For a franchise that once defined the console shooter genre, the name Turok carries a weight of expectation, and perhaps a touch of trepidation. After a period of relative dormancy, the announcement of **Turok: Origins** by Saber Interactive at last year`s Game Awards sparked a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. Would this be another attempt to cash in on nostalgia, or a genuine evolution of a beloved series? Our recent hands-on experience at Gamescom 2025 suggests the latter, unveiling a title that feels less like a fossilized relic and more like a vibrant, prehistoric rebirth.
Re-envisioning a Legend: The Turok Saga Continues
The original Turok character, a comic book veteran, truly exploded into the gaming consciousness with the N64’s Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. It was a pioneering title, arguably second only to GoldenEye in its influence on console-based first-person shooters. Yet, like many trailblazers, the path forward wasn`t always smooth, culminating in a 2008 reboot that, while not a commercial failure, left the franchise in a seventeen-year slumber. Enter Saber Interactive, a studio with a reputation for breathing new life into established IPs, now stepping up to challenge the notion that some dinosaurs are best left extinct.
Initially, concerns lingered about a potential shift to a purely third-person, co-op-centric model. However, Saber Interactive`s Madrid-based team has wisely opted for versatility. Players will find themselves able to seamlessly switch between both first-person and third-person perspectives, ensuring that whether you prefer the immersive precision of a classic Turok or the broader tactical view of a modern co-op shooter, your preference is accommodated. Crucially, the developers have also confirmed a dedicated solo experience, allowing those who yearn for the solitary hunter narrative to embark on their journey without AI companionship – a vital nod to the series` single-player heritage.
Beyond the Hunter: Unpacking the “Origins” Narrative
The most intriguing departure for this new iteration lies in its subtitle: **Origins**. This isn`t just a prequel in the traditional sense; it`s a re-contextualization of the very essence of “Turok.” No longer the name of a singular protagonist, Turok now refers to a proud tribe of hunters, drawing inspiration from various indigenous North American cultures. This shift provides a rich narrative canvas, allowing for a broader exploration of lore and character dynamics.
Adding another layer to the prehistoric tapestry are the game`s adversaries, collectively known as **Xenia**. While the familiar four-legged reptilian threats are abundant – yes, raptors are back, and they`re as delightfully dangerous as ever – the Xenia also encompass more unique, sometimes humanoid, scaled abominations. Think of them as the troll-like cousins of your typical dino, providing a fresh challenge that pushes beyond mere reptilian ferocity. This expansion of the enemy roster ensures that even seasoned Turok veterans will face new, grotesque wonders to dismember.
A Symphony of Savagery: Gameplay Mechanics Dissected
At its core, **Turok: Origins** understands what players demand: **killing dinosaurs with big guns**. The demo delivered this in spades, thrusting us into a lush, primordial jungle immediately swarming with waves of raptors. The responsiveness of the controls, regardless of perspective, was immediately apparent. Developers revealed that separate pipelines exist for first-person and third-person controls, a detail that manifests in subtle but satisfying differences, such as a swift slide in first-person transforming into a tactical roll in third-person during a sprint-crouch maneuver.
Class-Based Carnage and Brutal Finishes
The class system introduces a strategic layer to the chaos, with players choosing from archetypes inspired by spirit animals: **Raven**, **Cougar**, and **Bison**. Each class dictates your initial loadout, unique cooldown abilities, and an ultimate, allowing for distinct playstyles:
- Cougar: The automatic weapon expert, perfect for sustained medium-range damage. Its ultimate unleashes a powerful, infinite-ammo bow, turning you into a temporary arbiter of reptilian demise.
- Bison: The tankier, close-range specialist armed with a shotgun, ideal for those who prefer to meet their enemies face-to-face, or rather, face-to-shotgun-blast.
- Raven: The long-range marksman, wielding a bow for satisfying headshots. Their abilities include a rallying cry that vaporizes weak enemies, a swarm of glowing wasps, and a temporary projectile barrier, offering crowd control and defense.
Melee combat, a brutal ballet, also makes an appearance. Even when playing in first-person, the camera smartly pulls back to third-person for cinematic execution animations. Witnessing your hunter rip apart a weakened Xenia with a visceral, glorious prompt is immensely satisfying, though the speed of co-op teammates can sometimes deny you the pleasure of the final, gruesome blow – a testament to the game’s fast pace.
Traversal and Teamwork in a Prehistoric Playground
Beyond the sheer joy of obliterating prehistoric beasts, the demo showcased varied environments, from dense jungles to ancient, crumbling temples. The influence of classic Turok titles is evident in the inclusion of platforming and traversal elements. Players can use a grapple hook to scale walls or reach higher ground, adding verticality to combat and exploration – a welcome return for those who remember Turok`s early innovations in level design.
The co-op experience felt dynamic. In one mission within an ancient temple, the ability to split up and tackle threats from multiple directions highlighted the strategic potential of a well-coordinated team. The demo culminated in an arena boss fight against a colossal Triceratops, reminiscent of the epic encounters found in games like Monster Hunter. Landing critical hits from a distance as a Cougar, while expertly dodging charging horns, truly brought the sense of scale and danger to the forefront.
Solo Survival or Tribal Triumph?
While the focus of the Gamescom demo was firmly on the cooperative PvE experience, the assurance of a complete solo playthrough is a critical relief. Fans who remember the original Turok as a solitary, survival-horror-tinged adventure can still expect to stalk the ancient lands alone, facing the Xenia without the safety net of allies. This dual approach ensures that **Turok: Origins** caters to both modern multiplayer sensibilities and the nostalgic yearning for a classic, single-player challenge.
The Future of a Prehistoric Powerhouse
Despite initial skepticism, **Turok: Origins** has emerged from its first public demonstration looking remarkably robust. Saber Interactive Spain appears to have struck a delicate balance, infusing modern game design philosophies like class-based combat and seamless perspective switching, while meticulously preserving the franchise`s core identity: intense dino-blasting action, satisfying movement, and a rich, evolving lore. This isn`t just a remaster or a cash-grab; it`s a thoughtful re-imagining designed to honor the past while forging a compelling new future.
As **Turok: Origins** gears up for its release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, it stands as a testament to the idea that some legends never truly die; they merely hibernate, waiting for the right moment to roar back into existence. And this time, it seems, the roar is potent enough to shake the very foundations of the gaming world.
Callum Darby