Prehistoric Gal Review – A Dino-Riding Throwback with a Modern Twist
If you’re wondering whether this quirky indie title is worth your time, our Prehistoric Gal review dives straight into the heart of its pixelated, dino-riding chaos. Blending retro action platforming with light RPG elements, the game invites you to bash enemies, collect coins, and explore a semi-open world filled with secrets and screen-by-screen challenges. But does its nostalgic charm hold up under scrutiny, or does the repetitive loop wear thin too quickly? From boss battles to fireball-spitting dinosaurs, we break down what works—and what doesn’t. Read on for the full verdict in our Prehistoric Gal review and find out if this bite-sized adventure deserves a spot in your library.
Prehistoric Gal Review Pros:
- Decent pixel art graphics.
- 118.1MB Download size.
- Platinum trophy.
- You get the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5 versions of the game, so you can potentially earn two Platinum trophies.
- 3 game difficulties – Easy, normal and hard.
- Game settings – visual effects, weather effects, screenshake, vibration, and show clock.
- 3 save slots.
- Action platformer gameplay.
- You can throw axes for ranged attacks and use a club for melee.
- Earn exp and level up to increase your health and SP.
- Food will give you one health point.
- Coins drop from enemies and can be found in the world.
- The shop is where you spend coins on upgrades, health, and extending your health and SP bars.
- 2D game world with 3D backdrops.
- Simple controls that are easy to learn.
- The game world is played on a screen-by-screen basis, and leaving and returning a screen will respawn enemies. Every screen has at least one exit.
- Quite an open world, as you can go off in many directions.
- Big boss encounters.
- You can see enemy health bars, including bosses.
- Find and ride friendly dinosaurs so you can use their ability like fireballs. You can also do the Mario Yoshi trick of getting a higher jump by jumping off your dinosaur’s back.
- Slight puzzle elements are sprinkled about the game world.
- Different areas to explore with different enemy types and weather effects.
- The map fills in as you play and keeps a running total on treasure eggs found, enemies killed, deaths and overall game completion percentage.
- Pick up new bits of gear to allow new abilities, such as being able to go underwater.
- It’s not a perfect game, but it is one you can just switch off and get through.
- Find EXP books for a big EXP boost.
- You can pause the game.
- Each shop has a different stock.
- The Platinum trophy is very easy to obtain.
Prehistoric Gal Review Cons:
- You cannot remap the controls.
- The music is not great and feels repetitive.
- It is very easy to accidentally jump off the dinosaur, and he only takes one hit to lose it.
- The map is very basic.
- Finding boss fights and progression exits is not straightforward.
- I got tired of the gameplay loop very quickly; it’s just the same thing over and over.
- There is no real replay value.
- You don’t have to finish the game for the Platinum trophy, only get to the second book, which is like an hour of game time, it kind of cheapest the game somewhat.
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Prehistoric Gal:
Developer: lightUP
Publisher: Ratilikala Games
Store Links –
Prehistoric Gal Review
Summary
Prehistoric Gal – The Thrills and Highlights of Gameplay:
Prehistoric Gal delivers a nostalgic action-platformer experience with a mix of 2D gameplay and 3D backdrops. Players wield clubs for melee and throw axes for ranged attacks, battling through a screen-by-screen world filled with enemies, coins, and hidden treasures. The game offers three difficulty levels and a semi-open world structure, encouraging exploration in multiple directions. You can level up by earning EXP, extend your health and SP bars through upgrades, and even ride dinosaurs with unique abilities like fireball attacks. Puzzle elements, gear-based progression, and big boss fights add variety, while the map tracks your progress with stats like enemies defeated and treasure eggs found. With simple controls and a low barrier to entry, Prehistoric Gal is a game you can jump into and enjoy without much friction.
Prehistoric Gal – Where It Falls Short: Key Negatives:
Despite its charm, Prehistoric Gal stumbles in several areas. The inability to remap controls limits accessibility and the repetitive music quickly wears thin. The gameplay loop becomes monotonous, with little variation beyond the core mechanics. Losing your dinosaur companion after a single hit feels punishing, and the map system is overly simplistic, making navigation and progression unclear. The game’s structure allows players to earn the Platinum trophy without completing the full experience, which may feel like it undermines the game’s value. Overall, the lack of replayability and shallow depth may leave players feeling underwhelmed after the initial novelty fades.
Prehistoric Gal – Immersive Story and Narrative Elements:
Prehistoric Gal doesn’t lean heavily on narrative depth. Instead, it focuses on delivering a straightforward, arcade-style adventure. While there are hints of world-building through environmental variety and gear-based progression, the story takes a backseat to gameplay. Players looking for a rich narrative may find the experience lacking, but those who enjoy light storytelling in favour of action will appreciate the game’s simplicity and pick-up-and-play nature.
Prehistoric Gal – Visual and Performance Aspects:
Visually, Prehistoric Gal stands out with its decent pixel art style layered over 3D backdrops, creating a retro-modern aesthetic. The game includes customizable visual effects, weather changes, and screen shake settings, allowing players to tailor the experience. Performance is stable, and the small download size (118.1MB) makes it accessible on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. While not groundbreaking, the graphics and performance are solid for a budget-friendly indie title.
Prehistoric Gal – Overall Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?:
Prehistoric Gal is a light, accessible action-platformer that offers just enough charm to entertain for a few hours. With easy Platinum trophies, simple mechanics, and a nostalgic presentation, it’s ideal for trophy hunters or casual players looking for a quick fix. However, its repetitive gameplay, lack of depth, and minimal replay value may not satisfy those seeking a more robust or innovative experience. It’s a fun diversion, but not a lasting adventure.
Back of the Box Quotes:
“Prehistoric Gal is a bite-sized blast of retro action with a dino-sized dose of charm.”
