Jurassic World Evolution 2is a definite upgrade over its predecessor. It boasts a deeper park-building system, a wider selection of animals to breed, and a plethora of biomes in which to do it. All that said, something was lacking during the initial release.
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From the gaps in the menu, players could tell that certain aspects were cut out so as not to spoil the upcoming movie,Jurassic World: Dominion, which saw numerous delays. Now, developerFrontierhas released the Biosyn Expansion, a DLC pack boasting fresh content from that film. While it’s unfortunate that fans have to pay extra, they’ll likely get their money’s worth. This expansion comes with several sizable additions to an already massive game. Those who want a few more hours ofJurassic World Evolution 2can find plenty to enjoy.
6New Animals
The most enticing feature is the swath of new creatures on display. The expansion boastsa handful of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals fromJurassic World: Dominion. These include the featheredPyroraptor, the clawed herbivoreTherizinosaurus, the massive pterosaurQuetzalcoatlus, and theDimetrodonwith its distinctive sail. These aren’t the extent of the animal variety, though.
The DLC also comes with new variants of existing dinosaurs. The predatorGiganotosaurusand sauropodDreadnoughtusare a couple of examples. These aren’t just alternate skins; they’re completely new models. Beyond this, there are also unexpected yet welcome additions like a featheredT-rexto top things off. These all infuse further novelty intoa hefty zoological playset.
5Biosyn Tech
It goes without saying that a Biosyn expansion would have Biosyn tech. Players now have a fresh faction of park-building tools based on Biosyn’s sanctuary fromDominion.Though similar in the core functionality, the new facilities differ in key ways.
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Streamlining is the name of the game here. It’s more “national park” than “theme park.” Hydroelectric power stations eliminate pylons and connect via an underground tunnel network. These tunnels also link to viewing platforms inside the enclosures instead of on the perimeter. For the icing on the cake, said perimeter consists of invisible fences, which the dinosaurs can’t breach and facility vehicles can easily traverse. These advantages make one wonder how Biosyn ever lost out to InGen.
4Alternate Fossil Extraction
With the Biosyn tech comes another method of extracting dino DNA. The company has contracted amber mines. Rather than sending teams out to dig sites and hoping for the right species, players can now select the animal they want to drill for. Through this, they can potentially complete a genome in less time. That said, mining comes with its own obstacles to overcome.
As the amber deposits dry up on one level, scientists must conduct research in order to go deeper.Players may need to bring certain species to life before they have the resources to gather more. Again, the main idea is the same. It’s just more focused and involved, making it superior in many ways.
3New Campaign
Speaking of the sanctuary, that forms the centerpiece of an entirely new campaign. Players build the dinosaur preserve that Biosyn boasts inDominion. They decide everything from the ground up while hearing Lewis Dodgson and other higher-ups debate the direction that the company should go. It’s the perfect scenario to demonstrate all the expansion’s new toys. However, creation isn’t the only ground that the campaign covers.
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On the flip side, the story also deals with destruction. Players need to salvage the sanctuary after the movie’s devastating fire. Under the more altruistic supervision ofClaire Dearing, Ellie Sattler, and Alan Grant, they put out the flames and relocate the animals. The herding mechanic with the ranger vehicles forces a more hands-on approach, once again injecting variety into the gameplay. To top it all off, the actors from the films (with the bizarre exception of Chris Pratt) reprise their roles via voiceovers, giving the story the same sense of legitimacy as earlier modes. The only major issue is that, like the main campaign, it’s far too short.
2Chaos Theory
Biosyn isn’t the only element ofDominionin this DLC. During a new Chaos Theory level, the expansion also incorporatesthe early scene on Owen Grady’s ranch. Here, players have to chase off dino rustlers. True, this amounts to little more than ramming them with ranger vehicles, but it’s still amusing as a way of mixing up the gameplay beyond the administrative role. Plus, installing cameras makes the task less chaotic.
Most tech here comes from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. As a result, it feels like a lost level from the main campaign. Owen and Claire even narrate the events to give the DFW storyline some closure. Sadly, this means Ian Malcolm’s voiceover from the other Chaos Theory levels is absent here. Fans can decide whether or not that’s a deal-breaker.
1New Maps
With the new campaign and Chaos Theory modes come two additional maps. First is the massive woodland valley of the Biosyn Sanctuary. It rivals Arizona in sheer space, and it has a wealth of water sources and forest cover for animals. The trees sometimes make it difficult to see the ground and the dinosaurs, but that’s a small price to pay. Meanwhile, the second map couldn’t be more different.
Sierra Nevada is a winter wonderland. Although also not lacking in size, its uniqueness comes in the biome it presents. Maps like Canada have occasional snow, but none this consistent. To compensate, the animals seem to have increased resistance to hyperthermia. In Sandbox mode, without limitations on power or resources,players can give these amazing areas the prehistoric spectacles they deserve.
Jurassic World Evolution 2is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
