The ability to mix a variety of game genres with relative ease is an asset that software houses should be proud of. Dinosaur Us from Electronic Arts somehow manages to combine the two very different genres of the platform game and the RPG. And while the technological limitations of the Game Boy would hinder many developers, EA has taken note of previous developments for the platform and has put what they have learned into Dinosaur Us.
On first impressions Dinosaur Us seems entirely platform-orientated and gives no clues as to the presence of a role-playing aspect. However, after tackling a couple of single platform jumps, the dinosaur you control makes a screeching roar, and before you know it youre in an entirely different place, fighting another Dinosaur. You will soon realise that you have been subjected to what is called a random battle; a role-playing term that is much disliked on western shores. When battling, you can choose from a simple list of attack moves and defensive moves that are similar to those in the Pokemon series. Health can be monitored through a hit-point meter, and in order to maintain your status to progress through the game, you have to replenish your health in the platform area of Dinosaur Us.
Dinosaur Us as a complete game is well crafted, with a good balance between the two genres. This rare quality in a game will make it more appealing and accessible to a much larger audience.