Raptor Evolution review

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be a dinosaur? If the answer is no, you need to see what is wrong with you. If the answer is yes, you’d better purchase Raptor Evolution. This indie game allows you to take the role of a mighty dinosaur as you rip through junk, attack ghouls, and evolve to be better than anything from Jurassic Park.

Developed by QubicGames, this single-player title plays like a mobile phone experience. However, don’t let that put you off, because there is depth and plenty of entertaining moments. Moreover, you get to be a dinosaur, so what’s not to like?

Don’t steal Mumma’s eggs in Raptor Evolution.

A mother and her baby are a bond that rarely gets broken. However, the ghouls try to test this theory as they steal the mother Raptors’ 5 eggs. Unsurprisingly, this drives her insane, and she smashes everything and everyone in her way. The wake of destruction is vast, and each ghoul gets ripped to pieces in her quest.

The story is pretty rudimentary, and if I’m honest, it doesn’t drive the action. Instead, it is the massive array of mini quests, raids, meat missions, and other elements that progress the game. Alongside this, you must evolve, unlock a pack of dinosaurs, and improve your bite force if you are to unlock the full map and save your eggs.

Grind time.

As Raptor Evolution is pretty much a mobile phone port to console, it is an absolute grind fest. Every main task takes time to complete. However, red gems can be used to speed things up. This limited commodity can be earned through exploration and food missions. Sadly, it quickly runs out, so some planning is required.

Smashing up the world is fun, but a little slow and tiresome. As walls are destroyed, you earn stone, rubber gets your tyres, windows reward you with glass, and so forth. Each of these resources is used to repair stations, upgrade the raptor, and evolve. Consequently, you must destroy the world if you wish to progress.

This approach adds some depth, but it makes it frustrating as well. When time is against you, and everything feels like a grind, this might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Additionally, once you have a pack to support you, they don’t help with the demolition. This was annoying as it would have sped things up nicely.

Combat.

Your pack is useful when it comes to fighting. They swarm your foes and help to complete each side mission. Yet, it is the bionic weaponry that makes a real difference. Once you unlock the evolution and gear sector, your dinosaur turns into a futuristic machine that rips through every foe it faces.

This should have been ridiculous, but it wasn’t. I loved having claws, sharp teeth, a machine gun, and plenty of rockets. Furthermore, having a pack of savage prehistoric friends to back me up was oh so enjoyable.

Raptor Evolution looks great.

Visually, Raptor Evolution was a pleasant surprise. I expected pixelated graphics, poor animation, and bugs. However, it delivers vibrant colours, cartoon graphics, and an enjoyable world to explore. Additionally, as the dinosaur evolves, it looks fantastic! The audio blends aggressive tunes with hard-hitting sound effects. Swiping claws, snapping jaws, and impressive explosions bring this to life.

The control system is automated. Subsequently, there is little to master as your Dino goes crazy. If the world can be attacked, the raptor attacks it. Additionally, if any ghouls wander near, your guns will fire, or your claws will swipe away. This is a grind fest. As such, expect to invest hours if you wish to complete it. If you love achievements, the list is relatively easy to finish, and around 3 to 4 hours can maximise your gamer score.

Raptor Evolution is a great indie game.

Preconceived ideas aren’t always a good thing. Thankfully, I’m always open-minded, and Raptor Evolution impressed me. It was enjoyable, vibrant, energetic, and a great way to waste my time. Accordingly, I recommend getting a copy from the Xbox store!