I wasn't actually planning on buying this game. It was firmly in my Steam Sale Fodder list. Then I saw it for sale at GreenManGaming.com (who are sadly not paying me to write this, return my calls you bastards!) for a very reasonable $36.
I gotta say, I'm actually really enjoying it.
So naturally I'm going to spend most of this post bitching about the bits I don't like.
Tomb Raider is one of those games that's clearly trying to be "cinematic". Now, I'm usually quite sympathetic to this notion. I'm certainly not against spicing things up with some subtle scripting and creative camera angles and such so long as it doesn't get in my way. This game goes a bit far though. Fully scripted sequences, overly linear level design, transition sequences that amount to a cutscene where you can push the 'forwards' button and nothing else and QTEs out the arse. Oh, and one cutscene had fucking shaky-cam.
The good news is that most of that only really applies to the intro and early chapters. After that the game opens up, the level design improves drastically and the annoying bits become a lot rarer. They still throw the occasional QTE at you for no good reason,(for fuck's sake developers, quit trying to disguise your cutscenes as gameplay, you're not fooling anyone) but it's not common enough to be annoying.
Other quibbles include a rather drab colour scheme. Perhaps they thought a colourful environment would not go well with the tone of the game or something, but personally I could use a bit of relief from all the mud and rust. Also, the game insists on making you continuously tap the 'use' button for things like levering doors open, turning valves and performing silent takedowns. (Yes developers, I know this is supposed to simulate physical effort. It doesn't work. Cut that shit out.)
Writing is... alright I guess. I can't see it wining any prizes but it hasn't made my eyes roll too hard and it has the odd nice dialogue moment. It's fairly standard adventure stuff, lost civilization, cults, possible supernatural shenanigans, etc etc.
One thing that has been remarked upon by pretty much every reviewer is the discrepancy between cutscene Lara and gameplay Lara and... yeah, it's a thing. Tomb Raider has the Far Cry 3 problem where the main character is supposed to be an inexperienced noncombatant, but once they get their hands on a gun they commence with the effortless slaughter. The first time Lara kills somebody (not counting a pack of wolves) it's treated like a big deal, and so it should be. But she gets over it in about 30 seconds. Then she kills two more guys and it's still clearly a bit of a deal. But from there on she's a veritable maestro of murder, shooting, burning, throttling and bludgeoning. The occasional reluctant combat bark softens the impression ("You don't have to do this, just get out of my way!"), but only to a point.
That said, it is rather satisfying when Lara starts to harden up, and make no mistake, she really does harden the hell up. Somehow a victory feels a lot more significant and triumphant when you're playing as a reluctantly violent lass who would really rather not spend her day beating people's heads in with rocks, as opposed to an unflappable macho hulk who was crushes his enemies between his throbbing testicles.
For the most part, the game feels like playing Uncharted 2/3 with better controls, better level design, more freedom of movement, a handful of optional objectives, tons of collectables, the best cover system I've ever seen and without an arrogant douche hip-thrusting in your face.
So yeah, plenty of fun to be had. So long as you're not expecting your mind to be comprehensively blown, I'd recommend it.
PS. Do yourself a favour and play on hard. The fights can get pretty frantic.
I gotta say, I'm actually really enjoying it.
So naturally I'm going to spend most of this post bitching about the bits I don't like.
Tomb Raider is one of those games that's clearly trying to be "cinematic". Now, I'm usually quite sympathetic to this notion. I'm certainly not against spicing things up with some subtle scripting and creative camera angles and such so long as it doesn't get in my way. This game goes a bit far though. Fully scripted sequences, overly linear level design, transition sequences that amount to a cutscene where you can push the 'forwards' button and nothing else and QTEs out the arse. Oh, and one cutscene had fucking shaky-cam.
The good news is that most of that only really applies to the intro and early chapters. After that the game opens up, the level design improves drastically and the annoying bits become a lot rarer. They still throw the occasional QTE at you for no good reason,(for fuck's sake developers, quit trying to disguise your cutscenes as gameplay, you're not fooling anyone) but it's not common enough to be annoying.
Other quibbles include a rather drab colour scheme. Perhaps they thought a colourful environment would not go well with the tone of the game or something, but personally I could use a bit of relief from all the mud and rust. Also, the game insists on making you continuously tap the 'use' button for things like levering doors open, turning valves and performing silent takedowns. (Yes developers, I know this is supposed to simulate physical effort. It doesn't work. Cut that shit out.)
Writing is... alright I guess. I can't see it wining any prizes but it hasn't made my eyes roll too hard and it has the odd nice dialogue moment. It's fairly standard adventure stuff, lost civilization, cults, possible supernatural shenanigans, etc etc.
One thing that has been remarked upon by pretty much every reviewer is the discrepancy between cutscene Lara and gameplay Lara and... yeah, it's a thing. Tomb Raider has the Far Cry 3 problem where the main character is supposed to be an inexperienced noncombatant, but once they get their hands on a gun they commence with the effortless slaughter. The first time Lara kills somebody (not counting a pack of wolves) it's treated like a big deal, and so it should be. But she gets over it in about 30 seconds. Then she kills two more guys and it's still clearly a bit of a deal. But from there on she's a veritable maestro of murder, shooting, burning, throttling and bludgeoning. The occasional reluctant combat bark softens the impression ("You don't have to do this, just get out of my way!"), but only to a point.
That said, it is rather satisfying when Lara starts to harden up, and make no mistake, she really does harden the hell up. Somehow a victory feels a lot more significant and triumphant when you're playing as a reluctantly violent lass who would really rather not spend her day beating people's heads in with rocks, as opposed to an unflappable macho hulk who was crushes his enemies between his throbbing testicles.
For the most part, the game feels like playing Uncharted 2/3 with better controls, better level design, more freedom of movement, a handful of optional objectives, tons of collectables, the best cover system I've ever seen and without an arrogant douche hip-thrusting in your face.
So yeah, plenty of fun to be had. So long as you're not expecting your mind to be comprehensively blown, I'd recommend it.
PS. Do yourself a favour and play on hard. The fights can get pretty frantic.
