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New Tomb Raider To Explore The Early Days Of Lara?

We don't know how many total Tomb Raider games there have been; we only know the franchise doesn't have the same clout it had in previous generations.

This is likely the reason the next title, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be a downloadable title on the PSN, with traditional old-school action/adventure gameplay. But that doesn't necessarily mean that Lara has given up on full-budget, blockbuster projects. According to Eurogamer , Crystal Dynamics has wrapped development on Guardian of Light and started the next main Tomb Raider installment, set to be released for the 2011 holiday season. They can't confirm the part of the rumor that says the subtitle will be "Downfall," but evidently, the game is being prepared for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Eurogamer also cites new artwork on ex-CD artist Joel Boucquemont's website , which shows "Tomb Raider" art that depicts a demolished cityscape; an unknown source says "some" of that is dedicated to the new game in question. Then there's the possible evidence of a "reboot" that would act like a prequel, where gamers would learn about the origins of the buxom heroine. The industry is really into prequels these days so perhaps all of this is true.

But can Crystal Dynamics create an action/adventure game that can compete with the best of the generation? The bar keeps getting set and reset and by the end of next year, the competition should be super high…

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Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

I thought Crystal Dynamics got the axe for having received such un-favorable scores from their last Tomb Raider game. Oh well, I still have faith in them.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Scarecrow, while I can't speak for the unreleased download TR title, most Tomb Raiders haven't been straight forward action games. In fact, TR: Underworld was more true to it's original format with a heavy emphasis on puzzle solving.

This may ruffle some feathers out there, but I always felt the first Uncharted had a lot more in common with Gears of War gameplay than Tomb Raider. Basically, a pop 'n fire shooter that occasionally flirted with puzzle solving while dressed in an ancient civilization appearance. Though, Nathan Drake was a lot more agile and quicker on his toes than any of those lumbering Gears guys.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

Uncharted 1 had an amazing storyline!

Some of the most beautiful environments I've seen in a game, still.


Last edited by Scarecrow on 6/30/2010 10:39:58 PM

ZettaiSeigi
ZettaiSeigi
13 years ago

Uncharted has pretty much taken that throne now. I wonder how well this game will hold against Uncharted 3. It'll be interesting.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Even though I see many similarities, I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks that Tomb Raider and Uncharted are fairly different games.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

They are, Tomb Raider is a pure straight up run and shoot Arcade type game.

Yes it's gotten "more realistic" recently but it's essentially a mindless/flashy game.

It was new and fresh when it came out. But it DULLED out with the same thing.

Temjin001
Temjin001
13 years ago

Scarecrow I accidentally responded to your response from my first post. My bad.

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

I would love for Naughty Dog to take the reigns or at least join forces with Crystal Dynamics to make a new and incredibly fantastic Tomb Raider.

If Uncharted set the benchmark, then Crystal Dynamics REALLY have to pull their weight to make a great game, especially after Underworld, that was quite a disappointment.

Legend and Anniversary still hold a place in my heart, along with Lara. (Geez, I really need to find a girl)

StangMan80
StangMan80
13 years ago

I want naughty dog to make another Crash and I would also like to see more Spyro games. I love these games these are the games that started gaming for me back on the PSone days. this is why I like to see TM and Tomb Raider still kick'n.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

Lara's done

Naughty Dog is better off working on another Crash Bandicoot or Jak game.

StangMan80
StangMan80
13 years ago

actually I would rather see another Crash rather then another tomb raider.

___________
___________
13 years ago

i would crawl through heaven and hell to get a new crash bandicoot game made by ND.
my poor beloved crash has been befilled ever since he left the loving care of ND.

StangMan80
StangMan80
13 years ago

I love this franchise I hope they keep coming for e very long time and a reboot sounds like a very good idea.

isaya85
isaya85
13 years ago

The last Tomb Raider I played was Legend which was so long ago…I don't think I can go back to Tomb Raider after Uncharted2…I'll wait for reviews to make my final decision

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

Just replace Lara

Since she left the Playstation brand she's just been a HUGE failure for almost a decade now.

Horrible, this game will probably have all the flaws past Tomb Raider games have had.

A new character with new attacks/ways of fighting and weapons would so freshen up this series.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I think Tomb Raider is finished. If they must make more, might as well just go balls-out and give it a ridiculous amount of sex appeal.

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

Agree with you there, but too much sex appeal might lead to DOA Extreme Volleyball standards, and we all know the quality of THAT game.


Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 6/30/2010 10:04:38 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Hey man I like that game, it's like taking a xanax 🙂

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

Lara is no longer the feminine video games icon. Still hot, yes, but the torch has been passed onto other female lead characters, like Nariko from Heavenly Sword, or Jade from Beyond Good and Evil.

Are there any other lead female characters I'm missing here? Actually, Lara is still the most significant, it's just such a shame Crystal Dynamics haven't given Lara the kicka$$ game she's deserved for some time. I'm talking real blockbuster Uncharted quality gaming for Lara here.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Chloe Frazer needs her own game.

Kangasfwa
Kangasfwa
13 years ago

@ World

That would be a third-person shooter everyone could get behind.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

A+ on the innuendo in that comment 😉

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

Or how 'bout shoving in a ridiculous amount of content that takes hundreds of hours to achieve with the 100% achievement result being a topless model of Lara? No cheat can unlock it, only 100% completion.

(My apologies for offending anyone out there, but that TR game would sell like hotcakes with teen boys if it did include something like that)

ZettaiSeigi
ZettaiSeigi
13 years ago

No offense taken, but it makes me wonder how some people get off on "pixel porn". Not being a prude or anything, but let's say the game is utter crap, and yet people will try to obtain 100% completion just to see Lara Croft without her top on. Isn't that's just sad?

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

It's the style of the game that kills it, running around easily killing things with two guns, just mashing that R1….

You'd be better off playing DMC

It also takes you to places for no reason…
It's like you're just put in these situations for the heck of it.

It needs more realism, NEW NEW NEW NEW gameplay, and a more detailed storyline. It's like Lara's always in a whole different universe every 2 games.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Hey Zettai, am I disturbed because I like to watch teh pretty pixelated anime chicks?

ZettaiSeigi
ZettaiSeigi
13 years ago

I don't think so, World. Maybe not too terribly. LOL Seriously though, what I meant with that comment was it's rather sad trying to finish a crap game just to see a video game character with her clothes off.

natho86
natho86
13 years ago

Im not sure how they fix this game, it was one of my favorite games back on the ps1. They would have to look at Uncharted 1 and 2, implement thoses characteristics that made that game number 1 and then have some really cool level design and locations.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
13 years ago

Oh the perils of having to cut and paste to release Tomb Raider games on 3 consoles + handhelds lol….

Tomb Raider is more of a Pokemon type game which releases on every console/handheld you can think of and tries to sell on its name alone.

If they could only spend time on one console, heck even if it's only on the 360 it might come out to be a quality game.

StangMan80
StangMan80
13 years ago

The only way I am getting it, is if it is a PS3 exclusive. IF it comes out on the wii especialy the DS I an't buying it. I want a good quality game.

Kangasfwa
Kangasfwa
13 years ago

My ideal Tomb Raider would be the original Farcry without guns. A massive island to explore, with no preset objectives. Explore the island until the player pieces things together to find and unlock the big Tomb. I wouldn't want to see any real combat either. Simply the enjoyment of exploring, puzzle solving, and the awesome sights of nature within the game.

Karosso
Karosso
13 years ago

That sounds like a recipe for one of the greatest TR game ever!
You should e-mail CD with this idea, no kidding at all.
They should buy ND Uncharted 2 engine or do like GG did with Killzone3 and ask for some help from them 🙂

kraygen
kraygen
13 years ago

I would be perfectly happy with a new tomb raider as long as it had all the elements of the classics. Good story, good puzzles, awesome acrobatics, shooting. That would be great, but in the end it all comes down to quality.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

There were two on the dreamcast, which was the good one? I keep forgetting.

ryu
ryu
13 years ago

a younger lara w/o the boob job? i dig that

either hand the whole thing over to naughty dog or ps3 exclusive, otherwise, forget it

___________
___________
13 years ago

why couldent they release this instead of wasting their time on Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light?
i really hate it when developers confine a large, well known famous IP to a online title.
it restricts them so much to what they can do.
PSN games should be games like joe danger, earthworm jim, and classics remade in HD and arcade styled games like shadow complex.
games like lara croft do not belong on the PSN store.
why not make a GOW game for the PSN while your at it!?

SmokeyPSD
SmokeyPSD
13 years ago

This sounds fantastic. Tomb Raider to me is STILL fantastic, Underworld was just ANOTHER casualty to the demands of making multiplatform games for this generation. It was still a fantastic but flawed game.

JackC8
JackC8
13 years ago

The only Tomb Raider game I ever played was the last one, Underworld or whatever. After a couple of hours it went into the "to be finished…some day" pile. It just wasn't any fun. Solving puzzles should give you a feeling of accomplishment, but the puzzles in that game just left me feeling like "Hmph…that was dumb".

From reading the reviews of just about all the Tomb Raider games, it seems that fans and reviewers alike have been telling Crystal Dynamics what they need to fix for a good decade now, but they just don't care. They seem satisfied to just turn out the same mediocre stuff sequel after sequel after sequel.

SmokeyPSD
SmokeyPSD
13 years ago

yeah um, no. Speaking as a true Tomb Raider fan Crystal Dynamix revitalized the dying franchise. It was only with Tomb Raider Underworld that they bit off more than they could chew with making the game for the 2 next gen consoles, the developers have said themselves, they barely got to finish the game.

GuardianMode
GuardianMode
13 years ago

Tomb raider 1&2 are the best the series produced. With UC and UC2 the bar has been raised so high I doubt that lara will ever reach it. They should just keep this series as a downloadable game.

amzngskillz
amzngskillz
13 years ago

@ World. I could agree with you more. Chloe Frazier needs her own game. That body they gave her was amazing. I'm still playing UC2 multiplayer 8 months later. In fact only Sheva Alomar can touch Chloe. Tombraider 2 was the best of all of the games. Personally, puzzle heavy games bore me. UC2 had a nice mix with hints. That game and UCDF were just fantastic.

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