Dino Trauma Review: The Retro FPS You Can’t Afford to Miss!

Dino Trauma is an awesome first-person shooter that blends the nostalgic charm of "boomer shooters" with a thrilling dinosaur-themed experience. While the game is still under development, it shows plenty of promise and delivers moments of fun, albeit with room for improvement. Here's a deep dive into what Dino Trauma has to offer. Story and Setting: 3/5 The story of Dino Trauma is simple and unapologetically clichéd. You play as a secret agent investigating a mysterious lab overrun by dinosaurs after all your predecessors have met their untimely demise. The narrative doesn't aim for emotional depth or complex character arcs, which is typical for the genre. While there are files and documents scattered throughout the game that provide some background, these elements only scratch the surface of storytelling. Where the game does shine is in its atmosphere. The old-school graphics lend a clandestine, almost eerie feel to the laboratory settings, evoking a sense of mystery. The dinosaurs, however, don’t play by the rules, creating chaotic and thrilling encounters. Although the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s enough to support the core gameplay. Gameplay and Mechanics: 4/5 At its core, Dino Trauma is a shooter that doesn’t stray far from the basics but adds a few wrinkles to keep things interesting. The experience point system rewards you for killing dinosaurs and exploring levels. However, the grind can feel repetitive, as progression often requires replaying levels multiple times to accumulate enough points for upgrades and items. The difficulty is challenging but fair. Enemies hit hard and can kill you quickly, yet health pickups are scattered throughout the levels for resourceful players. Saving frequently is crucial, as death can erase significant progress. Despite some pacing issues—like being sent back to the hub after every mission—the gameplay loop is engaging. The controls are smooth and responsive, and a recent patch added controller support, enhancing accessibility. The mechanics may not innovate significantly, but they successfully evoke the spirit of classic FPS games. Graphics and Art Style: 4.5/5 Dino Trauma embraces a retro aesthetic reminiscent of 90s shooters, complete with pixelated textures and deliberate graphical glitches that evoke nostalgia. The environments are immersive, with labyrinthine layouts that challenge your navigation skills. Whether you're hunting for a keycard hidden in a toilet or fending off dinosaurs emerging from the shadows, the visuals enhance the overall experience. The game’s design strikes a delicate balance—it feels retro without appearing outdated. If you're a fan of old-school aesthetics, this is a treat. Additionally, the game runs smoothly even on low-end hardware, making it accessible to a wide range of players. Sound and Music: 3/5 The sound design plays a supportive role in the game’s atmosphere. Ambient noises contribute to the tension, and the music wisely stays in the background to avoid overshadowing the gameplay. However, the dinosaur sounds could use more variation and intensity to heighten the immersion. Beefing up their roars and growls would make encounters even more thrilling. Replayability and Content: 4/5 While the game’s level variety is currently limited, the replayability is bolstered by its experience point system. That said, the necessity of replaying levels to progress can become tedious. Adding optional arenas for grinding or adjusting the experience requirements for upgrades would greatly improve this aspect. With new levels, dinosaurs, and content patches expected, the game’s potential for replayability is promising. The developers clearly have a vision, and further refinements could elevate the game to greater heights. Highlights and Suggestions What Works: Nostalgic graphics and smooth performance. Intense gameplay with a solid balance of challenge and reward. Fun exploration with hidden items and environmental storytelling. What Needs Improvement: Dinosaur Sounds: Enhance audio cues for dinosaur movements and attacks to build tension. Progression System: Introduce alternatives to grinding for experience, such as optional challenges or arenas. Level Design: Add more diverse layouts and objectives to reduce the repetitive feel. Final Thoughts Dino Trauma is a love letter to retro FPS games with a unique dinosaur twist. It’s not without its flaws, but the foundation is solid. The nostalgic graphics, responsive controls, and thrilling encounters make it a worthwhile experience, especially for fans of classic shooters. With more polish and content, Dino Trauma could become a standout indie title. Rating: 8/10 Dino Trauma - Early Access Launched on April 28, 2023! Platform: PC (Steam) Price: $12.99 USD Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/21... Dino Trauma introduces you to a secret laboratory somewhere in Eastern Europe where gore and dinosaurs aren't unusual things. Retro FPS inspired.