Frontier Developments has really found their rhythm when it comes to park builders. Each release seems to refine what came before, and after the impressive leap forward with Planet Coaster 2, expectations were sky-high for Jurassic World Evolution 3. The big question is—did this prehistoric sequel live up to the hype?
Gameplay
That iconic Jurassic Park theme still sends chills down my spine the moment it kicks in. Jurassic World Evolution 3 builds upon everything Frontier learned from JWE2 while borrowing some of the best ideas from Planet Coaster. The result is the most customizable and player-friendly entry in the series to date.
One of my biggest wishes for JWE2 was full-scale customization, and thankfully, that’s finally here. Every building, attraction, and enclosure can now be modified in detail using the same powerful tools found in Planet Coaster 2’s engine. It’s an incredible step forward that lets you create a truly personal version of your own dinosaur park, down to the smallest rock or signpost.
You’ve got three major modes to dig into—Campaign, Challenge, and Sandbox—and each one serves a distinct purpose. The Campaign is easily the best starting point for newcomers. It acts as a guided tour through the game’s systems, introducing you to research, enclosure building, guest management, and dino care while weaving in a story that feels authentic to the Jurassic World brand. It’s a great way to get inspired before diving into your own creations.
Personally, Challenge Mode is where I spend most of my time. I enjoy having creative freedom, but I also like having specific goals to push me forward. Challenge mode strikes that balance perfectly, forcing you to manage limited resources while still allowing for creativity. And for the dreamers out there, Sandbox Mode has been improved dramatically. The new island generator lets you sculpt your very own Jurassic paradise from the ground up—terrain, climate, and all. It’s a feature that longtime fans have been asking for, and it absolutely delivers.
Because Frontier is reusing and refining systems from Planet Coaster 2, the controls are far more streamlined this time around. Jumping between the two games feels seamless now. Gone are the days of constant misclicks when trying to rotate a viewing gallery or align a path just right. It’s a smoother, more intuitive experience all around.
Feedback
While Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a huge step forward, it’s not without its rough patches. The biggest issue is still the pathing system. It’s definitely improved over previous games, but it remains a little… well, prehistoric. Paths can behave awkwardly on uneven terrain or when connecting multiple structures, which sometimes breaks the natural look of your park.
Another minor gripe is how difficult it can still be to make your environments look as natural as those in Planet Zoo. The tools are powerful, but there are a few lingering restrictions that keep JWE3 from reaching that same organic realism Frontier achieved with their zoo builder. A bit more flexibility in terrain and foliage placement would go a long way.
That said, these issues are relatively small compared to how much JWE3 improves the overall experience. Between the new customization options, smoother building mechanics, and expanded sandbox tools, this is easily the most ambitious and player-driven Jurassic World Evolution title yet.
Verdict
Jurassic World Evolution 3 feels like the culmination of everything Frontier has learned from their previous titles. It’s a love letter to both dinosaur enthusiasts and park-building fans, finally merging creative freedom with the thrilling unpredictability of prehistoric management. There are still a few kinks to iron out—particularly with the pathing and terrain tools—but the foundation here is rock-solid.
If you’ve ever wanted to create your ultimate Jurassic Park without compromise, this is the closest Frontier has ever come to making that dream a reality.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 is available now for PC via Steam or Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStatioin 5.
