Paleo Pines
A dinosaur sanctuary life sim with farming and friendship.
Paleo Pines is a 3D single-player farm life sim where humans and dinosaurs share an island. Players become a rancher whose job involves gathering, logging, and looking after the many dinosaur species living there, alongside a Parasaurolophus named Lucky. The townspeople and dinosaurs can be befriended and help the player with specific abilities needed to move the story forward.
The game was created by the Northern Ireland-based independent studio Italic Pig, whose team includes people from the UK animation and game industries. Publisher Modus Games announced it on 23 April 2023 with a trailer. It appeared at Gamescom in Cologne in August 2023, and the MIX Next Showcase that same month revealed its release date of 26 September 2023 for Linux, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. In October 2024, Italic Pig said they had kept the game going for its first year on a very tight budget, but that a planned sequel would need investors and publishers to fund it.
Critics gave Paleo Pines an average score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic, meaning "mixed or average reviews." On OpenCritic, 35% of critics recommended it. Ryan Thompson-Bamsey of TheGamer described it as a mostly successful take on standard farming sim formulas, with the dinosaur collecting and care being the most interesting part. Screen Rant's Deven McClure said it has all the right pieces for a cozy game, but that some character designs feel uninviting and certain features are shallow, which might turn away some players.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Paleo Pines
- Developer
- Italic Pig
- Publisher
- Modus Games
- Platforms
- Linux / Nintendo Switch / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 / Windows / Xbox One / Xbox Series XS
- Released
- WW · 26 September 2023
- Genre
- Farm life sim
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Paleo Pines was announced on 23 April 2023 by publisher Modus Games with a reveal trailer. The title was developed by Northern Ireland-based independent game studio Italic Pig, whose team includes members active in the UK animation and game industry. In August 2023, the game appeared at Gamescom in Cologne and the MIX Next Showcase, where its September release date was revealed for all platforms. In October 2024, Italic Pig stated they had supported the game over its first year on a "shoestring budget," and that support for a planned follow-up would depend on finding investors and publishers willing to back the project.
Reader's Guide
Paleo Pines received an average critic score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating mixed or average reviews. OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, with 35% of critics recommending it. Ryan Thompson-Bamsey of TheGamer called the game "a largely successful execution of standard farming sim formulas," noting that the dinosaur collecting and caring mechanic was the "most compelling" part. Screen Rant's Deven McClure felt it "has all the right ingredients for a cozy game," but that sometimes "uninviting" character designs and "shallow" features may put off some players. The game's significance lies in its niche blend of farming simulation and dinosaur care, appealing to cozy game enthusiasts while facing criticism for uneven execution.
Did You Know?
- Paleo Pines was developed by Northern Ireland-based studio Italic Pig.
- Players befriend a Parasaurolophus named Lucky as their companion.
- Italic Pig revealed in October 2024 that the game was supported on a 'shoestring budget' over its first year.
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