Twelve Tips & Tricks to Help You Become the Best Dinosaur Fossil Hunter

Welcome to the world of fossils! In Dinosaur Fossil Hunter, you can experience the work of a paleontologist firsthand. We’ve created this game out of our passion for dinosaurs. We’ve spent countless hours gathering information to transform it into a unique, relaxing simulator of paleontology. Here are a few introductory tips to enhance your adventure:

TIP 1 – Set Markers on the Map and Leave Your Tablet Open While Walking Around

This will make things much easier – one of your main tasks in the game will be searching for, excavating, securing, and transporting fossils. Press the “open tablet” button twice to be able to move around with the map open. Thanks to the ability to set target markers, you won’t miss any dig sites or special hidden finds, making the exploration of the area a pure pleasure.

TIP 2 – Choose the Weather and Time of Day you Prefer!

When you open the location selection tab on your tablet, you can choose not only the destination but also whether you want to work in the sunlight or moonlight. Be sure to check the weather forecast for the coming days and choose a climate that suits your mood.

TIP 3 – Carefully Read the Pop-up Screens and Hint Windows 

Of course, you can always go back to them, but we highly recommend doing it as you go. You’ll find a lot of useful information on how to handle fossils and the available equipment.

TIP 4 – Don’t Forget the Gas!

Cars run on fuel (who would have thought?), and so do some of the equipment useful at dig sites. So, make sure you have a gas canister filled with gasoline. Each HUB has a large fuel tank where you can refill fuel. If you run out of gas while in the field, check the map for full gas canister locations marked with a green fuel dispenser icon. In the later stages of the game, you’ll be able to order a drone with a mini-canister to a location of your choice. Once you’ve set up your dig site, you can find additional tools like generators or water pumps. In certain locations and weather conditions, these will be indispensable. So really, remember to keep your gas canister full!

TIP 5 – Each Car Has Different Properties

These are special task vehicles – each one has unique transport and off-road capabilities. It’s worth familiarizing yourself with all of them and choosing the best one for your needs. Keep this in mind when selecting locations and planning your work. If you forget to choose the right car, you can easily switch vehicles at the HUB using the laptop. If you get stuck in the mud remember to turn on the 4×4 and diff lock to drive out!

TIP 6 – Always Scrutinize the Markings on the Map and in your Environment

You can find special fossils and collectibles in the area. We have it on good authority that if you pay close attention to the map during your exploration, you’ll be able to find them all (even rare plants or dinosaur eggs!). If you come across a special, unique plant, take a photo of it so you can use it to decorate your exhibit.

TIP 7 – Museum Prestige and the Skill Tree are Not the Same Thing

Increase museum prestige by setting up your own exhibits, among other activities. This isn’t just about placing bones on a pedestal. You get to choose everything from the plants and rocks that adorn your displays to the very soil that forms the base of your dioramas; and all of that increases your museum prestige.

The higher your museum’s prestige, the more decorations, rooms, and, crucially, staff members you can access. Staff can assist with daily tasks, such as sending drones with supplies or fuel to your dig sites, cleaning bones, or significantly reducing your travel time between the HUB and your excavation sites. 

You can also gain skill points for work done personally. Those points enhance abilities such as digging, chiseling, and cleaning fossils. The skills tree allows you to perform manual tasks more quickly and even stay underwater longer during underwater excavations (oops, spoiler!).

TIP 8 – Always Perform an Inspection to Assemble Skeletons More Quickly

Identifying bones will help you select unique sets for cleaning and assembling, allowing you to complete your desired skeletons faster.

Pro Tip: Always check the Knowledge tab in your tablet — there you can see how many bones you’ve collected for each skeleton, where they are located, the progress of your skeletons, whether a particular set of bones is cleaned, and much more.

TIP 9 – Do Everything your Way – Choose, Rotate, Rearrange, and Decorate

There’s no single way to complete the game, and no universal recipe for your museum. It’s yours to create. Want to mix dinosaur species from different terrains and eras in one exhibit? Go ahead. Dreaming of tools in vibrant fuchsia? Feel free. If you want a beautifully designed museum but are worried about things going wrong, don’t stress – you can always adjust the placement of objects, remove them, or even delete the entire exhibit if needed. It’s your museum, and you’re in control.

There are plenty of museum customization options available – from the layout and walls to the flooring. Each decoration can be rotated, some of them may also be resized.

Remember to choose the poses for your dinosaurs, that will add expression to your exhibition. Don’t forget about the option to add water to your exhibit, which you can also customize according to your expectations – you can select its depth, color, shape, and the type of the bottom. Check the control hints and tutorials to explore all your customization options.

TIP 10 – There are Usually Several Ways to Reach your Goal

Some paths may be blocked by trees, boulders, or layers of deep mud. But don’t worry – these obstacles can be removed (well, except for the mud, but that’s what your 4×4 drive is for, if you remember to turn it on). Sometimes you’ll find alternative routes that help you bypass obstacles. And remember, you can always choose to navigate around designated paths!

TIP 11 – Make Sure You’ve Packed your Excavation Equipment

You can only pick up your gear at the HUB, so to avoid turning back halfway (or worse, once you’re already at the site), we’ve added a reminder before each departure from the HUB. Let’s be honest: our internal tests showed that without this reminder – we often ended up making a U-turn.

TIP 12 – Make your Life Easier!

As you progress through the game you can unlock various automation features. Call drones which will bring you empty crates or transport the unearthed fossils to a museum for you. Use fast travel to quickly jump between HUBs and excavations. Hire museum workers who will clean the bones for you or call for a refueling drone if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere. 

About Pyramid Games

Founded in 2012, Pyramid Games is a small game development studio passionate about science and science-fiction. Currently employing about 30 developers in our studio in Lublin, Poland. Our upcoming games focus on the topic of exploring the unknown and gathering knowledge for mankind, providing not only fun but also knowledge. We make games about the topics we are passionate about such as space exploration, engineering, paleontology and exploration.

Dinosaur Fossil Hunter is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC today!