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Tomb Raider Creative Director: You Don’t Want Only Action

Ben-Dutka 9 Comments

It's true: Action on top of action really does tend to get boring.

Perhaps that's why so many have gravitated toward the Tomb Raider games over the years, especially the most recent installments from developer Crystal Dynamics. These adventures had multiple gameplay elements, which kept them interesting throughout.

And Creative Director Noah Hughes believes this is key. In speaking to Game Informer , Hughes cited the variety and diversity of a production like Rise of the Tomb Raider :

If we gave you action upon action, it would get old and redundant. Part of what we really celebrate in our design aesthetic is pacing and the variation of pacing. This is where I feel blessed working with a character like Lara and a franchise like Tomb Raider, because we have all these different facets of traversal, platforming, combat, puzzle-solving, and resourcefulness that we can essentially commit to always giving you something fresh before you’re bored of what you’re doing now."

Hughes added that the result is a veritable roller-coaster, boasting "high highs and these intimate lows." And he says this variety and "breadth of experience" was a driving force behind the team's motivation. Rise of the Tomb Raider fared very well with critics , but that acclaim didn't translate to sales records. In fact, one could argue the game didn't sell that great at all .

Of course, as it was a timed console exclusive for Xbox One, it didn't have the benefit of those 30+ million PS4s out there . Can't wait for the Definitive Edition (or whatever they end up calling it) to show up for PS4 next holiday!

Related Game(s): Rise of the Tomb Raider

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Rise Of The Tomb Raider Making PS4 Owners A Tad Jealous

Ben-Dutka 56 Comments

Oh come on, we're allowed to admit it, right?

Had Uncharted 4: A Thief's End come out this holiday season as originally scheduled, I'm sure PlayStation fans would've reserved the right to say Xbox One owners were jealous. Don't deny it.

And being such a big fan of the last Tomb Raider , I will say I'm a little jealous. The sequel would probably top my most-wanted Christmas list if it was coming to PS4, and with such a great critical reception , I want it even more. Now, we all know that about this time next year, RotTR will arrive on Sony's console. And we all know it'll be the best version, as it'll be updated in some way and it'll likely include all the previously released downloadable content.

I'm extremely patient and I've got plenty to play, so I can wait. Halo 5: Guardians isn't sweetening the deal for me, and I won't ever buy a console for only one game. Doesn't appear like there's anything on Xbox One's exclusive lineup for 2016 that really jumps out at me, either. On top of which, I've long since realized I don't have the time to be an effective multi-platform gamer these days, so I'm sticking with just one. Therefore, I will abstain from the $350+ purchase.

…doesn't mean I'm not allowed to be a teensy-weensy bit jealous right now.

Related Game(s): Rise of the Tomb Raider

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Rise Of The Tomb Raider Might Prey On Gamers’ Impatience

Ben-Dutka 78 Comments

I'm starting to hear it a lot now.

"Screw it, I'm not waiting until Rise of the Tomb Raider comes out on PlayStation 4; I'm getting an Xbox One so I can play it now ."

Firstly, it sounds to me like a lot of gamers out there have plenty of money and obviously aren't concerned about purchasing an expensive luxury item for one game. So, I don't want to hear these same consumers whining about the prices for anything in this industry.

Secondly, I think timed exclusivity works a lot better than people might initially believe. I know a ton of PS4 owners who just scoffed at the deal Microsoft inked to get the new Tomb Raider . "Yeah, so what? I'll just wait to get the better version (which we all know it will be) when it comes out next year on PS4." Now, though, after more footage and info has arrived for RotTR, I'm willing to bet a few of those gamers have changed their tune.

Thirdly, we've known for years that if a game is more than a few weeks old in this world, it's "old." Therefore, the concept of waiting one whole year (heaven forbid!) for a game they want to play is just too much to handle for many. If a platform is out there that lets them play that title immediately, they're undoubtedly considering a purchase. Now, if this timed exclusivity was like some DLC; i.e., one platform gets it a week or a month early, I'd say it was no big deal. But when we're talking a lot longer than that, it has a big affect on people.

In the land of instant gratification, impatience is a powerful tool. And I believe it will have a very positive impact for Xbox One sales in relation to Rise of the Tomb Raider .

Related Game(s): Rise of the Tomb Raider

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PSXE Poll Update: Tomb Raider Sequel Fails To Intrigue

Ben-Dutka 36 Comments

While the Tomb Raider reboot seemed to go over very well with most gamers, it appears many PlayStation fans aren't too enthusiastic about the sequel.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a timed exclusive for Xbox platforms and won't arrive on PS4 until late 2016. Perhaps that's why, according to our latest poll, the majority of readers just aren't interested in getting the game when it finally launches for PS4.

Still, it'll undoubtedly be the definitive version of the game, with extra content and potentially updated technical specs. We expect many people's minds to change as 2016 wears on, and it's important to note that almost as many people said they would indeed get Rise of the Tomb Raider ; just not on day one.

This week, we wonder what the readers think of Nintendo's new console. We know almost nothing about it at this point, but it seems clear that the NX is on the horizon. Are you excited about it? Or are you simply done with Nintendo? Somewhere in between?

Related Game(s): Rise of the Tomb Raider

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PSXE Poll Update: Open-World Is Great, But We Need Variety

Ben-Dutka 8 Comments

The open-world structure is currently dominating the videogame industry.

The question is, are you okay with this? Well, according to our latest poll, most of you are just fine with the trend, provided developers still work in a wee bit of variety.

It certainly seems like any big-budget AAA production these days is open-world and if it isn't, there are complaints. Even traditionally linear franchises like Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy are going open-world, and most new IPs announced in the past year or so also follow the popular formula. Even the upcoming Uncharted 4: A Thief's End will offer more open-ended exploration.

This week, let's talk Rise of the Tomb Raider . Will you buy it when it eventually comes to PlayStation 4, presumably around the 2016 holiday season ? Or do you just not care, perhaps because you can't stand Microsoft's role in all of this?

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Rise Of The Tomb Raider Should Grace PS4 In Late 2016

Ben-Dutka 34 Comments

For the record, I have no official press release in my inbox and there's no verifying link in this source. However, it all seems perfectly plausible, so…

According to Pressa2join.com , Square Enix has announced general launch windows for the release of Rise of the Tomb Raider on PC and PlayStation 4.

It seems Windows 10 and Steam will get it in early 2016, while PS4 players will have to wait until Holiday 2016. This would give the anticipated Tomb Raider sequel a year's worth of console exclusivity on Xbox platforms, which is about what everyone expected. And of course, when the game comes to PS4, it will undoubtedly launch with a few updates and maybe some extra content. It's the way of the gaming world.

Personally, I'm fine with waiting. I think I'll have more than enough to play in 2016 on PS4, thank you.

Related Game(s): Rise of the Tomb Raider

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