Description:
A typhoon has struck Jurassic Park, knocking out the fences that keep the meat-eating dinosaurs away from their gentle herbivorous cousins. In Jurassic Park III: Dino Defender, players must trap the runaway predators and restore power to the fences before the great reptiles destroy each other completely. Intended for children 8 years and older, Dino Defender is an arcade game of the obstacle-course variety. Players run, jump, climb, and swim their way through the park, looking for the circuit breakers that will power up the fences, while trying not to get eaten in the process. Along the way, helicopters drop down supplies critical to user survival: tranquilizers, dinosaur-trapping nets, flares, and even call boxes, which lure dinosaurs of a particular species. The conceit behind Dino Defender is charming and has a wrinkle that makes it slightly different from that of similar games. While the player's mission is to save the dinosaurs, the monsters in Jurassic Park have no compunctions about devouring their rescuers. One mistake, and the ungrateful beasts will tear a player apart. Even so, the gore content of the game is low, while the action is fast paced and exciting. The look of this game is lush and appealing, with mazes that offer decent problem-solving challenges without being overly complex. As a result, Dino Defender will please young action fans immensely. It offers nonstop opportunities to fall down cliffs and drown in rivers... not to mention getting eaten by a hungry velociraptor. --Alyx Dellamonica
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