Turok: Dinosaur Hunter Reviews
The blame should definitely not go to Night Dive Studios. It has, once again, done what it is best at, which is publishing various greats from the past, and with as little alteration as possible. The thing is, though, that Turok: Dinosaur Hunter was never exactly one of those "greats," something that is far more obvious after all these years. Of course, when it comes to personal taste, everything is subjective, right? That's correct, but there's a second problem with this version, even for those who loved the Acclaim's original release, and that is its current £13.39 price tag, which should be forbidden for such an old product, enhanced or not.
Turok may have been state-of-the-art in 1997 but today both its graphics and its gameplay feel virtually prehistoric.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter Remastered is quite literally like finding an old toy you loved as a child, having a nostalgic moment with it when you pick it up, and putting it back down soon after that moment has passed. You're older, you're wiser and you've seen and done more advanced things since the time where that toy meant something to you, so the resonance you feel with it is fleeting at best. Most cherished, hallowed classics of the medium — Megaman, Mario, etc. —are considered as such because they never feel too old, but that isn't the case here. That's where I am with Turok. It's fun for a few hours or so, and going through the levels – especially the speed-run begging tutorial – was like hopping on the old bike and popping wheelies like I was 14 again. It doesn't take long for that feeling to wear off, and due to this, I can only recommend Turok to those who loved the old game so much that they feel compelled to spend money on it again. It's not likely to be worth the twenty-dollar purchase, otherwise. That said, it's still a very fun game and the remastered package is done quite well, so I'm going to grade the game based on the quality of the remastered port, with however bored I became with it notwithstanding.
I like Turok; but I like it as an N64 game where I can make excuses for its shortcomings based on its platform—in a vacuum where I can't compare it to other, truly great shooters.
While the ten-year-old inside of me would like to pretend that Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is perfect and the best shooter of all time, I have to admit it isn't and this version isn't anything special. If you're looking to relive a retro experience with slightly better draw distance, a solid 60fps framerate, and a far superior control system then by all means pick this up. If you're more accustomed to the modern day FPS, it's best to leave this one buried in the past.
It’s easy to forgive Turok‘s shortcomings though because it’s still a pretty fun shooter, and its low-fi graphics are much more palatable in portable form. It’s not exactly an essential purchase for all, but as a playable piece of nostalgia, it’s been dragged into the modern era fairly successfully for fans to enjoy without many of its original frustrations and limitations.
Sometimes you can wonder to yourself, "How on earth did they come up with this stuff?" and to the modern developer the type of unrealistic setting this game has to offer might not be the way to go. We need to remember that games are games, they don't have to be realistic, and the pure escapism that Turok offered all those years ago is, you have to feel, something of a dying art. It's fast paced arcade shooter style is a ton of fun, and considering the types of leaps and bounds it brought to the FPS genre, it's no wonder that it managed to succeed all those years ago.
The gameplay here is satisfying enough to feel like it was worth your hard-earned cash, although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is looking for a game with all the elements of a modern day game–you will not find that here.
In order to get the most from Turok, it's important to approach it as a remnant of the '90s, rather than a modern game.
I can confidently say that Nightdive's remaster is the best way to play Turok after twenty years. All the issues that most would've had with the original version are gone – better draw distance, a smooth framerate and smoother controls all improve a game that was in dire need of a fresh coat of paint. From a design perspective, it still suffers from some ups and downs though, and ultimately will only appeal to those who adored it when it first released in 1997.
Both Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil may not be as advanced as they were upon release, but they still hold up remarkably well. They're both still enjoyable to play, and the excellent remaster treatment from Night Dive Studios helps bring them up to modern standards, while still maintaining their retro identity.
Turok's remaster for the Nintendo Switch brings one of the first Nintendo 64 classics to the contemporary age and for a game that is over twenty years old, the work done here is competent and well executed and it improves on some key aspects that needed to be updated. While this does not intend to reinvent the game, this remaster can both appeal to fans of the original game and to those curious about the early days of console first-person shooters.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While Turok: Dinosaur Hunter undoubtedly shows its age in both its unappealing graphics and some of its gameplay mechanics, there is still a lot of enjoyment to be had with the hybrid FPS/exploration gameplay.
Turok Remastered is exactly what I expected it to be, and I enjoyed the nostalgia trip. I hope they continue with the series, as Seeds of Evil is still my favorite in the franchise. Turok was a series that definitely had its chance, but I don't think ever got the proper game it deserved. I love revisiting these old N64 titles in a new light, and who knows, perhaps in a few years the dinosaur hunter can once again become relevant in gaming.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is a blast to the past that should be enjoyable for fans to revisit, but the outdated graphics and gameplay may be disenchanting to newcomers.
As a remaster Iguana Games could do a lot better and the price will not please everyone, but Turok is always Turok and a good and fun travel back in time is always welcome.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter Remastered is the best possible way to experience this N64 classic, either on your TV or in Handheld/Tabletop Mode (where it performs flawlessly). Turok influenced a lot of first-person shooters that came after it, and it's still very enjoyable in 2018—thanks in large part to Night Dive's boatload of options. You don't wind up hunting a lot of dinosaurs, but you do manage to fight a Dimetrodon that has a minigun strapped to its back, which makes up for a lot.
Thanks to the new Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, players can re-live a brilliant title from the beginnings of the console shooter
The best way to play a classic FPS that can still offer an engaging and fun experience for those willing to give it an honest chance.