Co-Op Chaos and Killer Dinosaurs Await in Deathground

Sneak, Survive, and Escape: What to Expect From Deathground

Ever wanted to play a real-life Jurassic Park scenario? Deathground, a co-op survival horror game first teased back in 2020, promises exactly that. Up to four players can team up to sneak and creep through an abandoned research facility while being relentlessly hunted by some of the most terrifying creatures to ever walk the Earth.

From the towering T-Rex to the agile allosaurus, cunning raptors, and even the mischievous compies, the dinosaurs in Deathground aren’t just background scenery—they’re deadly predators eager to turn you into their next meal. Players must complete objectives and escape the facility, all while keeping one eye on the ground and the other on the shadows.

Can You Play as a Dinosaur?

A common question in the community has been whether players can take control of these prehistoric hunters. Jaw Drop Games recently addressed this in a FAQ video ahead of the game’s early access launch: the answer is no.

“Deathground is PvE, or player versus environment, so you won’t be able to play as a dinosaur,” says lead artist and designer Joseph Shirley. While the team thinks it’s a “really cool idea” and has discussed it, it would be “a completely different game.” That said, Shirley didn’t close the door entirely: “Maybe it’s something we can do at another time. Who knows what the future holds?”

Feathered Dinosaurs Are Optional

Another hot topic in the community has been the appearance of the game’s dinosaurs. Modern paleontology increasingly supports the idea that many dinosaurs were feathered, which hasn’t sat well with some fans. Jaw Drop Games’ solution? Players can toggle off feathers entirely. Personally, I think feathered predators are even scarier—giant, angry birds are nothing to scoff at.

Gear Up and Get to Work

Players won’t be defenseless, though. Missions equip you with tools like an Aliens-style motion detector and a tranquilizer rifle to drop dinosaurs in their tracks. Tasks range from restoring power to the facility to high-risk objectives like stealing a raptor egg—though I wouldn’t recommend tempting fate with that one. To keep gameplay fresh, objective locations change each session, ensuring no two missions feel the same.

Solo or Co-Op, the Choice Is Yours

While Deathground shines in co-op, it also supports solo play. Shirley notes that solo runs are “certainly more difficult,” but the game includes balancing adjustments for lone players, including the ability to revive yourself if a dino gets the better of you.

In short, Deathground is a tense, predator-versus-prey experience that delivers Jurassic Park thrills without the option to flip the script. Whether you play solo or with friends, it promises a pulse-pounding survival challenge—just remember to keep moving.