Dino Crisis 2 is a third-person action-adventure game and sequel to Dino Crisis. In a change from the survival horror theme of the first game, Dino Crisis 2 is more shoot 'em up oriented. The character always runs, thus removing the need for the run button from the first game, a second gun can be carried and more weapons were added to the game. Besides changes to the gameplay, the game also introduces new species of dinosaurs and lizards.

The storyline follows the events of the previous game, where Regina is on another mission involving a facility located close to the fictional Edward City, where a major anomaly has caused the whole city to be transported back in time to the era of the dinosaurs, along with all the human inhabitants. Regina is sent on a rescue mission with her new ally Dylan Morton, who has a strange connection to the events on the island. The player switches between controlling Regina and Dylan at specific points in the game.