Gamescom 2025: Turok Origins Impressions – Saber Takes a Sci-Fi Adventure

Turok: Origins Announced at The Game Awards

At The Game Awards 2025, Saber Interactive unveiled Turok: Origins, a reboot of the beloved sci-fi shooter franchise that has captured the hearts of gamers for decades. This game aims to breathe new life into a classic series that has roots in comic book lore.

The Origins of Turok

The character of Turok first emerged in the late 1950s as a comic book hero published by Dell Comics. Portrayed as a master tracker and skilled survivalist, Turok’s adventures continued through various publishers, including Valiant, Dark Horse, and Dynamite Comics. However, it was the video game series developed by Acclaim starting in 1997 that truly catapulted Turok into mainstream popularity, amassing over $250 million in sales by 2002 before facing challenges with subsequent releases.

A Series in Decline

Despite the franchise’s initial success, the Turok series faced a downturn following the release of Turok: Evolution in 2002. The last significant title, developed by Propaganda Games in 2008, managed to sell over a million copies shortly after launch, but it struggled critically. Disney Interactive’s decision to close Propaganda in 2011 marked a significant pause in the series’ journey.

Saber Interactive’s Vision

Now, nearly two decades later, Saber Interactive looks to rekindle interest in Turok. The studio is no stranger to successful revivals, having proven their capability with projects such as Warhammer 40, 000: Space Marine and the highly anticipated Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake. According to presentations made at Gamescom 2025, Saber Madrid has dedicated around five years to Turok: Origins, aiming to connect the storyline back to the iconic 1997 title.

The Gameplay Experience

The game is set to feature a compelling story campaign approximately fifteen hours in length. Players will confront not only classic foes like dinosaurs but also a menacing alien force known as the Xenia civilization, bent on annihilating humanity. As Turok and the remnants of humankind grapple with this existential threat, they embark on an interstellar mission to discover a power that could alter the course of the conflict.

Players can anticipate traversing various vibrant worlds, including ancient temples, expansive wasteland canyons, and dense jungles, each rich with exploration opportunities. During our session with the demo, we experienced the game’s three-player online cooperative feature, revealing three distinct characters with unique perks and ultimate abilities.

Core Mechanics and Features

While the gameplay maintains a linear path typical of many shooters, it includes exhilarating melee execution moves and opportunities for tactical engagements. Players can also utilize a grappling hook at specific points, adding a layer of verticality to battles. A standout feature for fans is the ability to toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives in real-time, accommodating preferences for different gameplay styles.

The Boss Encounter

A highlight of our demo was an intense boss fight against a colossal Tryceratops-like creature armed with formidable abilities such as teleportation and electrical attacks. Saber has indicated that the Xenia aliens have enhanced certain dinosaurs with advanced technology, raising the stakes of each encounter.

Looking Ahead

Although Turok: Origins currently lacks a specific release date, the demo presented at Gamescom 2025 showcased a polished gaming experience running at 60 frames per second on most consoles, with the exception of the Xbox Series S. As anticipation builds, it remains to be seen if the final game will satisfy both old-school fans and newcomers alike, providing a thrilling and engaging narrative that honors its legacy.

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