Extinct species deserve a second chance. And so does Prehistoric Kingdom, a title I’ve kept a close eye on since 2017 back when it was first announced on Kickstarter. Five years later, the time has finally come to experience this prehistoric wildlife simulation which was conceived one year prior to Jurassic World Evolution, yet is now forced to remain in its shadow at least temporarily. PK’s in Early Access, of course. Properly labeled as such, it’s got a very long road ahead. Blue Meridian (formerly known as Shadow Raven Studios) were hard at work on their debut project which was successfully funded on Kickstarter since early 2018. With the help of Crytivo as their publisher, Prehistoric Kingdom can finally grace us with its presence on Steam. JWE now has a worthy competitor. The more, the merrier for dinosaur fans.

Unlike the conventional zoo portrayal, the niche dedicated to prehistoric animals has laid dormant for extended periods of time, not just in terms of PC games, but also for motion pictures. I’m a child of the early 90s, of course I fondly remember Spielberg’s forays into the dinosaur lost worlds. In gaming, I enjoyed Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs. An expansion pack from 2002 which introduced me to this particular subgenre of established economic sims revolving around genetic manipulation and subsequent revival of species which went extinct long before humanity’s determined path towards evolution. From the current title I’m reviewing, only mammoths and saber-tooth cats were still alive during the Ice Age that archaic humans also witnessed. Dinosaurs didn't coexist with our ancestors.

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2800497237

There are several elements of fantasy at play here. Suspension of disbelief is required. From theory to practice we still have more than a few steps until we can successfully revive / clone even mammoths from the most preserved DNA samples carved straight out of the Siberian permafrost. Actual dinosaur cloning is a pipe dream still kept alive by paleontologists and geneticists alike. Brushing ethics aside, there are still numerous risks involving such activities. As Jurassic Park (1993) so eloquently puts it through Jeff Goldblum's character:

“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.”

Prehistoric Kingdom had the inspiration to include a respectable naturalist and wildlife conservationist such as Nigel Marven as the game’s narrator and voice of reason in the Tutorial I strongly suggest you try out before any other game modes. At the time of this writing, there are no other scenarios available for the Early Access, though I suspect Nigel’s involvement shall be long term for this project. A more fleshed out campaign with a story across multiple chapters and maps, will be most welcome at a later date. Especially if it involves more prebuilt structures and exhibits that can facilitate and even encourage creativity in the more casual player base. More on that in the gameplay section.

The first cracks in the façade appear in the form of performance issues, quite uncharacteristic for a game that’s being powered by the Unity Engine. PK’s a sight to behold, of that much there can only be a general consensus. The technical price you’re paying for the eye candy may be rather steep though. We’re talking of very poor frame rate in spite of fiddling with the graphical settings. Shadows appear to be the most taxing on the system, but you won’t see a much smoother experience even if you disable them entirely.

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2800497195

Something must be done in this regard by the dev team, lest the game’s performance shall become an Achilles’ heel undermining the otherwise spotless attention to detail and customization above and beyond Prehistoric Kingdom’s direct competitors. There’s both a Photo Mode and the option to disable the game’s HUD with the press of a button. Screenshot enthusiasts can rejoice. Especially if they’ll soon be able to run this title in manner not resembling a slideshow.

Nigel Marven lends his voice for narration and instructions, while the wildlife sounds are also simulated very convincingly. I had no qualms with what I heard in-game. The soundtrack is discreet, but it didn’t become repetitive or annoying at any point. More voice acting for random visitors and future missions, please.

Imagine how appalled I was to discover in the rebooted “Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection” features already built and seemingly set in stone such exhibits and paths, forcing players to quite literally follow a dotted line in terms of game progression. Prehistoric Kingdom does the opposite, though I wouldn’t call it an extreme or even unpleasant. The “carte blanche” approach here means that you’re given a free hand in how you’ll construct, supervise and customize your prehistoric park. No pre-built paths and relatively few prefabricated structures. You must let your creative spirit run free, while taking your time with those exhibits in which overlapped scenery won’t be an issue. It’s as seemless as the terraforming tools that are akin to painting a fresh canvas. You can create as much as you want within the paused time flow. Hopefully Steam Workshop support shall be implemented alongside user generated maps and assets.

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2800497077

Speaking of your most important assets, those extinct reptiles and mammals are given a lot of attention. Before you can clone and splice their genetic sequences into new subspecies, you must gain access to excavation sites worldwide. That’s a form of natural gameplay progression, as both funds and science points are needed when unlocking new park attractions. Visitor interaction is limited for now, as are staff capabilities, though I have to applaud the developer’s decision in regards to “waste management”. Making full usage of dung beetle nests sure beats the age old concept of minimum wage employees having to shovel all that dinosaur “bowel movement residue”. It’s the small things which keep adding up. Just like the exhibit appeal which is tied to the critters’ satisfaction. Happy dinosaurs result in more guests and funds.

I’m certain that it’s only a matter of time until new maps and scenarios shall breathe further life into Prehistoric Kingdom’s true potential. On the first order of business, the performance issues must be addressed ASAP. It won’t matter how beautiful your project might be, if only a minority with high-end systems can enjoy it, while mid-range and low-end machines struggle. PK shall remain a PC exclusive in the foreseeable future, so it better focus on making it a very pleasant experience, on top of its massive educational value transcending mere entertainment. Browse the in-game encyclopedia, it’s fully worth it. I can only say the same about the Early Access price of admission. Extinction is not an option.


+ Steam Achievements.
+ Beautiful graphics & sounds.
+ Complex economic simulation.
+ Replay value through customization.

- Severe performance issues, abnormal for a Unity project.
- Current lack of scenarios or proper story / campaign.
- No Steam Trading Cards.

EDIT: Achievements have been added.

This article was submitted for Imperial Reviews. Following my Curator Page, will help me keep publishing new reviews as soon as I can. Thank you for your support!