Jurassic World 4 (which now has a rumored title and plot) is getting all the attention from Jurassic fans lately, but late last year, we were treated to the surprise trailer for an upcoming action-adventure game titled Jurassic Park: Survival (TBA) from developers and publishers Saber Interactive.
While the film series is set to press forward by following on from Jurassic World Dominion (2022), the game will transport fans back to the Jurassic Park era, dropping them on Isla Nublar just twenty-four hours after the events of Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film.
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Leading the first-person game is InGen scientist Dr. Maya Joshi, who has failed to evacuate Isla Nublar and must now face the island’s prehistoric inhabitants (and “other surprising threats”) in the middle of what appears to be the hurricane that hits during the film.
Now, per the official website, Dr. Maya Joshi must use “ingenuity through distraction and stealth to navigate intense and unforgettable encounters in a journey to outlast some of the deadliest creatures to ever walk the earth.” The site adds, “Explore the park and face its dangers. Use all the resources at your disposal to find intelligent solutions to endure the many threats lurking on Isla Nublar.”
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Among the island’s dinosaur population are some familiar foes: the Dilophosaurus that killed Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) and the Tyrannosaurus Rex that went on to become a recurring character in the Jurassic World trilogy.
But there’s another dinosaur that’s set to make a return. In the 1993 film, there are three Velociraptors hunting Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Lex Murphy (Arianna Richards), and Tim Murphy (Joe Mazzello) during the third act.
While we see the T-Rex kill two of the raptors in the Visitor Center’s atrium, the third member of the pack had already been locked in the kitchen freezer by Lex at that point and, as such, has been presumed dead for 30 years. But now, the trailer for Survival brings that raptor “back to life,” as a scene shows it pushing open the door labeled “cold storage” from the inside.
Check it out below, per Jurassic World YouTube:
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It will be interesting to see how the raptor manages to escape (it can later be seen on the docks during the trailer’s gameplay footage reveal). We know raptors can open doors, but on the other hand, we also saw Lex fix the latch on the other side. Unless, of course, Dr. Maya Joshi winds up looking for a cold snack while she’s stranded on the island… Whoops.
Here’s to hoping we also see the chain-smoking chief engineer Ray Arnold, played by Samuel L Jackson in Jurassic Park (1993), make an appearance in the game. Like the raptor, Arnold had an off-screen death, as we only see his severed arm during the maintenance shed scene. As for the likes of Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight), a new short film that reveals the disgruntled InGen employee’s brutal death in full confirms he’s unequivocally dead.
There are several characters the series may bring back to life. If the rumored plot for Jurassic World 4 is to be believed, it seems anything is possible in this franchise now.
Survival may allow you to visit never-before-seen locations on Isla Nublar, although it remains to be seen whether the game is considered canon with the film series.
Related: ‘Jurassic Park: Survival’ Trailer Breakdown
Per the official website, here’s the synopsis for Jurassic Park: Survival:
Return to Isla Nublar the day after the events of the beloved 1993 Jurassic Park film in an original adventure 65 million years in the making.
Survive thrilling first-person action as InGen scientist Dr. Maya Joshi, who was unable to,” evacuate Isla Nublar, in this single-player action-adventure game and discover a never-before-told story.
Through thrilling encounters, experience the wonder and danger of dinosaurs, each with their own distinct and adaptive behaviors brought to life by John Hammond’s vision.
The game will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Related: Every Upcoming ‘Jurassic Park’ Installment Confirmed
The upcoming animated series Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (2024), a sequel to Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (2020 — 2022), premieres on Netflix this year. Jurassic World: The Exhibition, Jurassic World Live Tour, and Universal Studios’ Jurassic theme park attractions, continue to entertain guests from around the world.
Jurassic World 4 is currently in development, with a 2025 release scheduled. Filming will start in Los Angeles on July 31 this year. A summary of the project also seemingly sheds light on what direction the franchise may be about to take. Director Gareth Edwards, best known for Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), is attached to the project.
Do you think Survival will feature any other characters who were killed off in the original film? Let Inside the Magic know your thoughts in the comments down below!