Turok has been a beloved shooter franchise for 25 years, yet after experiencing the latest Turok: Origins, I'm left puzzled.


Turok: Origins signifies the comeback of a formerly-lauded shooter franchise, seeking to rejuvenate its heritage with a contemporary flair. Created by Saber Interactive’s Madrid division, this cooperative shooter is constructed on Unreal Engine 5 and enables players to toggle between first-person and third-person views. Positioned within the original series’ timeline, Turok: Origins transports players to the legendary Lost Lands, where indigenous warriors confront extraterrestrial reptiles wielding sci-fi armaments.

The game adopts modern gaming trends, incorporating class-based mechanics featuring specialized moves and formidable ultimates, echoing experiences akin to Destiny. Gamers can select from various “animal spirits” that symbolize well-known loadouts or classes, each providing distinct abilities. Although it aligns with current trends, the demo at gamescom 2025 revealed visually striking environments, ranging from lush jungles to alien structures.

Nevertheless, the gameplay tends to be monotonous, with common co-op combinations and recognizable enemy types. The level design is straightforward, missing the intricacies and secrets that characterized previous Turok installments. The narrative remains unclear, with missions appearing insignificant.

Although the action is captivating, with gratifying weaponry and combat, it doesn’t possess the allure and depth of Turok 2’s diverse and detailed environments. The climactic confrontation against a colossal triceratops hints at possible prospects, indicating that the developers may have additional surprises up their sleeves. Fans are optimistic about a revival that embodies the spirit of the original series while steering clear of the trend-chasing missteps that contributed to its earlier downturn.