Developer(s): Propaganda Games Aspyr Media (PC) Publisher(s): Touchstone Interactive (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) Capcom (PC) Distributor(s): Touchstone Pictures Designer(s): Josh Holmes (director)
Writer(s): Doug Barber
Engine: Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows Release date(s): PlayStation 3 JP May 29, 2008 NA February 5, 2008 EU February 8, 2008 AUS February 7, 2008 Xbox 360 JP April 10, 2008 NA February 5, 2008 EU February 8, 2008 AUS February 7, 2008 Microsoft Windows NA April 22, 2008 EU June 13, 2008 AUS June 19, 2008
Genre(s): Action First-person shooter Mode(s): Single-player, Multiplayer Rating(s): BBFC:15 ESRB: M PEGI: 18+ USK: 18
Turok is the 2008 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 Microsoft Windows. Turok was developed by Propaganda Games and published and distributed by Disney Interactive Studios under the Touchstone Interactive banner in North America, Ireland and United Kingdom and by Capcom in all other territories.
Gameplay
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. 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 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 4th or 5th 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 assured fans that they would stay true to the franchise's roots and create memorable weapons for the players' use. However, the fan favorite 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. Unfortunately, splitscreen 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 [sic] 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. This, however, was not the case. At launch, the achievement had 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 accordingly. The strong lag in multiplayer has been fixed by a patch[citation needed].
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.
Dinosaurs
Tyrannosaurus rex: The largest carnivore on the planet. She is a menace of Whiskey Company and is seen multiple times throughout the game. The T-Rex was nicknamed "Mama Scarface" because of the scar on her eye and because of her many offspring.
Velociraptor: The most common dinosaur seen on the planet. They hunt in packs and tend to gang up on targets.
Spitters: Genetically altered to be the purpose of biological weapons, escaped from the Mendel-Gruman Company's Laboratories. These velociraptors that have venom sacs on their necks that they use to spit acid.
Mini-Raptors: Smaller versions of Velociraptors.
Baby T-Rex: The offspring of Mama Scarface that attack like raptors in large groups. They are only seen in the T-Rex nest.
Compsognathus: Harmless creatures that can reveal your position due to high-pitched squealing.
Dilophosaurus: A large predator that mainly hunts alone but can be seen in groups of two-four. It is possible to knife kill them by knocking them over onto their sides.
Parasaurolophus: A harmless herbivore that can be dangerous if startled.
Apatosaurus: The largest dinosaur in the game which is only seen as background imagery.
Pteranodon: Pterosaurs that appear as background imagery occasionally.
Giganotosaurus: Only seen in the third level. Slade misidentifies it as a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Other creatures
Lurkers: Cat-like creatures that will wait on rocks or trees until they can pounce on you.
Soldier Bugs: Genetically altered to be the purpose of biological weapons, escaped from the Mendel-Gruman Company's Laboratories. These large scorpions that can easily overwhelm prey due to numbers and size. They mostly live in dark areas and harsh light, such as a flare or fire, will startle them.
Meganeura: Like scorpions, insects also escaped .A large dragonfly can be occasionally seen throughout the game and will spit harmful acid at you.
The Beast: An underwater serpent that also has tentacles. It is a boss that lives underground. The Beast has the ability to lunge at you and throw boulders, You can destroy it when it lunges at you near a gas vent by shooting it with your flamethrower. It will become the bridge when it is destroyed.
Minimum System Requirements
OS: Windows XP/Vista
Processor: Pentium 4 @ 2.4 GHz or Equivalent
Memory: 1 GB
Hard Drive: 18 GB Free
Video Memory: 128 MB (nVidia GeForce 6600/ATI Radeon x1300)
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
DirectX: 9.0c
Keyboard & Mouse
DVD Rom Drive (8X)
Recommended System Requirements
Processor: Pentium™ 4 class, 2 GHz or faster
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 18 GB Free
16X speed DVD-ROM drive
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