Basically it’s Earthbound/Undertale meets Dino Crisis meets Cyberpunk.

My wife’s boyfriend says it’s like if Undertale had a baby with the isle.

It's always nice to discover a new dinosaur game. Tbh for me any game with a dinodex is automatically an S tier game.

What is this some sort of Jurassictale?!

The game is amazing. As a fan of the Dino Hazard franchise, Jurassic Park, and connoisseur of content related to dinosaurs, I loved it. The story is captivating, filled with elements of Brazilian culture, and always leaves you wanting to know how it will end. Part 3 really surprised me with the characters and story going places that I didn't even imagine but that made the narrative even more interesting. The plot is helped by playing it several times so as not to miss anything and, of course, complete all the DinoDex creatures. You will be able to recognize elements based on several other franchises. The aesthetics of cyberpunk and 1993 Jurassic Park blend together surprisingly well.

While the whole "dinos on an island and everything goes wrong" thing is clearly like Jurassic Park, the whole "big game hunters go there to hunt dinos" thing is just like Carnivores and Carnivores Ice Age. Basically this game is a mix of Jurassic Park, Carnivores, Pokémon, Zelda, Earthbound and Undertale. Overall I really liked the game! I love the subject of paleontology, and in the game the dinos are really well represented and the soundtrack is very good! If you're an old-school gamer who’s into pixel art, you’ll quickly fall in love with this one. The art is beautiful, it’s got an awesome soundtrack, gameplay is tough, but fair, and the controllers are very tight. A great sci-fi story with dinosaurs! I highly recommend it, especially for dinosaur fans.

8/10

In an indie scene flooded with pixel-art RPGs, Dino Hazard: Chronos Blackout roars louder than most. Developed by the Brazilian studio BoneCollectors, this game is more than a nostalgic nod to 16-bit classics—it's a unique blend of science fiction, survival, and prehistoric chaos, wrapped in a lovingly-crafted retro aesthetic.

Set in the year 2147, the game drops you into Chronos Island, a cutting-edge science facility turned nightmare zone after a power blackout releases rogue dinosaurs and unhinged AI systems. You play as a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and survivalists racing against time to uncover what went wrong—and to make it out alive.

The writing is surprisingly thoughtful. It touches on themes like corporate ethics, ecological conservation, and the dangers of unchecked technology without becoming preachy. The character banter is charming, and each party member feels like more than a combat unit—they're personalities with history and purpose.

The game borrows classic turn-based JRPG mechanics but spices them up with modern twists. Each character has unique skills and scientific "disciplines" that affect how they interact with the world. Instead of just grinding for EXP, you’re analyzing dino DNA, repairing machinery, or using tranquilizer darts instead of brute force.

Combat is tactical and rewards preparation. You'll need to exploit enemy weaknesses, manage your stamina and supplies, and use the environment wisely. Random encounters are replaced with visible threats on the map, which makes exploration feel tense but fair.

Resource management and base-building are also part of the mix. As you repair and expand Chronos' facilities, you unlock crafting systems, research upgrades, and even the ability to tame dinosaurs. These layers give Chronos Blackout a satisfying sense of progression.

The pixel art is vibrant and expressive, clearly inspired by 90s RPGs but with smoother animations and great lighting effects. Environments—from lush jungles to sterile labs—are distinct and atmospheric. The dinosaur designs strike a nice balance between scientific accuracy and stylized flair.

The soundtrack is excellent, mixing tribal percussion, synth-heavy sci-fi themes, and tension-building exploration tracks. The sound design adds to the immersion, especially the chilling moments when a raptor’s screech echoes just off-screen.

One of the game’s most unique features is that it actually supports real-world paleontological research. A portion of the revenue goes toward Brazilian scientific initiatives, giving players a chance to support education and conservation with their purchase. It’s a rare and commendable fusion of game design and real-world impact.

Dino Hazard: Chronos Blackout is one of those rare indie RPGs that feels crafted with love, intelligence, and purpose. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it polishes every spoke to a shine. The combat is smart, the writing is solid, and the dino-centric setting sets it apart from its genre peers.

Whether you're in it for the tactical battles, the pixelated prehistoric creatures, or the sci-fi thriller narrative, this is a journey worth taking.

Jurassic Park meets Chrono Trigger, with a PhD in environmental science.

Rating: 8/10