When Jurassic Park roared into theaters in 1993, it left an indelible mark on cinema, redefining the blockbuster genre with groundbreaking visual effects and suspenseful storytelling. The film’s finale—a thrilling escape from Isla Nublar by helicopter—wrapped up the story perfectly, leaving viewers with the sense that the dinosaurs and the island were finally left in peace–at least until Isla Nublar is revisited in 2015’s Jurassic World. But with the ever-expanding Jurassic Park franchise, that pristine ending is about to be rewritten.
Next July, the seventh film in the series, Jurassic World: Rebirth, will continue the franchise’s legacy. But another sequel is also stirring up excitement. Enter “Jurassic Park: Survival”, a first-person action-adventure video game that picks up just 24 hours after the original movie’s events. The game promises a fresh narrative that sheds new light on Isla Nublar and its unlucky inhabitants, both human and dinosaur. However, it may introduce a revelation that would forever alter how fans view Spielberg’s masterpiece.
First, watch the official trailer for “Jurassic Park: Survival” below:
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The original film left us with survivors Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), Lex Murphy (Ariana Richards), and Tim Murphy (Joseph Mazzello) narrowly escaping the carnage. They soared away to safety, leaving behind an island overrun by dinosaurs. It was the perfect send-off, providing closure while letting the audience’s imagination run wild about the immediate fate of the island’s prehistoric residents. But “Jurassic Park: Survival” introduces a twist: not everyone made it off the island.
The game centers on Dr. Maya Joshi, an InGen scientist stranded on Isla Nublar after failing to evacuate during the chaos. Though the reasons for her predicament remain shrouded in mystery, she’s not alone. During a Q&A with IGN earlier this year, developers Universal and Saber Interactive hinted at other survivors who add depth—and danger—to the story. According to the official website, “other threats” also lurk on the island, suggesting human villains might play a role alongside the island’s adaptive, fearsome dinosaurs.
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For fans of the original film, this revelation may be a tough pill to swallow. The idea that InGen employees might have been left behind isn’t far-fetched—after all, the movie never confirms the complete evacuation of Hammond’s team. However, it fundamentally alters the sense of finality that the original ending provided. Next time you watch Jurassic Park, knowing there’s an untold story waiting just beyond the credits could make that sunset helicopter ride feel a little less triumphant.
Despite the controversy, “Jurassic Park: Survival” offers an intriguing premise. The official synopsis says the game will invite players to “return to Isla Nublar the day after the events of the beloved 1993 film in an original adventure 65 million years in the making.”
Throughout the game, players will navigate the perilous terrain of Isla Nublar as Dr. Maya Joshi, uncovering hidden areas and new secrets about the island’s inner workings.
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The game also highlights John Hammond’s vision for the park, showcasing dinosaurs with lifelike, adaptive behaviors. It’s an eerie call-back to the late visionary’s dream and a chilling reminder of its catastrophic execution. While the game isn’t a direct sequel to the films, it deepens the lore of Jurassic Park, revealing previously unseen corners of Isla Nublar and the chaos left in the wake of the original movie.
Slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2025, “Jurassic Park: Survival” will invite fans to relive the wonder—and danger—of the franchise in a new way. Whether this retcon enriches or diminishes the legacy of Jurassic Park remains to be seen.
What are your thoughts on rewriting the ending of a classic? Does “Jurassic Park: Survival” add to the lore or disrupt the magic of the original? Let us know in the comments below!
