Ben-DutkaReworked characters are always iffy, especially when it comes to established heroes and heroines.
Frankly, I haven't been the biggest fan of some of the character changes this generation. Although I believe Ninja Theory can produce a great Devil May Cry reboot, the new heroin-addict Dante just isn't doing it for me, and I still can't understand why they had to change Cole ( inFamous ) at all . But you know, although I'm not convinced Eidos can deliver a top-tier action/adventure game in the Tomb Raider reboot, I have to say: I dig the new Lara.
For the record, I have never been a fan of the Tomb Raider series. Honestly, I never saw the fascination in this franchise when it first arrived; I mean, let's face it, the only reason the gaming world went nuts for it is because of Lara's chest size. That's a pretty sad commentary on the state of male-dominated gaming back in the '90s but it's true. The games were always flawed and I never finished one. And although the gameplay in the new reboot looks promising, I'm not expecting an " Uncharted -killer" or anything like that.
For Lara, I'm speaking strictly from an artistic and realistic standpoint. As seen clearly in that slick CG trailer , she's no longer a cartoon. She's no longer a silly top-heavy caricature of a strong, independent female adventurer. In the trailer, we see a modern woman, still pretty but actually vulnerable, and both frightened and intrepid. The cockiness appears to be tempered (and it should be; this is the start of Lara's career as a daredevil) and she's finally a believable, sympathetic main character.
In short, maybe this time we'll actually care about her. So regardless of how the game turns out, I say bravo on this character alteration. In fact, it's an upgrade.
I think I played the 1st level of of the very 1st Tomb Raider game back when I got my PSOne, I didn't like it and never touch the franchise since, but you know I'm interested in this one though it looks promising.
speaking of tomb raider…am i the only one that thought had uncharted type graphics? the 1st one of coarse…
I like the character too, but I had no problems with the old caricature Lara either. The thing is when you are going for an adventure that you want people to care about you need somebody more human. It isn't JUST about the gameplay like it used to be (TR gameplay hasn't always been great but it was innovative for a 3D game at the time) you need to like the characters and have a cinematic story.
She looks great, the adventure looks fun, the only thing I'm worried about now is this open world thing. I think that could wind up being a huge mistake if not done properly.
She wins considering she's up against the new sh**kicker Dante, who looks like a starving, rejected rockstar.
I too ain't a fan of character reboots. I mean look what they did to Jill in RE5!? They turned her into Tekken's Nina Williams with her blonde hair & purple space suit.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 6/15/2011 12:49:11 AM
Correction in the text?
"In short, maybe this time we'll actually care about her. So regardless of how the game turns out, I saw bravo on this character alteration. In fact, it's an upgrade."
should that not be…
"I SAY bravo…"
She's looking mighty hot these days!
(And she still has a decent pair of breasts)
Yeah and they're not pointy things from the ps1 era that you could poke your eye out on.
I do like the new look, but I will miss the bouncy cartoon – nostalgia is a wonderful thing sometimes. That said, Lara Croft was never high on my game list, so I won't miss the old Lara *that* much. The new one could merit a look, especially if the game eschews the usual diet of ultra violence, gore and foul language (or at least let's me tone it down with an optional control).
Hmm, I doubt it, this will probably not get an M rating in hopes of achieving better sales through pandering.
P.S. I can't see the words "ultra violence" without thinking of A Clockwork Orange.
LOL, Ultra violent always says "DOOM" to me – it was the only mode to play in, Nightmare was just stupid.
Last edited by TheHighlander on 6/14/2011 11:53:38 PM
I've been playing the Tomb Raider games from the very begining(Saturn),however ever since CD took over the franchise the games stop being Tomb Raider games and instead morphed into something else.
Seriously, has no one played the last 3 games? She hasn't been a top heavy cartoon character for awhile. It was also mainly just in the marketing before that.
The context around her has become more real, the environment in that trailer and she herself is a better rendered version. That's all. Characterization, not so much different. The developers are talking EXACTLY the same and saying the same PR that they did when Crystal took over.
All I see is a CG trailer, impressive yes showing a promising concept for a new series of Lara. Not a new rework. Lara was already a formidable female character for awhile now.
There's a lot more than just CG trailer available.
Check out the gameplay demo at youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBm-6jcGGHU&feature=player_embedded#at=23
I actually think it looks very Uncharted'ish. Extremely linear but looks stunning.
My only exposure to the Tomb Raider games was a demo that game on a disk in a magazine during the PS1 days. Didn't seem that great.
But did anyone besides me play Pirates the Legend of Black Kat for the PS2? It was a Chrystal Dynamics game too. That was an incredible game. Really really good. You played as Katarina, a pirates daughter, who becomes a pirate herself to avenge her fathers death. Beautiful graphics and fighting was smooth as silk. It also let you fight from the ship so you had ship to ship battles as you went from island to island. I played through that game four or five times. I can't believe there was never another one. I really though this would replace Tomb Raider.
Anyway the new game looks incredible and I will be buying it day one.
really shocked the positive reactions this has been getting, i was expecting the sh*t to hit the fan like it always does when such a famous popular series gets turned onto its head!
i was expecting a new DMC…….
i like it now though, the series desperately needed a reboot, something different and this is certainly different!
its got a real survival horror vibe to it, really suits the game.
i suspect the reason they attempted to change cole is they were not happy with the sales of infamous, and they wanted to go for a more mainstream character design. fans screamed murder, and we got old cole back…kind of. i really hated sucker punch's 1st attempt at changing cole. it just screamed douchegag. what in the world were they thinking?
as for lara. i never really had a problem with her character in the first place. i do like this character design, though.
Lara has never looked better, period.
Placed firmly on my radar for 2012.
Sorry but I must disagree with you Ben…
When tomb raider came out there was nothing out at that time, adventure wise, that came even close to it. The level sizes and variety were amazing and to be honest even the story was pretty good for a new concept. There was more to the game than just her breast size. It's very easy to look at it now and dismiss it, after seeing so many great games but, for the time, there was very little out, that could compare to it.
The game play video I have seen so far seems on par with the first Uncharted at least, and that is not too bad. I'm really excited about this reboot, hope they took a good hard look at Uncharted and follow its lead. We could very well be looking at the first successful reboot in gaming history…
Loving the new Lara.its just what the series needed.However, i have to say that Tomb raider 1 and 2 are two of the best games ive played.Sure, they haven't aged well but at the time i absolutely loved them, playing through multiple times. They were beautiful games for the time with great locations (Venice and Tibet my particular favorites), that i enjoyed exploring. The fact that Lara had a sizable rack was one of the last reasons i played these games, although it was a welcome bonus. If you only played these games to ogle a pixelated woman then you spectacularly missed the point of them.
P.s This is my first post, have been reading a very long time but finally plucked up the courage to join in (; This is the best, unbiased site on the web, long may it continue.
Welcome to the community!
Very much what I tried to express about the game in my previous post. Once you got over her bosom size, the game stood on its own very well. I still plan on getting the HD collection to play the remake of the Original, "Anniversary" was a very proper and good remake, haven't seen a better one yet, for that one reason I give CD the benefit of the doubt.
Hope to read many more posts from you, keep active 🙂
Last edited by Karosso on 6/15/2011 2:07:54 PM
From the looks of it you'll be a good addition to the community. Welcome!
Whoever they modeled the face off of is absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks Karosso. I'm also planning to get the HD collection.Its because they are great games and in no way because of the trophies (cough).(:
From the most recent visualisation of Lara Croft, I think her re-imaging has been down well. A job well done I would say and pretty effective. Lara is still so sexy!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
I don't think I could play the game unless it was muted. Watching the demo from E3, the constant groans, moans, and saying inane things to herself was pretty grating and annoying.
I have to completely disagree (politely) on many fronts.
Don't worry, I'm not an *ss, an uber-fanboi or troll. I am a long-time TR fan and have completed each.
1. I think it's insulting to say that people have been mostly buying the game for her breasts. Actually it's ridiculous, having meet and debated with plenty of fans, no one cares. And I'm gay so I really don't care. (p.s. are you angry because you couldn't finish the games?)
2. I respect your opinions visually – you say that's where your experience is, so credit to ya'. However, have you seen the previous TR Underworld for the PS3? Have you been to Thailand at the start or to the Hindu temple later on? Really? Not impressive? Thunder storms in Mexico? If in all your experience that's a no, then OK. I'll give you that.
3. The games were flawed? Were you playing TR3? Did you play the PS2 version Legend? That game itself is legendary in the series – far outside the fan circles that game is revered.
4. Slick trailer? Why is everyone crazy about that one? I love it. Did you see Underworld on the PS3? Go to the Hindu temple and embrace.
5. An Uncharted killer? That can't be TR – becuase Uncharted OBVIOUSLY aimed itself to try to be a TR killer. Uncharted is visually stunning to me, but the guns are for the boys with no patience for the precision of TR, just want to kill things. TR sales (and the age) make Uncharted look like a flop (Google the sales, yes, you have to) and the age – we can see how over-crowed many media markets are and to survive over 10 years – you are a success, and know what you're doing. (there is no assumption here that the path has been flawless).
As for the cartoon references and 'now we can care for her' and 'realism' – leave TR 3 behind and check out Legend onwards. Since Legend, graphics bumped again dramatically and she's been searching for her mother – if that's not emotional enough, realistic enough and adult enough then I don't know what is. And you do not see that in Uncharted. I honestly believe the last TR you touched was 3 or 4 – which is ironic because Uncharted OBVIOUSLY could not have been possible without TR. (and TR Underworld gives a factually correct education on Norse mythology that was one of many things which LED to the public interest and success of today's Thor blockbuster.)
Last edited by TombRFan on 6/24/2011 6:40:24 PM