Tomb Raider Review - An Icon Reborn

[wulf3n]

Am I? What they are doing is adding the same "spoiled hero goes through hell" storyline that is the last resort of the failing franchise.It's not a new idea at all. It's a very old theme and been used and overused in literature and movies for ages, and just happens to be fashion at the moment in games (think Far Cry 3).

It may not be new in the sense it's never been done before ever, but it's new for Tomb Raider, remember baby steps.

If I didn't want "change" I would probably love the game.

So why are you opposed to the only change they made?

The quote wasn't about that but what is really 'evolution'. But regarding consumerism - like it or not, what they are doing with TR is commercially motivated. You can't ignore that in any discussion of the game, or indeed, any modern AAA game.

The "motivation" is irrelevant regarding our discussion. We're not talking about why things change, merely that not changing is bad.

Yeah, but only because the review seems to imply that.

Really? Did we watch the same review? Because I got the impression that the level design had been refined and improved.

 

[Voulan]

I guess a good sign that a AAA game is decent is that reviews are out more then a week before the game's release?

Well im sold, *goes to preorder on steam*.

Regarding the problem of ingame lara being a natural sharpshooter, i suppose one way they could have done it is make it rpgish with a stat system determining how accurate you were with certain weapons, so lara would be a terrible shot at the beginning of the game and an eagle eye shot by the end of it.
Granted most people seem to have hated in it in mass effect 1, but maybe here it would have been more fitting?

There's actually a reason for Lara's skill with a bow and gun. Lara was a part of the Sisters of Artemis club, which was basically an archery club at her uni. I asked the devs this myself after the teaser trailer was released where she had a mug with the logo on it, and was told this. They're actually selling SoA gear in the TR store. I know a lot of people complained about why she picked up the bow and was suddenly a sure-shot, but in the game she's been practicing archery for years.

I really like that background tidbit. It's cool to relate Lara to the goddess of the hunt.

Anyway, as a long time fan, I'm really excited for Lara's new focus on story, but the gameplay is a little worrisome. I will get the game, but not until the price drops down a little. I went to preorder and I wasn't able to get any bonuses at all, and was going to have to pay twice the amount than any other country. This is what happens when you live in New Zealand, I guess, only now I'm not going to stand for it. I will support you Lara, I promise, just a little later than I would have done, if it wasn't for blatant price fixing!

EDIT: Oh, and also, people calling Lara "Laura" is my biggest pet peeve. They aren't even pronounced the same, or are even the same name.

 

[Epic Fail 1977]

Other Tomb Raider titles have focused on bits and pieces of Lara's personal history...

When I first read that sentence by brain injected the word "anatomy" and then got confused when the words "personal history" showed up instead.

Who cares about the characters and the story? I don't. TR is about the platforming and the puzzles. Why change?

Answer to first question: lots of people.

Lots of people care about no-fuss action/puzzle platforming too, and despise the kind of forced "depth" they are trying to add to a game whose depth was never in story or characters but elsewhere.

Answer to second question: follows from answer to first question.

So we cater to one set of fans and ignore the other? Great.

Well, if it sells then it's justified...and it will sell.

Pretty much, yeah.

I feel for fans of the series... but not that much. I mean there's been like eight TR games or something? I'm used to getting shafted by the needs of the "broader audience" on the second or third game in a franchise. Count yourself lucky! ;p

 

[Crazy Zaul]

So how much platforming is still in it? Cos I hate platforming.
A lot of the last Tom Raider game I played was running up to a ledge and pressing jump and shouting FFS WHY DIDN'T SHE FRAKING JUMP?!!

Did you read the review? I felt like I covered that pretty thoroughly...

No, just listed to the video. While playing a game and not paying much attention.
I read it now. Can I haz cookie?

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

From what I've heard not only is it a good port, but it has a ton of graphical effects not present in the console versions like tessellation and bokeh depth of field.

I've already got it on Steam, but that's good to know

 

[Wintermute_v1legacy]

The more I see of this game, the less I want it. When they first announced it all I could say was "OMG THIS LOOKS INCREDIBLE I CAN'T WAIT". Now, almost everything about it seems dull, specially the platforming and puzzles, two of my favourite things about this series. No wonder all they ever really showed in those YouTube videos was combat shoot shoot headshot shotgun to the face.

Looks pretty but that's about it. I'll probably get it because I love the Tomb Raider games, but... meh.

 

[antipunt]

Gamers Rejoice!

Yay yay yay ^_^

 

[darron13]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

From what I've heard not only is it a good port, but it has a ton of graphical effects not present in the console versions like tessellation and bokeh depth of field.

I've already got it on Steam, but that's good to know

Nice, I'll be getting it too once that paycheck rolls in XD

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Wow. That good huh? Guess I will pick it up after all. Still, I hope Lara does become the Lara that I know from the previous Tomb Raiders. The Lara I saw in this video sort of left a bad taste in my mouth. First thought was, "Whoa, that's not Lara. Lara doesn't cry or act helpless." But then that's the point of the game, isn't it? She wasn't always the tough girl. So here's hoping that she grows into that role over the next few games.

 

[Evil Smurf]

Good review. I might pick it up.

Is it a good port?

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[Woodsey]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

Square Enix have been producing excellent PC ports since DX:HR, so seems likely.

OT: Something doesn't really sit right with me about this game. I don't know what it is, but it's been getting stellar reviews and yet... there's just something about it that means I don't feel anything for it.

And I've gotta say, I am absolutely fucking sick of flicking through menus to deal with novelty upgrade systems. I'm also irritated by yet another example of an 'Instinct vision' or whatever it's called, it worked for Batman because he's bloody Batman, applying it to Hitman and Tomb Raider (and I think The Last of Us) is just lazy game design.

Anyway, I get the feeling this'll be a £15 pick up in a sale at some point during the Summer.

 

[awolflikeyou]

I think Tomb Raider 2 was like the 2nd or 3rd playstation game I ever played. Been a playing since then, but I'm looking forward to this reboot. Its awesome that they are trying to balance out her sexual appeal with strong characterisation ( and the new Lara is actually very pretty[minus the gore and general jungle wear-and-tear]). Honestly, though, simply the concept of some history-loving chick, exploring tombs and generally being a total bad-ass is pretty hot all on its own. I don't have a problem with women being portrayed as attractive but when there's not as much effort put behind the character and its all about the boobies, then yeah- it can sometimes put me off a bit.n
.
So yup. Excited about the new tomb-raider.

(hahahaha, although I was going to come into this thread saying that its pretty cool people are keeping an open mind about this reboot...but yeah...obviously not everyone's a happy camper. Although compared to DmC...phew)

 

[rbstewart7263]

Tomb Raider Review - An Icon Reborn

Welcome back, Ms. Croft. We've missed you.

Read Full Article

Thank you susan. No seriously there has been so much negativity in gaming and on the forums. negativity that Ill admit ive probably contributed too at some point or another. But thank you I needed this game to be positive and you review was also pretty positive. You didnt over analyze or try to read to much into anything. It felt like you just sat down, played and then wrote a review based on what was there. Made my day better.

 

[rbstewart7263]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

Square Enix have been producing excellent PC ports since DX:HR, so seems likely.

OT: Something doesn't really sit right with me about this game. I don't know what it is, but it's been getting stellar reviews and yet... there's just something about it that means I don't feel anything for it.

And I've gotta say, I am absolutely fucking sick of flicking through menus to deal with novelty upgrade systems. I'm also irritated by yet another example of an 'Instinct vision' or whatever it's called, it worked for Batman because he's bloody Batman, applying it to Hitman and Tomb Raider (and I think The Last of Us) is just lazy game design.

Anyway, I get the feeling this'll be a £15 pick up in a sale at some point during the Summer.

You kind of just have to do that for when people get stuck. The culture of gaming no longer supports you going online and finding out yourself. The game has to either in some cases just point out the issue in the puzzle that you couldnt find after a certain amount of time has passed which for me is insulting. or have the option in there. You could just not pick that upgrade OR if you have to just not use it.

 

[Grahav]

Seems like a fun game. But I admit that I didn't like the lack of integration between cutscenes feelings and playing feelings.

 

[Doom972]

While the new Lara might be good (some might like her better, which is fine), this seems like a slap in the face for everyone who liked Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider franchise before.

I'll pass on this one.

Woah, no one's slapping anyone in the face, even figuratively. There's nothing that wrong with trying a new interpretation of an existing character. If you don't like it, you don't like it. But it's not destroying the previous interpretation is it? A character staying the same forever breeds boredom.

I say all this, yet I'm probably passing on this game too.

For me though it comes down to the fact that I enjoyed the Tomb Raider games for the whole raiding tombs aspect, oddly enough. Nothing like coming into a huge ancient space and trying to figure out how I'm getting from down here to up there without slipping off something and breaking my own neck. I understand why people and devs love the giving players lots of room for error ethos of most of today's games, but I miss the danger. In the original Tomb Raider you had to be super fucking careful when ten or so minutes from the last save point you were stories up on a small cliff or platform NOT to make one wrong move, which made perfect sense. It really captured the feeling of vertigo one might feel in such a situation. When you finally made it to your next location it felt like you just made it through a truly harrowing experience. Sadly as much as I respect the post-Core Tomb Raider games for what they fixed in the franchise, I miss the feeling of danger. I haven't seen anybody do this since the OG Tomb Raiders! Does it just not appeal to anyone anymore?

Can't take it personally though.

This isn't a reinterpretation, this is a completely different character that we're expected to believe is Lara Croft. What Crystal Dynamics did in Legend, Anniversary and Underworld was a reinterpretation - you had no doubt that it was Lara Croft, but she wasn't exactly the same. If this new game and its protagonist were called differently (as it probably started), we wouldn't have thought it had anything to do with Tomb Raider - because it doesn't have anything to do with it.

This, in addition to your point about the game not even being about raiding tombs, is why this shouldn't be called Tomb Raider, and the protagonist shouldn't be called Lara Croft. This industry could use new IPs, and I could've looked at this game completely differently if it wasn't an attempt to turn an iconic franchise and character into something that it's not.

 

[Woodsey]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

Square Enix have been producing excellent PC ports since DX:HR, so seems likely.

OT: Something doesn't really sit right with me about this game. I don't know what it is, but it's been getting stellar reviews and yet... there's just something about it that means I don't feel anything for it.

And I've gotta say, I am absolutely fucking sick of flicking through menus to deal with novelty upgrade systems. I'm also irritated by yet another example of an 'Instinct vision' or whatever it's called, it worked for Batman because he's bloody Batman, applying it to Hitman and Tomb Raider (and I think The Last of Us) is just lazy game design.

Anyway, I get the feeling this'll be a £15 pick up in a sale at some point during the Summer.

You kind of just have to do that for when people get stuck. The culture of gaming no longer supports you going online and finding out yourself. The game has to either in some cases just point out the issue in the puzzle that you couldnt find after a certain amount of time has passed which for me is insulting. or have the option in there. You could just not pick that upgrade OR if you have to just not use it.

"Just don't use it" is all well and good until it becomes apparent the game has been consciously designed with it in mind. Besides which, it just perpetuates the behaviour: you rely on it to solve stuff for you, and then you expect it so you don't have to think in other games either. Having the character make some sort of gesture or remark - it needn't be a blatant explanation - is far less insulting to my intelligence than having X-ray vision available at all times for no reason other than me being expected to be an idiot at some point.

It is not a crime for people to get stuck and have to think. Surely the success of the Portals has taught us that?

 

[rbstewart7263]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

Square Enix have been producing excellent PC ports since DX:HR, so seems likely.

OT: Something doesn't really sit right with me about this game. I don't know what it is, but it's been getting stellar reviews and yet... there's just something about it that means I don't feel anything for it.

And I've gotta say, I am absolutely fucking sick of flicking through menus to deal with novelty upgrade systems. I'm also irritated by yet another example of an 'Instinct vision' or whatever it's called, it worked for Batman because he's bloody Batman, applying it to Hitman and Tomb Raider (and I think The Last of Us) is just lazy game design.

Anyway, I get the feeling this'll be a £15 pick up in a sale at some point during the Summer.

You kind of just have to do that for when people get stuck. The culture of gaming no longer supports you going online and finding out yourself. The game has to either in some cases just point out the issue in the puzzle that you couldnt find after a certain amount of time has passed which for me is insulting. or have the option in there. You could just not pick that upgrade OR if you have to just not use it.

"Just don't use it" is all well and good until it becomes apparent the game has been consciously designed with it in mind. Besides which, it just perpetuates the behaviour: you rely on it to solve stuff for you, and then you expect it so you don't have to think in other games either. Having the character make some sort of gesture or remark - it needn't be a blatant explanation - is far less insulting to my intelligence than having X-ray vision available at all times for no reason other than me being expected to be an idiot at some point.

It is not a crime for people to get stuck and have to think. Surely the success of the Portals has taught us that?

Oh no sir I prefer my games like that. last adventure game I beat primordia I loved and whenever i got stuck and relented to look up the solution I felt bad like i had cheated myself. I agree I love darksouls I feel angst when people jump to easy mode without even trying normal even though it has nothing to do with me. no I agree with you its the culture that likes handholding.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Hm, might pick it up then.

Anyone hear anything about the PC version?

Is it a good port?

Square Enix have been producing excellent PC ports since DX:HR, so seems likely.

OT: Something doesn't really sit right with me about this game. I don't know what it is, but it's been getting stellar reviews and yet... there's just something about it that means I don't feel anything for it.

And I've gotta say, I am absolutely fucking sick of flicking through menus to deal with novelty upgrade systems. I'm also irritated by yet another example of an 'Instinct vision' or whatever it's called, it worked for Batman because he's bloody Batman, applying it to Hitman and Tomb Raider (and I think The Last of Us) is just lazy game design.

Anyway, I get the feeling this'll be a £15 pick up in a sale at some point during the Summer.

You kind of just have to do that for when people get stuck. The culture of gaming no longer supports you going online and finding out yourself. The game has to either in some cases just point out the issue in the puzzle that you couldnt find after a certain amount of time has passed which for me is insulting. or have the option in there. You could just not pick that upgrade OR if you have to just not use it.

"Just don't use it" is all well and good until it becomes apparent the game has been consciously designed with it in mind. Besides which, it just perpetuates the behaviour: you rely on it to solve stuff for you, and then you expect it so you don't have to think in other games either. Having the character make some sort of gesture or remark - it needn't be a blatant explanation - is far less insulting to my intelligence than having X-ray vision available at all times for no reason other than me being expected to be an idiot at some point.

It is not a crime for people to get stuck and have to think. Surely the success of the Portals has taught us that?

Actually, no, the game wasn't designed with it in mind. I used it so infrequently that I often forgot I had it. It's there to be a help to those who need it, but it's just a tool. You can safely ignore it.

 

[Colt47]

I think this might be another example of how a gaming company doesn't want to risk a new IP, so the game designers are forced to reboot an old one in order to try out a new idea. It reminds me a bit of Uncharted from looking at it in the review.