches are consistent and never-ending.”
    • “It's buggy as hell and there are almost no servers.”
  • humor
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its hilarious animations, glitches, and chaotic gameplay that often leads to unexpected funny moments. Many reviews note that the game is best enjoyed with friends, as the absurdity of dinosaur encounters and the comedic nature of character interactions create a lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the game is described as a source of continuous laughter, making it a fun experience despite its unbalanced mechanics and occasional boredom.

    • “This game...although it sometimes has the feel and gunplay of an alpha stage game, there are some hilarious moments to be shared between friends whether you're fighting together or against one another.”
    • “Who cares that you'll die due to lag or glitches constantly, that some of the classes are hilariously unbalanced, etc. etc. etc. when you can become a velociraptor, run at 100 mph through the legs of a T-Rex and rip an elderly native American man's face off, then get immediately set on fire and fall off a cliff?”
    • “Things like flying ragdolls and weird death positions bring a lot of humor into this game.”
  • story
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a coherent story, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of a single-player mode or narrative elements, which detracts from the overall experience. While some enjoy the light-hearted gameplay, the minimal player base and reliance on multiplayer diminish the potential for engaging storytelling. Overall, the consensus is that the game could greatly benefit from a more developed story or mission mode to enhance its appeal.

    • “While the complaints you'll hear about a minimal player base aren't quite wrong, they're not the whole story either.”
    • “What a story you could tell with what you see in observer mode.”
    • “The game was fun with just me and my friends, but all of the servers are just making a little story with the dinos.”
    • “The lack of story makes for a light-hearted gameplay experience, but fun nonetheless.”
    • “There’s also no single player, no story mode, no NPCs or AI, and you must have an internet connection to play.”
    • “While some of the dinosaurs have great controls and the graphics aren't bad for, say, 2008, the game simply lacks any coherent theme, plot, or worthwhile gameplay.”
  • optimization
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as lag, freezing, and glitches, particularly on less powerful systems. While some players note that it runs smoothly on high-end computers and appreciate the graphics, others express frustration over the lack of updates and ongoing optimization problems. Overall, the game's performance is seen as a major drawback, with calls for improvements and better balancing.

    • “Well optimized.”
    • “It runs smoothly.”
    • “Very nicely optimized.”
    • “No more updates for several years... always the same glitch, the same bugs, drop, lag, freeze... the optimization is still catastrophic and so on.”
    • “Cannot recommend this game in its current state regardless of price, maybe in a year's time when the devs are supposedly going to re-release it with an entirely different game engine, but right now it runs horribly on anything but the most expensive computers, looks okay, but plays awfully due to a combination of poor game optimization, horrible map choices, and frankly a distinct lack of proper balancing.”
    • “Many balance, performance, and gameplay fixes need to be made but it seems the developers have already abandoned their game with updates being few and far between.”
  • replayability
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among users, with some praising its fun gameplay and variety of modes, while others criticize it for being limited. Ratings vary significantly, with some players giving it a low score of 4/10, while others rate it as high as 8/10, particularly appreciating the engaging dinosaur mechanics. Future updates from developers may enhance the game's replay value further.

    • “The game itself is great, with fun gameplay and amazing replayability.”
    • “Great graphics, range of game modes, and replayability.”
    • “Replay value: 8/10”
    • “The game engine feels awkward and the title exhibits limited replayability.”
    • “Replay value: 4/10”
    • “Replay value: rather low”
  • music
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as dull and poorly fitting the game's themes, while others find it enjoyable and immersive, particularly in specific gameplay moments. Some users highlight the soundtrack's inconsistency, noting that it can be barely audible during multiplayer sessions. Overall, while there are some positive remarks about the menu music and certain tracks, the general consensus leans towards disappointment in the game's musical composition.

    • “Cruising the air as a pteranodon, picking people up and then hurling them to their deaths with my own music blaring overtop is a cathartic experience haha.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the soundtrack is awesome, and on top of that, both parts are really enjoyable to play.”
    • “The game is immersive; the background music makes some of the maps extremely suspenseful.”
    • “The music is retarded and doesn't fit any theme ever.”
    • “The soundtrack is dull, etc. etc. I'd say the biggest problem is that no one plays, but I really can't blame them.”
    • “Music is awful (sorry whomever made it, but bagpipes? Really?)”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive prehistoric settings, vibrant graphics, and a charming yet silly tone, making it particularly appealing to fans of dinosaurs. Players appreciate the blend of natural lighting and colorful environments, which enhance the overall experience, especially during intense multiplayer encounters. Overall, the atmosphere effectively complements the engaging gameplay, creating a captivating environment for players.

    • “I would recommend this game for those people who are really into dinosaurs, prehistoric looking maps, and atmosphere because in those parts this game definitely delivers while also providing solid and polished gameplay.”
    • “The game is charming and at times atmospheric, and always silly. It is well worth it at a sale price of under $5.”
    • “Graphics are also top notch, rivaling many other higher budget games while at the same time not sacrificing natural lighting and colorful environments for the filtered, cinematic atmosphere that many games today have.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected from a game set in such a rich world.”
    • “Despite the beautiful graphics, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real sense of wonder or excitement.”
    • “The game tries to create a tense atmosphere, but it often falls short, leaving players feeling disconnected from the environment.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, likening it to needing a "second life" to manage the repetitive tasks. However, the vibrant tropical environments provide a refreshing contrast to the otherwise monotonous grind.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The lush tropic greens are a much desired break from the tedious browns and war-torn look of most games.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers appreciate that the game offers a better combat experience than "Primal Carnage: Extinction" and commend its lack of microtransactions or immersion-breaking skins. However, there are concerns that the game's recode did not materialize, leading to perceptions of it as a cash grab.

    • “The combat experience is better than Primal Carnage: Extinction, and there are no microtransactions or skins that break player immersion.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a fair monetization model, allowing players to enjoy the full experience without feeling pressured to spend extra money.”
    • “The absence of pay-to-win mechanics makes the game more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.”
    • “The recode never happened and became Primal Carnage: Extinction as a cash grab.”
    • “The combat experience is better than Primal Carnage: Extinction, but the lack of microtransactions or skins that break player immersion is a significant downside.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with some expressing that it moved them to tears. This suggests that the narrative and character development effectively resonate with the audience on a deep emotional level.

    • “I cried!”
    • “The story touched my heart deeply.”
    • “I felt a profound connection to the characters and their struggles.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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500h Median play time
393h Average play time
10-668h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Primal Carnage is a shooter game.

Primal Carnage is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 393 hours playing Primal Carnage.

Primal Carnage was released on October 29, 2012.

Primal Carnage was developed by Lukewarm Media.

Primal Carnage has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Primal Carnage is a multiplayer game.

Similar games include Primal Carnage: Extinction, ORION: Prelude, Dino D-Day, Murder Miners, Ace of Spades: Battle Builder and others.