Review: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

[lukeguy]

This looks fantastic, I'm really looking forward to it!

AFAIK, it's getting shipped without online co-op because of this exclusive Xbox deal to release the game early and co-op wasn't ready yet, so they removed it ATM. So online co-op will definitely be added at some point in the future. And it looks like it's gonna cost 1500 points - guess it's $15 (I don't have an Xbox, so forgive me if I'm wrong here). But there's no mention of the price on Steam, no release date, no pre-order. I'm getting impatient.

 

[Swifteye]

Fun and co-op? Sounds like another game I should get so I can entertain visitors. Although how much it cost will matter is it like 60 bucks? 50 bucks? I'll probably buy it when it's 30 or 20 bucks.

It's $15.

Ooh! That is most excellent a deal!

 

[FinalDream]

This looks fantastic, I'm really looking forward to it!

AFAIK, it's getting shipped without online co-op because of this exclusive Xbox deal to release the game early and co-op wasn't ready yet, so they removed it ATM. So online co-op will definitely be added at some point in the future. And it looks like it's gonna cost 1500 points - guess it's $15 (I don't have an Xbox, so forgive me if I'm wrong here). But there's no mention of the price on Steam, no release date, no pre-order. I'm getting impatient.

Comes out on Steam and the PS3 the same day the co-op mode is added to the Xbox version.

 

[Arachon]

You're not supposed to link people to that site... IT WILL DEVOUR YOUR VERY SOUL!

I know.... >

 

[StriderShinryu]

Sounds to me like it's actually stripped away the stuff I liked most about Tomb Raider as opposed to stripping away what's gone wrong. Not to say this is a bad game, and it does sound entertaining, but my favourite aspect of Tomb Raider has always been traversing and exploring large engrossing environments. Running, gunning and platforming for the sake of platforming has never been what I've particularly enjoyed in my TR games.

 

[Dok Zombie]

Also, Susan? (I ask you because you're the only one who's played it so far...)

Is the shooting done by pointing the thumbstick in the direction you want to shoot ala Smash TV? because if so.... SOLD.

Wellll, sort of. You have to hold down the trigger at the same time, but to aim you just rotate the stick.

And I know online co-op had been announced, but I'm not counting on it actually showing up until it actually does.

And to those who think I'm dissing local co-op, believe me, I'm not. Ideally, all games should have both local and online play.

Sweeeeeet... I may have to make this a purchase.

 

[FinalDream]

Sounds to me like it's actually stripped away the stuff I liked most about Tomb Raider as opposed to stripping away what's gone wrong. Not to say this is a bad game, and it does sound entertaining, but my favourite aspect of Tomb Raider has always been traversing and exploring large engrossing environments. Running, gunning and platforming for the sake of platforming has never been what I've particularly enjoyed in my TR games.

I know what you mean. I loved Tomb Raider 1 when it first came out, the levels seemed absolutely huge, the isolation and lack of sound was really something that pulled you into the game. The story was fairly basic and to me the level design was really the star of the game, so many memorable moments.

Skip forward to now. Lara has not fared so well recently, Underworld had the right feel but the story was a little off and Legend just felt to brief and action orientated. Then Uncharted 2 came along and blew poor Lara out of the water, it was a great adventure game and in all honestly i felt sad playing it knowing Lara would never again live up to the high expectations I have for her.

I bought this game expecting another duff entry but the change of pace has done wonders for the series, the levels are quite large and open and there is a fair amount of exploration to be done. It is not the old Lara but in a way that's what makes this game great, it just works.

I know it won't be long before the reboot arrives and well, thats the end of the Lara i know and loved. At least I have a PSP devoted to Tomb Raider 1-4 and 50 years from now I will still be playing them and I have no doubt that no matter what comes along Tomb Raider 1 will always be my favourite game of all time.

And besides you can never get worse than the game boy colour TR games!

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Snip

Is it just me or is the thousand year old Guardian of Light very good with firearms?

 

[Dora]

Wow, really? Exciting!

Sorta.

Actually what I loved most about Lara Croft was how massive the levels felt, and how great it felt to actually explore them. Yeah the camera was almost always pointing at her posterior, but somehow the top-down Baldur's Gate-sy camera angle just doesn't impart that same feeling of "Oh wow, this place is beautiful, ancient, and HUGE"... or at least it doesn't from what I saw in the gameplay video.

I've never particularly cared about Tomb Raider stories or characters, and I actually enjoyed Legend (which was the last one I played) for how varied the environments were, but I'll still probably be picking this one up, at least to try it out.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Snip

Is it just me or is the thousand year old Guardian of Light very good with firearms?

He is a remarkably quick study, yes.

 

[Nomz]

Thanks, I own a TR fansite, but the game is only avalible for XBOX360 owners with PC and PS3 versions coming next month.
It's really great to see an awesome detailed review of it.
I can't wait to play it next month

 

[Unesh52]

I've had sidescrolling platforming, and the 3D, free camera variety. But top down, fixed cam platforming? I have been intrigued.

 

[Macgyvercas]

I was thinking about picking this game up when it hits PSN, but I had my doubts. Consider those doubts removed.

Oh, this may be just me, but I liked the Legend and Underworld storyline.

 

[TitsMcGee1804]

looks like a bad diablo

 

[Tom Phoenix]

Waw, this is the first Tomb Raider game that seems like it will actually be good. My past experience with the series hasn't been very good, the awful controls and camera putting me off farily quickly. While this game does take a few pointers from Diablo, that is not necessarilly a bad thing (although I still think Diablo 3 will be much better once it is released).

Unfortunately, the fact that this is only available through digital distribution automatically makes it a no-buy for me. Still, it does at least give more promise for potential future titles in the franchise.

 

[Lucifer dern]

I was sold the moment I realized they weren't making a gimped solo game that forced you to babysit an AI.

One question: WHY CAN A T-REX BREATHE FIRE?

I don't recall that from any dinosaur books...

fire breathing t-rex. thats why.

 

[Eric the Orange]

snip

Ah, that is true, I guess i should have taken a closer look at the title. Though I guess I was more referring to the line in the video in which I believe she says that the game a good Tomb raider game.

 

[tehroc]

Only thing that turns me off is the 2.02GB download. Not all of us have elites.

 

[Arella18]

Sorry but if I wanna play a Dark Alliance clone...I'll actually play frickin Dark Alliance...I actually enjoy the challenge of traversing the caves and tombs in the other tomb raiders...