Jurassic World Evolution

Development and release

Jurassic World Evolution was developed and published by Frontier Developments, based on the 2015 film Jurassic World, though the game is not considered canon, allowing creative freedom. NBCUniversal wanted a game to accompany the 2018 film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and approached Frontier Developments about two years before that film's release. Frontier was also interested in creating a dinosaur game. The development team consisted of approximately 100 people with a budget of around £8 million, using Frontier's Cobra game engine.

Universal Pictures provided dinosaur models from the films, reference materials, and audio. The team watched the films, read Michael Crichton's novels Jurassic Park and The Lost World, and studied fan theories. History from each film was added; Jeff Goldblum, Bryce Dallas Howard, and BD Wong reprised their roles. Dinosaur designs primarily referenced the films for consistency while incorporating some latest scientific discoveries.

The team studied birds and other animals for design inspiration. Dinosaur behavior combined film portrayals with scientific findings. Paleontologist Jack Horner, an advisor on the films, was consulted. Dinosaurs were given bright, colorful hides based on new research.

Reception

Jurassic World Evolution received 'generally favorable reviews' for the Xbox One and Switch versions, while the PC and PlayStation 4 versions received 'mixed or average reviews' on Metacritic. Critics praised the dinosaur designs and graphics. Sam Loveridge of GamesRadar+ liked the variety and the cutscene when a dinosaur is released, and enjoyed controlling the jeep and ACU helicopter from a third-person perspective. Paul Tamburro of Game Revolution praised the dinosaurs' design and animation.

James Swinbanks of GameSpot also praised the dinosaurs and found learning each dinosaur's personality and behaviors 'surprisingly satisfying'. Daniel Tack of Game Informer liked experimenting with genes but noted it was not a 'freeform experience'. Dan Stapleton of IGN found unlocking genes tedious, describing it as 'mandatory robotic actions', and lamented the lack of pterosaurs and aquatic reptiles at launch. Dan Roemer of Destructoid commended the inclusion of lesser-known species such as Giganotosaurus and Deinonychus.

Sequels

A follow-up, Jurassic World Evolution 2, came out on November 9 after being revealed in June 2021. Jeff Goldblum returned to voice his character, and the game brought in flying pterosaurs and swimming marine reptiles. Set after the movie Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, it launched on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and both Xbox Series consoles. Critics gave it good marks, often calling it a step up from the first game.

Then came Jurassic World Evolution 3 on October 21, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S. This one added new features like dinosaur genders, a mating system, baby animals, and a fully modular building setup similar to what Frontier used in Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo. Its story picks up after Jurassic World Dominion, with Goldblum once again providing his voice. Reviewers liked the game a lot, praising its looks, customization choices, and the breeding and juvenile dinosaurs. Shacknews writer Donovan Erskine said it was the best the series had to offer.