DESCRIPTION

Former publisher Acclaim's daring dinosaur-hunting series has been saved from the brink of extinction courtesy of Touchstone. Turok is a re-imagining of the franchise, a first-person shooter infused with aspects of stealth and survival horror, as players explore a planet rife with prehistoric creatures. Unlike the Native American protagonists found in the comic books and Acclaim video games, main character Joseph Turok is a futuristic Special Forces soldier on a mission to capture a war criminal named Roland Kane. After his spacecraft is shot down during its final approach, Turok realizes he no longer has the element of surprise. He must now rely on his extensive military expertise to defeat Kane's soldiers, genetically altered dinosaurs, and other creatures in the lush jungles of a hostile, unfamiliar world.

One of the game's distinguishing features, aside from the anachronistic theme, is the manner in which players can engage the enemy. Instead of blasting everything that stomps, slithers, or runs, players can lure dinosaurs to attack other creatures or soldiers by creating well-timed distractions. Stealth tactics involving bows and knives are possible, as is the more "direct" approach with such weapons as railguns, shotguns, and flamethrowers. Vehicles can also be used to help navigate the hazardous terrain, and members of Turok's elite squad will periodically assist players in coordinated attacks against groups of enemies. Up to 16 players can complete online in multiple game modes, including variants on deathmatch, capture-the-flag, and other team-oriented formats. Aspyr Studios handled development duties for this PC port of the console games. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide