The Game Awards recently showcased a thrilling array of announcements, with Capcom emerging as a standout for its unexpected game reveals. The renowned Japanese developer surprised audiences by introducing not one but two exciting new titles, both part of long-cherished franchises that have seen little activity in years. One of the highlights was the announcement of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, marking a significant return to the beloved hack-and-slash series set in feudal Japan. Additionally, Capcom treated fans to a glimpse of an upcoming, unnamed sequel to Okami, a project being helmed by Hideki Kamiya, a former designer from PlatinumGames, and developed by the newly formed studio Clovers Inc.
The reaction from the gaming community has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from fans who have long awaited new titles in the Onimusha and Okami series. Capcom’s willingness to revisit these franchises, after years of silence, is both exhilarating and unexpected. Adding to the excitement, Capcom also hinted at the revival of other dormant franchises in a recent press release. The publisher declared its ambition to reinvigorate “classic IPs”that have not seen new releases in a while. This strategic shift is part of Capcom’s broader initiative to enhance corporate value by leveraging its “rich library of content”to produce “highly-efficient, high-quality titles.”With this new direction, fans are hopeful for the return of beloved games from yesteryear. Notably, many are eager for Capcom to revive the Dino Crisis series.
Why the Dino Crisis Series Deserves Revival
The Significance of Dino Crisis in the 90s
Capcom has long been synonymous with survival horror titles, primarily due to the iconic Resident Evil series that has captivated players for nearly three decades. However, the company also made its mark in the genre with the advent of Dino Crisis, a game uniquely combining horror elements with dinosaurs, akin to Jurassic Park. Created by acclaimed designer Shinji Mikami, Dino Crisis positioned itself as a blend of the terror from Capcom’s flagship franchise while introducing the thrill of high-stakes dinosaur encounters. The similarities in gameplay, including the use of tank controls, led some to humorously dub the series as “Resident Evil with dinosaurs.”
Initially released on the PS1 in 1999, shortly after the debut of the first Resident Evil title, Dino Crisis quickly garnered acclaim. The game not only succeeded commercially, selling over 2.4 million copies worldwide but also spawned two sequels and even a light-gun spin-off. Unfortunately, the franchise was sidelined after the lukewarm reception of Dino Crisis 3 in 2003, leaving fans longing for a return.
Growing Demand for a New Dino Crisis Title
Despite the two-decade gap since the last release, Dino Crisis still boasts a loyal fanbase, as revealed by recent surveys conducted by Capcom. Earlier this year, the studio distributed two separate questionnaires to gather feedback from gamers regarding their favorite Capcom titles and their desires for potential reboots. In these surveys, Dino Crisis consistently ranked as one of the most requested franchises, with nearly 31.8% of respondents expressing a desire for a new installment.
The clear interest in Dino Crisis suggests that Capcom would be missing a significant opportunity by failing to revive the series through a remake or reboot of the original game. Given the company’s recent initiatives to bring back iconic titles like Onimusha and Okami, it appears only logical that Capcom would similarly explore the revival of Dino Crisis, if it truly seeks to reconnect with its dedicated fanbase.
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