- DarKDemoN
I've decided that I'm going to write my Turok2 review when I get the PC version.
This is a much fairer choice for the review, since it will clear up many of the problems
that Turok2 currently has, such as framerates and control. I also just enjoy being
able to play my games on my PC, just a better environment for me I guess you could
say. What does this all mean to you? It means you will get a truthful review
from me for Turok2 once the PC version is released.
Belated Merry Christmas, More Turok2 Stuff - DarKDemoN
Woops, forgot to say Merry Christmas, oh well. Anyway, I've gotten some mail about
the impressions I wrote, and most were negative, but at least some contained good points,
rather than the occasional "get a life" where the writer can't even think of
anything to complain about. Let me just back this up some more, so I can burn out
some of that growing hatred in everybody's minds. I've come to expect A LOT from
games now-a-days, mainly because I've played lots of PC games with the best features ever
seen. The problem with this is that PC games will always be better than console
games, mainly because of their approach. From what I've talked about with people,
the console game approach is "We want some damn money so get the game out the door
and make money" whereas PC games don't have as much pressure from the publisher and
take it easier, and actually enjoy the game they're making. No doubt now I've just
set the stage to receive lots of bad mail, but I'm just saying what I think, since this is
my damn page. As for the games themselves, my PC is equipped the top, combined with
a cable modem, I usually play the best stuff out there. So when I say things like,
"As for the bare-bones technology behind the lighting, it's pretty impressive, though
there's better out there" what I'm saying is that it's damn good lighting, and to be
compared to the best damn graphical game out there is a good thing. It's just that
I'm spoiled with all the greatest things now from PC games, so I'm going to have problems
with Turok2. Keep in mind though, for me to have a page on a console-orientated game
is a big thing for me, as I don't think any console games are worthy of a page. Just
some more insight for your head. If this doesn't help, looks like you wasted another
2 minutes of your life. Oh well.
Rented Turok2, First Impressions - DarKDemoN
Ok, so I finally got to rent Turok2, but what I have to say about it isn't too good.
I don't like this game. Let me start by commenting on the graphics, since
that's what everybody seems to be talking about. I can without a doubt say, the
animations on the monsters are the most fluent I've ever seen in my life. For once,
these creatures feel just as alive as my 13 GB HD, and move very nicely according to their
attitude. As for the "real-time flinch system", it's just high-tech talk
instead of just saying that we made some more animations for different spots the enemy
might get hit in. This does look nice, but isn't worth noting the way Iguana did.
Now, let's talk about the killer AI. Once again, the hype becomes too big,
and people expect much more than what is given. I'll begin by discussing the crate
AI, which is in fact, a nice feature, but nothing to freak out about. This is a
scripted event, given to certain monsters, which in return, go around this crate and
perform their attack functions. This event is not even triggered openly by monsters
- if it's assigned to them, they do it. If not, they don't perform this event.
As for the AI normally, nothing godly to note, as their attack patterns aren't startling,
and they seem to have a small problem navigating the environment. From what I've
seen so far, the AI is above average with some good features, but in it's heart, not very
good. Next I'll go on the lighting, since this is a big part of games today for me.
The lighting used in the world so far is pretty good; it get's the job done, and
sets a better mood for the area you're in. As for the bare-bones technology behind
the lighting, it's pretty impressive, though there's better out there, in such games as
Unreal. Models are covered nicely by the light, mainly having two sides which can be
noticed being covered, which is a step above Quake2's lighting, or any other game using
that engine. One thing I noticed was the lighting created by the water. This
as for now I will call "dynamic world lighting", as it's changed in the middle
of the game, and not preset. Though it changed the brightness of the walls around it
in a nice radial effect, the models or entities in the world were not affected by this
light. This may be lighting, or might be a simple effect applied to the walls in
water areas, though I find it highly unlikely right now that it's lighting, since dynamic
lighting is created from weapons and explosions. From here I'll go on to comment on
the control. This sucks, majorly. Playing PC games for long periods of time
and not touching my N64, I forgot how bad it was to aim with the analog stick of a N64
control pad. Combined with Iguana's idea of lookspringing, aiming is one hard task
to accomplish in Turok2, and is even harder when considering the bad framerate of Turok2.
Turok2 embodies the same control method as Turok1, and, just like the original,
doesn't have that "velocity" feeling like most 3D games do. A good example
of this is how in DooM 64, your character slides a little after stopping from running.
Most people would complain that in DooM 64 you just run faster, but it's also in
every PC shooter we play. The main reason for this unrealistic method would have to
be Turok2's physics, which, from what I've seen so far, don't get the job done. Sure
the enemies, or models themselves, have a nice effect of clipping to the angle of the
plane they are walking on, and the arrows stick nicely into enemies, while also adjusting
accordingly to the motions made by the enemies, but the actual motion or velocity applied
to objects right now from what I've seen, is not good. This has to be examined more
by me, and my full review will make sure to cover all grounds with this. Let me
finish off this first impressions by reviewing the first level. So far, I've found
Turok2 to be just as boring as Turok1, if not, even more boring. The flow of this
level is very bad in my opinion - some areas are considered to be the "action
areas" where stuff is going to be happening, while others are just the "pass
through me" areas. This doesn't have to be true for all levels, but for the
intro level, it sure creates a bad impression for the flow of the game. When
reviewing the architecture however, I can say that it's very well done, and adds to the
area's believability nicely. When I first entered level 1, I took amount to look
around, and noticed some decent architecture around me, which, unfortunately, was not very
interactive, or meant to be accessed. I'll end this impressions off with the result
of the fog. Turok2 promised to push the fog back much farther than Turok2, and in
most areas, has done so. But some areas from what I've seen, have very tight fog,
creating that bad flow of action. What this ends up meaning is that Turok2 does NOT
have a set fog level, and that more framerate problems, or other technical issues, come
into play. Comments are
always welcome, and, hell, who knows, I could end up loving this game.
Got my HD - DarKDemoN
Well I got my new Hard Drive, and I must say, it took a LONG time to format. Anyway,
just letting the world know.
Whatever - DarKDemoN
Oh man, some major goodness has arrived at my lair. Today I picked up Mr. 13GB
Western Digital Hard Drive, UltraDMA too, for that fast RPM of 5400. Can't wait to
pop this puppy in, but first I have to re-partition my 6.4GB to use fat32, than I can use
god. In terms of Turok2 news, I doubt I will be renting it today, so don't be
expecting that review anytime shortly. I hope to try it by next Friday though, so
keep your eyes peeled.
Rental Information -
DarKDemoN
After checking The
Turok Zone, I found out that most BlockBusters will have Turok2 available for renting
tomorrow. Perhaps I shall leave my humble domain, and pickup a copy. In that
case, prepare for a nice review or first impressions.
PC Info - DarKDemoN
After checking IGN's update on Turok2,
I've found out some new features for the PC version. First off, they are re-doing
all the textures, making them display clearer at higher resolutions. If they kept
the original N64 textures, they would be displaying at a small size, probably around
64x64. Instead, they are most likely making them the highest a Voodoo2 card can
display, 256x256. Next on the features list is more deathmatch levels. Since
the PC version isn't limited by memory or production costs, Iguana can most likely throw
some more maps in, as well as other things. Keep checking back for more updates.
PC Screenshots - DarKDemoN
Sharkyxtreme's Dino Week continues with more screenshots of the PC version of Turok2 running in
1280x1024, as opposed to the N64's highest, 640x480.
News - DarKDemoN
Not much for me to report on Turok2, I don't even
have the game yet. I'm leaning towards renting it, so I can get you guys a nice
review up for your viewing pleasure. I'll be sure to take into account many things,
including levels, graphics, gameplay, even the framerate. Stay tuned.
Updates - DarKDemoN
Sorry the small lack of updates, I wanted a small
break from redoing the site. Anyway, two new sections have been added, as well as a
mailing list for all you happy-golly people out there. Turok2 was released to most
stores today, though I'm not buying the N64 version, as I plan on getting the PC version.
That's all for tonight folks.
