The Turok franchise may see a resurgence with Turok: Origins, a new prequel developed by Saber Interactive. The upcoming shooter, built on Unreal Engine 5, aims to revive the series' video game relevance, a goal that has eluded it since the original Turok: Dinosaur Hunter on Nintendo 64. This preview is based on hands-on time with two co-op missions during Summer Game Fest.
Turok: Origins is set many years before the events of the 1997 game, following futuristic warriors of the ancient Order of the Turok as they battle the Xenia, an alien reptilian race vying for universal dominance. Players will traverse multiple planets, encountering a variety of dangerous wildlife, including the series' signature dinosaurs, alongside alien adversaries.
The game is designed with a roughly 12-hour story campaign that can be experienced solo or cooperatively with up to two other players. Three distinct classes are available: Cougar, the weapons specialist for offense-minded players; Bison, a vanguard class focusing on defensive capabilities; and Raven, which excels at ranged attacks. Despite their specializations, all classes are equipped with significant firepower.
During the preview, both the Cougar and Bison classes were playable. Saber Interactive has designed the game to accommodate various class combinations and synergies, and each class offers extensive customization in weapon loadouts, allowing for unique player builds even among those who select the same class. The developer confirmed that Turok: Origins supports a fully offline single-player experience without the need for AI teammates.
Cooperative play features drop-in/drop-out functionality, with the game dynamically adjusting to accommodate players at different stages of their progression. All earned currency and upgrade resources are retained, ensuring players do not feel their time in co-op is lost. "You don't feel like you're wasting your time when playing [with] two other people that are maybe more advanced in the story," stated game designer Carlos de Maria Castillo.
Players can switch between first-person and third-person perspectives on the fly, with both viewpoints offering an enjoyable experience based on personal preference. The gunplay is described as satisfying, with players blasting through waves of raptors, giant insects, and Xenia warriors. The Cougar class wields a shotgun-like blaster, while the Raven can utilize a bow firing exploding laser arrows. Each class also has four special abilities on cooldown timers. For instance, the Bison can deploy a protective barrier for allies, and the Cougar can unleash a sonic scream. Enemies vulnerable from low health can be finished with execution moves.
Missions incorporate smaller objectives, such as disabling shield generators to expose larger targets, and feature large-scale boss encounters, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex equipped with rocket launchers, which necessitate coordinated team efforts. A scanner can highlight weak points on formidable foes.
Exploration is encouraged, with opportunities to discover hidden areas, unique enemy encounters, and collectibles like weapon skins. Platforming challenges, such as using a grapple hook to cross gaps or navigating waterwheel platforms in an ancient temple, break up the combat.
Castillo indicated that missions are built for high replayability, with some planets offering multiple quests and encouraging returns to explore their expansive environments. The game is promised to have a substantial endgame, including a new difficulty option unlocked post-completion and ongoing progression systems. Saber Interactive also has plans for post-launch content.
While an overarching narrative is present and reportedly fits organically within the Turok lore, the hands-on experience emphasized the fun of cooperative play and coordination over the story itself. The preview suggested Turok: Origins could become a popular "hangout game," delivering enjoyable moments through its strong gunplay, engaging abilities, and cooperative multiplayer, positioning it as a potential sleeper hit for shooter enthusiasts.