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Retrogaming: Tomb Raider
I recently finished Tomb Raider. I guess this is probably the longest time taken to complete that game, since I bought it when it was still fairly new. Then got bored with it, then bought it again on GoG.com. And yes, this post contains spoilers because I reckon the statute of limitations runs out on that after 19 years.
I still think it's pmne of the greatest games ever. Sure there are issues. Tomb Raider wasn't the first 3D platformer, but the concept was a pretty new idea. For the time, the graphics were pretty impressive - especially the range of animation given to Lara; the story was pretty solid - also unusual for an action based game; and having a female lead in an industry aimed mostly at boys was an inspired decision.
These days though, graphics are better, a storyline is expected, and there are plenty of female characters. The game still stands up well.
Lara herself actually has a personality. She's not just a bimbo with big boobs. The game is full of surprises and clever ideas. It starts off fairly simply, running around ancient tombs, shooting at animals (I always felt bad about this). But then, unexpectedly, Lara enounters a sodding T-Rex! To this day, that's the biggest "Holy crap" moment I've had in a game. But that's just colour.
Later on the fantasy elements are actually relevant to the puzzles. The Midas hand is used to turn lead blocks into gold needed to operate the level exit. Damocles is a room full of swords. The puzzles remain fun and chalenging without being overly frustrating. There's a particularly fun one with a mirror Lara near the end of the game.
Tomb Raider 2 has a lot of improvements, and in most respects is a better game. The graphics glitched less. We had real world locations and funky vehicles to ride on. And I feel a lot better about shooting at people rather than animals. At least I can convince myself they have a choice in the matter. But it doesn't have the originality or much of the cleverness of the original.
I still think it's pmne of the greatest games ever. Sure there are issues. Tomb Raider wasn't the first 3D platformer, but the concept was a pretty new idea. For the time, the graphics were pretty impressive - especially the range of animation given to Lara; the story was pretty solid - also unusual for an action based game; and having a female lead in an industry aimed mostly at boys was an inspired decision.
These days though, graphics are better, a storyline is expected, and there are plenty of female characters. The game still stands up well.
Lara herself actually has a personality. She's not just a bimbo with big boobs. The game is full of surprises and clever ideas. It starts off fairly simply, running around ancient tombs, shooting at animals (I always felt bad about this). But then, unexpectedly, Lara enounters a sodding T-Rex! To this day, that's the biggest "Holy crap" moment I've had in a game. But that's just colour.
Later on the fantasy elements are actually relevant to the puzzles. The Midas hand is used to turn lead blocks into gold needed to operate the level exit. Damocles is a room full of swords. The puzzles remain fun and chalenging without being overly frustrating. There's a particularly fun one with a mirror Lara near the end of the game.
Tomb Raider 2 has a lot of improvements, and in most respects is a better game. The graphics glitched less. We had real world locations and funky vehicles to ride on. And I feel a lot better about shooting at people rather than animals. At least I can convince myself they have a choice in the matter. But it doesn't have the originality or much of the cleverness of the original.