Turok: Evolution

Preview by Trent Dickerson
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Being called "The best Turok there ever was", T:E has been under development for approximately 2 years. Being made by Acclaim Studios Austin, formerly known as Iguana Entertainment, you know it's going to be a solid FPS game. The original Turok game had great aspirations, however, due to the N64's power (or rather, lack there of), most ideas for the game either were scaled down or never made it in. And as Turok 2 and 3 were being made, the game quickly lost it prehistoric roots. Evolution will include everything Acclaim learned over the years with the first 3 games and apply that to this game.

The story of Turok: Evolution is of origin and features Tal'Set, the main character from the first N64 Turok. The prequel tells the story of how Tal'Set became the Dinosaur Hunter. The story opens with Tal'Set fighting his nemesis Captain Tobias Bruckner in the year 1886 in Texas. The two end up falling into a fissure between their world and the Lost Lands, sucking them both into a mysterious new world. Tal'Set, nearly fatally injured, is brought back to health by the natives of River Village, a colony fighting to escape from the wrath of the evil Lord Tyrannus and his reptilian minions. At first, Tal'Set is hesitant to become involved, but after discovering that Bruckner, who slaughtered his people, is serving Tyrannus he swears revenge. Thus Turok: Evolution begins sending Tal'Set on a legendary epic quest through the dangerous Lost Lands.

The first in-game footage Acclaim showed extremely large environments, forking off into new, unexpected areas. The footage showed huge, towering trees swaying back and forth. All of a suddent, a brachiosaurus or stegosaurus shows up and begins eating away at the plants. The great thing about the flore is that you can damage it and make it fall on your enemies. In other words, you won't have to waste ammo taking out a horde of foes, but rather you can knock over a few trees to take them out. But not all of the levels are beautiful jungles though. No, no, no. One of the levels is a futuristic area, like those of Turok 3, which features gun- toting reptile baddies hiding behind wall shields.

Another really cool thing about this game is that you won't have to worry about Tal'Set gettings blisters on his poor feet from running around all over the place. How is this? Well, according to Acclaim's footage, you will be able to use the assistance of a Pteranodon and take to the sky in several missions. According to Acclaim, there are just as many flying levels as they are walking missions. Unfortunately, when you're flying through the clouds, you are in third-person. To make up for this, your flying beast has cannons and missles to make up for it.

Now let's talk about weapons, hee hee. Acclaim is keeping Tal'Set's inventory secret, but what is known is that the ChronoScepter and Fusion Cannon from the 1st game will be making a triumphant return. The only new weapon known of is the Swarm Bore, unfortunately, what is does is unknown. Some of the old, basic weapons return as well, but with a twist. The basic pistol can actually be transformed into a silenced or even a sniping weapon. Another thing is that you now have poison tipped arrows, which makes foes puke up their lunch, then keel over and die. Sweeet. Finally, one other new weapon this is known is the "Remote Spider of Death"(tentative name), which is basically a remotely-activated bomb, which transforms in a four-legged metal creature that is controlled in first-person, obviously leaving Tal'Set vulnerable. The great thing about this weapon is that it's role consists of being a lure, a bomb, and a poison-gas sprayer all at the same time. This is already my favorite weapon!

The graphics of Turok: Evolution is definitely something you'd expect from a next- generation Turok game. Much of the art style is the same, however, the the environments are now fog free. Well, almost. Fog is still being used in the atmosphere, but that's it. The worlds aren't completely high-polygon though, however, they are huge and feature some detailed textures. Just remember thouugh: this is just an early version, and things are bound to be better around E3 2002. The coolest thing though is the appearance. Lush jungles are filled with trees that sway back and forth with dinos rustling in the brush. This is an important factor in the game because you won't know what's causing the commotion until you're practically right on top of it. Acclaim's animation team is also using motion capture in combination with hand-animation for the most accurate look possible.

With all these great graphics and storylines, sound will most likely be overlooked, right? Wrong. Very wrong. Andy Brock, the lead sound designer of the game, has gone to great lengths to create a brand new sound library. Over the course of the past two years, Andy has recorded thousands of new sounds, ranging from dropping bullet shells on numerous types of surfaces, to shooting huge pieces of meat for impact sounds, to crushing oranges and Doritos together for a totally gruesome, bone-crunching effect. Needless to say, the sound effects will be nothing but first-rate.

In conclusion, T:E is turning out to be one of GameCube's biggest technical breakthroughs, as well as one of the most fun games soon to be. These new flying missions and all-new multiplayer modes have got be really excited, but the x-factor here is that Acclaim must prove to all that the missions won't get repetitive and will all be different. Until E3 2002 rolls around, I'll stick with Starfox Adventures for all my dino-shooting desires.

My Score: N/A
Advantages: Huge detailed environments, Pteranodon flying missions, spectacular sound effects and musical score, engrossing storyline, smooth gameplay, all-new multiplayer modes.
Disadvantages: Obviously not a 2002 title, maybe a late 2003 game if we're lucky.