For over three decades, Jurassic Park has remained a pop culture phenomenon. The franchise has grown from the groundbreaking 1993 film into a sprawling universe of sequels, theme park attractions, and now video games.
The latest addition to this legacy, Jurassic World Rebirth, is set to hit theaters on July 2, 2025. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by franchise veteran David Koepp, the film stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali, setting the stage for what’s being called “a new Jurassic era.”
Meanwhile, the video game “Jurassic Park: Survival” is reigniting nostalgia by transporting players back to Isla Nublar.
Set immediately after the events of the original film, the game follows Dr. Maya Joshi, an InGen scientist stranded on the island, as she fights for survival amidst the chaos. Fans of the series will be thrilled to see familiar elements like the electric Jungle Explorers (AKA Ford Explorers, or Toyota Land Cruisers as they’re known in the novel), as featured in the official trailer.
The Jungle Explorers were integral to Jurassic Park’s vision of a high-tech safari. While one was famously destroyed by the T-Rex in the 1993 film, the surviving vehicle appears in the game during a Gallimimus stampede sequence.
Watch the trailer for “Jurassic Park: Survival” below:
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Whether it remains functional is unclear, but its inclusion pays homage to the franchise’s roots. If players can use the Jungle Explorers, it could offer a unique way to navigate Isla Nublar’s dangerous terrain. However, gas-powered jeeps—another iconic element—might be better suited for exploring off-road areas.
“Jurassic Park: Survival” goes beyond nostalgia by offering a richly detailed version of Isla Nublar. Confirmed locations include additional dinosaur paddocks, the underground bunker system, and the Safari Lodge. These environments add depth to the gameplay, allowing players to uncover secrets while avoiding deadly predators.
The inclusion of underground tunnels, hinted at in Michael Crichton’s novel, could provide a strategic way to evade dinosaurs and connect different areas of the park.
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What sets “Jurassic Park: Survival” apart is its promise of exploration. While Universal Studios attractions like the VelociCoaster and Jurassic Park: The Ride let fans experience the franchise in thrilling ways, this game offers a more personal and immersive journey.
Players can explore iconic locations and hidden corners of Isla Nublar, making it a must-play for Jurassic Park enthusiasts.
“Jurassic Park: Survival” might bring even bring Universal Studios’ Jurassic Park: The Ride to life in a virtual setting, allowing players to traverse treacherous waters and evade stalking predators in scenes reminiscent of the iconic ride. Such a feature would not only pay homage to the real-world attractions but also create an adrenaline-pumping homage to the franchise’s roots, as the ride itself is based on a sequence from Michael Crichton’s novel.
Scheduled for release on major platforms like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, “Jurassic Park: Survival” offers a chance to relive the magic of Jurassic Park in an entirely new way.
Are you ready to brave the dangers of Isla Nublar? Let us know in the comments!
