Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered

Developed by Nightdive Studios, Turok Shadow of Oblivion Remastered polishes the N64 original with high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting and effects, and support for up to 4K resolution at 120FPS. The result is a smoother, sharper, and more immersive experience that retains the original game's tense action while letting it shine as never before.

Acclaim Entertainment's classic first-person shooter series starring the time-travelling Native American warrior Turok roars back to life with the remastered release of Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion. This faithful restoration of the 2000 Nintendo 64 title delivers upgraded gameplay and visuals that breathe new life into the dinosaur hunter's climactic showdown against the evil Oblivion campaign.

Exploring the Alien World of Galyanna

The planet Galyanna makes for an exciting and bizarre setting to explore. Lush jungles, barren canyons, and winding cave networks provide environmental variety and plenty of secrets to uncover. Traversing the world by foot or by flying vehicle reveals sweeping vistas and hidden power-ups. The setting perfectly complements Turok's aggressive playstyle, with areas designed to allow long-range sniping and close-quarters combat.

While Galyanna is not as memorable as Seeds of Evil's dinosaur-infested Lost Lands, the alien flora and fauna provide a unique backdrop. The insectoid Mantids and armored Mantis bosses contrast nicely with raptors and humanoid foes. Discovering long-abandoned cities and bunkers builds an intriguing picture of this forsaken world. The setting may not be iconic, but offers plenty of gameplay opportunities.

The Core Gameplay Loop Still Satisfies

While the visual overhaul is impressive, Shadow of Oblivion's solid first-person shooter fundamentals still hold up remarkably well. Turok's arsenal of archaic and futuristic weapons feels punchy and enjoyable to use, from the explosive Firestorm Cannon to the chargeable Quantum Disruptor. The enemy variety keeps combat encounters unpredictable, pitting Turok against everything from raptors and cyborgs to the massive Mantis boss.

The game strikes a great balance between outdoor exploration and underground labyrinths. Traversing the surface of Galyanna reveals sweeping vistas and hidden secrets. Once underground, the maze-like bunkers and facilities challenge players to find keycards and switches to progress. Alternating between these two styles keeps the pacing fresh from start to finish.

How It Compares to the Original Game

Nightdive Studios' enhancements are immediately apparent when compared directly to the 2000 N64 release. The low-polygon models and blurry textures of the original are completely transformed by high-res assets and improved lighting. Load times between levels are significantly reduced as well. The 4K resolution at up to 120FPS makes gameplay feel remarkably smooth and responsive.

Some dated design elements remain, including occasionally repetitive environments and some finicky platforming. But overall, nearly every aspect of the core game is elevated by the excellent remaster treatment.

Review: 8/10

Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered brings a satisfying sense of closure to the Turok N64 trilogy and stands as the best version of the game to date. The N64 original was an ambitious FPS that pushed the console's limits.

Pros:

• Greatly improved visuals and performance
• Retains the satisfying FPS gameplay
• Excellent weapon variety
• Strikes a good balance of environments

Cons:

• Story and settings less inspired than Turok 2
• Very linear compared to today's FPS games
• Occasional bugs from original game remain