Gaming Target - GameCube: Turok: Evolution

Written by Kyle Williams on October 11, 2002

Full Review: I don't know if this is what Darwin had in mind.

Turok Evolution is the latest in the series of games based off of the comic book Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. For this outing, Evolution is an appropriate moniker for a couple of reasons. First of all, this is Tal'Set's first adventure on the current generation of systems. Second, this is the first time he's made an appearance on multiple gaming systems, if you don't count the PC. With Turok Evolution, Acclaim Studios Austin has really striven to reach new heights in console action gaming, packing a heck of a lot of content into the GameCube's tiny little game disc.

As with most action titles, the story of Turok Evolution serves as a backdrop to what is going on instead of being an active part of it. The game opens with a fantastically arranged cinematic introduction that sets the stage for the adventure to come. The game is a prequel to the titles we have seen in the past and tells of how Tal'Set and his nemesis Captain Tobias Bruckner were pulled into the Lost Land by a mysterious rift between worlds. After being nursed back to health by the inhabitants of a local village, Tal'Set reluctantly becomes a weapon in their war against the ruthless Lord Tyrannus and his hordes of reptilian soldiers. Unfortunately, the game itself does not rely on the story to prompt you towards your final goal. In fact, an experienced player will probably do just fine following his game-playing instinct of pressing onward.

Fortunately, pressing forward is made enjoyable by the fantastic attention to detail that was paid to everything in the level construction. As you stand atop a ridge and, looking through Tal'Set's eyes, gaze across the valley, you will realize just how breathtaking the Lost Land really is. It isn't just the sweeping views that were done well either. Subtle elements of your surroundings help to establish a certain sense of realism as you progress toward your goal. It is amazing to watch a shrub sway as you walk past it, and to listen to the well-sampled rustle of its branches. The art and sound departments are to be commended on their efforts in creating the atmosphere that Turok evolution is filled with.

The atmosphere doesn't end there, as the artificial intelligence that has been implemented really plays off of the action. Enemy soldiers definitely have their own well-being in mind, as they are prone to go running for cover and support once you manage to land a few good shots into their torso. Hit them well enough and they may even surrender to you, for all the good that it does them. What is really great is how the dinosaurs react to stimuli. The dinosaurs treat both you and your enemies the same and are more than willing to make a snack of whomever they can reach. There are a couple of small hiccups in this fantastic presentation though. One thing that I found repeatedly was a phenomenon I've taken to calling "floating shadows," in which enemies on the level above you cast shadows on the floor in front of you. I have been saved from an ambush on numerous occasions because of this seeming glitch. The only other thing I found worth noting is that your dispatched enemies disappear. For everyday grunts this practice is fine, but I want the satisfaction of being able to stand atop the Tyrannosaurus that I felled and soak in the thrill of victory. Alas, said Tyrannosaurus is gone.

Fortunately, Acclaim has done everything possible to make taking that Tyrannosaurus down a simple task. A tight control scheme helps to keep your adrenaline pumping in the heat of battle as you select from more than thirty different weapons you can use to slaughter your opponent. many of these weapons emphasize on huge explosions that are complemented with astounding visual and audio effects. On the downside, this great arsenal, when coupled with plentiful ammunition and health pick-ups, makes short work of your enemies. The game often feels too easy, as you rarely feel in danger of running out of ammunition or dying. In fact, it is often easier to charge head first into most situations with your guns blazing and, once you have wiped the blood off of your boots, pick the battlefield clean of items. There are only two real challenging aspects to the game in general, jumping from cliff to cliff and flying on the back of your Pterosaur. These are only difficult because of severe penalties for failure and convoluted control, respectively. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to mistime a jump and fall a hundred virtual feet to your death. Also, the flight sequences would have benefited from some additional refinement and overall balancing.

While the single player adventure has left some room for improvement, the multiplayer features in Turok Evolution are nearly spotless. The game takes full advantage of the GameCube's four controller ports and provides enough different play options to keep even the most fickle of players satisfied. Classic modes like deathmatch and capture-the-flag are backed up with some unique twists on those themes. There is even one additional weapon that you can only experience with your friends, the crossbow. Overall, there are 14 different multiplayer modes to choose from and, as long as you have friends that like action games, Turok Evolution will always have something good to offer. The one thing that I would have liked to see was the inclusion of computer controlled bots. In multiplayer games more is always merrier and just two people running around killing can get a little bit tired. However, multiplayer is the real meat and potatoes of Turok Evolution.