Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 355 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered Game Cover
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"Turok 3 Shadow of Oblivion Remastered," a first-person shooter, is a restored version of the 2000 Nintendo 64 game, now upgraded with high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting, and 4K resolution capabilities. This remaster is the first to use Nightdive Studio's improved KEX engine, offering better visual fidelity and modern gamepad support. It concludes the Turok trilogy remasters, following the updates to Turok and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 355 reviews
story11 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • The remaster features impressive graphics and smooth gameplay, making it a significant improvement over the original N64 version.
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the Turok series, with engaging gunplay and a variety of weapons.
  • Nightdive Studios has done a commendable job in bringing Turok 3 to modern platforms, showcasing their dedication to preserving classic games.
  • The game is notably short, with a playtime of around 3-4 hours, which many players feel does not justify the asking price.
  • The absence of multiplayer, which was a feature in the original game, has disappointed fans who enjoyed that aspect.
  • The linear level design and lack of exploration compared to the previous Turok games have led to criticisms about the overall depth and replayability.
  • story74 mentions

    The story in Turok 3 is described as ambitious yet flawed, with many reviewers noting its rushed development and lack of clarity, leading to a narrative that feels incomplete and at times nonsensical. While the game attempts to provide more context and character development through cutscenes, the execution often falls flat, resulting in a mix of engaging moments overshadowed by poor voice acting and convoluted plotlines. Overall, the story is seen as a step up from its predecessors but still leaves much to be desired, with many players feeling it does not live up to the expectations set by earlier installments.

    • “There is a lot of story here compared to the older Turok games, and the cutscenes are very well done. The detailed character models even have animated facial expressions, which was very rare for a console game at the time, and they look even better with the remaster.”
    • “The story is interesting, the characters likable, the weapons effective, and the world engaging.”
    • “The engaging storyline and improved graphics make it a worthy addition to the Turok series.”
    • “The story is not the best mostly because it had to be rushed, but it gets the job done.”
    • “This game tries to have more of a story and emotional moments, but it falls kind of flat and just feels kind of lame that they expect us to be sad that generic video game man is dead; like, I barely even know this guy.”
    • “The story goes nowhere and is somewhat impenetrable for newcomers.”
  • gameplay50 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion is generally described as smooth and enjoyable, with a diverse arsenal and improved controls, though it retains some dated mechanics typical of early 2000s shooters. While some players appreciate the polished visuals and level design, others criticize the linearity, lack of challenge in boss fights, and overall mediocrity compared to its predecessors. Despite its shortcomings, many find the gameplay to be a nostalgic and entertaining experience, particularly for fans of classic first-person shooters.

    • “This is a really polished remaster, especially after having gone back and looking at gameplay from the original version for N64.”
    • “The gameplay has been made much smoother thanks to the improved framerate, and the improved controls, making the game feel faster paced, and with the updated gore and dismemberment system, the weapons feel a lot more powerful because of it, and with the adjustable FOV, the game is more accessible.”
    • “Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion offers a thrilling adventure with its intense gameplay and diverse arsenal.”
    • “The gameplay itself is completely mediocre; it's nowhere near the creative highs of Turok 2 and barely has any of the energy that it had.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, this is hands-down one of the worst FPS games I have ever played.”
    • “The general gameplay feels like a checklist of things you should never do in a first-person shooter.”
  • graphics45 mentions

    The graphics of Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion have received significant praise, particularly for the remastered version, which features enhanced visuals, higher resolutions, and improved textures that respect the original art style. Reviewers noted that the remaster offers a visually stunning experience compared to the original Nintendo 64 release, with smooth frame rates and better animations, although some felt it lacked the impact of other recent remasters. Overall, the graphical updates have made the game more accessible and enjoyable for both new and returning players.

    • “The remaster in itself is not bad, the graphics are sharp and nice, the sound effects are somewhat muted.”
    • “Visually stunning remaster: the original graphics have been significantly improved, with higher resolutions, textures, and lighting.”
    • “A really smooth experience with great new graphics that respect the original art style as usual with the Nightdive treatment.”
    • “The game was already bad in the first place: excruciatingly corny story, goofy graphics, etc.”
    • “Crap graphics cause you got 8 megs of memory max.”
    • “Second, none of the new graphics are optional, and it looks like a cheap AI texture upscale plastered on an otherwise extremely simplistic looking game.”
  • music32 mentions

    The remastered soundtrack, composed by Nelson Everhart, has received praise for its improved quality and atmospheric depth, enhancing the overall gaming experience. However, some players feel it lacks the energetic charm of the original Turok games, opting for a more somber and cinematic tone that may not appeal to everyone. While the music is generally well-received, it is noted that it doesn't quite match the memorability of earlier installments in the series.

    • “The game's soundtrack has also been lovingly remastered and sounds great.”
    • “The remastered music by the original composer is also a great touch.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely incredible, which took me by surprise.”
    • “Only issue is, it's not by the other guy who did the music for Turok 1 and 2, so instead of action-packed songs in mind of moving fast and blowing up stuff along the way, we instead have more somber, story-driven, atmospheric sounding music which may be a bit of a turn off to some.”
    • “It's a much slower and more cinematic experience than the previous two, and the music is also bland as hell, so it leaves you with a sense of not hating it, but not being impressed either.”
    • “The character models, weapon models, weapons themselves, animations, environments, music, everything felt downgraded from Turok 2.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability primarily through the option to play as different characters, each with unique weapons and paths, which encourages experimentation and time improvement. However, its short campaign length and the absence of multiplayer mode limit the overall replay value, making it feel less substantial despite the character variety. Overall, while there are opportunities for replay, they may not justify the game's price for some players.

    • “With everyone playing with a different arsenal and special set of items, the replay value easily came from improving times and experimenting with each character to find the path that you'd enjoy the most.”
    • “Two characters to choose from adds a chunk of replay value to the game, especially since both Joseph and Danielle have different weapons and paths to take.”
    • “There is a bit more replay value thanks to two different characters you can play as, which changes levels and your weapons.”
    • “There is a bit of replayability, with the ability to play through the campaign as either Dani or her brother, but aside from that, there isn't much going for it.”
    • “Sadly, Turok 3 is a pretty short game; the levels are much shorter and less maze-like, so players will not be getting lost. The replayability comes from replaying the campaign but with different characters.”
    • “Overall, Night Dive did a good job bringing Turok 3 from the buggy release on N64 to a game that shows off the potential it had back in 2000, but with the short length, lack of multiplayer, and little replay value, it's hard to justify the $30 price tag the game comes with, even considering the lengths Night Dive went to make this possible.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its darker, more apocalyptic tone and improved textures compared to previous installments, while others find it lacking the epic and mysterious qualities of earlier titles. The music shifts from action-packed to more somber, story-driven themes, which may not resonate with all players. Overall, the level design and setting transitions between generic sci-fi and quirky fantasy elements contribute to a somewhat disjointed atmospheric experience.

    • “In the past where the history and the atmosphere captivate you.”
    • “I really like the atmosphere and presentation as well as the music and story.”
    • “The atmosphere is kind of weird; the first game was all jungly, and the second was just a random mish-mash of fantasy/sci-fi locations. This one actually starts off on what seems to be actual Earth, albeit a generic sci-fi future Earth with hover cars and dystopian, trigger-happy cops. But then later on, you go back to the quirky fantasy settings with nobody batting an eye.”
    • “Lacking atmosphere, though.”
    • “The atmosphere is much more prominent, and this one feels even darker and more apocalyptic than even Turok 2 did, with a much heavier Lovecraftian/sci-fi feel.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received high praise, with users noting its smooth performance and impressive visuals, even on modern hardware. Nightdive's efforts have resulted in a significant improvement over the original Nintendo 64 version, allowing for enhanced gameplay experiences, including high frame rates and responsive controls. Overall, the optimization is considered a standout feature, making this remaster the preferred way to experience the game.

    • “Not only that, but the game actually runs buttery smooth; compare that to some games that look worse than this, remasters or not, and can't hardly run on most PCs out there; there has been very good optimization work done here by Nightdive, it's not just a casualty that the game runs as well as it does; they optimized it to perfection.”
    • “The game looks beautiful and runs smoothly, even on modern hardware.”
    • “The performance is so much better that it automatically makes this the new essential way to play the game.”
    • “The combat feels great and very much rivals Turok 2. Nightdive has added in much more blood, and you can blow enemies to pieces and blow parts of their bodies off. All of this was sadly missing in the Nintendo 64 version, likely because of performance issues.”
    • “Talking about controls and performance.”
    • “Okay, other than performance and visuals, what else was updated?”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from its absurdities, such as the exaggerated reactions to its pricing and the amusingly outdated cutscenes that contrast with improved character models. Players find the game's quirks, like the overpowered mechanics and the sheer existence of the port, to be both ridiculous and entertaining, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience.

    • “I would have been mad, but it's so ridiculous it actually starts to become funny.”
    • “Many facial animations and models got small retouches so they look more complete, yet strangely the smaller cutscenes were largely untouched, which is a shame because they are hilariously silly at times.”
    • “The fact this port exists at all is equal parts hilarious and genuinely incredible.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the remaster of Turok 3 has improved stability compared to its original N64 release, with most major glitches eliminated and a smoother performance on modern platforms. However, some minor technical issues persist, leading to mixed feelings about the game's overall polish and raising concerns about the developer's commitment to the series. While it offers a more accessible experience, the lack of additional content and replay value may leave some players wanting more.

    • “Technical issues: the remaster occasionally suffers from minor technical glitches.”
    • “Overall, Night Dive did a good job bringing Turok 3 from the buggy release on N64 to a game that shows off the potential it had back in 2000, but with the short length, lack of multiplayer, and little replay value, it's hard to justify the $30 price tag the game comes with, even considering the lengths Night Dive went to make this possible.”
    • “Unless Night Dive has plans to add more to the game, at best this is a more accessible way to play Turok 3 on PC and consoles, and a complete upgrade to what was once a buggy and obscure N64 title, and at worst, it's an unfinished game that suggests Night Dive might be losing their passion for the series, which makes it hard to have confidence in a potential remaster of both Rage Wars and Evolution.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players highlighting issues such as always-online DRM, in-game currencies, microtransactions, and pay-to-win mechanics, including loot boxes and battle passes. Additionally, concerns were raised about the game's pricing, perceived as a nostalgia cash grab, especially given its broken state at launch and reliance on monthly billing. Overall, the monetization practices have left many players feeling frustrated and exploited.

    • “Always online DRM, in-game currencies, microtransactions, pay-to-win mechanics, loot boxes, and battle passes make this game feel like a cash grab. It's frustrating to see a totally broken build at release only available through monthly billing and other exploitative measures.”
    • “The monetization strategy is a major issue, with many players feeling that they are being forced to spend more money to enjoy the game fully. It feels like a constant push towards microtransactions and pay-to-win elements.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game attempts to evoke emotional responses through its story and character moments, but many players feel it falls short, lacking depth and failing to create a genuine connection with the characters. As a result, the emotional impact feels minimal, especially for those with limited investment in the series.

    • “This game tries to have more of a story and emotional moments, but it falls kind of flat and just feels a bit lame that they expect us to be sad that a generic video game character is dead. I barely even know this guy.”
    • “Fortunately, I've had over a decade to let the series sit in the back of my mind, so my emotional investment isn't particularly high.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate that Turok 3 improves upon the grinding issues found in its predecessors, making the gameplay experience more enjoyable and less tedious.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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