Tomb Raider

[MonkeyFinger]

I got up to the point where they show you the cover mechanic and then decided to start over. Looked back over my stats and realized I was woefully inadequate in exploring before moving on... went back for 100% and hunted out the areas, shot all the dang totems, found all of the documents and relics (didn't realize what the rumble meant the first time) and am now back getting shot full of arrows trying to find cover with my hands tied behind my back.  

FYI - I think they've done a great job with this 'reboot' of the franchise. 

[Bullwinkle]

I got up to the point where they show you the cover mechanic and then decided to start over. Looked back over my stats and realized I was woefully inadequate in exploring before moving on... went back for 100% and hunted out the areas, shot all the dang totems, found all of the documents and relics (didn't realize what the rumble meant the first time) and am now back getting shot full of arrows trying to find cover with my hands tied behind my back.  

FYI - I think they've done a great job with this 'reboot' of the franchise. 

Um, you can go back to any area from the campfires.

Also, there's one area that you can't complete the first time through.

[metallicorphan]

For those people interested Eurogamer have done their usual Face Off

the best thing i like about these are the screenshots where you can hover your mouse over a certain part in the picture and it will show 360 PS3 and PC for that part of the picture you have hovered over

According to these guys PC wins it with PS3 having a sharper image than the 360 version,however the 360 version has "a small advantage" with the frame rate than the PS3.


http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tomb-raider-face-off

[Caine]

Finished this up last night.  97% complete in about 15 hours or so.  got all the stuff on the map and left a few areas without finding the special items to find/shoot/burn.  really enjoyed it.  looking forward to the inevitable sequel and more elaborate tombs to raid. 

I have no reservations about recommending this to anyone.  one of the best games I've played in a long while. 

[MonkeyFinger]

I got up to the point where they show you the cover mechanic and then decided to start over. Looked back over my stats and realized I was woefully inadequate in exploring before moving on... went back for 100% and hunted out the areas, shot all the dang totems, found all of the documents and relics (didn't realize what the rumble meant the first time) and am now back getting shot full of arrows trying to find cover with my hands tied behind my back.  

FYI - I think they've done a great job with this 'reboot' of the franchise.  

Um, you can go back to any area from the campfires.

Also, there's one area that you can't complete the first time through.

Ah well... figured once I went through the big-ass gate that there was no going back. No biggie. Now I knows! 

[spigot]

Just completed this. What an excellent game. Really liked it from beginning to end. The weapons and combat were satisfying, the traversal and exploration was exciting and the story was pretty good too. I also liked the auto-cover mechanic and inventory upgrade systems. Could have done without the QTEs, but they were infrequent enough not to be annoying. Just a great thrill ride from start to finish. Highly recommended.

[leo8877]

Just completed this. What an excellent game. Really liked it from beginning to end. The weapons and combat were satisfying, the traversal and exploration was exciting and the story was pretty good too. I also liked the auto-cover mechanic and inventory upgrade systems. Could have done without the QTEs, but they were infrequent enough not to be annoying. Just a great thrill ride from start to finish. Highly recommended.

+1 all the way.  One of my favorite games of all time. 

[leo8877]

Also, there's one area that you can't complete the first time through.

I did not find anything I could not complete the first time though.  I was 98% completion when I beat the game and only because I wanted to see how the story ended before I could finish up the last few areas.

[CeeKay]

Also, there's one area that you can't complete the first time through.

I did not find anything I could not complete the first time though.  I was 98% completion when I beat the game and only because I wanted to see how the story ended before I could finish up the last few areas.

I know now that I have the trench gun there are a few areas I have to go back to, unless the game loops me back to them.

[Bullwinkle]

Also, there's one area that you can't complete the first time through.

I did not find anything I could not complete the first time though.  I was 98% completion when I beat the game and only because I wanted to see how the story ended before I could finish up the last few areas.

You cannot complete the Mountain Village the first time you go through there.

And it turns out the same is true for Shipwreck Beach.

[Arclight]

I just got it. Hate the button mashing. Hate the platform feel to it. Forgot that TR is all that.
I think I'll just fire it up now and then and watch her hair blowing in the wind...

Forum Effect = 1

Arclight = 0

[Turtle]

Actually, the game is much more of a shooter than all other TR games, the platforming is there, but it's not the puzzle platforming of past TR games. There are some really small puzzle tombs, and the larger hub areas to grab collectables in, but most of it is shooting.

They kinda play up the survival and platforming early, but shooting takes the forefront quickly after, you'll see.

[leo8877]

Also, there's one area that you can't complete the first time through.

I did not find anything I could not complete the first time though.  I was 98% completion when I beat the game and only because I wanted to see how the story ended before I could finish up the last few areas.

You cannot complete the Mountain Village the first time you go through there.

And it turns out the same is true for Shipwreck Beach.

Oh I misunderstood, I thought you meant first play through as in beating the game, not first time you go to an area. 

[Covenant]

I just got it. Hate the button mashing. Hate the platform feel to it. Forgot that TR is all that.
I think I'll just fire it up now and then and watch her hair blowing in the wind...

Forum Effect = 1

Arclight = 0

Did you  play past the first hour or so?  The beginning of the game is heavily scripted and full of QTEs meant just to get you into the story.  Once you land on the island and make your way to the first campfire, it opens up and gameplay changes significantly.

This is definitely a huge departure from the older Tomb Raider games (so you still might not like it), but don't let the first bit color your judgement of the title; it's really not representative of it.

[Reemul]

I just got it. Hate the button mashing. Hate the platform feel to it. Forgot that TR is all that.
I think I'll just fire it up now and then and watch her hair blowing in the wind...

Forum Effect = 1

Arclight = 0

Did you  play past the first hour or so?  The beginning of the game is heavily scripted and full of QTEs meant just to get you into the story.  Once you land on the island and make your way to the first campfire, it opens up and gameplay changes significantly.

This is definitely a huge departure from the older Tomb Raider games (so you still might not like it), but don't let the first bit color your judgement of the title; it's really not representative of it.

Yeah this, it's not really like the old style TR games and for me it's better for it.

[EngineNo9]

... don't let the first bit color your judgement of the title; it's really not representative of it.

Well that's not a very good way to open a game then, is it? 

[CeeKay]

I miss the old non-lens flare full screen.....

[Isgrimnur]

She's very bright for her age.

[CeeKay]

and done.  awesome game, makes me go 'Nate who?'

ended with 91%, doubt I'm going to go back as most of what I missed won't add anything to the story.

[Turtle]

Honestly, while the game mechanics are a little better, I still think Uncharted wins out in terms of better plot, better characters, better story, and way better environments.

But, Tomb Raider is good enough to stand on its own.

[naednek]

Honestly, while the game mechanics are a little better, I still think Uncharted wins out in terms of better plot, better characters, better story, and way better environments.

But, Tomb Raider is good enough to stand on its own.

ya i'm only 40% through, but I can easily say Uncharted is loads better.  TR3 is fun and probably my GOTY so far

[Bullwinkle]

It may be because Lara came first (though I think it's mostly due to the combat), but I enjoyed this Tomb Raider more than at least three out of the four Uncharted games I've played.  Not to say I don't think Nate is a great character or that I didn't enjoy those three games at all, but as an overall experience, this Lara wins for me.  Now we'll have to see how it goes over a longer period of time, of course, when they have more new games under their belt.

I just finished (with 100% completion...yay, me), BTW.  There were some minor gripes, of course, but overall this was a fantastic game.  Crystal Dynamics kept making Lara better and better over the last few games, but they really just perfected it as best as possible this time around.

I hope there are slightly bigger tombs next time, though (and an improved QTE system).

[MonkeyFinger]

I hope there are slightly bigger tombs next time

Embarrassingly, I misread this the first time. 

[CeeKay]

some early prototype footage.

[Teggy]

some early prototype footage.

Note that this was ripped off from the "The Final Hours of Tomb Raider" which is a whopping $3 on Steam.

[leo8877]

some early prototype footage.

Note that this was ripped off from the "The Final Hours of Tomb Raider" which is a whopping $3 on Steam.

It's in the extras menu of my PSN digital copy (and I assumed the disc too)

[Ridah]

I don't think this game is in the same league as Uncharted. Uncharted is a AAA title... this is more B-level. I'm about half way through and I'm not finding Lara to be an interesting character at all, and the story isn't doing much to draw me in. I've heard things get interesting later on in the game so I'm looking forward to that.

[Purge]

Funny, I`ve not played this yet, but Nate and co. didn`t draw me in at all.

In TR, do you have to empty three clips into the chest of a dude in a wife-beater to take him down?

[wonderpug]

Can someone who finished the game tell me about how many hours away I am from the finish?  I'm renting this from Redbox and I'm trying to figure out when I'll be able to return it.

I'm at the point where...

Spoiler for Hiden:

Parachuted through the forest, landed near the temple where the Japanese friend is being held, climbed under a bridge, found my friend, they tried to set her on fire, magic somethingorother stopped the fire, they hauled her off to a throne room.  Lara is now in a bloody river.

[Teggy]

You've got a good chunk of game left. You are better than halfway through, but not a lot past that. And I think the game is about 12 hours long, so maybe you have 5 hours left? YMMV.

[wonderpug]

Perfect, thanks

[Bullwinkle]

Funny, I`ve not played this yet, but Nate and co. didn`t draw me in at all.

In TR, do you have to empty three clips into the chest of a dude in a wife-beater to take him down?

No.  They go down pretty satisfyingly.

I don't think this game is in the same league as Uncharted. Uncharted is a AAA title... this is more B-level. I'm about half way through and I'm not finding Lara to be an interesting character at all, and the story isn't doing much to draw me in. I've heard things get interesting later on in the game so I'm looking forward to that.

Tomb Raider is absolutely a AAA title.

[Turtle]

Tomb Raider is AAA, but it is its own thing, I think it falls short of things much like Uncharted fell short in other areas.

Both pull from the same sources, but Tomb Raider has had the time to pull from all 3 Uncharteds.

Also, Uncharted hasn't had guys who are bulletproof in a thin shirt since 2, and much like Tomb Raider, both games have heavily armored men that can soak up damage.

I think Tomb Raider has waaaay smoother gameplay, and interesting platforming/collecting hub areas, although most likely due to a PC based engine. It also has a more serious tone that resonates more with some people. But the characters are bland, and don't mesh to form a greater whole, instead it's Lara everything.

Both games can stand on their own. Give Uncharted a 4th game and people will be just as impressed. Likewise, give Tomb Raider a 2nd game, much like how Uncharted 2 figured out a lot of stuff, Tomb Raider 2 is going to be a helluva lot more well rounded.

Although, I think both games could use a step back from lots of enemy killing, to something more like Last of Us, fewer enemies that are more dangerous, or even a Shadow of the Colosses style none or very few enemies with a lot more exploration.

[raydude]

I've never played Uncharted since I don't own a PS3 and I'm playing Tomb Raider on a PC so I can't compare the two. I will say TR is absolutely a AAA title. I love all the little details in character animation that they put into Lara. When she crouch walks and passes by an object (like say a stack of tires) she'll cautiously put her hand out and touch them - like a real person sneaking would do in order to know where the object is - so she won't bump into it.

When walking in a cave she'll reach out and touch the wall if she's close enough, and when she first gets into water she'll sometimes flick the water off her hands.  I've also noticed that she turns her head when there's something of interest close by. Its clued me into several hidden items during some points in the game. But that head turn is not glaringly obvious, like in some games where the character's head just keeps turning around to face the object of interest.

I especially love the scene

Spoiler for Hiden:

after she's wounded and has to get to the helicopter for medical supplies. Her jumps end up with her hitting the ground hard and her long jump especially feels painful on landing.

And there's definitely a subtle change in the way she does certain things as she progresses in the game. 

Spoiler for Hiden:

The way she walks across balance beams for one - she definitely gets more confident and less "wobbly".

[Harpua3]

I've never played Uncharted since I don't own a PS3 and I'm playing Tomb Raider on a PC so I can't compare the two. I will say TR is absolutely a AAA title. I love all the little details in character animation that they put into Lara. When she crouch walks and passes by an object (like say a stack of tires) she'll cautiously put her hand out and touch them - like a real person sneaking would do in order to know where the object is - so she won't bump into it.

When walking in a cave she'll reach out and touch the wall if she's close enough, and when she first gets into water she'll sometimes flick the water off her hands.  I've also noticed that she turns her head when there's something of interest close by. Its clued me into several hidden items during some points in the game. But that head turn is not glaringly obvious, like in some games where the character's head just keeps turning around to face the object of interest.

I especially love the scene

Spoiler for Hiden:

after she's wounded and has to get to the helicopter for medical supplies. Her jumps end up with her hitting the ground hard and her long jump especially feels painful on landing.

And there's definitely a subtle change in the way she does certain things as she progresses in the game. 

Spoiler for Hiden:

The way she walks across balance beams for one - she definitely gets more confident and less "wobbly".

Well 90 percent of that stuff was in the uncharted games, especially number 3. Not a bad thing at all. Just saying you would also enjoy the uncharted series.

[Turtle]

Yep, and I've got no problem they're using those elements, because honestly, you pull the best stuff from the best games, it helps, just as the original Uncharted pulled from its predecessors.

I also love the whole dynamic animations they use like putting hands on walls. But if you liked that aspect in Tomb Raider, it's actually done a lot better in Uncharted 2 & 3.

I also definitely noticed the animations changing for Lara as the game progresses, I thought it was a really nice touch, but I think they should have drawn out the other animations longer and played it up in the story, even if it still doesn't quite mesh with gameplay.

[Reemul]

I have Uncharted 2 , got it for£1 in a blank box from a clearance store but never played any of them, loving TR so would I be ok to just step straight in to U2

[Turtle]

I have Uncharted 2 , got it for£1 in a blank box from a clearance store but never played any of them, loving TR so would I be ok to just step straight in to U2

Uncharted 1 has kind of mediocre gameplay, good for its time, but doesn't hold up after you've tried Tomb Raider. However, it establishes the characters really well so I'd recommend at least watching this movie cut of the entire U1 plot first if you want to jump into playing Uncharted 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iixj3NdMZPE

Speaking of movie cuts, I definitely wouldn't mind them turning this new Tomb Raider into a new series of movies.

[Bullwinkle]

Definitely play Uncharted 1 before Uncharted 2.  Just know that the second game is leaps and bounds better than the first (better than the third, too, IMO).

Also, Uncharted hasn't had guys who are bulletproof in a thin shirt since 2, and much like Tomb Raider, both games have heavily armored men that can soak up damage.

3 felt like a return to the lousy combat from 1 for me.  Not quite as bad, but not as good as 2.

[MonkeyFinger]

Definitely play Uncharted 1 before Uncharted 2.  Just know that the second game is leaps and bounds better than the first (better than the third, too, IMO).

Also, Uncharted hasn't had guys who are bulletproof in a thin shirt since 2, and much like Tomb Raider, both games have heavily armored men that can soak up damage.

3 felt like a return to the lousy combat from 1 for me.  Not quite as bad, but not as good as 2.

I seem to remember them trying something new with the combat but after getting enough negative feedback about it patched the game so it would allow you to switch back to the old style. As an option. Or something.