Turok: Rage Wars

A multiplayer-focused spin-off of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, bringing elements made famous in Unreal Tournament and Quake III: Arena to the Nintendo 64.

Nintendo 64

Game Boy Color

Overview

Turok: Rage Wars is a sci-fi first-person shooter developed by Acclaim Austin and published by Acclaim for the Nintendo 64 in North America (on October 31, 1999) and Europe (on December 26, 1999).

A spin-off of the Turok video game franchise (based on the game engine and multiplayer modes of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil), Rage Wars focuses on multiplayer arena matches rather than a single-player story mode. The game is very similar in concept to Unreal Tournament and Quake III: Arena, which were released shortly after Rage Wars.

The game supports up to four players at a time with a combination of split-screen multiplayer and AI bots. In addition, Rage Wars includes a single-player campaign mode (dubbed "Trials Mode") where players complete a character-based series of matches in various game modes (including special boss fights) to unlock new playable characters and extra character skins. A special co-operative version of this mode can be played with two players, though early versions have a glitch that makes completing the mode impossible.

The handheld Game Boy Color version of the game, developed by Bit Managers, was released in North America (on October 1998) and Europe (on December 1998). Other than the same name and box art, it is not a direct adaptation of the main game and is instead a direct sequel to the Game Boy Color version of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (this time as an overhead action game). Players reprise the role of Joshua Fireseed as he again thwarts the plants of the Dinosoid legion "Amaranthine Accordance" (who is building dimensional gates to set up bases on four distant planets).

Gameplay

Game Modes

The game contains four game modes, each can be played up to 4 players (or bots):

Bloodlust - Standard deathmatch. Score points by killing enemies. Lose points by suicide.

Team Bloodlust - Same as Bloodlust, but with teams. Score points by killing enemies. Lose points by suicide and teamkilling.

Frag Tag - Throughout the game, a random player turns into a small harmless target (either a monkey, chicken, baby raptor, or robot) with low health, and must find their way to a special area to change themselves back to normal. When the target is turned back to normal or killed, another random player is turned into a target. Score points by killing a target. Lose points by suicide.

Capture the Flag - Standard capture the flag focused on a neutral flag. Score points by grabbing the flag and returning it to a friendly base.

In addition, a fifth game mode is used in Trials Mode for boss battles (in which the player(s) must defeat the boss to win the match).

Weapons

Each player can have up to six weapons at a time: the Warhammer, a choice of two bullet weapons, a choice of two energy weapons, and a choice of one explosive weapon. The only characters with exceptions are Tal'set (who has access to all the weapons at once), the Raptor (who only uses claws), and the Mites (who only collectively bite and spit acid). Each weapon has both a primary and secondary function, share ammo with other weapon types, and is sometimes limited in use in Trials Mode.

Bullet Weapons

Mag 60 - Standard pistol that either fires a three-round burst or a powerful, laser-assisted, single shot. (At the cost of both ammo and movement)
Shotgun - Standard shotgun that also has a "Street Sweeper" firing mode (fires four shells at the same time accurately).
Assault Rifle - Standard assault rifle that has a single shot or rapid fire mode.
Minigun - Powerful minigun that includes a shield that can absorb damage at the cost of energy ammo while still allowing you to fire.

Energy Weapons

Tek Bow - Bow and arrow. Used for long-range sniping.
Plasma Rifle - Standard plasma rifle that's similar to the Tek Bow.
Boomerang - A boomerang. Locks onto enemies while aiming the boomerang. Secondary throw slows down enemies at the cost of more energy ammo.
Radioactive Flare Gun - Flare gun with two flare sizes: small (green) and large (purple).
Freeze Gun - Energy weapon that fires beams that either slow down enemies or freeze them.
Emaciator - Fires electric balls that shrinks the enemy.
Inflator - Fires beams that inflates the enemy.
Chestburster - Unlocked after beating the Warehouse with the Mantid Soldier. Fires a beam that implants the enemies with an alien. If that enemy doesn't kill you, an alien pops out of his chest a la Alien, killing him instantly.

Explosive Weapons

Scorpion Launcher - Rocket launcher. Secondary function sets a magnetic field that attracts rockets.
Napalm Gel - Remote mine launcher.
Grenade Launcher - Grenade launcher with two firing modes: One that explodes after a few bounces and one that explodes after direct contact.

Other Weapons

Warhammer - The basic melee weapon for every character (except Raptor and Mites). Has a normal swing and a charged swing (dealing more damage). Uses no ammo.
Cerebral Bore - Classic item from Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. You must lock on to an enemy to use it (and it takes some time), pierces the skull for heavy damage and paralyzation.
Sentry Turret - Deployable sentry gun item. Fires rapid laser beams.
PFM Mines - Proximity mines. Can hurt enemies, teammates, and yourself.
Iron Claw - Basic bear trap item that deals small damage over a short period of time.

Characters

Each character has two alternate skins (other than the Lord of the Dead, who has one, and the boss characters, who have none) that is unlocked by acquiring medals. They also have three bot names, each based on their difficulty (from easiest to hardest).

Joshua Fireseed (Turok / Warrior / Master)
Adon (Adon / Seeker / Huntress)
Bio Bot Elite Guard (Elite / Biobot / Killbot)
Velociraptor (Raptor / Slag / Claw) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Joshua. Unlike other characters, he only has access to one weapon: his claws (which is used for either rapid attacks or a powerful leaping attack).
Mantid Drone (Drone / Grunt / Slave) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Adon.
Blind One Guardian (Guardian / Ravage / Cyclops) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Elite Guard.
Lord of the Dead (Lorddead / Maggot / Vile) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Raptor.
The Campaigner (Campaigner / Slaver / Tyrant) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Mantid Drone.
Pur-Linn Juggernaut (Juggernaut / Sloth / Mauler) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Guardian.
Mantid Mites (Mites / Compies / Teddies) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Lord of the Dead. Unlike other characters, they only have access to one weapon: themselves (either for quick bites or for spitting acid projectiles).
Dinosoid Fireborn (Fireborn / Icelord / Entrail) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Campaigner.
Oblivion Spawn (Death / Reaper / Maw) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Juggernaut.
Mantid Soldier (Soldier / Captain / King) - Unlocked by clearing Trials Mode with Fireborn.

Bosses

Unlike other characters, bosses cannot be used in Trials Mode and have only one AI difficulty (Hard). In Trials Mode, they are only fought in their respective levels, where they have a large amount of health, special abilities, and one life (where killing them immediately wins the match).

Bastille (sub-boss) - Fought in Cathedral, where he carries a powerful shield that immediately regenerates shortly after he loses it (at which he becomes immobile and vulnerable to attack). Unlocked for play after clearing Trials Mode with Raptor, Mantid Drone, and Guardian.

Syra and Warclubs (sub-bosses) - Fought in Warehouse, where they fight together (and must be defeated in quick succession, as each of them respawn some time after their deaths). Syra is unlocked for play after clearing Trials Mode with Lord of the Dead, Campaigner, and Juggernaut.

Symbiont (sub-boss) - Fought in Amphitheater, where he has three clone Symbionts that act as decoys. Unlocked for play after clearing Trials Mode with Mites, Fireborn, and Oblivion Spawn.

Tal'Set (final boss) - Fought in Starlight, where he summons enemy monsters to fight in his place after losing every third of his health. Unlocked for play after clearing Trials Mode with Mantid Soldier.