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The Carnivores games were a series of three games released by Action Forms Ltd.: Carnivores, which was released in 1998, Carnivores 2, released in 1999, and Carnivores: Ice Age, released in 2001, all for the PC. In addition, Carnivores Cityscape was released in 2002, but it was developed by a different company and is considered by many fans to be little more than an attempt to share the limelight with its predecessors.

Carnivores

Carnivores is a Fantasy First-Person Shooter developed by Action Forms Ltd. in 1998 for the PC. Carnivores, released shortly after WizardWork's successful Deer Hunter, proves itself to be more than "just another Deer Hunter clone" by adding two major twists to the genre: allowing the hunter to hunt dinosaurs, and allowing the dinosaurs to hunt the hunter as well. The Carnivores 2 sequel gives slightly better graphics, a new format, more dinosaurs and weapons, and brand new maps. The AI is also improved. The second sequel, titled Carnivores: Ice Age, adds a brand new list of animals to hunt, a new format, new abilities, new maps, and a vastly improved AI. The graphics of Ice Age show some improvement.

Storyline

Carnivores, once one starts playing, doesn't really provide much in the way of a story line - the player picks a weapon, a dinosaur, and a hunting area, and they hunt. This basic formula of the absence of a storyline in gameplay is continued by Carnivores' two sequels. However, there is an 'official' storyline behind the game, as provided below:

On a routine exploration mission in 2190 A.D., science vessel FMM UV discovered a planet with suitable climate for humankind. During the initial scouting expedition, this young planet, code-named FMM UV-32, was declared inhospitable for colony life, due to its unstable terrain and immense population of prehistoric reptiles. News of this amazing planet spread, and articles on the "Dinosaur Planet" lead an earth corporation to purchase the rights to the planet and create DinoHunt Corp. DinoHunt creates the opportunity for paying customers to become dinosaur hunters for the first time in 50 million years. You are the newest client of DinoHunt Corp.

Gameplay

The gameplay of the original Carnivores remained constant throughout the series, with few changes. The game opens with a login screen, where users can make a new account or load a previous one. If creating a new account, they will be asked to read and approve a "waiver", stating that the player releases DinoHunt Corp. of any responsibility in the case the player is injured or killed (an interesting sidenote is that the player can't really be injured in any of the games - the closest the player can come is staying underwater or walking through lava, in which cases a health bar pops up; when attacked by dinosaurs, however, any hit is an instant death).

If accepted, the game proceeds to the main menu. If declined, the program exits. From the main menu players can view their hunting statistics, enter a hunt, view their trophies in the trophy room, change game settings, view the developer credits, or exit the game. In the hunt screen, you must pick a location, animal(s) to hunt, weapon(s), and supplies. Choosing any supplies decreases the total amount of points you can get on any hunt by a set percentage, except for the tranquilizer, which increases the amount of points obtained. Information on each item is provided. In Carnivores, what dinosaurs, areas and weapons the user can choose depends on that user's rank.

After the player has selected their settings, they can hunt. During the hunt, the player is provided with an on-screen compass and a wind direction indicator, which can be (de)activated with the CAPS-LOCK key. Sometimes the player spawns near a huntable animal, which is bad if the animal is a carnivore. The player can also draw weapons (with the number keys), look at the island map (TAB), or use binoculars. When a kill is made, the player's trophy is picked up by a ship, unless tranquilizer mode is used. If the player is killed, all points and trophies earned in that session are lost. The player can choose to exit the map or respawn on the map anytime by pressing ESC-Y or ESC-R, respectively. If the player dies, he must choose to either exit or respawn. The player can be killed by drowning, burning in lava (not as funny as it sounds), or by being attacked. The player can't be killed by falling from any height, so climbing mountains is an oft-used strategy when hunting carnivores.

Areas

In Carnivores, the player gets six areas to hunt in:

Animals

Throughout the series, the animals are divided into two groups: Those that can be hunted for points (pointable animals), and those that can't (nonpointable animals). Those animals worth points are further divided into carnivores and herbivores. Note that some herbivores can also kill the player. Each game has a unique set of animals.

• Nonpointable animals:
  • Moschops
  • Gallimimus
  • Dimorphodon
• Pointable animals:
  • Herbivores:
    • Parasaurolophus
    • Pachycephalosaurus
    • Stegosaurus
    • Triceratops
  • Carnivores:
    • Allosaurus
    • Velociraptor
    • Tyrannosaurus Rex

Weapons

Three weapons are provided in Carnivores:

• Pistol
• Shotgun
• Sniper Rifle

Supplies

Carnivores offers several supplies for the player to use:

Carnivores 2

The storyline of Carnivores 2 is almost identical to that of the first one, and the game gives the impression that the DinoHunt Corp. has found new dinosaurs and built new technology.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Carnivores 2 is very similar to that in the original Carnivores, except that Carnivores' ranking system has been replaced by a point system in Carnivores 2. The player starts with 100 points, and the selection of a starting area, dinosaur(s) and weapon(s) use some of these points. Note that the point system isn't new to Carnivores 2, it was just hidden behind Carnivores' ranking system such that when a player accrued a certain number of points, they gained a rank. In additiion, the player may choose what time of day to hunt, from Dawn, Day, or Night. The only difference between each time of day is the atmosphere; carnivores, for instance, are just as active in the Day as at any other time.

Areas

Five hunting locations are available in the game, each with a unique difficulty and setting. The descriptions provided are from the game's hunt menu.

• Delphaeus Hills

The smallest island on the tour. The rolling hills surround an enormous bay. Impassible mountains make deadly traps for the unwary. In the center of the island is a large chasm of unknown origin, and the deserted remains of an archaeology outpost.

• Fort Ciskin

A good sized area consisting of dense pine forests encircling a murky swamp. In the southwest corner lies an abandoned settlement guarded by a towering "Dinosaur Wall", that now lies in ruins from the fury of a T-Rex.

• Vengar Fjords

Lush pockets of vegetation, and thousands of inlets cover this area. This beautiful but treacherous piece of land includes an ancient volcano. Be careful when wandering the virtual maze of water and mountains created by glaciers millions of years ago.

• Manya Jungle

Ringed with snow-capped mountains, this hunting area is rumored to be a nesting ground for some of the larger dinosaurs. Muddy marshes to the southwest, and a long abandoned "Dinosaur Wall" make this one of the most mysterious areas on the tour.

• Mount Ravan

This island, broken by waterways and mountains is the most difficult by far. The frozen peaks of Mt. Ravan overlook a thick tropical forest that may quickly become a deadly maze where hidden danger abounds. Be careful of the active lavaflow to the south as well.

Animals

• Nonpointable animals:
  • Moschops
  • Gallimimus
  • Dimetrodon
  • Dimorphodon
  • Pteranodon
  • Brachiosaurus
• Pointable animals:
  • Herbivores:
    • Parasaurolophus
    • Ankylosaurus
    • Stegosaurus
    • Chasmosaurus
  • Carnivores:
    • Allosaurus
    • Velociraptor
    • Spinosaurus
    • Ceratosaurus
    • Tyrannosaurus Rex

Weapons

The number of weapons has been doubled from Carnivores to Carnivores 2.

• Pistol
• Shotgun
• X-Bow (basically a crossbow)
• Double-Barrel (DB) Shotgun
• Rifle
• Sniper Rifle

• Tranquilizer

Supplies

The supply list is almost identical to that of the original, with a few additions.

• Radar
• Cover Scent
• Double Ammo
• Camouflage

Carnivores Ice Age

Gameplay

For the Ice Age sequel, the storyline is an addition to the original storyline. DinoHunt Corp. scientists discover Ice Age animals living in the Arctic regions of planet FMM UV-32, and they set up a separate hunting program for big game living there. It also features better gameplay and a new supply drop feature, which can be used once per hunt and refreshes the player's supplies. One more addition is the existence of a "secret animal" that can be unlocked through gameplay.

Areas

Along with its predecessors, the Ice Age sequel has five maps, each with a unique difficulty and setting.

• McRath Island

This island covered with lakes and frigid swamps is swarming with icy formations. Primitive trees cover this otherwise barren area, making good cover for hunter and prey alike.

• Ravaren's Bridge

This series of islands covered with lakes and frigid swamps is connected by an elevated bridge system. Pine trees cover this otherwise barren area, making good cover for hunter and prey alike.

• Ring of Infernus

Naturally secluded by a ring of extinct volcanoes, this area is a unique blend of desolate tundra and beaches that contrast sharply with the snow-covered peaks.

• Dry Nodus Lake

Small mounds and swamp are all that remain of a disappearing lake on this snowy island. Cut by glaciers into treacherous canyons and rivers, an unwary hunter can easily become trapped in the narrow areas.

• The Giant's Boot

This area is named for the boot print-shaped lake in the western part of the island. Thick forests and numerous rolling hills make perfect hiding spots for dangerous prey. It is the most dangerous island available to hunt.

Animals

• Nonpointable animals:
  • Archaeopteryx
  • Wild Pig
• Pointable animals:
  • Herbivores:
    • Brontoteriy
    • Giant Deer
    • Wild Hog
    • Woolly Mammoth
    • Woolly Rhinoceros
  • Carnivores:
    • Sabre-Toothed Tiger
    • Wolf
    • Diatryma
    • Cave Bear
    • Secret animal

Weapons

Supplies

Mistakes and Trivia

As with most dinosaur games, there are inaccuracies.

Carnivores 1 and 2

• All the animals are sized incorrectly, most notably the carnivores like Velociraptor and Ceratosaurus, which are too large, and Spinosaurus and Allosaurus, which are too small.
• The dinosaurs are all from different periods, and Pteranodon, Dimorphodon, Moschops, and Dimetrodon are not dinosaurs at all (although the game never says they are).
• Edaphosaurus, Velociraptor, and Chasmosaurus appear to be Dimetrodon, Utahraptor, and Triceratops, respectively, instead of the animal they are identified as.
• the Tyrannosaurus can only be killed by being shot in the eye. (actually, not quite true...)
• The Brachiosaurus also cannot be killed.
• Some of the herbivores that are dangerous in reality are harmless in the game, like Ankylosaurus and Stegosaurus. All the dinosaurs can also outrun the player, which makes for interesting gameplay, but doesn't do much in the way of accuracy.

Carnivores: Ice Age

• The secret animal is portrayed as a giant ruthless killer that has superior senses.
• The Archaeopteryx is the main 'aerial' animal, yet it is from the Age of Dinosaurs and was extinct before the other animals in the game.
• Brontotherium and Megaloceros are identified as harmless, which they are not.

All Three Games

• The animals do not interact with each other in any way.
• There are spelling errors, such as Brontotherium being spelled Brontoteriy, Archaeopteryx being spelled Archeopterics, and so on.
• The animals that can't be killed for points do not attack.
• The carnivores always go after only you and not the other animals (even when they run straight into a dead carcass or feeding animal).
• If you shoot an animal with tranquilizers, it will never wake up from its slumber, no matter how long you stand right by it. You can also tranquilize an animal so that it falls in the water, if you get close enough, you can still hear it 'snoring'.

Trivia

Each animal has a unique attack animation which plays whenever the player is killed by that animal. The attack animations for each dinosaur is as follows:

• Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Pteranodon, Archaeopteryx, Dimorphodon, Dimetrodon, Gallimimus, Moschops, and the Wild Pig have no attack.
• Allosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Spinosaurus, Velociraptor, and Diatryma all chew on the player while he is face-up on the ground.
• Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Wolf, Smilodon, and the Cave Bear each grab the player in their jaws and swing him around, occasionaly slamming him into the ground.
• Chasmosaurus and Triceratops simply run over the player.
• Brontotherium stomps repeatedly onto the player with its front legs.
• Megaloceros hooks the player onto its antlers and swings him around.
• The Mammoth swings the player around with its trunk, banging him into the ground.
• The Rhino gores the player on its horn, then tries to buck the carcass off.
• The Yeti grabs the player by the legs and bangs him into the ground very hard.

Carnivores: Cityscape

This game, as its name suggests, takes place in the city of a future world. The storyline is that a ship carrying dinosaurs from a faraway planet to a secret facility crashes in the city, after which the dinosaurs escape and cause pandemonium. Several levels exist, such as the Subway, the Sewers, and The City. Players have the opportunity to play as either a hunter or a carnivorous dinosaur. It did poorly compared to its namesakes, as the gameplay and storyline had the characteristics of a B-Movie.

Featured Animals

• Coelophysis
• Oviraptor
• Nanotyrannus
• Suchomimus
• Giganotosaurus
• Tylosaurus
• Tapejara

Weapons

• Pistol
• Shotgun
• Machine Gun
• X-rifle
• Sniper Rifle
• Grenade Launcher

References

1. http://action-forms.com/games/carnivores/index.htm

External Links

The Official Sites:

• Carnivores
• Carnivores 2
• Carnivores: Ice Age

Fan Sites:

• La Saga de Carnivores (in English and Spanish)
• The Carnivores Saga: Forum (the "official" unofficial fan board)

Template:Shooter-cvg-stub

• 1998 computer and video games
• 1999 computer and video games
• 2001 computer and video games
• Windows games