Graphically we first have to clarify that the GameCube and Xbox versions outshine the PlayStation version by a wide margin. Textures, framerate and clarity are all done far better on the Xbox and Cube, while the PS2 suffers greatly from poor framerates, bland textures, and bad draw in. In all versions though, the level designs are hit and miss. You are forced to deal with the forest areas throughout the first 4 levels. This is disheartening to gamers who judge a game from the first few hours of game play. What’s more, these levels are bland and monotonous, as you feel no real differences in each level besides the locations of enemies and switches. The textures look fine from afar, but even on the Xbox version, the plant life up close is rough and 32-bit like. Water effects are even poor in these early stages. Did I happen to mention the fact that the levels are so linear, they even block your path with a wall off vines and trees that you cannot surpass? For the gamer that either has given up before these levels ended, or the gamer yet to play Turok I suggest suffering through the first 4 levels as the game is far more rewarding in the later levels. Once past these early forest stages you are treated to more thought out levels. The framerate even seems cleaner in the later levels as well. In one stage you have to utilize stealth techniques with the help of a spider mine. This is especially cool as the spider mine has a camera of it’s own to allow you to see into places you may not be able to access. The effect here is pretty spectacular. Spectacular is also the exact word in describing some of the weapon effects in the game. Once you see the Swarm Bore and Plasma Cannon in action, you are quickly reminded of such great weaponry seen in the Unreal and Quake series. The enemies, on the other hand, lack any real polish and look very bland, if not inspired by Halo. The dino enemies, as always with the series, are done very well. What is disappointing is there are no visual signs of damage beyond blood flying here and there. The enemies take no physical damage, unless you blow a head off or make them explode. The enemies also disappear when dying, which is a pretty cheesy effect now days. The flying levels, in which you ride a pterodactyl are fair, but not real heart pumping. The whole package isn’t great, but it does a standard job visually. Nothing real ground breaking, and mostly borrowed ideas.

Audio is pretty extraordinary. On the Xbox you are treated to excellent 5.1 effects, which allows you to tell the direction of enemies and gunfire. On the PS2 and Cube, the sound is also nice, done in a pleasant Dolby Digital package. The sound effects and weapon sounds feature fantastic clarity and bass. Just hearing the bone crunching and flesh ripping, makes you want to forget dinner for an hour or two. The voice acting, when utilized in cut scenes is rather laughable though. Turok’s orchestrated score is also a nice touch.

Gameplay is rather solid, but is nothing more that the old familiar FPS style. All 3 systems set up their respective joysticks quite nicely as a default, but the option is there to tinker with the settings if you’re not completely satisfied. Moving, strafing, ducking, and shooting are accomplished rather easily. There is even an auto aim option if you want to run though the levels at a madman’s pace. The controls are also very tight and responsive in the flight modes, which make the gameplay overall pretty nice. The enemy A.I. is on the dumb side, and only gives a real challenge when in a large group.

Turok’s story (or lack thereof) mode isn’t the only option available, and the multiplayer mode is where this game is a keeper for the long haul. There are so many areas and options, you could play this game mainly on Multiplayer and you’d get your money’s worth. With over 14 modes to choose from (DeathMatch, Hunter, Capture the Flag, Bloodbath, Sniper, and Flight to name a few) the wealth of variety is the meat of the multiplayer mode. Three big disappointments lie therein though. First is the lack of bots as an option. Want multiplayer action without a friend or two on two with a friend vs. CPU? Not in this game. This hurts the companion challenged player. Secondly, the PS2 version only supports 2 players split screen, while the Xbox and Cube support 4 players. Honestly though, the game chugs so bad in 2 player split screen on the PS2 version anyway, you can see why. Finally, third is the omission of online play on either system. The multiplayer is so key; yet online was ignored as an option. Not even the Xbox supports a system link. What gives?

Overall, Turok does some things good, and other things really bad, but in the end you are left with another shooter that can be described only as mediocre. Other FPS are on the way friends, while this one will tide you over till then, it’s one of those titles that didn’t live up to the hype or publicity it received. The PlayStation 2 version suffers the worst, both in visuals and options, thus earning a letter grade lower (D+) score.