Primal Carnage
- October 29, 2012
- Lukewarm Media
- 500h median play time
It’s an all out war in Primal Carnage. Humans fight dinosaurs, much in the way Jurassic Park intended.
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- gameplay243 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Primal Carnage is characterized by its unique asymmetrical multiplayer experience, allowing players to choose between humans and dinosaurs, each with distinct mechanics and strategies. While many players find the gameplay fun and engaging, especially with its fast-paced action and balanced classes, issues such as a low player base, bugs, and occasional lag detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a captivating atmosphere and enjoyable mechanics, particularly for fans of dinosaur-themed shooters.
“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.”
“This game has unique and intense gameplay that is hard to find in games, for example: you can play as dinosaurs in a third-person perspective or as humans in a first-person shooter gameplay.”
“The gameplay is fun, the soundtrack is awesome, and both parts are really enjoyable to play, even though humans are harder but still, in my opinion, the funniest.”
“Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be much different from the gameplay I watched back in 2013-2014, so I'm a little sad about that.”
“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.”
- graphics205 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and detailed animations of the dinosaurs, while others criticize the graphics as outdated or lacking polish. Some users report that the game looks significantly better on high settings, but others find the visuals underwhelming even at maximum quality. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for an indie title, they may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to more modern standards.
“The graphics and animations of this game alone are absolutely amazing and it oozes love and attention to detail, something you rarely see from the big developer names, even Blizzard, these days.”
“The graphics are amazing and the gameplay as well.”
“The visuals are pretty spectacular, the dinosaurs are fun to play as.”
“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 pics...what gives?”
“The graphics are low like in CS 1.6.”
“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.”
- stability78 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and connectivity issues that detract from the overall experience. While some find the game enjoyable despite these problems, many recommend avoiding it due to its lack of updates and dwindling player base, leading to a frustrating and often unplayable environment. Overall, the game is described as fun but riddled with stability issues that can significantly impact gameplay.
“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 stable experience.”
“I've played for hours without any performance issues, which really enhances the overall enjoyment.”
“Just a buggy mess right now, got on a couple different servers and on all of them nobody could be hurt.”
“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.”
- humor54 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its hilarious moments, funny animations, and chaotic gameplay that often leads to unexpected and amusing situations. Many reviews note that the game's bugs and unbalanced mechanics contribute to its comedic value, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. Overall, the game is described as a lighthearted and entertaining romp filled with laughter and absurdity, reminiscent of classic multiplayer games like Team Fortress 2.
“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., 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?”
“It's the most fun you will find if you like casual, hilarious FPS action and dinosaurs.”
- story36 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its lack of a coherent story or single-player mode, with many players expressing a desire for a narrative-driven experience. While some enjoy the multiplayer aspect, the absence of a storyline leaves the gameplay feeling shallow and unengaging for others. Overall, the consensus is that the game would benefit significantly from the addition of a story mode or more structured content.
“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.”
“I really want to at least have some sort of story to it.”
“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.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as lag, glitches, and freezing, particularly on lower-end systems. While some players find it runs smoothly and is better optimized than previous versions, others express frustration over the lack of updates and persistent bugs. Overall, the game's optimization is seen as a major drawback, impacting the overall experience despite its enjoyable gameplay.
“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.”
- music15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it dull and poorly fitting the game's themes, while others appreciate its immersive qualities and ability to enhance gameplay. Notably, the soundtrack is described as lacking variety, with some tracks being particularly criticized, such as the use of bagpipes. However, there are moments where the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, especially in multiplayer settings.
“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 soundtrack is fantastic and really adds depth to the game and atmosphere in the different levels.”
“The game is immersive, the background music as humans makes some of the maps extremely suspenseful.”
“The music is retarded and doesn't fit any theme ever.”
“The soundtrack is dull.”
“The music was especially bad.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it enjoyable with high replay value due to its fun gameplay and unique dinosaur theme, others criticize it for limited replayability and awkward mechanics. The upcoming rework by developers may enhance the experience, but current ratings vary significantly, with some giving it as low as 4/10 and others as high as 8/10.
“The game itself is great, with fun gameplay and amazing replayability.”
“Great graphics, a range of game modes, and replayability.”
“However, it's clearly not up to par with most modern games, but the fun and replay value, as well as the novelty of dinosaurs in a modern team-based shooter, is the icing on this prehistoric cake.”
“The game engine feels awkward and the title exhibits limited replayability.”
“Replay value: 4/10”
“Thankfully, the developers are going through a complete rework of the game and the result should be much more playable.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive prehistoric settings, vibrant graphics, and engaging soundtrack, which collectively enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the charming yet silly tone, making it appealing for fans of dinosaur-themed gameplay. The combination of natural lighting and colorful environments contributes to a captivating atmosphere that stands out among other titles.
“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.”
“If you love AVP II style multiplayer but with dinosaurs, then you can't miss this. The game has an awesome atmosphere as you hide from the tyrant king of dinosaurs, the T-Rex, and the killer of the king, Spinosaurus, while hunting the tiny human mercenary forces as they try to survive the menace.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic and really adds depth to the game and atmosphere in the different levels.”
“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.”
“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.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, often requiring significant time investment, likening it to needing a "second life" to manage it. However, some appreciate that the goals are more achievable, and the vibrant environments provide a refreshing contrast to the repetitive nature of grinding.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I've played this with a very small group and it can be a bit tedious, but goals are more achievable at least.”
“The lush tropic greens are a much desired break from the tedious browns and war-torn look of most games.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with some expressing intense feelings such as crying during gameplay. However, there are mixed feelings about the game's design, particularly regarding the balance and depth of the maps.
“I cried!”
“I cried.”
“Next thing I know, I get an achievement that requires playing a T-Rex all round without touching the class.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
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 development has shifted towards a cash grab approach, similar to its predecessor.
“The combat experience is better than Primal Carnage: Extinction, and there are no microtransactions or skins that break player immersion.”
“The game offers a fair monetization model that doesn't pressure players into spending money to enjoy the full experience.”
“I appreciate that the developers have chosen to focus on gameplay rather than aggressive monetization tactics.”
“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 concerning.”
