Tomb Raider - Anniversary
Published on 5 Jun, 2007 @ 10h29
by Genesis
Category:
Diverse | review
omb Raider 1: The Atlantean Scion sold 7 million copies and was a huge contribution to the success of the original Playstation. Tomb Raider: Anniversary is being released to pay homage to both Lara Croft and Playstation - a celebration of 10 years of video games.
And now the big question on everyone's lips... When is the Release Date? Currently, it is set at: 25/05/07. Anniversary is now rated 16+, raised from the previous 12+ because Tomb Raider's target audience has changed.
Using the same game engine as Legend, your manual dexterity will be challenged like no other Tomb Raider before. With a choice of expert level you lose any chance of automated help if your jump isn't 'spot on' and our Eidos demonstrator cringed at the very thought of even going there. They've listened and learned from the fans that they wanted a challenge and hopefully Eidos has fulfilled their mission. Anniversary contains NO clues from camera angles, NO 'Zip' hints and definitely NO HAND ICONS!
The game looks absolutely beautiful. There are huge environments to investigate and sub-sections to explore. You will come across all the TR1 Puzzles, but with the use of modern physics, the solutions all differ from the past. This is not like buying a game you've already had for 10 years - it's a whole new concept!
Wearing her infamous old outfit (updated to make her top turn dark blue when wet), Lara is a sight to behold. You will also be able to unlock bonus outfits along the way. Although the same model was used as in Legend, she's wearing less make up and we also have the return of her beloved ponytail plait. Please be advised that she looks nothing like the first images released (thanks Toby). Gone is her personal light source, but she retains her grapple hook, which is essential to one of her 2 new moves:
1. Perch.
2. Wall grapple run.
Anniversary also brings us back to the well-loved old style inventory and a meeting of old friends too. Do you remember those wolves, bears, jaguars and… BATS! Not only have they increased in age, but in size too! And let us not forget those loveable raptors, attacking in packs. This all takes you back to the times when your heart was in your mouth as you only dared to imagine what was waiting for you around the next corner, provoked by well appointed sound effects and music.
With the return of TR1's sound effects, Crystal Dynamics has really listened to the fans this time around. The designers have revisited previous games and there is no doubt this one was on the cards with over 300000 requests to make this game.
So what else is in store?
Well, as in TR1 you will follow the story as it was in the beginning. You'll visit Peru, Greece and of course Egypt, which is tipped to be the level of levels. Eidos is very excited about that one and are keeping information tightly wrapped.
Toby Gard (a.k.a. 'Lara's Guardian') has been completely hands-on as far as Lara's look is concerned and like any protective father, if Toby doesn't like it – well – it just doesn't happen. That's something that makes me very happy to hear.
Anything else? Yes loads!
You'll be happy to hear you'll still be able to jump around in Croft Manor and all Lara's arch enemies will be in-game too.
Cinematics stay, as does slow-motion replay, both adding to enhanced gameplay. Although it is not as long as Tomb Raider 1, Anniversary is still longer than Legend. We could not pin Eidos down to an actual time figure. We can tell you that there will be a Collectors Edition released. It is hoped to feature a documentary relaying the saga of Tomb Raider and also include articles about the game's creators.
The game is only being released exclusively on PC, PS2, and PSP. No format for PS3 or Xbox 360 is expected. This project was started 2 years ago and artwork for the Xbox360 would add another 6 months. This isn't an option if they still want to release the game during the anniversary year.
And finally, a last piece of exciting news... Recently all the old Lara Croft models were brought together for an anniversary photo shoot - so watch out for those images! As for Karima, our most recent iconic symbol of Lara, Eidos are said to have invested heavily in her transformation! With S.A.S training, elocution lessons and a personal trainer - this girl is staying!
In conclusion
A mixture of old meets new, east meets west... However you want to look at it, it's just geography... For sometimes to understand the present we must first go back to our past, and from what I've just seen, this time things will defiantly be different. So don't miss it!
Source: Tombraiderboard.com
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