Dino Run 2, developed by PixelJam, is the long-awaited sequel to the beloved prehistoric multiplayer platformer. The original became a cult hit for its frantic races against extinction, and this follow-up looks to push that formula even further. You can now customize your dinosaur, experiment with wacky cosmetics, and join friends in a race for survival. Whether you’re outrunning the iconic doom wall, exploring new environments, or messing around in sandbox mode, Dino Run 2 feels like a chaotic blend of platforming and creativity. We spent time with the current build to see how it’s shaping up.
Dino Run 2 Brings Dinosaurs, Customization, and Survival
You can pick from several dinosaur species, including the agile raptor, the rolly stegosaurus, and the gliding archaeopteryx. Each one feels distinct, and deep customization makes your dino stand out even more. Hats, helmets, skin colors, and patterns let you mix and match styles, creating everything from fierce predators to goofy prehistoric mascots.
Every run takes place in a procedurally generated level, so the terrain is never the same twice. Branching paths keep you guessing and reward quick decision-making. The real challenge comes from the relentless pyroclastic wall of doom that chases you across the map. Hesitate too long and you’re extinct, but push through and you’ll reach sanctuary. Along the way, collecting DNA and bones lets you upgrade stats, unlock perks, and open new areas for future runs.
Multiplayer raises the stakes further, turning survival into a chaotic race against friends. If you’d rather take things slow, sandbox mode lets players experiment, build contraptions, and design mini-games, making it as much a creative playground as a survival challenge.
Sandbox Alpha
For now, the hands-on preview is limited to sandbox mode with a raptor, which serves as a testing ground for the game’s mechanics. The level isn’t procedurally generated like the full game promises, but it’s still surprisingly large and packed with space to experiment. I started by running through it on foot, getting a feel for the layout and finding hidden corners only reachable with a bit of platforming. Building structures added a creative layer, letting me piece together paths to climb higher and explore. Once I switched on the fly function, the level opened up even more, allowing me to reach areas that felt completely out of bounds in normal play.
Customization Options
At the moment, the raptor is the only playable dinosaur, but even in this early build, the customization options stand out. You can tweak its color scheme across multiple body parts, giving your dino a unique look from head to tail. Adding feathers to the tail or mixing bold color patterns makes the raptor feel more personal, while cosmetics like hats and helmets bring in a playful, almost party-game vibe. The options range from cool to outright goofy, which adds a lot of charm to simply running around the map. My favorite moment was sprinting at full speed with a pumpkin head bouncing along for the ride.
Controls and Gameplay Feel
Controls in Dino Run 2 are simple yet responsive, making it easy to jump right in. Movement is mapped to the standard WASD setup, while Q lets your raptor swing a tail whip to interact with objects or just smack things out of the way. Hitting V toggles flying mode, which opens up new ways to explore the map. Jumps feel smooth and precise, giving you just enough height to clear obstacles or reach new areas without relying too heavily on platforms. Sprinting adds an exhilarating burst of speed, letting you cover ground quickly and giving every run a sense of momentum.
Future Updates
According to the in-game changelog, several major updates are on the horizon. Features like Doomwall and Escape Extinction aim to bring back the frantic survival runs that defined the original game. Personalized sanctuaries sound like a rewarding way to showcase progress, while competitive Dino-Ball matches could add a fun multiplayer twist beyond simple racing. If these modes deliver, they’ll give players the variety and replayability that the current sandbox can’t fully provide. As it stands, the sandbox is entertaining for experimentation, but without progression or challenge, it doesn’t hold attention for long. These upcoming additions should be what really shape Dino Run 2 into a full experience.
Final Take – Is Dino Run 2 Worth Playing?
Dino Run 2 already has the framework for a fun and frantic platformer, but it still feels like a work in progress. The sandbox mode shows promise, yet the lack of core modes like Doomwall or Escape Extinction leaves the experience feeling incomplete. That said, the movement is satisfying, the customization is playful, and the foundation is solid enough to get excited about. If PixelJam delivers on the upcoming updates, Dino Run 2 could easily capture the same cult energy that made the original memorable. I’ll be keeping a close eye on its progress and updating this preview as the game evolves.
For more first impressions, check out our Demo Hub, including our Quarantine Zone: The Last Check Demo Impressions, to see if a game is worth buying.
