Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

"One of the best FPS, next to Rare's of course...."

After playing Turok: The Dinosaur Hunter, I really enjoyed the game and longed for an excellent sequel. Well finally, long ago, I've purchased the game and from there the game was pretty frustrating at first, bu it has gotten better. It has cinematic scenes, LOTS of voice acting (And quite good too....Adon, Oblivion, and the Primagen reigns well in that department!!!), the graphics are smooth and the enemies move realistically, as well as their death animations. Now I'm on to the individual scores...

Storyline - 8/10
. Turok 2's storyline follows directly after the predecessor. After Tal'Set, the previous Turok, defeated the Campaigner and threw the Chronosceptor into the volcano(What a dumbass!), a new threat emerged and it's name is the Primagen. Joshua Fireseed, the descendant of Tal'Set, has been summoned by Adon, the Speaker of Forever Light, tells him of the Primagen's return and that the Energy Totems are unguarded. It is up to Josh and you to traverse through six IMMENSE levels to stop the Primagen. The storyline is very good and interesting, with a complex add-on. Not only that the Primagen was released, but this entity, Oblivion, has been released as well to prevent Turok from destroying the Primagen's plot.

Graphics - 9/10
. The first game had some incredible graphics as a first-generation title for the N64. Well, David Diensteiber and the rest of the Turok developers, up the ante with the graphics department on it's successor. The levels are incredibly large and has plenty of atmosphere to go around, plus it was really easy to get lost, not even the map can help you out much. The people of Acclaim Studios Austin and Iguana managed to create one of N64's most impressive graphical game. The environments are pure genius and detailed from the dirt to the skies. The monsters....unbelievably beautiful. Smooth textures in the enemies are amazing and they move realistically. The cinematic scenes are pretty cool to look at and the textures of Turok, Adon, and others are done quite nicely. The only problem with this game was the framerate. This is the only problem that I have with the game and because of it, I'm not able to shoot properly or get an accurate shot at a certain monster. Overall, this doesn't make the game pathetic or poor quality, but the movements in general are lifelike and photorealistic. Kudos to Iguana and Acclaim for this part.

Sound/Music - 10/10
. Some of the best music that I've heard in a videogame, especially coming from a cartridge based game. The sounds of the environment are captivating and the monsters roars are very realistic and fits them perfectly. The voice acting are very well done. Adon, an alien-like being, sounds like she was played by Eveline Fischer (The voice of Joanna Dark), but still fits her perfectly. Oblivion has the best voice and sounds...pretty scary if you're wondering. When you enter that warp portal, you suddenly hear....''Cease human...power' beyond the comprehension of flesh...'', wondering ''What the hell is that?'' Once again perfectly suited for that character and well done. The Primagen is another voice that I like in this game, he may sound like that he's been having a hangover and snitting some farts in his ship, but acceptional overall. The music is astounding. Diensteiber and company managed to create a near symphonic, though synthesized, score in order to fit the music in each of the levels. Drums beating, humming choir, and various other instrumental sounds. Another reason why this game is worth to buy.

Gameplay - 9/10
. Ah, the most important aspect in a videogame. Turok 2 features some of the best looking weapons and animation deaths of all time. Everytime you play this game and kill an enemy with a different weapon, you'll never want to stop playing this game until you've seen all the weapons and deaths of each of the enemies. Wondering about the AI and Challenge level? Well rest assure that Turok 2 doesn't disappoint in either of those areas because the monsters and bosses are extremely smart. They'll notice a single sound, even from afar and will either come after you, while dodging your shots, or shoot with their own projectiles. They are SHARP SHOOTERS, so its practically impossible to dodge any of their shots (Endtrails, Blind Ones, etc...), especially with the framerate issue, but doesn't affect the overall gameplay a lot. The only other problem is the Mission Objectives. On the first game, mission objectives are non-existant and you basically just explored and collect. To make it frustrating, you'll failed the level and must repeat it again if you don't do the objectives...sucks doesn't it? As for the collecting factor, collecting keys are a vital importance as you must access through new worlds, also collecting sacred Eagle Feathers plays a role in the game. Nevermore you'll use the Chronosceptor, nor the pieces are scattered throughout the level, instead they are located in the warp portals (Remember the place where Oblivion subsides?) and you must colect Nuke parts for the ultimate weapon. But where are the Tek Armors and Backpacks!!!? Overall...the gameplay is really good in that area.

Replay Value - 8/10
. I don't care for the multiplayer mode, but playing through Single player is all worth playing over again and again and again.

Bottom Line - Turok 2 is a great game hands down and long live the Turok franchise!!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/27/01, Updated 12/27/01