Summary

Release Year: 1998
Genres: Adventure, Puzzle, Shooter
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Dreamworks Interactive
Publishers: Electronic Arts

Trespasser (1998): A Pioneering but Flawed Dinosaur Adventure

Released in 1998 alongside the home video release of The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Trespasser was an ambitious attempt to create a truly immersive and interactive dinosaur survival game. Set one year after the events of the film, the game follows Anne, the lone survivor of a plane crash on InGen’s Site B on Isla Nublar. With a fractured arm and no equipment to speak of, Anne must escape the remote island by solving puzzles and evading dangerous dinosaurs.

Trespasser was groundbreaking in many ways. It was one of the first games to use real-time 3D graphics and physics, allowing for a level of environmental interaction and realism that was unprecedented at the time. The game’s dinosaurs were also remarkably lifelike, with complex AI and realistic animations.

However, Trespasser was also plagued by a number of technical issues and design flaws. The game’s controls were notoriously difficult, and the frequent bugs and glitches made it frustrating to play at times. The game’s story was also criticized for being thin and unengaging.

Despite its flaws, Trespasser remains an important and influential game in the history of dinosaur video games. Its innovative use of 3D graphics and physics helped to set the standard for future dinosaur games, and its realistic dinosaurs continue to impress even today.

Gameplay

Trespasser is a first-person survival horror game in which the player controls Anne as she explores Isla Nublar and attempts to escape. The game is played in real-time, and the player has a limited amount of time to complete each objective before Anne dies from hunger, thirst, or injury.

Anne can interact with the environment in a variety of ways. She can climb trees, swim, and use tools to solve puzzles. She can also use weapons to defend herself against dinosaurs, but ammunition is scarce and must be used wisely.

The game’s dinosaurs are AI-controlled and behave in realistic ways. They will hunt Anne for food, and they will attack if they feel threatened. Anne must use stealth and cunning to avoid the dinosaurs, or she will quickly be overwhelmed.

Setting

Trespasser is set on Isla Nublar, the remote island where InGen created its dinosaurs. The island is a lush and dangerous place, with towering trees, dense jungles, and treacherous cliffs. Anne must traverse this treacherous landscape while avoiding the deadly dinosaurs that inhabit it.

Characters

Anne: The player character, Anne is the sole survivor of a plane crash on Isla Nublar. She is a resourceful and determined woman, but she is also vulnerable and alone.
The Dinosaurs: Isla Nublar is home to a variety of dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptors, and Triceratops. These dinosaurs are AI-controlled and behave in realistic ways.

Development

Trespasser was developed by DreamWorks Interactive and published by Electronic Arts. The game was originally intended to be released in 1997, but it was delayed several times due to technical problems. The game was finally released in 1998, but it was met with mixed reviews.

Reception

Trespasser was a commercial failure, selling only around 100,000 copies worldwide. The game was criticized for its difficult controls, frequent bugs, and unengaging story. However, the game’s innovative use of 3D graphics and physics was praised, and it has since become a cult classic among dinosaur video game fans.

Legacy

Conclusion

Trespasser was a flawed but ambitious game that pushed the boundaries of dinosaur video games. Its innovative use of 3D graphics and physics, combined with its realistic dinosaurs, created a truly immersive and interactive experience. While the game’s technical problems and unengaging story ultimately held it back from greatness, Trespasser remains an important and influential game in the history of the genre.

Review Score

5/10

Trespasser (1998)