Reliving the Catastrophe

Telltale Games takes us back to the iconic setting of the original Jurassic Park film with their latest adventure game. This immersive experience delves into the events that set the catastrophic events of the movie in motion.

The Mission: Dinosaur Embryos

At the heart of the game lies a MacGuffin from the original film: a can of Barbasol containing precious dinosaur embryos. Corporate spies, distrustful of Dennis Nedry’s abilities, send in a backup smuggler named Nima to ensure the job is done.

A Parallel Storyline

The game unfolds in a parallel storyline to the first film, following the hours during and after the chaos. Players encounter familiar characters like park veterinarian Gerry Harding and his daughter Jess, as well as new faces like mercenaries sent to evacuate the park and a park scientist concerned more for the dinosaurs than human safety.

Puzzles and Action

Jurassic Park: The Game is not a typical dinosaur shooter. Instead, it’s an interactive movie where players direct the action through puzzles and action sequences. From frantic key combinations to escape Tyrannosaurus to deciphering door codes, the gameplay keeps players on their toes.

Multiple Perspectives

The game requires players to switch between characters to accomplish tasks, offering a diverse perspective on the unfolding events. This approach adds depth to the storyline and allows players to explore different aspects of the characters’ motivations.

Testing Your Skills

The action sequences demand quick reflexes and deftness at the keyboard or gamepad. Players must dodge charging Triceratops, stab Velociraptors, and escape packs of Troodon within rapid succession. These challenges add an element of thrill and excitement to the gameplay.

Respect for Dinosaur Enthusiasts

The game designers have paid attention to detail, ensuring that the park’s appearance is consistent with the original film. The dinosaurs match their big-screen counterparts, and even snippets of dialog and journal entries address scientific issues with the fictional story.

Flaws and Frustrations

Despite its strengths, the game has its flaws. Some of the new prehistoric beasts, such as the tubby Herrerasaurus and the overly embellished mosasaur, could have benefited from more attention to detail. Additionally, the action sequences can be frustrating due to their high level of responsiveness, which can lead to repeated failures.

A Nostalgic Adventure

Despite these quibbles, Jurassic Park: The Game is an enjoyable and well-executed spinoff that allows players to revisit the dinosaur-infested park. Its “choose your own adventure” approach captures the spirit of the original films, making it a nostalgic and immersive experience for fans of the franchise.

Draw a Dinosaur Day

Calling all artists! ART Evolved is spreading the word about “Draw a Dinosaur Day,” which will be celebrated tomorrow, January 30th. Check out the official website to see the entries.

Reporting on Dinosaur Stories

Tired of inaccurate dinosaur reporting in the media? David Hone at Archosaur Musings has written a comprehensive guide for journalists. One of his key tips: avoid creating false controversies by seeking out contradictory quotes. Science is about consensus, not balance, so finding an alternative viewpoint doesn’t necessarily make the reporting better.

The Year in Dinosaurs and Paleontology

The Paleo King offers a retrospective of the best and worst in dinosaurs and paleontology from 2009.

DIY Dinosaur Vertebra

Have some scissors and glue? Mike Taylor at SV-POW! shows you how to make your own brachiosaurid cervical vertebra.

Biostratigraphy: A Geologist’s Tool

Biostratigraphy is a technique that geologists use to determine the relative ages of rock strata by studying the fossils they contain. However, as Walcott’s Quarry illustrates, this technique can be traumatizing for trilobites.

Dinosaur Pilgrimage in Texas

Chinleana made a pilgrimage to the small Texas town of Spur, drawn by an impressive painting of an aetosaur on the side of the local history museum. For someone who has spent years researching these animals, visiting the area where the original specimens were collected was a thrilling experience.

Jurassic Parka: The Latest Paleo-Fashion

Dinochick highlights the must-have paleo-fashion item: the Jurassic Parka.

Triceracopter: A Symbol of Peace

Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs spotlights a fascinating sculpture called “Triceracopter: Hope for the Obsolescence of War.” This sculpture melds the body of a decommissioned helicopter with a fiberglass Triceratops head and limbs. The artist intended to challenge the outdated view of dinosaurs as failed monstrosities.

Dinosaurs in Sci-Fi and Monster Movies

Asher Elbein argues that the most effective creatures in sci-fi and monster movies are those that draw inspiration from paleontology. Things that look prehistoric, like pterosaurs or theropods, resonate with audiences on a deep level. This is because dinosaurs are fundamentally alien to us, even when they seem familiar.

Mountain Banshees: Avatar’s Prehistoric Inspiration

The pterosaur-inspired “Mountain Banshees” in the blockbuster film Avatar are a testament to the power of paleontology in inspiring sci-fi creations. Creatures that take their cues from prehistoric animals seem more impressive to audiences, even if they can’t explain why.

Dinosaurs as Fairway Decor

Dinosaurs and mini-golf may seem like an unlikely pairing, but they actually complement each other quite well. Dinosaurs make for excellent fairway decor, adding a touch of whimsy and prehistory to the game. And in some cases, the dinosaurs remain even after the mini-golf course has closed, creating a unique and unexpected sight.

The Benefits of Dinosaur Decor

There are several benefits to using dinosaurs as fairway decor. First, they are visually appealing and can help to attract customers to your course. Second, they can be used to create a variety of different themes, from Jurassic Park to the Cretaceous period. Third, they can be used to educate customers about dinosaurs and their history.

Examples of Dinosaur Decor

There are many different ways to use dinosaurs as fairway decor. Some courses simply place dinosaur statues around the course, while others create more elaborate displays. For example, one course in Wisconsin features a Tyrannosaurus rex standing over a closed mini-golf course, as if it is guarding the ruins.

Dinosaurs in Unusual Places

Dinosaurs are not just found on mini-golf courses. They can also be found in a variety of other unusual places, such as shopping malls, office buildings, and even churches. In fact, one of the most famous dinosaur fossils in the world, Sue the T. rex, is currently on display at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The History of Dinosaurs and Mini-Golf

The history of dinosaurs and mini-golf is surprisingly long and intertwined. The first mini-golf course was built in Scotland in 1867, and it featured a variety of dinosaur-themed obstacles. Since then, dinosaurs have become a popular theme for mini-golf courses all over the world.

The Impact of Dinosaurs on Mini-Golf

Dinosaurs have had a significant impact on the popularity of mini-golf. They have helped to make the game more appealing to a wider range of people, and they have also inspired the creation of new and innovative mini-golf courses.

Where to Find the Best Dinosaur-Themed Mini-Golf Courses

If you are looking for a fun and unique mini-golf experience, be sure to check out one of the many dinosaur-themed courses around the world. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Jurassic Golf in Orlando, Florida
• Dinosaur Golf in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• T-Rex Golf in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Dino Golf in Branson, Missouri
• Cretaceous Golf in San Antonio, Texas

The Funniest Dinosaur-Themed Mini-Golf Hole Designs

Some of the most popular dinosaur-themed mini-golf courses feature some of the funniest and most creative hole designs. Here are a few of our favorites:

• The “Tricera-tops” hole at Jurassic Golf in Orlando, Florida, which features a Triceratops skull as the obstacle.
• The “Pterodactyl Putter” hole at Dinosaur Golf in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which features a pterodactyl flying overhead.
• The “T-Rex Trap” hole at T-Rex Golf in Las Vegas, Nevada, which features a T-Rex that roars when you hit the ball into its mouth.
• The “Dino-mite” hole at Dino Golf in Branson, Missouri, which features a dinosaur erupting from a volcano.
• The “Cretaceous Crawl” hole at Cretaceous Golf in San Antonio, Texas, which features a dinosaur skeleton that you have to crawl through.

Conclusion

Dinosaurs and mini-golf are a natural pairing. They both provide a fun and unique experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So next time you are looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, be sure to check out one of the many dinosaur-themed mini-golf courses around the world.