Turok (video game)

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

Turok
Developer(s)	Propaganda Games Aspyr Studios (PC)
Publisher(s)	Touchstone Studios Capcom (PC port)
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s)	Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release	Xbox 360, PS3: PC: Worldwide: April 22 2008
Genre(s)	First-person Shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player multiplayer (online)

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 2008. It will be released on April 22, 2008 for the PC. It was developed by Propaganda Games and published and distributed by Disney Interactive Studios under the Touchstone banner in the US and UK 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, descendant of the original Turok, Tal'set. Previously, Turok was a member of the Wolfpack, 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 two 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 from, 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 although 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. 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, is 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. 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, and has not appeared in first-person shooter games since Doom. 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 from a patch.

A Map pack called the "Velociraptor Pack" has been released, containg 2 new multiplayer maps, one new Co-op map, and 2 refubished 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 relit 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. "

Factions, main characters and creatures

Whiskey Company

• Joseph Turok – Joseph Turok is the main character of the game and the strongest member in Whiskey Company. He has a shady past as part of an elite fighting force known as Wolf Pack which he was abandoned after becoming disgusted with his mentor Kane's total amorality. The game confirms that he is Native American.
• Slade – Slade is often paired with Turok throughout the game, and he has a strong hatred for Turok because he feels Turok is responsible for his brother's death. 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. Coincidentally, Ron Perlman also played a character named Slade in the animated series Teen Titans.
• Logan – Unofficial Whiskey Company leader. He assumes command after all officers are killed. As the game progresses he becomes increasingly unstable. As a result he orders an insane suicide mission and then starts acting incredibly paranoid, accusing Turok of treason when only he and Slade make it back. He then reveals the position of the remaining Whiskeys to M-G Corp and picks a fight with a large enemy patrol, he is killed when shot by a helicopter soon after when trying to destroy it.
• Cowboy – The most calm and cool-collected member of Whiskey Company. He is well respected by all of its members and even stood up for Turok after he helped him. Executed by Kane after speaking out.
• Jericho – A strong, heavy weapons foot soldier. He fights until the very end and is willing to die for his companions. He is last seen holding off Kane's men so Turok and Shepard can escape underground. Whether he is alive or dead is unknown, however many think he eventually died, as Turok sees him taking bullets and ready to collapse.
• Reese – Reese is quiet, even tempered and a loner by nature. He is Whiskey Company's sniper. Slender and agile with a deadly accurate shot from almost any range, Reese is the cornerstone of the team. He 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. He escapes in a ship with Slade and Turok.
• Henderson – A ranking officer in Whiskey Company who seems to be second in command to Cole. He wears a green beret and sun glasses. He is killed when Wolf Pack attacks the camp.
• Gonzales – A soldier sent with Turok to locate the COM unit. After discovering the COM unit he is carried away and killed by the T-Rex. He was best friends with Slade.
• Foster – A soldier sent with Turok to locate the COM unit. During the trip he is instantly killed by a sniper bullet to the head.
• Luis Parker – The Whiskey Company's medic who attends to Cowboy after he is shot by Grimes. He is killed when Wolf Pack fires into the Whiskey Company camp with Mini-Guns.
• Cole – Official leader of Whiskey Company. He is pierced through the abdomen by an arrow shot off by John Grimes, which in turn spawned a battle.
• Carter – Sent with Turok and Slade to see what was making a light in the jungle. He was dragged underground and killed by Soldier Bugs.

Wolf Pack

• Roland Kane – The game's main antagonist and main reason Whiskey Company arrives at the planet. He was Turok's former mentor, but has now become his worst enemy. He is ruthless by nature and is responsible for most of Whiskey Company's deaths. He is the leader of Wolf Pack and lead a botched mission in Columbia that caused Turok to question his command. 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. He disappears after an explosion caused by Whiskey Company sends debris on top of him and his squad of soldiers. Unknown whether he's dead or alive, since Kane, at least, survived the same explosion, however he is not seen again, hinting him to be dead.
• The Mendel Gruman Corporation – A company that has hired Kane to form a bio-weapon to wipe out millions of people. The foot soldiers in the game work for MG corp. and come in six known types; Grunt, Elite, Heavy Weapons, RPG, Pyro, and Veteran. Not much else is known about the company.

Dinosaurs

• 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. Turok and Whiskey Company have many run-ins with Mama Scarface throughout the campaign. She is fought two times, but is also seen several other times. She is the main dinosaur character.
• Utahraptor – Some of the most vicious and deadly predators on the planet. They can charge their prey, knocking them ackwards and then mauling them with their deadly claws and teeth. They can be killed easily when Turok puts a knife on their heads. Utahraptors are considerably larger in real life. They are encountered in most Multiplayer maps except "The Invasion" and "Spire", and are in virtually every co-op map.
• Spitter – A different type of Utahraptor that are grey in color, are more mutated and have the ability to spit acid.
• Albino Utahraptor – White versions of the Utahraptor that are usually found in caves and other dark places, unless it is nighttime; then they come out into the open. Other than color they are no different from normal Utahraptors.
• Mini Raptor – Despite their diminutive size, the mini raptors move quickly and often hunt in packs, making them a deadly enemy.
• Lurker – A cross between a dinosaur and a powerful jungle cat. They prowl the jungle, climbing and positioning themselves on trees or rocks, always ready to pounce on their prey.
• Dilophosaurus – This large dinosaur is a mean carnivore with a huge appetite. It uses its powerful tail to knock down enemies. This dinosaur is encountered in Multiplayer only on the Map "Sentinel" which is included in the map Pack, and on Co-op Mission 2.
• Compsognathus – These small dinosaurs are curious by nature, and only retaliate if attacked. They can become a hazard, as their constant chirping can distract the player from the real danger.
• Juvenile Tyrannosaurus – Smaller version of the Tyrannosaurus. They are stronger than Utahraptors. They are assumed to be the offspring of Mama Scarface.
• Giganotosaurus – This large carnivorous dinosaur is found in the chapter "Death Valley" and is seen chasing after several Parasaurolophus. Slade incorrectly calls it a T-Rex because of its similarity in appearance, but it can be differentiated from the T-Rex because of its noticeable three clawed arms and crests above its eyes. It cannot be killed and has a short attention span; it easily gets distracted after a while. It will also attack any Utahraptors that get in its way.
• Parasaurolophus – These peaceful herbivores are only dangerous when agitated by the player, though their attacks are indirect.
• Apatosaurus – A massive sauropod. Appears in the background only.

Additional creatures

• Soldier Bug – These eight legged creatures resemble the common scorpion but they are much larger and deadlier. They can be encountered in caves and other dark, enclosed areas on the planet. They are often seen in swarms, and easily overcome prey due to their large size. They are encountered in multiplayer only on the maps "Spire" and "a Heated Rivalry", and with the map pack, "A Rivalry Continues". They are also on the Co-Op map 3.
• Meganeura – Giant prehistoric dragonflies that spit acidic venom and fly at great speeds.
• Pteranodon – Large prehistoric flying reptiles. Appears in the background only.
• The Beast from the Deep – An enormous species of reptile that resembles an eel with tentacles. Serves as a boss.

The games developers have stated that they designed the creatures to give a sense of horror and uniqueness, and drew inspiration from zombie and monster movies. [4]

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.

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 6.5/10, 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". Zero Punctuation 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.

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. 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.

Sequel

In the May issue of Official Xbox Magazine's "Rumor Mole" section, it was confirmed that Propaganda Games is at work on a sequel to Turok.

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 MC Commander

External links

Official websites

• Official website
• Turok at Curlie