Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

The Good
Turok 2 is a very, very good looking game. Running in Hi-Resolution it rivals Majora's Mask as best looking game on the 64. Turok 2 even supports widescreen displays with a letterbox Hi-Resolution graphics mode. I just cannot emphasise how good Turok 2 looks. The character models come off a little blocky but the crystal clear textures, outstanding weapon models and particle effects simply elevate the game to another level of transcendental graphical deliciousness.

Turok 2's level design is fairly epic. Although corridors rarely curve the maze like interiors are intelligently crafted. Exteriors display a similar level of polish featuring immaculate detail - especially during the Lair of the Blind One's level. The Primagen Ship is probably the best level in the game. When you think about it the level really isn't that great, it just feels so grand and intimidating. It's claustrophobic corridors hide aggressive enemies amongst tangles of wires and dazzling sparks and particles.

The enemies in Seeds of Evil are a mixed bag of good and bad. In their favour they are delightfully varied and insidious. Some throw bombs and commit explosive suicide when you inflict enough damage while some try climbing walls and spitting some sort of corrosive molecular material at you. The bottom line is they are fun to fight and that's what good enemy design is all about.

In total there are 20 weapons in Turok 2 and they are all a blast to use (no pun intended). Some weapons such as the Cerebral Bore are simply wicked while some that seem like they should be boring, like the Bow just aren't. Iguana just got every weapon right. Even though half of the weapons are simply variations of the original weapons they differ to the extent that you have to change your strategy. For instance the Mag 60 is just a three round burst firing pistol however it features massive recoil so you have to learn to compensate.

Sound wise Turok 2 is simply a splendid aural experience. Seeds of Evil features over 10 minutes of voice acting and outstanding music which never seems out of place and just works so well with the action on screen. Weapons feature intimidating blasts and explosions rattle your speakers with realistic ferocity. The Dinosoids growl and snarl primally and Turok lets out a heroic "I AM TUROK!" sample when you achieve an extra life. It's worth searching for extra lives just to hear that sample.

The Bad
Fog. The trade off for such a gorgeous game is a severe fog problem. Originally called the "Turok Effect" for this very reason you have to suffer a thick layer of fog over every exterior area. It doesn't seem like a big problem until enemies begin bounding out of this convenient fog to claw you to death, or plasma begins shooting out of the fog forcing you to walk into the hail of fire to take out the shooter. It's gets very frustrating after a while.

You'd think with all this fog the frame rate would be acceptable, but no. The frame rate is atrocious. Playing in Low-Resolution you normally get around the 25-30 fps mark however if you want to enjoy the game in Hi-Resolution you have to suffer frame rates of around 20 fps at times of low activity to a veritable powerpoint presentation when the particle system is in full swing. At some points it came close to ruining the experience for me.

While enemies are well designed their AI is pretty dumb. Most enemies simply stand still attacking you while you blow them to pieces with explosive shot gun shells. Other times I found enemies running around me and just continuing, ignoring me completely. It's frustrating because you want the AI to match the presentation however this is not to be.

Character models are hideously blocky affairs. Turok himself looks great however everything else seems to be a geometric mass of scaly textures and spines. The best example of this problem are the Children in the port of Adia level which look like they all have some sort of hideous facial deformation.

In the end Turok 2 is simply another formulaic FPS experience. Iguana has tried to incorporate a heavy emphasis on exploration to break the monotony however there is little to do apart from shooting things. Level goals seem like an aforethought to the level design and it all begins to grate after a while. The Triceratops riding sections are pretty much as shaken up as the game design gets.

The Bottom Line
Turok 2 is a fantastic looking game. It is really gorgeous, easily one of the best looking games on the Nintendo 64. The level, sound design, enemy design and weaponry are all very interesting and creative. The inclusion of voice over work is to be applauded and the inclusion of Hi-Resolution wide screen is unnecessary but welcome. Unfortunately at the same time Turok 2 suffers from simply being another FPS experience with very little to do. Level goals are vague and almost seem superfluous and the enemy AI is bad. Frame rates fluctuate wildly and the severe fog ruins exterior sections of the game by providing enemies with more than enough opportunities to cheap shot you. Turok 2 is a good looking game that extends the opportunity to be a lot of fun. I just wish there was more to do.