Tomb Raider Anniversary: Lara's Back!

Discussion in 'The Living Room' started by Derek, Feb 22, 2007.

  1. #21
    Friskey™

    Friskey™ LPA Super Member LPA Addict

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    I figured that was the same, just wasnt sure yet.

    But yeah, this game does look pretty good.
     
  2. #22
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    This game might just be the best Tomb Raider game ever made. It could also..be the game that truly truly launches Crystal Dynamics into the mainstream (more than Legacy of Kain ever did). Check out these BEAUTIFUL new screens:

    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens198.jpg
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens199.jpg
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens200.jpg
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens201.jpg (it gets good from this one on)

    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens202.jpg
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens203.jpg
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s38/CalliSais/trascreens204.jpg

    OR READ THE ARTICLE WITH THE SCANS:

    Translations (copyright of www.tombraiderforums.com)

    Cover
    Tomb Raider Anniversary
    The very first adventure updated
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens198.jpg

    Edito
    Lara blows 10 candles
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens199.jpg

    Page 1
    Happy anniversary, beauty !
    Our dear Lara Croft recently blew her tenth candle ! To celebrate this event properly, Eidos will soon give us an (almost) new episode !
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens200.jpg

    Page 2
    We went to Eidos to discover TRA, a game you could judge insignificant first, but that could be the best of the series. "Period" would say our American friends after that kind of sentence. Indeed. Very few gamers would say the contrary : the first game was the most thrilling of the series. Yes : before going surrealist, and having so many gunfights in her gameplay, Lara Croft seduced us with another atmosphere, and we still feel nostalgic about it. For those who didn't get it already : the new episode isn't really new, since it ios a remake of the very first one... But Eidos didn't chose the easy way and took this project very seriously. For the record both Core Design (the original creator) and Crystal Dynamics (the new developer since Legend) submitted their vision of the project to Eidos, who chose the second one ("unsurprisingly" would I say, given the recent rescue of the series).

    But let's skip the other details. This is simple : you'll be able to do this wonderful adventure again, without seeing triangular breasts, without vomiting because of *very* poor textures, without giving a damn to one single missed jump ! On the contrary, along the journey, you'll enjoy the most modern graphics and of course the very recent improvements of the gameplay, so cheered in the last episode.

    Pictures
    Top : Back to the first game, the graphic improvement being almost a dream for the fans.
    Bottom left : While explorating, TR 1 gave us the chance to swim a little too.
    Bottom right : With the improved gameplay, the exploration becomes a real pleasure, worthy of PoP SoT.
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens201.jpg

    Page 3
    So, we find back the QTE [Quick Time Events aka Interactive Cutscenes] (thanks to Shenmue, sorry i had to mention it), the manual target mode, the not-to-the-millimeter jumps. And Lara can always grab an edge if her foot slips too far.

    The great lifting
    The fans know it too well to enjoy it, ten years after ? The game design has evolved since the early 32-bits era ? Don't worry : Crystal Dynamics has of course adapted the environments of the game. Mostly you'll recognize the winding paths and other mysterious rooms, but you'll always be amazed at the changes of the size, at the additional parts and at even more radical modifications... The various puzzles to solve, for example, underwent a true restoration, and, for some of them, the mechanism doesn't work the same way anymore !

    More interesting : Lara will have one of the most recent gadgets in her inventory - the grappling hook. All the ancient levels (which aren't levels anymore since there's no loading screens between them), will then have more exploration potential, new secrets to find, new way to progress, etc...

    Interview : Toby Gard, TRA senior designer
    Consoles + : Is it difficult to make that kind of remake ?
    Toby Gard : The first TR was one of the most inventive and successful game of all time. As anybody wishing to give hommage to such an important title, we thought to do this remake as a huge exciting but demanding challenge [...]. Making Legend gave us the perfect conditions to make Anniversary.

    C+ : What were your first ideas and priorities at the beginning ?
    TG : Our main goal was to stay as close as possible to the original, while creating an attractive experience for the new gamers. The area of the game has been doubled, since the new Lara is much faster and free in her moves.

    C+ : So, is it a game for the first fans or the new gamers ?
    TG : Both, actually. The fans of the very first one will recognize lots of original elements. But we made the gameto be accessible to the new gamers too.

    C+ : The first episode is often considered as the best of the franchise. Why ?
    TG : I think that people liked the isolation. You enter a tomb and you have the impression to be the first person to visit it in a thousand years. I the next games, you had too fight lots of armed ennemies. Here, with Anniversary, we came back to that solitary sensation, so that your steps are the only noise - except maybe a roar from time to time...

    Pictures
    Top : The levels have increased so much, a necessary improvement to stay up-to-date.
    Bottom left : Most of the puzzles has been remade, so that we have to use our brain again.
    Bottom right : If I remember correctly, that statue hides a secret entrance.
    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens202.jpg

    Page 4

    "Until now, no episode succeeded to give to Tomb Raider its original atmosphere"

    Pictures
    Top : One of the TRI standards was the atmospere. Alone, we were freaking out, and we loved it !
    Second : Unlike the next games, there were very few human ennemies to kill, but lots of ferocious beasts.
    Third : As the whole gameplay, the gunfights are accessible and fun.
    Fourth : Ah, the famous swan dive... and the chance to see the depth of field.
    Lara : Guns and pomelos are still there*

    [SIZE=-2]*[actually he's saying grapefruit but I find pomelo nicer [​IMG]][/SIZE]

    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens203.jpg

    Page 5
    About the scenario, we won't say much, but the developpers proceed to little changes to fit with all the next episodes. We have to say that it was a complete mess, and things needed to be organized.

    Mystery TRI
    Walking again in the remake's maze made me want to try it again. And I realised how much none of the sequels succeeded to give to TR its original atmosphere. Here, the ennemies you meet are almost only wild beasts, but they're quite few... and the stress is there everytime. The levels are mostly open-air, the musics start only at the appropriate moment (and they're beautifully remixed). You feel alone, you explore those corridors with the passion of a little adventurer and the mechanics of the game take care of everything. Finding your way through the acrobatics and the puzzles is more than ever a pleasure. And the most memorable moments (like meeting the T-Rex) have been carefully remade by the developpers, in order to surprise the fans a little bit more. And for them, Crystal Dynamics included as many signs as possible : for example, the ring inventory is back, Lara has her diary, etc...

    That's it... there are other surprises coming, like probably the package and contents of the collector box Eidos will release... But simply playing the best episode carefully and successfully updated is already a thrill.

    Pictures
    Top left : For Lara's design, developpers came back to the roots.
    Top right : There's no need to calculate the jump to the millimeter : the modern gameplay is really fluid.
    Second top right : When you slip of a plateform, Lara can always grab the edge to avoid death.
    Middle left : Rich environments, light effects, sound remixes, reinvented gameplay... everything to please !
    Middle right : The levels begin sooner than in the original.
    Bottom : A PSP version will be released, but we couldn't see it. First pictures.

    http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...screens204.jpg

    ---
    Can anyone say..HELL YES??! (w00t)
     
  3. #23
    Christopher

    Christopher Über Member Über Member

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    Hell yes. :lol:
     
  4. #24
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    Just a few quick updates:

    The Egypt level, took one of the developers (who knew the layout of the level) 3 hours to complete with rushing through it and not collecting secrets. Which means one level of this game could take 6 hours to complete. Game is estimated to be 15-20 hours long which is half the length of TR1 (that took 40) but way longer than Legend.

    Also this game will have a "Real Tomb Raider" mode where every last hint and tip is eliminated, thus making you completely on your own.

    http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps2/ga...3&sectionId=1003&releaseId=200601301244784300
    Article Pt 1

    http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps2/ga...tionId=1003&releaseId=2006013012447843002
    Article Pt 2

    http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps2/ga...&articleId=2007031492954828093&sectionId=1003
    Article Pt 3

    More parts coming Thursday and Friday!
     
  5. #25
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    Eff the double post rule, this is worth it XD

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    PT 3: http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps2/ga...031591553921017&releaseId=2006013012447843002

    This game is on target to be the best reviewed TR of the series. They've virtually removed all issues with Legend in making this apparently.

    Wow if they can push the PS2 this far I cant wait to see Lara's debut on the PS3 in 2008/2009. (The anniversary game was being made about the same time as Legend...the PS3 one will have been in production since halfway through Legend, so about 3-4 years of production)
     
  6. #26
    Friskey™

    Friskey™ LPA Super Member LPA Addict

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  7. #27
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    Yup those are from gamesradar.

    Everyone excited?!
     
  8. #28
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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  9. #29
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    So yeah, you bastards aren't replying...so if nobody replies to these, I may just stop updating this thread.

    But yea..time to get nostalgic. Here are 20 new screens. Enjoy the BEAUTIFULLY and faithfully recreated City of Vilcabamba as well as some shots from Egypt and The Caves. Some of these areas are better than the original interpretations of them.

    http://www.tombraiderchronicles.com/tombraideranniversary/screenshots.html

    NON CLICKABLE PREVIEWS (CLICK ABOVE LINK TO SEE LARGE SIZES AND MORE SCREENS)
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  10. #30
    Louis

    Louis Message me if you need to talk. We love you all. LPA Team

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    That shit is fucking awesome.
     
  11. #31
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    This game looks to be better than TR1 by a long shot. Look how detailed the huts are. Shit.
     
  12. #32
    Friskey™

    Friskey™ LPA Super Member LPA Addict

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    Gamespot's weekly online show "On The Spot" just had two dudes from Eidos play the demo for all of us, and right now it's looking pretty freakin' sweet.

    Plus, Lara shoots a bear. :lol:
     
  13. #33
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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  14. #34
    Colonel Sanders

    Colonel Sanders Well-Known Member

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    i played the demo of this on steam, it was really good.
     
  15. #35
    Christopher

    Christopher Über Member Über Member

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    Awesome, especially because it's a PS2 game.
     
  16. #36
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    I'm pretty sure you mean the Legend demo. I've checked all major TR fansites and Steam and there is no anniversary demo even out yet.
     
  17. #37
    Ada the Mental

    Ada the Mental Member

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    I'm definitely excited about it.
    I was quite disappointed by Legend(nice graphics,fun to play but otherwise not challenging at all) but it seems most of the major drawbacks Legend has have been ditched.:thumbsup:
     
  18. #38
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    Welcome to here from the TR forums Ada. Pleased to see you joined =).

    And yeah I agree, I'm so hyped about Anniversary.
     
  19. #39
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    Egypt trailer released:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5KNxzDgU4w

    Listen closely to the background music for some very familiar (redone) music from the original Tomb Raider. This remake is shaping up quite nicely.
     
  20. #40
    Derek

    Derek LPAssociation.com Administrator LPA Administrator

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    This news just warrants a triple post! A German magazine took a look at a finished (or at least Release Candidate) copy of the game (it doesn't come out till June though, cause they still wanna iron out some bugs) and the game in that state scored a 91/100!

    This is officially the highest scored TR to date (higher than tr1) and its gotten an even better review than Legend.

    The game's bosses are apparently very challenging and the game takes 20 hours minimum! Also they said the levels are so huge in some ways they are almost TOO huge.

    *dances*
     

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