Turok (video game)

For the first video game in the Turok series, see Turok: Dinosaur Hunter.

Turok
Developer(s)	Propaganda Games Aspyr Media (PC)
Publisher(s)	Touchstone Pictures (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) Capcom (PC)
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Release	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Microsoft Windows Worldwide: April 22 2008
Genre(s)	Action First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

Turok is the latest installment in the first-person shooter Turok video games series based on Acclaim Entertainment's comic series under the same name. The game was scheduled to be released in North America for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on February 5, 2008, however, it was instead released on January 31. It was released on April 22, 2008 for the PC. Turok was developed by Propaganda Games and published and distributed by Disney Interactive Studios under the Touchstone banner in North America, Ireland and United Kingdom and by Capcom in all other territories.

Plot

Despite being titled "Turok", the title is treated as a series reboot and bears no relation to the continuity of the previous games or to the comic books.

The player takes the role of Joseph Turok. Previously, Turok was a member of Wolf Pack, a specialized military detachment whose members were trained in black ops by General Roland Kane. After a falling out with the group, Turok was reassigned back to the military and was eventually made the newest member of Whiskey Company—a team that has been assembled to apprehend his former mentor and return him to Earth. Formerly 'General' Kane, he had supposedly disappeared three years earlier only to have surfaced once again on a world under the jurisdiction of the Mendel-Gruman (M-G) Corporation.

At first, the crew shuns him thinking that he is an inexperienced fighter, untrustworthy, and a liability. One particular member, Slade, has a grudge against Turok because his brother was killed in the same battle from which Turok had reputedly fled, earning him his dubious reputation. Unbeknownst to the team, Roland Kane is in command of a secret paramilitary force working for Mendel-Gruman.

On approach to their target, the starship they are in is shot down from orbit and crash lands on the terraformed surface where Turok quickly learns that the dinosaurs inhabiting its jungles were created with accelerated evolution. Through several adventures, Turok and the surviving marines eventually discover that Kane has created a Soldier bug-based biotoxin with deadly and immediate effects that disperses harmlessly after use, making it an ideal first strike weapon. Whiskey Company comes up with a plan to stop Kane and escape the planet but in the ensuing battle, most of the crew are killed by many of Kane's soldiers and dinosaurs, including a giant eel-like creature that serves as a boss. The survivors manage to penetrate Kane's defenses and sabotage the base. Only Slade, Shepherd, and Turok manage to make it to the spaceship and make ready to leave, but Turok is left behind at his request to head back into the ruins and face Kane. After an ensuing battle, Kane is defeated by Turok in a knife duel.

Shortly after Kane's death, an attacking T. rex charges into the scene which Turok is forced to fight with weapons scattered across the landing area where the battle had taken place. After finally defeating the T. rex, Slade and Shepherd return to pick up Turok and leave the hostile world for Earth.

Gameplay Mechanics and Features

The gameplay is similar to that of most first-person shooters, with a strong focus on survival in dangerous natural environments. The human enemies, under the leadership of Kane, are the main threat to the player, although dinosaurs may often be found wandering throughout the game. The dinosaurs act as a neutral force and, if the player chooses, can be used as a tool to attack enemy soldiers. This may be done by attracting roaming dinosaurs to a firefight (via: flares, gunshots, etc.) to aid the player and help dispatch the enemy, with possible other ways depending on the situation. The dinosaur A.I is not limited in attacking specific enemies, so other dinosaurs and all humans, including the player's allies and enemies, may be attacked.[1] The game does not utilize an aim-assist feature.

Propaganda Games has included an additional, stealth mechanic in the game. Because Turok takes place mostly in jungle environments with a focus on ambiance, the player may kill enemies with a bow or knife without being heard or use dinosaurs to attract the attention of other enemies and slip by unnoticed. A famed new feature into this game is the Silent Kill, which is done by drawing your knife, then attacking a human or unaware dino from behind. The kill can be utilized against dinosaurs and humans alike as a finishing blow, and can be executed from any side. The kills are incredibly gory, (such as attacking a raptor from a certain angle, then stabbing it in the head, ripping the knife out, then kicking over the flailing beast.) The knife is also utilized as a self-defense weapon during phases known as "mauls", where the player is attacked by a dino or bug, and must hammer on the according buttons in order to counter-attack or fend off the attack.

At the end of the game, when you fight Kane as a boss, he steals your knife, and you must quickly hammer on the randomly chosen button(s) and finally kill him at the 5th or 6th set of buttons. These gameplay elements have been made optional, meaning the player is never forced to use stealth to their advantage if they wish not to. Well-known among Turok fans, the games generally feature a large, creative arsenal, with unconventional futuristic weaponry, much unlike that found in typical first-person shooters. Propaganda assures that they will stay true to the franchise's roots and create inventive and memorable weapons for the players' use. However, the cerebral bore didn't make its return in Turok.[2] This Turok uses a heavily modified version of the Unreal 3 Engine, with modifications on realistic textures, A.I, and particle effects.

Multiplayer

Online multiplayer support is also available. There is a (Team) Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Wargames, and Assault Capture the Flag. Multiplayer supports up to 16 people, and 4 players for three co-op missions. A feature in the multiplayer—randomly spawning computer-controlled dinosaurs and insects that appear in various locations in levels—adds a new factor to the gameplay. While players must worry about the opposing enemies, they must now also worry about the hostile dinosaurs that will be attempting to kill them. There can be up to 4 A.I controlled dinosaurs or insects on any map at one time. [3]. Split screen multiplayer is not supported in any form.

Originally, the Xbox 360 version of Turok was set to feature an Achievement called "Grab Bag", which required players to kill at least one enemy, one dinosaur, one teammate, and themselves, all in the same match. This caused controversy on the internet as the achievement essentially rewards players for team killing. Josh Holmes, a representative of Propaganda Games, described the creation of the achievement by saying "What we found was that players playing their first match in Turok - almost every player - was (accidentally) killing himself, a team mate and an enemy with a grenade or a Stick Bomb gun and so we thought 'hey, we should give them an achievement for that', as kind of a joke." He went on to say that developers were planning to release a patch removing Grab Bag if excessive team killing became a problem after launch. As of January 30, 2008, The achievement has been modified via patch, so that one doesn't need to kill a teammate along with yourself, an enemy, and a dinosaur. the achievement description has changed, citing that one does not need to kill a teammate as well. The strong lag in multiplayer has been fixed by a patch.

A Map pack called the "Velociraptor Pack" has been released, containing 2 new multiplayer maps, one new Co-op map, and 2 refurbished maps, which now take place at Night.

According to IGN's news article:"Of the five new Turok downloadable maps for consoles, two are completely new multiplayer maps, one is a new co-op map and two are re-lit versions of popular multiplayer maps available with the game. Below is a brief description of the five new maps:

• Co-Op – A brand new Turok co-op map for 2–4 players. In this co-op map your Whiskey Company squad has been captured and is being held in a Mendel-Gruman facility designed for holding dinosaurs. You and your team have to break out and make it to the rescue chopper before the Wolf Pack troops decide to feed you to the captured raptors.
• Desolation – A brand new swamp-based map where simple structures are set up alongside a rock cliff to allow helicopters and transports into the area to bring in supplies. There are many hiding spots on this multi-level map which enables numerous quiet kill opportunities.
• Sentinel – Another new multiplayer map and one of the largest Turok maps to date. The setting takes place at the top of a mountain around one of Kane's orbital defense arrays—the very base that shot down the Whiskey Company ship from orbit in the single-player campaign. Also, the presence of a few large dinosaurs on the map can make things very interesting during multiplayer combat.
• Inconclusive Tests – This time the Testing Grounds map takes place at night and offers a different view of the world that now contains more dark hiding spots. A word of caution—watch out for the raptors.
• A Rivalry Continues – As the name suggests, the struggle for the compound from A Heated Rivalry is not over and has extended into the eerie darkness of the night. "

Main Characters

• Joseph Turok – Joseph Turok is the main character of the game and the strongest member in Whiskey Company. He serves as the player character. Turok was part of an elite fighting force known as Wolf Pack, which he abandoned in Columbia under unknown circumstances. He was mentored by Roland Kane, who taught him how to use the Knife and Bow. The game confirms that he is Native American, specifically Kiowa.
• Slade – Slade is often paired with Turok throughout the game. Slade considers Turok to be a traitor for abandoning Wolf Pack in Columbia, because his brother Robert fought and died there. He warms up to Turok after he saves his life from a large aquatic monster in a cave. He escapes in a ship with Turok and Shepard at the end of the game.
• Logan – Logan is an Enlisted Soldier in Whiskey Company. He assumes command after all officers are killed. As the game progresses, he becomes increasingly unstable. As a result he orders a suicide mission for Slade, Turok, and Carter, during which Carter is killed. Later, Logan starts acting incredibly paranoid, accusing Turok of treason when only he and Slade make it back. He then reveals the position of the remaining Whiskey Company soldiers to M-G Corp and picks a fight with a large enemy patrol. He is killed by a helicopter's machine gun after a failed attempt to destroy it with an RPG.
• Cowboy – Cowboy is a calm and cool-collected member of Whiskey Company. He is well respected by all of its members, and was at first the only one who would stand up for Turok. He assumes command when only he, Reese, Turok, Slade and Shepard are left alive. Cowboy is executed by Kane after contradicting him.
• Reese – Reese is a quiet, and even tempered sniper from Whiskey Company. Turok first meets him when Reese shoots a Raptor off his back. Reese then covers Turok and Slade from a distance until the three make it to the main crash site. He is one of the last five survivors after the fight Logan starts. Later, Reese gets killed by an arrow through his right eye, presumably by Grimes or Kane.
• Shepard – Technician of Whiskey Company who is always seen wearing a hat. Shepard is one of the five survivors of the fight Logan starts. He survives until the end, and flies the ship that he, Turok, and Slade find at the end of the game. Shepard serves as somewhat of a foil to Turok; he is very talkative and prone to complaining, whereas Turok is a silent type.
• Gonzales – A Whiskey Company soldier first seen mocking Turok's name and hair in the Prelude. He is sent with Turok to locate the Communications unit. After discovering the COMM unit, he is carried away and killed by Mama Scarface. Slade calls him his "best friend".
• Jericho - The Heavy Support of Whiskey Company. He is typically the soldier that charges the enemy with a Mini-Gun. Near the end of the game, he holds off a group of Grumman so the others can escape, although he is apparently killed in the fight.
• Foster - Foster is one of the minor surviving Whiskey Company soldiers, sent with Turok and Gonzales to find the COMM unit. He is killed by a Grumman sniper shot to the head.
• Carter - Another minor Soldier, who accompanies Turok on one of his missions. He appears to be a computer specialist. He is later attacked and killed by a Soldier Bug.
• Roland Kane – The game's main antagonist and the reason Whiskey Company arrives at the planet. He was Turok's former mentor, and taught him how to use the Knife and Bow. He is ruthless by nature and is responsible for most of Whiskey Company's deaths. He is the leader of Wolf Pack, but went AWOL with his team 3 years prior to the game. After an ensuing knife battle, Turok forces Kane onto the ground and stabs him to death.
• John Grimes – Kane's second-in-command. He helped Turok with his knife training during his Wolf Pack years. Grimes attacks Turok in the Jungle during his search for the COMM unit, and later kills Whiskey Company's leader, Cole, with an arrow. He disappears after an explosion caused by Whiskey Company sends debris on top of him and his squad of soldiers.
• The Mendel-Grumman Corporation - A military company that hired Kane to create a bio-weapon capable of wiping out thousands of people. The soldiers encountered throughout the game work for M-G Corp. It is revealed that M-G Corp terraformed the planet and created all the creatures on it. Their entire base is destroyed at the end of the game and it is unknown if any of the soldiers and employees survived. The M-G soldiers come in seven different types with their own different weapons, Grunt (SMG and Pistol), Veteran (Shotgun and Pistol), Elite (Pulse Rifle), Sniper (Sniper Rifle), RPG (RPG), Heavy Weapons (Chaingun) and Pyro (Flamethrower).

Creatures

• Tyrannosaurus – The largest of all carnivorous enemies on the terraformed planet. A female is seen in the game and is known as "Mama Scarface" because of the scars on the right side of her face. The player faces Mama Scarface four times throughout the game, twice in actual battle. Juvenile versions of the T. rex are featured before the first fight with Mama Sarface, and could be assumed to be her offspring.
• Velociraptor – The most commonly seen dinosaur on the planet. They are actually a lot closer in size to the Utahraptor than a Velociraptor. They are encountered in most multiplayer maps. Several different types of Velociraptor are seen in the game: "spitters" that are grey in color, white versions of the Velociraptor called "albino raptors", and "mini raptors", which are smaller in size compared to the other types of Velociraptor.
• Gorgonops - Known as Lurkers in the game, they are changed to be pack hunters.
• Soldier Bug – Large creatures that resemble the common scorpion.
• The Beast – An enormous species of reptile that resembles a black moray eel with tentacles. It serves as a boss once during the game.
• Unknown Carnivore - A giant carnivorous dinosaur that is only seen once in the game. Slade calls it a T. rex, although the two dinosaurs don't look the same. It may possibly be a Giganotosaurus or a related dinosaur. This dinosaur can't be killed and has to be avoided.
• Dilophosaurus - Large carnivorous dinosaurs that are seen on several occasions.
• Parasaurolophus - Gentle herbivores that are completely harmless unless they are provoked.
• Compsognathus - Small carnivorous dinosaurs that are often seen feeding on dead animals.
• Apatosaurus - Huge, long-necked herbivores that are only seen in the background.
• Pteranodon - Large, flying reptiles that are only seen in the background.
• Meganeura - Huge, vicious dragonflies that appear near the end of the game.

Development

Since the original owners of Turok, Acclaim, went out of business shortly after releasing Turok: Evolution, Disney Interactive Studios purchased the rights to the Turok franchise, and was looking for a developer. After sifting through several options, Vancouver based Propaganda Games was chosen, as the first tests impressed DIS, and began development. Propaganda Games made sure to keep Turok similar to the previous games, but also to make it their own. Propaganda Games outsourced the multiplayer map designs to Threewave Software and Rockstar New England.

Reception

Turok has received fairly positive reviews since its release. As of March 2008, the game holds an aggregate score of 70% on Gamerankings and a 69 out of 100 on Metacritic.

In terms of individual reviews, Turok has received a 9/10 from Play Magazine and a 7/10 from both the Official Xbox Magazine and the Official PlayStation Magazine (Australia). Both praised multiplayer but commented on the "sketchy enemy awareness" and "dodgy textures". Game Trailers, which gave the game 8.3/10, highlighted the game's use of the Unreal 3 Engine, believing it to be "the best use of the tech outside of Epic's own efforts" and praising the modeling and animation of the dinosaurs in particular. 1up.com gave the game a score of C+, specifically complaining about its stealth mechanics, the use of camera shaking, and occasional graphical glitches in the PlayStation 3 version. Gameplasma gave the game a 7 out of 10 claiming that "the storyline is mediocre" and it is "forgettable".

The Escapist reviewer Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw held the game up as a prime example of a bad console FPS, commenting on the bad controls, near non-existent story and unnecessary gameplay changes. Croshaw also commented that "the producers [of Turok] had to work extra hard to rip off Aliens, with the kind of determination most game developers would use to make a good game" by not choosing not to follow the series' original story about a time traveling Native-American, "locking the established setting and storyline in a wardrobe and throwing it off a cliff."

Turok received 3/5 from X-Play, commenting on its aim-assist being woefully inadequate both in multiplayer and single-player, but praised its graphics and outlook. In its G-phoria episode, it won the category of "Game Deserves An Uwe Boll Movie". Gamepro magazine reviewed the game, saying that "Turok isn't good enough to single handedly repair the franchise's tarnished reputation, but it is good enough that you'll want to forgive some of its ancestors' sins." They gave the graphics a 4.0, the sound a 3.75, the control a 4.75, and the fun factor a 3.75 out of 5.

Game Informer magazine reviewed Turok, and gave it a 7/10, stating "the ecosystem environment does not live up to what it was supposed to or should be. Minor problems like a paper thin story, the constant knocking of the camera from explosives and dinosaurs, the poor multiplayer and poorly spaced checkpoints, drag down what otherwise is a decent shooter." However, they liked the game for its voice talents including Powers Boothe and Timothy Olyphant. It was reviewed by Ben and Bertz, who both agreed on the same score.

Cast

• Gregory Cruz as Joseph Turok
• Ron Perlman as Slade
• Timothy Olyphant as Cowboy
• Powers Boothe as Roland Kane
• William Fichtner as Logan
• Donnie Wahlberg as Shepard
• Christopher Judge as Jericho
• Sean Donnellan as Grimes
• Mark Rolston as Cole
• Gideon Emery as Reese
• Lombardo Boyar as Gonzales
• Joshua Gomez as Parker
• Jon Curry as Foster
• Jason Harris as Carter
• Steven Van Wormer as Henderson
• Mark Deakins as MG Commander

External links

• Official website
• Turok at Curlie
• Turok at MobyGames