Crystal Dynamics Delays Tomb Raider Reboot

[Andy Chalk]

Crystal Dynamics Delays Tomb Raider Reboot

The new Tomb Raider has been pushed back until early 2013.

It's been over a year since we got our first look [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/105868-Tomb-Raider-Reboot-Origin-Story-On-Its-Way] at the darker, grittier reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, which will feature a younger, less experienced and more realistic-looking Lara Croft embarking upon her very first adventure, that somehow doesn't look quite as fun-filled as some of her later jaunts. And now it looks like it'll be another year before we actually get to try it.

"When Crystal Dynamics first set out to reboot the Tomb Raider franchise, there were two goals that we were extremely passionate about. The first was to create a modern Tomb Raider game that would surprise and excite gamers. The second was to make this the best game of our careers, something we would be really proud to be a part of. We truly believe that we have something very special on our hands and we can't wait to share it with you," Crystal Dynamics chief Darrell Gallagher said in a message posted on the Eidos forums [http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?t=125990].

"Our priority now is to make sure we fully deliver the very highest quality game. In order to do this, we have decided to move the game's release date by a few months, from Fall 2012 to the first quarter of 2013," he continued. "We're doing things that are completely new to Tomb Raider in this game and the additional development time will allow us to put the finishing touches into the game and polish it to a level that you deserve. We believe this is the right choice and I guarantee it will be worth the wait. The game is looking amazing and we can't wait to show it to everyone at E3 in a few weeks."

It's pretty thin on details and the relatively lengthy delay doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence in the new release window, but in the long run it's probably good news for fans of the series. Delays are frustrating, but playing a half-baked game that was obviously rushed to make a launch date is far, far worse.

More information about the state of the game can be found at Eidos' Tomb Raider FAQ [http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?t=124504].


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[Sixcess]

I'm not on the edge of my seat for this.

Tomb Raider was the second game I bought when I got back into gaming with the PS1, so I still have a lot of fondness for Lara. I'd like to be looking forward to this, but the footage we saw last year just looked like a typical QTE heavy interactive movie - all tech, no gameplay.

And I hated, absolutely hated, the tone of the footage and accompanying commentary. Seriously, the first footage they show of the new Lara is her tied up, moaning, whimpering and limping her way through some stock woman-in-peril sequences. If that's their idea of 'realism' I'll stick with the unrealistic escapism of the original games.

 

[Spitfire]

First Bioshock Infinite got pushed to 2013, and now Tomb Raider as well?

In any case, the game looks pretty interesting, and if the delay gives them time to make TR a better game, then I'm sure the fans will appreciate that.

 

[BloodRed Pixel]

Hopefully the will take all the QTE out of it.
Die QTE! DIE!

 

[ShinobiJedi42]

Gah ME3 last year and now Bioshock Infinite and now Tomb Raider? And wasn't GTAV pushed back too? It seems to be becoming a common move for developers to push back their games. I'm all for making sure the game is good, but this seems to be happening a lot now.

I'm excited for TR even though I've never played the originals. I have just been waiting a long time for a good survival game and TR shows promise to be one of those. And I love good female protagonists.

 

[BrotherRool]

I'm really looking forward to this, the reboot actually makes Tomb Raider seem interested, delaying it shows they're looking to make something that's actually reasonable to play rather than cashing in on the first day purchases.

And I don't know, new Lara looks kinda cute ^^

(The old one just looked a bit silly)

 

[ScruffyMcBalls]

So far as I'm concerned, can only be a good thing. I did want the game released in time with the Wii U, but if they want to spend more time on it and make it "the best game" of their career, then power too them.

 

[weirdee]

tbh i like that a lot of companies are not trying to cram everything into the fall/winter seasons, because they really need to spread out more

on the other hand, if they all aim for the first quarter of 2013 they're still all cramming into the same spot anyway...

 

[gentlemanghost]

Wait, a Tomb Raider game got delayed? Why, I've never heard of such

 

[Frontastic]

A reinvention of the TR franchise that's supposed to be taking the series in a new and risky direction that gets a release date pushed back... Hmm that sounds familiar from somewhere and if memory serves it didn't end well.

I kid, (aside from the EXTREME amount of bugs) I quite liked AoD and am looking forward to this. And actually, given the insane amount of stuff coming out Q4 of this year this delay (and the delay of Infinite) are actually good things to my mind.

 

[RedTNT]

I've not played TR is years. The first couple of games were good but when I heard about this prequel I had my reservations. Prequels historically don't turn out so good.

 

[antipunt]

Seriously, the first footage they show of the new Lara is her tied up, moaning, wh...

Whoa..who-whoa...wait a second. What are we talking about again? >_>

(captcha: toe-curling)

 

[The_Waspman]

As much as I wanted to play this this year, I cant say I'm surprised.

Y'know what'd stop games constantly being pushed back? Not stating the fucking release date a year in advance. Just, y'know, a suggestion...

 

[darthzew]

I'm rooting for this one. I want it to be good. I really like the idea of Lara Croft finally being subdued and realistic. If they have to push it back, fine. Just make it count.

 

[dimensional]

I see obviously they dont want to go head to head with some other games around the same time like GTA5 or the new CoD or Halo 4 (note I am just assuming these are fall 2012 so correct me if im wrong I have zero interest in them so dont follow them).

I have never been a Tomb Raider fan I thought the first 2 were terrible then didnt play anymore until AOD which was bri.... sorry also terrible. Legend was ok and I liked what I played of Underworld and am strangely looking forward to this game hopefully they will deliver but im not on the edge of my seat waiting in anticipation as it were.

 

[zombiesinc]

At first I was disappointed, then I realized two things: I should never be disappointed that a game is being pushed back and that 2013 is a little over half a year away. Not to mention the last half of 2012 means it's busier for just about everything, including game releases. Woo!

 

[Cowabungaa]

And I hated, absolutely hated, the tone of the footage and accompanying commentary. Seriously, the first footage they show of the new Lara is her tied up, moaning, whimpering and limping her way through some stock woman-in-peril sequences. If that's their idea of 'realism' I'll stick with the unrealistic escapism of the original games.

Actually, this game is apparently going to explore Lara's origins. Exactly how she turned from a naive little girl wanting to follow into her father's footsteps into the tough heroine we know and love. So I'd expect that attitude of hers to change throughout the game.

 

[Sixcess]

Actually, this game is apparently going to explore Lara's origins. Exactly how she turned from a naive little girl wanting to follow into her father's footsteps into the tough heroine we know and love. So I'd expect that attitude of hers to change throughout the game.

If this does for Lara what Casino Royale did for James Bond - reinventing/modernising the character but setting up a nice reveal that gives a nod back to the original icon - I'd like that.

Just so long as it doesn't do for Lara what Metroid: Other M did for Samus...