Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

[Teggy]

All we've got on this one is a brief press release. It's going to be a "digitally distributed" game and will be out in 2010.

They've dropped "Tomb Raider" from the name. Wonder what it's going to be like.

They should just give the license over to Naughty Dog. Uncharted/Tomb Raider crossover, anyone?

http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?s=938ba4dc3a2c600e10e60c3a61de6079&t=102106

[The Grue]

They should just give the license over to Naughty Dog. Uncharted/Tomb Raider crossover, anyone?

Hot Nate on Lara action!

[Autistic Angel]

Lara Croft + "digitally distributed game" + "completely new and very different to what people might be expecting" = Metroidvania-style side-scroller a la Shadow Complex.

That's my prediction, anyhow.  Crystal Dynamics has revived that franchise in a way I never would have thought possible, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with it next!

-Autistic Angel

[CeeKay]

Lara Croft + "digitally distributed game" + "completely new and very different to what people might be expecting" = Metroidvania-style side-scroller a la Shadow Complex.

That's my prediction, anyhow.  Crystal Dynamics has revived that franchise in a way I never would have thought possible, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with it next!

-Autistic Angel

maybe they'll go FPS like Mirror's Edge and make it episodic....

[Autistic Angel]

Ugh.  I've finished something like nine-tenths of the story in Mirror's Edge and I just can't screw up enough interest to slog through the final bit.  I know some people really enjoyed the challenge of battling the needlessly complex controls, violently disorienting viewpoint, and obtuse level design, but I prefer games that are less overt about wanting to punish the player.  I can't tell you how many times I'd have to repeat a particular sequence over and over again, finally pass it, and have absolutely no idea what I'd done differently to succeed.

The Tomb Raider license has more potential as a tactical JRPG than as a clone of Mirror's Edge.

THUG uses TERRIBLE AIM: 3 DAM.

LARA uses BACKFLIP SHOT: 8 DAM.

THUG: BARF!

THUG has been KOed!

THUG: I'll never...tell you...where the SPEAR OF LONGINUS is....

LARA: ...

WINSTON: Good work defeating those thugs, LARA....

WINSTON: ...but it looks like the SPEAR is somewhere else.

WINSTON: Finish defiling the rest of those graves and we'll

WINSTON: meet back at base camp.

LARA: ...

(Lara smashes several artifacts and exits.)

SHADOWY FIGURE: Heh heh heh.  Poor little LARA.  Like a mouse in a maze.  She'll never find the SPEAR in

SHADOWY FIGURE: time.

SHADOWY FIGURE: Heh heh heh....

-Autistic Angel

[Caine]

a shadow complex/metroidvania would totally work, especially as they could draw on prince of persia to do the puzzle elements.  i'd love to see it happen, but i doubt this is what the are working on.

[Purge]

AA, you crack me up.

[EddieA]

Gamespot UK has a preview discussing the gameplay and Worthplaying has some nice-looking screenshots.

[Azhag]

Big Tomb Raider fan... not sure about a casual 3-D sidescroller, which is what it looks like, but I'll try to reserve judgment until it's closer. I'd rather have a cheaper full game like Anniversary was.

[Teggy]

Looks like it has some kind of co-op? That big guy is in a lot of the screens next to Lara.

[kronovan]

I can't say I love the camera angle in those screenshots, but if it has offline co-op I'll be IN day 1.

[CeeKay]

word has it this is due on XBLA 8-18.

[CeeKay]

it's going to be a XBLA exclusive for 4 weeks.

[Teggy]

EDIT: I am an idiot and totally forgot that the online co-op patch is still a month away.

[kronovan]

EDIT: I am an idiot and totally forgot that the online co-op patch is still a month away.

Is it offline co-op Day 1?

[Teggy]

EDIT: I am an idiot and totally forgot that the online co-op patch is still a month away.

Is it offline co-op Day 1?

Yes, you can play co-op on the same machine.

[Bullwinkle]

Played the first level SP and had a lot of fun today.

[kronovan]

Wow, this game is really pulling in positive reviews - averaging about 88% on gamerankings now after roughly 20 reviews. Heck, even grumpy Eurogamer gave it a 9.  From the IGN review, the games sounds like it panned out to be what it was hyped to be - buying and downloading it tonight.

[EddieA]

According to Worthplaying -

The launch of Guardian of Light is just the beginning, we have a lot of additional content planned and we will be offering the first DLC pack for free for the first 30 days, exclusively on the Xbox 360, so that gamers can get a taste of some of the exciting extras we have in store.

I enjoyed what little I played of the demo last night.  I'll be playing through it again today and most likely purchasing it.

[KC]

I tried to download the game tonight and kept getting error messages. Maybe this means sales are going well.

[Teggy]

Game is a lot of fun. Also has some replay value in single player because you can't hit all the challenges in one go (since there's usually at least one speed run-type challenge).  You can also go back and play the earlier levels with the new weapons you've unlocked. I'm definitely going to go back and replay a bunch of levels, but some challenges look like they are going to be a pain, though, so I doubt I will go for 100%.

[Ridah]

It sounds like a really great local coop game, looking forward to playing through it with a friend.

[Mithridates]

I'm really loving this game so far.  I love the style of play and the perspective.  Are there any other 360 games that are similar?

[Bullwinkle]

I'm really loving this game so far.  I love the style of play and the perspective.  Are there any other 360 games that are similar?

You played Shadow Complex, right?

[Teggy]

Finished up my first run-through this morning. Final boss battle is frantic, but doable thanks to plentiful checkpoints. Took me about 8.5 hours - a great deal at $15 especially since I have rewards to go back and get and I haven't even touched co-op.

[KePoW]

Seems like a great game, but I'm gonna get the PC version for better graphics.  Can't wait though.

[Ridah]

Seems like a great game, but I'm gonna get the PC version for better graphics.  Can't wait though.

Not to mention online coop.

[Mithridates]

I'm really loving this game so far.  I love the style of play and the perspective.  Are there any other 360 games that are similar?

You played Shadow Complex, right?

Nope, I'll take a look though. Thanks!

[Teggy]

Seems like a great game, but I'm gonna get the PC version for better graphics.  Can't wait though.

Not to mention online coop.

When it comes out for PC, the 360 version will be patched for online co-op as well.

[Ridah]

Seems like a great game, but I'm gonna get the PC version for better graphics.  Can't wait though.

Not to mention online coop.

When it comes out for PC, the 360 version will be patched for online co-op as well.

I'm surprised at the length you mentioned. You say it took over 8 hours to complete it? I wonder if that is cut short some when played cooperatively. Either way, it does seem like a wonderful value for $15.

[Bullwinkle]

I'm really loving this game so far.  I love the style of play and the perspective.  Are there any other 360 games that are similar?

You played Shadow Complex, right?

Nope, I'll take a look though. Thanks!

You won't be disappointed.  One of the best XBLA releases last year (maybe the best).  It has a similar perspective to this LC game and similar gunplay/platforming, but it is more in the Metroidvania genre than Lara Croft.

[Teggy]

Seems like a great game, but I'm gonna get the PC version for better graphics.  Can't wait though.

Not to mention online coop.

When it comes out for PC, the 360 version will be patched for online co-op as well.

I'm surprised at the length you mentioned. You say it took over 8 hours to complete it? I wonder if that is cut short some when played cooperatively. Either way, it does seem like a wonderful value for $15.

Well, I am a crappy gamer so maybe it will be shorter for others   I also took some time collecting and trying to max my score to get new weapons, so first playthrough time might vary depending on the person. But if you have any intention of doing some of the challenges and trying out different weapons, there's plenty of bang for the buck.

[Teggy]

I'm really loving this game so far.  I love the style of play and the perspective.  Are there any other 360 games that are similar?

You played Shadow Complex, right?

Nope, I'll take a look though. Thanks!

You won't be disappointed.  One of the best XBLA releases last year (maybe the best).  It has a similar perspective to this LC game and similar gunplay/platforming, but it is more in the Metroidvania genre than Lara Croft.

Shadow Complex is a side-scroller. But it does have lots of cool weapons and some good puzzles. Definitely a great game, and  you can always try the demo.

Both games have paper-thin stories and pretty crappy voice acting outside the main character.

[Kevin Grey]

Well, I am a crappy gamer so maybe it will be shorter for others   I also took some time collecting and trying to max my score to get new weapons, so first playthrough time might vary depending on the person. But if you have any intention of doing some of the challenges and trying out different weapons, there's plenty of bang for the buck.

I've already spent over five hours and I'm on the level past the toxic swamps.  Definitely a lot of bang for the buck. 

[leo8877]

I picked this up based on the praise in here and it's been enjoyable.  I love these high quality, cheaper, download titles!

[leo8877]

I love love love how when you replay a level, you don't have to find items again that you already got, so you can just focus on the stuff that you missed.

[Daehawk]

Played the demo. Really liked it. I can see where it would be a lot more fun though co-op.

[spigot]

Got it. Beat it. Liked it. A neat little dungeon crawling shooter.

[CeeKay]

Time to give the demo a spin.

[TiLT]

Do you play the exact same levels in co-op as in solo mode? I'm wondering if I should play the game on my own or save it until I have someone to play with?