The first Turok game for the N64 was a massive hit. The native American comic book hero featured in an awesome first-person that redefined the genre for the console market. Then came along Turok 2, utilising the N64’s brand spanking new expansion pack, it provided brilliant graphics and improved gameplay. Turok was one of the best series on the N64 (although there wasn’t that much competition!). Unfortunately, things went downhill from then on. Turok starred in some less ambitious and frankly poor titles. It would seem that our dinosaur hunter had met and unfair and early end. Until now…

So then, here we have Turok: Evolution, the new update of our favourite dino-slaying FPS. Acclaim are pushing Evolution as one of their strongest titles, and rightly so. They claim that Evolution will provide the player with a unique experience of stealth, cunning, brutality and a huge world teeming with indigenous organic life. It would seem that Acclaim are really behind this one all the way. Let’s take a look and see why…

As with most games now, Turok has an immense story behind it, which is not surprising given the comic book background of the hero. This time you take on the role of Tal’Set, a battle hardened Saquin Indian Warrior who is unwittingly pushed into the struggle between good and evil. If he succeeds, he will restore peace and become Turok; the Son of the Stone. After that he will blah, blah, yadda, yadda… Sorry, it is a very good story, but this is a first-person shooter, not and RPG. Let’s get to the maiming shall we?

The game does look incredible, even at this early stage. The new graphics engine certainly does a fantastic job, as all of the enemies look very crisp and sharp and the dinosaurs look like they have wandered in from the Triassic period. Take a look at the shots, they really do speak for themselves. All of the trees blow in the breeze, grass ripples and buildings will collapse in spectacular fashion (if you can get weapons big enough). However, the main spectacle that you will encounter in Evolution are said ‘indigenous life forms’ that inhabit the world. There will be over 100 of the them in Turok, some deadly, some not. So then, it may be safer to shoot them, after all, they will all be extinct soon anyway, no point in delaying it… All in all, not a bad job in the graphics and settings department.