During the 2024 Game Awards, the Florida-based video game developer and publisher Saber Interactive announced that it is developing Turok: Origins. Based on the Turok, Son of Stone comics from the 1950s, Turok is a long-celebrated video game series first introduced in 1997 by the now defunct video game publisher Acclaim Entertainment on the Nintendo 64. Since its N64 debut, Turok has struggled to gain a foothold on 21st century consoles, only releasing two titles beyond its 64-bit era: Turok: Evolution and the 2008 Turok reboot. While only a brief trailer and some official posts have been made of Turok: Origins so far, there’s a lot players can expect from the game in 2025.
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Turok: Origins’ Gameplay and Setting Could Pull From The Past
In the 1950s, Turok was initially introduced as an adult Native American man who discovers ancient dinosaurs and other creatures in a secluded valley in North America before Europeans arrived. By the 1990s, Turok was rebooted by Valiant Comics, with the titular Native American now being from the 18th century and the valley now being named the Lost Land. Time there has no meaning; demons, dinosaurs, and aliens flourish within. In the late 1990s, Acclaim rebooted Turok again, this time turning Turok into a title which members of a Native American tribe take up, as each Turok must dedicate themselves to defending the barrier between Earth, the Lost Land, and other dimensions from multiversal threats.
Acclaim Comics’ iteration of Turok is what most Turok games are based on save for 2008’s Turok, which features Joseph Turok as a space marine fighting dinosaurs on an alien planet. Most Turok games are primarily first-person with some third-person gameplay, such as riding prehistoric mounts like pterosaurs. Turok’s gameplay is a blend of Doom’s gunplay and Tomb Raider’s exploration, with players often using a wide arsenal of sci-fi weapons at their disposal to take down prehistoric and futuristic adversaries. On top of fighting dinosaurs and other creatures, most Turok games feature non-linear worlds filled with puzzles and collectibles such as Chronoscepter and Nuke pieces. If all pieces are found, players can build these weapons toward the end of Turok 1 and 2.
There have been six mainline Turok games encompassing the Turok franchise released so far, including:
- Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
- Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
- Turok: Rage Wars
- Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion
- Turok: Evolution
- 2008’s Turok
What Gamers Can Expect from Turok: Origins in 2025
Turok: Origins’ announcement trailer, while brief, shows off many glimpses of the title’s gameplay and environments. The trailer opens with a shot of presumably the Lost Land featuring a Mayan-like temple and a jungle filled with giant fungi and other alien or prehistoric vegetation. A Native American man donned in what appears to be a slim power suit is then shown running away from dinosaurs as he attacks one with a futuristic hatchet. Just after the dinosaur is also shot with a blue arrow, the dinosaur’s DNA is absorbed into the man’s suit, similar to how the Dovahkiin would absorb dragon souls in Skyrim. As an alien ship eclipses the sun, two more Native Americans join the unknown man, suggesting at least three player co-op.
In the final few seconds of the Turok: Origins’ announcement trailer, it depicts the main Native American man, presumably the first iteration of Turok, fighting dinosaurs in several ways, notably only in third-person, unlike most of the Turok games. Here, he is shown using laser guns, a futuristic shotgun, a futuristic bow similar to the iconic Tek bow, and a giant knife or machete against dinosaurs and a giant scorpion. In one instance, the man utilizes what appears to be giant vines or tendrils from his suit to lift and slam a dinosaur down. This may be an example of Turok: Origins‘ new DNA powers, which can alter players’ suits and can be upgradeable by using enemies’ DNA.
A Potential Release Window for Turok: Origins
No definitive release date for Turok: Origins has been revealed yet, but it can be wishlisted and is expected to play on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Xbox Series X and S platforms. However, based on recent Saber Interactive game developments and releases, it’s possible to speculate on Turok: Origins’ release date window. Saber’s most recent game published was A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead in October 2024, but this game was first announced in 2021 and later received its first trailer in June 2024. Likewise, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was first announced in 2021 and was later scheduled for a 2023 release but was delayed to September 2024. Based on these previous games, Turok: Origins may be released by mid-2025 if fans are lucky, or else it could take until around 2027.
Play as the legendary Turok warriors to face off against ferocious dinosaurs and a terrifying alien threat that seeks to destroy all human life in the galaxy. Unleash devastating attacks on your enemies with weapons and abilities, and harness fallen enemies’ DNA to upgrade your arsenal.
Embark on a high-stakes adventure — solo or with friends — to unravel mysteries that hold the key to saving humanity.
– Fight Against Enemies: Battle alone or as a team against a variety of dinosaurs, creatures, and bosses that take to the ground, sky, swamps, and caves to push players’ skills to the limit. Engage in intense combat, where players must use everything at their disposal to ensure success, including melee attacks, special abilities, and fine-tuned weapons.
– Unleash Your Arsenal: Unlock and upgrade your advanced weaponry to dominate your battles and neutralize your enemies. Plasma rifles, ray guns, snipers, bows, shotguns, and more are all at your disposal.
– Unlock DNA Powers: Extract DNA from fallen foes and the environment to unlock game-changing powers that evolve your suit in real-time. Each DNA power not only enhances your look but also offers upgradeable skills and abilities to give you an edge in combat.
– Experience an Epic Story Across the Lost Lands: Throughout Turok’s missions, players will journey across breathtaking yet deadly worlds on various planets. From ancient temples and wasteland canyons to dense jungles, each location holds pieces of an unforgettable story that is packed with twists and turns.
- Released
- TBA
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown