While most gamers raved over the original Turok, we were more thrilled with Shadows of the
Empire. Turok was a long and arduous game where you spent most of the time looking at the
ground and your impossibly circular shadow.
The impossible jumps that plagued the original game (you'd spend minutes lining up a jump)
have been virtually eliminated for Turok 3. Also gone is the issue over a lack of save points.
Turok 3 is not only manageable, but it is addicting. The pace of the game is even better than
Perfect Dark.
The levels are much shorter and well-designed than in previous titles. The dozens of weapons
and enemies are also very creative. One weapon is so powerful that it warps and stretches
everything around the discharged "cell." The lighting effects for this weapon as well as the
entire game are well done.
The story gets a fair amount of attention in the game. Characters actually talk to each other, and
you can choose to play as a male or female character with different abilities that slightly affect
progression through levels.
The game is definitely worthy of the "Mature" rating, because the blood and deaths are
shockingly detailed. Some weapons can blow a head right off its body. The gore has nothing to
do with the game's appeal, however.
The music is simple, well-scored, and extremely effective, like something from "The X-Files."
The game really comes alive because of the plot events interspersed throughout, rather than
exclusively between, levels. The first level has a stunning moment when someone climbs a
ladder, showing you the way to go. Like some of the best Nintendo games, this first level sets
the tone of the entire game. It's hard to complain about that tone.
Publisher: Acclaim