Jurassic World Evolution 3 Review (PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC)

When Jurassic World Evolution 3 was announced, fans were curious to see how far Frontier could take the series. After all, Evolution 2 already gave players a great sandbox full of dinosaurs and park-building fun. The Jurassic World franchise has always been a favorite, not just in games but also in movies, where dinosaurs still amaze audiences after all these years. With the release of Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest film in the series, the franchise proves it still has plenty of life left on the big screen.

Now, Jurassic World Evolution 3 brings that same excitement to players, with new features like baby dinosaurs, modular building, terrain shaping, and random island generation. But does it really succeed in taking the next big step? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

The Joy of Creation

For players who love building their dream dinosaur parks, Jurassic World Evolution 3 is pure fun. The new modular building system is the biggest change, and it makes park creation more personal than ever. At first, it can seem a little tricky, but once you get used to it, it’s very rewarding. Players can now build attractions, shops, and decoration pieces piece by piece, giving you almost endless options. It’s a system that rewards creativity and patience, and it can easily keep you hooked for hours.

For players who prefer a simpler start, Frontier added prefab buildings. Most facilities have several ready-made versions you can use right away. You can also edit or mix them to make something unique. This makes the game friendly for both beginners and experienced builders.

The terrain tools are another major upgrade. In past games, you could only raise or lower the land a bit. Now, you can shape the map freely, carve deep canyons, form tall cliffs, or smooth rolling hills. One of the best touches is the automatic waterfalls: place water at two heights, and the game creates a flowing fall between them. With these tools and new colored paths, your park can truly reflect your style. For creative players, this feels like the ultimate upgrade. 

The Sandbox Dream

If Jurassic World Evolution 2 made players feel boxed in by limited space or repetitive maps. Therefore, the new random island generator is a game-changer. Each time you start a sandbox game, the system can generate a unique island shape with varying terrain and coastlines. This randomness challenges players to rethink layouts and adapt their builds to fit natural landscapes, much like assembling a puzzle. It’s a small touch, but it massively boosts replayability.

Beyond the islands, blueprint saving has also become a key feature. Players can now design structures, from simple planters to entire themed plazas, and save them for later use. It encourages efficiency and consistency across parks, especially for creators who like a certain architectural style.

That said, it’s not perfect. Some terrain constraints still pop up when placing buildings. The baffling “one arrival building per park” rule remains, even in sandbox mode. Notably, it’s frustratingly restrictive for players who love sprawling, multi-hub parks. Nevertheless, these are minor hurdles in what is otherwise the best park creation experience the series has ever offered.

The Dinos Steal the Show

Of course, the real stars are the dinosaurs. Every species has its own personality and behavior, and they all look incredible. From the gentle giants like Brachiosaurus to the ferocious carnivores, every model feels handcrafted with care.

The AI has improved, too. Dinos now move more naturally, respond to each other’s actions, and even show a bit of curiosity about the visitors. It’s these small touches that make the park feel alive. You’ll find yourself watching them like they’re real animals.

Fans are also hoping for even more species to come as DLC, like Anurognathus, Aquilops, Distortus Rex, Mutadon, and Titanosaurus. Frontier has a history of great post-launch support, so it’s safe to say more dinosaurs are coming.

Ultimately, whether you’re into the science of it all or just want to see giant creatures roar and stomp around, Evolution 3 delivers. The combination of beauty, chaos, and cuteness, thanks to those baby dinos, is just perfect.

A Familiar but Longer Journey

While Jurassic World Evolution 3 takes creativity to new heights, its management side feels more like a gentle step forward than a full leap. The main campaign is longer this time, packed with fresh missions and goals that slowly build in challenge. The returning Challenge Mode also brings some fun surprises, giving players new reasons to test their skills. However, the core gameplay loop stays mostly the same as in Evolution 2.

Players will explore for fossils, keep guests happy, and care for their dinosaurs while dealing with storms, escapes, and power issues. Of course, a few new tools add flavor. For instance, the ATV maintenance team helps with repairs, and security cameras can now spot problems early and send ranger teams automatically. These touches make park management smoother, but don’t really change how you play.

Now, the simplicity is both a blessing and a curse. For relaxed players or builders who focus on creativity, the lighter systems make the game easy to enjoy without stress. You can focus on your park’s beauty instead of complex numbers. However, fans looking for deep strategy or tough economic choices may find it too simple. In short, if you liked how Evolution 2 handled management, you’ll feel right at home. If you wanted more depth, this one won’t fully satisfy you, but it’s still fun to run your own Jurassic Park.

The Ecosystem

For players who enjoy setting dinosaurs free to form their own ecosystems, Jurassic World Evolution 3 offers both charm and frustration. There’s still no true “Site B” mode where life runs completely on its own. Players must place an arrival point and a hatchery to start things off. Once your park’s ecosystem is stable, though, you can remove those buildings and simply watch nature unfold.

On the other hand, baby dinosaurs are one of the best parts of this system. Seeing tiny raptors follow their parents or young triceratops wander with the herd is heartwarming. They make your park feel alive and add light population dynamics. If nests are available, species can now breed naturally, creating self-sustaining environments that grow over time.

Additionally, predator behavior is also smarter now. Carnivores only hunt when hungry, which might be every 20 to 30 minutes of real time. This makes your habitats feel more balanced instead of turning into constant chaos.

Visually, the game shines. Lighting, reflections, and water effects look stunning, especially during sunsets when semi-aquatic species glide through glowing waves. However, animations can feel stiff or repeated, which breaks the illusion a bit. Overall, it’s a relaxing and beautiful experience for players who like to watch dinosaurs live naturally, even if the novelty fades after a while.

When Titans Clash

Now we come to the weakest part of Jurassic World Evolution 3: dinosaur combat. Unfortunately, it hasn’t evolved at all. The battles still follow the same formula: dinosaurs circle each other, trade bites, and eventually one collapses. The kill animations are still cinematic and well animated. However, there’s not much new to see, especially since the launch roster is smaller than Evolution 2’s final lineup.

The much-requested features, like more aggressive AI or free-roaming hunting behavior, are still absent. Carnivores won’t attack guests unless starving, which means hours can pass without action. Even herbivores and babies refuse to defend themselves or participate in fights, which makes combat encounters feel more staged than spontaneous.

For players who loved setting up massive “Battle Royale” arenas in Evolution 2, this sequel will disappoint. The smaller roster means fewer matchup possibilities, and without new kill animations, it all feels recycled. The lack of a “combat frequency” slider from the first game is a missed opportunity, too. If Frontier reintroduces it in a future update, the experience could improve dramatically.

Until then, the combat side of the game feels stuck in the past. For those who play primarily to watch dino fights or chaos unfold, Jurassic World Evolution 2 might actually offer more fun right now.

Verdict

In the end, Jurassic World Evolution 3 delivers almost everything fans could have hoped for. It builds on the strong base of the last two games while adding new layers of creativity and heart. The balance It feels grounded yet playful in all the right ways hours perfecting your park or simply watching your dinosaurs roam. Interestingly, many players are already calling it the best management game of the year, and that praise feels well-earned.

That said, a few rough edges remain. Console versions could use smoother performance, and some players might want deeper management systems or more customization options. Still, these are small issues in an otherwise polished experience. If Jurassic World Evolution 2 felt like a promising warm-up, then this sequel is the main event. Whether you’re managing, building, or just watching your park, Evolution 3 is a must-play for any dinosaur fan. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best park-management games ever made.