Remember Evolve? Turtle Rock Studios' ambitious 4v1 monster-hunting shooter burst onto the scene with a unique premise and stunning visuals, but ultimately struggled to find its long-term footing. While the game officially shut down in 2018, whispers of a potential sequel, often dubbed "Evolve 2," have lingered in the community. Now, for the first time, we're getting a concrete – and frankly, breathtaking – look at what that sequel might have been.
TJ Frame, a Senior Character Artist who worked at Turtle Rock during the period following the original Evolve's launch, has taken to his personal portfolio site to showcase a treasure trove of concept art explicitly labeled as being for "Evolve 2 (Cancelled)." This rare glimpse offers fascinating insight into the creative direction Turtle Rock was exploring before the project was shelved.
Stepping Beyond Stage 2:
The original Evolve saw hunters battling increasingly monstrous creatures across alien landscapes. Its "Stage 2" free-to-play revamp made significant changes to core mechanics in an attempt to revitalize the player base. Frame's art suggests "Evolve 2" was aiming for a significant evolution beyond even that. The showcased work includes:
- Radically Redesigned Monsters: Forget incremental changes. Frame's concepts depict creatures with entirely new, often more biomechanical or grotesquely organic silhouettes. Think less "big animal" and more "alien horror," with intricate carapaces, pulsating growths, and terrifyingly unique body plans. One standout appears insectoid with bladed limbs and a disturbing, multi-segmented body; another evokes a hulking, armored beast with volcanic fissures running across its hide.
- New Hunter Gear & Aesthetics: The hunters weren't left behind. Concepts show gear with a more rugged, lived-in, and arguably more militaristic feel compared to the sometimes-cleaner looks of the original. Environmental suits appear bulkier and more specialized, hinting at even deadlier planet Shear environments. Weapon designs also look more complex and imposing.
- Environmental Storytelling: While character-focused, some background elements in the art hint at potential new settings – perhaps deeper, more twisted regions of Shear, or even entirely new biomes showcasing advanced alien structures or extreme natural phenomena.
You can explore this incredible collection of "what ifs" directly on TJ Frame's portfolio here: https://www.tj-frame.com/evolve
A Glimpse of Ambition Unfulfilled:
Speaking briefly about the work, Frame's portfolio simply states it was for the cancelled sequel. However, the sheer quality and distinct direction of the art speak volumes. It clearly represents a significant investment in creative development and a desire to push the Evolve formula into new, visually darker, and more complex territory. The designs move away from the more familiar fauna-inspired monsters of the first game, embracing a far more alien and menacing aesthetic.
Why This Matters Now:
For fans of the original Evolve, this art dump is bittersweet. It confirms the studio was actively working on a true sequel with ambitious visual redesigns. It showcases the immense talent at Turtle Rock and the exciting directions they envisioned. Yet, it also underscores the reality of game development – not every promising concept sees the light of day.
The release of this art also serves as a fascinating historical artifact. It provides a window into the creative process behind a high-profile, ultimately cancelled project. It shows how a studio grapples with evolving (pun intended) a beloved but commercially challenging IP, aiming to recapture magic while taking significant risks.
While Evolve 2 will never stalk our hard drives, thanks to TJ Frame, we can finally appreciate the ambitious, terrifying, and stunning vision Turtle Rock artists were crafting for its next stage. It’s a compelling reminder of the hidden worlds of creativity that exist behind the games we do, and don't, get to play.
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