We played through (and enjoyed) both parts of Jurassic World Aftermath when it launched on the Meta Quest 2 back in 2021, with the stealth adventure offering an intense battle for survival against a fierce dinosaur threat. Sure, it had some issues, but for the most part it was a fun take on the established Jurassic World formula.
With the launch of PlayStation VR 2, both parts of the game have been bundled together into Jurassic World Aftermath Collection, giving players the opportunity to play through the full experience with an array of enhancements thanks to the power of the new headset.
Check out some screenshots down below:
We’ve previously reviewed both parts of Jurassic World Aftermath, so this review will mainly focus on the PlayStation VR 2 improvements. You can check out our original reviews of part one through this link and part two through this link.
Set two years after the events of the 2015 movie Jurassic World, Jurassic World Aftermath Collection takes place at a time when dinosaurs are roaming free on the island of Isla Nublar with very little in place to stop them from… you know… eating people. It’s not the ideal time to visit then really, is it? Unfortunately, that’s what you end up doing when your plane crashes down right in the midst of all of the dino-danger, with a pulsating interaction with a t-rex setting the tone for the rest of your mission.
Fortunately, you have a companion named Mia who’ll guide you along your journey via radio, so you’re not completely alone on your adventure – you’ll even hear interactions with some iconic characters from the movies along the way, with the ever-lovable Jeff Goldblum’s soothing tones one of those that you’ll get to hear.
“The game always had a slick presentation thanks to its comic book-style aesthetic, but it’s definitely shown off with more clarity and detail when compared to the Meta Quest 2.”
The gameplay experience revolves around sneaking through the facility, all whilst evading the wrath of the wandering velociraptors, finding safe spots to hide, and clearing a few puzzles. Add to that some cool set pieces and, of course, a few showdowns with some of the BIGGER dinosaurs, and you’ll have a rough idea as to what to expect from the game. It was enjoyable on the Meta Quest 2 and it has held up well now, even if some aspects of the gameplay can be a little repetitive in places. Some of the flaws are a little bit more noticeable when you play both parts right after the other, but for the most part it’s a competent stealth adventure that offers enough excitement to keep players on their toes.
Playing on PlayStation VR 2, it’s clear that some improvements have been made to make the visuals look a bit more snazzier and sharp with the more powerful headset. In fairness, the game always had a slick presentation thanks to its comic book-style aesthetic, but it’s definitely shown off with more clarity and detail when compared to the Meta Quest 2. The improved lighting effects do add to the atmosphere too, whilst the enhanced 3D audio adds to the immersion by allowing players to pinpoint the exact direction a stalking dinosaur might be coming from. Don’t get me wrong, it’s probably not the best advert for the potential of PlayStation VR 2 from a visual basis thanks to the simplicity of the visual style, but I still think it’s a pretty game.
As for the other features of the headset, Jurassic World Aftermath doesn’t really take full advantage of them. The haptic feedback is a bit more limited and I didn’t always notice it in some of the game’s more startling moments, whilst eye tracking isn’t utilised so you shouldn’t expect anything from that. In fairness, the game wasn’t designed with those features in mind to begin with so it’s understandable, but I do wish it did at least utilise the haptic feedback in a more impactful way – especially when encountering the likes of a t-rex. I will give a shout out to the improved load times though, which is something I’m looking forward to seeing more of with PlayStation VR 2.
Check out some screenshots down below:
PlayStation VR 2 owners do have something new to check out though, with the Dino Viewer allowing players to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs. They’re the star of the show so it is a cool feature, but it was one of those ‘one and done’ kinda things. Still, with a decent selection of dinosaurs to encounter in the game, it’s nice to check them out without worrying that they’ll try to eat you.
Jurassic World Aftermath Collection Review
Jurassic World Aftermath Collection is a cool experience that dinosaur fans will love, though the game can get a little repetitive in places. Whilst new mechanics are introduced as you play to spice up the stealth gameplay and there are some thrilling set pieces, it’s still a slow-paced experience that mostly consists of sneaking, hiding, and outrunning the dinosaurs. Luckily, it’s fun to play so it’s not a big problem, but some might wish it offered a bit more.
The improved visuals, 3D audio, and newly introduced Dino Viewer are all nice enhancements offered by PlayStation VR 2, so it’s clear some effort has gone into the port. Is it worth double-dipping if you’ve played it on the Meta Quest 2 before? Probably not, but it’s clear that the PlayStation VR 2 offers the best way to experience the adventure if it’s your first time playing.
Developer: Coatsink
Publisher: Coatsink
Platform(s): PlayStation VR 2 (Reviewed), PlayStation VR, Meta Quest 2
Website: https://jurassicworldaftermath.com/