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Turok: Resurrection, stylized as TUROK Resurrection, also known as Turok 5, was a failed pitched sequel to 2002's Turok: Evolution, tentatively originally set to release on October 1, 2006. [1]

Following the release of Turok: Evolution in 2002, a small team within Acclaim Studios Austin was placed in charge of starting development on a sequel. The game was slated to launch on the then next-generation consoles, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, however, the project was eventually shelved.

When the game was reported on in 2009, only concept art and a possible basic plot were known about before the project was cancelled. [2] In August 2020, a leaked pitch document was released by the CEO of Night Dive Studios, detailing the game's title, plot, and planned gameplay elements. [3]

Development[]

Not much is known about the development of Turok: Resurrection. However, its pitch document shines some light onto potential plans. It was said the game couldn't begin development any later than April 2005, and plans for an engine overhaul were proposed.

Plans for budget were also laid out, as was the game's major development dates, which began with the game's greenlight in July 14, 2004, and ended with a tentative street date launch on October 1, 2006. Ultimately, Acclaim would lose the rights to the Turok franchise in 2004, ending the Turok franchise's prospects under the Acclaim banner. [4]

It's likely that with Acclaim's sudden dissolution, and the pitch document detailing a development date starting in 2004, Resurrection was likely not far in development at the time of cancellation, having only received a few known pieces of concept art past the document.

Plot[]

Following Lord Tyrannus' defeat at Galyanna, Tal'Set, the current Turok, would sacrifice himself in a decisive final battle against the warlord and the remnants of his Sleg army. Tal'Set would be transported to the spirit world, where he'd be hailed as a hero, before being abruptly resurrected to face off against a new threat: the Soulless. This new faction has overrun the Lost Land, and its spirit wells.

Turok, upon revival, is tasked with cleansing the spirit wells, while battling dinosaur and cyborg foe alike in an effort to stop the Soulless. During his quest, Tal'Set is given mystical abilities by the spirit elders and weaponry enhanced with spirit powers from his fallen ancestors.

Gameplay[]

Gameplay plans for Resurrection were rudimentary at best. A new ability, dubbed "spirit powers" were a proposed gameplay feature that would "obliterate your enemies", but the extent of and specific nature of this mechanic is unknown.

New gameplay features proposed included dual-wielding. However, new controls would've allowed the player to use a melee weapon in their left hand, and a ranged weapon in their right. 2008's Turok would adopt this feature in the vein of Halo, but would not feature a mix of ranged and close combat combinations.

The last major planned new gameplay feature was that of a new damage system centering around enemy limbs, enabling the player to cripple, but not kill their enemies.

A feature from Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, the ability to ride on the back of a dinosaur, was also slated to return. Rather than a Styracosaurus, however, the Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops were major candidates for this gameplay feature. Both were slated to feature miniguns and rocket launchers, akin to Bruckner's Tyrannosaurus.

Returning weapons would've included the War ClubTek Bow, and Cerebral Bore, which was originally replaced by the Swarm Bore attachment in Evolution. Also, hearkening back to older titles like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, was the proposed return of warp levels, featuring secret pick-ups.

Resurrection was proposed to have two player online co-op, a first in the franchise, and its multiplayer was slated to increase the player count from 4 player split-screen, to featuring 8 player games online, matching most other games of the time.

Gallery[]

Concept art[]

Pitch document[]

Notes and references[]

List of Turok Games
Acclaim Entertainment
Iguana Entertainment / Acclaim Studios Austin Turok: Dinosaur HunterTurok 2: Seeds of EvilTurok: Rage WarsTurok 3: Shadow of OblivionTurok: Evolution
Bit Managers Turok: Battle of the BionosaursTurok 2: Seeds of EvilTurok: Rage WarsTurok 3: Shadow of Oblivion
RFX Interactive Turok: Evolution
Playmates Electronix Turok (LCD handheld)
Cancelled Titles Turok: ResurrectionUntitled Turok Game Boy Advance gameUntitled Turok Game.com game
Disney Interactive Studios / Touchstone Games
Propaganda Games Turok
Living Mobile Turok
Cancelled Titles Turok 2
Universal Studios Interactive Entertainment
Pillow Pig Games Turok: Escape from Lost Valley
Saber Interactive
Saber Interactive Turok: Origins
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