There exists a possibility that I might get an Xbox Series S from a friend at the end of the summer. I have the first game on the Switch, but I've always wanted the second game. With a new game confirmed, I am a bit hesitant to buy JWE2. So I have a question for those who already have the game: All things considered (completeness, playability, etc.), would buying JWE2 before the sequel is released be a good idea (assuming we don't hear more, or at least significant news about the third installment)?
Is the game worth it with a sequel?
- Thread starter Mamenchi52
- Start date
Just Realized this is on the wrong page. So sorry.
HeatherG
Volunteer Moderator
I guess it really depends how much you want to play the game.
I am replaying the game on my old PS4 after handing over my PS5 so I could get a perspective of how it is for a new player with all the updates and dlc available to me.
From what I have tested, it holds up well. The Campaigns, Chaos Theory scenarios, and Challenge modes offer a lot when it comes to park management, the updates the game has gotten since launch have refined and enhanced the park experience. With Sandbox and Custom Challenge mode being the end goal in the game, where you could replay as much as you want with your own parks and dinosaur roster that could reach 122 different species if you plan to get the DLC.
The unfortunate thing is the longer you play the game, the more apparent some odd design choices and bugs would become. This does not hinder the overall gameplay experience but it would be noticeable if you played the game for hundreds of hours and know that support is pretty much over.
With that said, if you are possibly getting an Xbox Series S, would you be getting game pass as well? Jurassic World Evolution 2 is in game pass and you could try it out there. It has no DLC content with that option, but the base game is very beefy in what it offers. You basically have a healthy roster of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World dinosaurs and skins, and with the additional attractions, expanded decorations, and the many maps and variations the base game has thanks to the updates, that is more than enough to enjoy this game.
Once DLCs are on sale and you are interested in playing the game further, I recommend the Dominion Biosyn expansion and Malta expansion DLCs. They are the best as they offer more building sets, unique and well detailed movie animals, new campaign and chaos theory game modes, as well as new maps to play in Sandbox and Custom Challenge mode. Any other dlc would simply be adding dinosaurs that you may like, and I only could recommend them if you plan to play the game a LOT in the custom challenge mode and sandbox mode with a wider variety of dinosaurs, the more free form and repayable modes of the game.
Otherwise, I think at this stage there is no harm trying the game out. JWE3 could very well be launching alongside or around the time the next movie were to launch in summer 2025 which is a year away. If you were to nab the game as part of game pass and get the DLC after a huge sale, it would be fun if you like a good current get prehistoric park sim, even if the next title is a year away since the sales discounts these days are super steep and you won't get as much of a buyer's remorse. If this discussion is happening in 2025, I would say it would be best to wait so you could experience the sequel with a completely fresh first impression.
Feel free to ask any further questions!
I am replaying the game on my old PS4 after handing over my PS5 so I could get a perspective of how it is for a new player with all the updates and dlc available to me.
From what I have tested, it holds up well. The Campaigns, Chaos Theory scenarios, and Challenge modes offer a lot when it comes to park management, the updates the game has gotten since launch have refined and enhanced the park experience. With Sandbox and Custom Challenge mode being the end goal in the game, where you could replay as much as you want with your own parks and dinosaur roster that could reach 122 different species if you plan to get the DLC.
The unfortunate thing is the longer you play the game, the more apparent some odd design choices and bugs would become. This does not hinder the overall gameplay experience but it would be noticeable if you played the game for hundreds of hours and know that support is pretty much over.
With that said, if you are possibly getting an Xbox Series S, would you be getting game pass as well? Jurassic World Evolution 2 is in game pass and you could try it out there. It has no DLC content with that option, but the base game is very beefy in what it offers. You basically have a healthy roster of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World dinosaurs and skins, and with the additional attractions, expanded decorations, and the many maps and variations the base game has thanks to the updates, that is more than enough to enjoy this game.
Once DLCs are on sale and you are interested in playing the game further, I recommend the Dominion Biosyn expansion and Malta expansion DLCs. They are the best as they offer more building sets, unique and well detailed movie animals, new campaign and chaos theory game modes, as well as new maps to play in Sandbox and Custom Challenge mode. Any other dlc would simply be adding dinosaurs that you may like, and I only could recommend them if you plan to play the game a LOT in the custom challenge mode and sandbox mode with a wider variety of dinosaurs, the more free form and repayable modes of the game.
Otherwise, I think at this stage there is no harm trying the game out. JWE3 could very well be launching alongside or around the time the next movie were to launch in summer 2025 which is a year away. If you were to nab the game as part of game pass and get the DLC after a huge sale, it would be fun if you like a good current get prehistoric park sim, even if the next title is a year away since the sales discounts these days are super steep and you won't get as much of a buyer's remorse. If this discussion is happening in 2025, I would say it would be best to wait so you could experience the sequel with a completely fresh first impression.
Feel free to ask any further questions!
Thank you! I don't plan to buy the game pass, but as you said a new game would most likely be a year away so it wouldn't be a great loss to buy the game, especially on sale. I'm glad to know from someone who has played the game that they feel satisfied with the current amount of content. Obviously, the main concern knowing a sequel is coming out is that it will improve on the current game, rendering JWE2 somewhat null, but from what you and others have said about the free updates, DLC and the game in general, Evolution 2 is already a well made park builder that really only leaves more specific requests (baby dinosaurs, site B mode, river ride, etc.) to be desired. In any case, if the third installment does give major improvements, JWE2 seems to be enough to keep us happy. Again, thank you.
No worries, I am always happy to help.
Looking back, I think you are going to enjoy JWE2 if your previous game was on JWE1 on the Nintendo switch. The jump to the new game alongside newer hardware would deliver a more fun experience. The dinosaurs would act more lively, the overall experience has been optimized with plenty of updates to quality of life and design choices, and there is a lot of material to work with this time around thanks to the biomes, decor, building sets, and dinosaurs.
The only main downside is that the main default campaign experience in JWE2 is not that long or compelling than JWE1, but if you plan to get the game alongside the Biosyn and Malta expansions, the single player experience of the combined Campaign, Chaos Theory, and Challenge Modes would keep you busy for sure. This will be less of an issue if you plan to do parks with a more free form experience in mind since you have more than a dozen maps with variations to play with.
Yeah, I enjoy Evolution on the Switch, but it does fall quite short in both content and performance (I want to have more than 100 dinosaurs and a map that can fit them all.) The new biomes, decor, maps, and dinosaurs all enhance the experience, and updates definitely provide needed additions like extra viewing opportunities, skins, guest decorations and more.No worries, I am always happy to help.
Looking back, I think you are going to enjoy JWE2 if your previous game was on JWE1 on the Nintendo switch. The jump to the new game alongside newer hardware would deliver a more fun experience. The dinosaurs would act more lively, the overall experience has been optimized with plenty of updates to quality of life and design choices, and there is a lot of material to work with this time around thanks to the biomes, decor, building sets, and dinosaurs.
The only main downside is that the main default campaign experience in JWE2 is not that long or compelling than JWE1, but if you plan to get the game alongside the Biosyn and Malta expansions, the single player experience of the combined Campaign, Chaos Theory, and Challenge Modes would keep you busy for sure. This will be less of an issue if you plan to do parks with a more free form experience in mind since you have more than a dozen maps with variations to play with.
As for the campaign, it isn't all too interesting, but at least it isn't boring AND long. I think the DLC campaigns will be a plus, and I feel like we all know Chaos Theory was the one that was truly meant to be the 'campaign' type mode. I know from the first game that Challenge Mode is going to be a grind, but a fun one at that. Thanks.
Another drawback in Jurassic World: Evolution 2 is the dinosaur cohabitation element. Herbivores' dislike relationships based on paleo plants damage the quality and scoring of the game. I have now come to terms with herbivores' dislike relationships based on geography and timeline.