Topic: Tomb Raider: Anniversary demo released (PC)

[idolminds]

Gonna have to download this.

[MysterD]

Downloading this....

EDIT:
Ummm.....wow, the graphics are very pretty. Game looks great and technically plays pretty well on my PC, too -- with or without a gamepad. No problems or anything, so far w/ framerates or anything.

Maybe I should go get TR: Legend, in the meantime eventually, or somethin'...

[Xessive]

Excellent. If it runs on MyD's it'll fly on mine

Man, I've been hoping for this one for a while!! hehe My cousin and I were sitting and thinking "Man, wouldn't it be great if they just re-did the first game with new graphics etc... That was the best one." And in all sweetness they did it! So I might be obliged to buy this one

[Quemaqua]

It wasn't just the best one... it was the only good one, really.  2 had a couple moments, but it was a massive disappointment on the whole.  Everything else after that just sucked.

But yeah, I loved the first one.  I think I'm actually going to be interested in this, oddly enough.

[MysterD]

It wasn't just the best one... it was the only good one, really.  2 had a couple moments, but it was a massive disappointment on the whole.  Everything else after that just sucked.

But yeah, I loved the first one.  I think I'm actually going to be interested in this, oddly enough.

Que, I'm curious -- have you played TR: Legend?

[Quemaqua]

Nope.  Only played up to 3.  Saw the others in action and balked at the thought of having to sit through that crap, especially when the game's main character is beyond worthlessly stupid.  And the stories have never been anything write home about.  I only own 1 and 2, and 3 I just tooled around with at somebody's house as I was worried about getting burned like I did with 2.

[idolminds]

1 was the best, 2 started slipping, the rest sucked. I only have Chronicles because it came with a map editor.

Though Que, Legend was actually quite good. I grabbed it out of a bargain bin for Xbox a few months ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. Its got more of a PoP style of control and climbing stuff. There is urban stuff, but they did a good job of making it interesting (Like an old London museum...with a real ruin under it).

The downsides are the vehicle stuff...which sucked. And the new PoP style makes the game feel much more linear. The levels dont have that grand feeling like the first game had (Cistern still gives me chills).

[Quemaqua]

Yeah, the first has just never been improved upon, really.  It was a masterpiece for what it was.  Couldn't get enough.  I dunno'... I might try Legend someday, but it didn't seem like it would live up to the high standard of the first.  Still, if it was decent I might try it.

[MysterD]

Eurogamer loved the TR: Anniversary for the PC

9.0 (out of 10) from Eurogamer

[Xessive]

Yeah, I agree with that score. This is a pretty sweet game.

One of the best things that Crystal Dynamics brought to the franchise is they stopped focusing and abusing "the spectacle of Lara Croft" and actually made the games fantastic on their own; much like the first Tomb Raider.

[Pugnate]

Wow... might be worth checking out then.

[scottws]

Loved the first TR.  I'll have to check this out.

Edit:  Gah!  I'll never understand why sites like worthplaying.com don't offer a .torrent link.

[MysterD]

IGN
-------------
IGN liked it.
8.0 from IGN.

Their one major complain -- they still ain't big fans of TR's camera; just like the original, hehe.


Pro-G
---------------
8.0 from Pro-G, as well

[Xessive]

I don't mind the camera so much. I admit there are a few times when it just seems awkward, but overall it works quite well. I'm grateful for the great controls!

[MysterD]

I'm grateful for the great controls!

The demo controls quite well, which is a good thing.

[scottws]

So do you suggest kb/m or gamepad?

[MysterD]

So do you suggest kb/m or gamepad?

I tried both w/ the demo.

Can't go wrong, either way...

[ScaryTooth]

Hmm, that was pretty good. Kind makes me want to buy it.

[Xessive]

So do you suggest kb/m or gamepad?

As MyD said, either way works well. I'm playing it with a gamepad just so I can sit back on my futon

[MysterD]

As MyD said, either way works well. I'm playing it with a gamepad just so I can sit back on my futon

I think I react faster w/ the gamepad, but I am more precise w/ the Kb/mouse.
I feel the same way about Psychonauts PC, as well.

[idolminds]

So it looks like TR: Anniversary will hit the 360...as downloadable "episodes."

Seems pretty dumb to me.

[MysterD]

So it looks like TR: Anniversary will hit the 360...as downloadable "episodes."

Seems pretty dumb to me.

Why won't they bring it to 360 retail on disc??!?!!?

I'm sure some X360 gamers would be willing to part some $$$ for Tomb Raider: Anniversary Edition.

[scottws]

Weird, it threw up a DEP flag on my computer.  Happen to anyone else?

[idolminds]

Got the demo downloaded, played, beat.

Its pretty cool. Familiar but still very different from the original. The combat is kind of wonky. Not sure if it was just me or some setting, but I had to hit the fire button for every shot instead of just holding down fire and letting Lara keep shooting. This made the combat more difficult than it should have been. I was on easy and the animals were kicking my ass. Especially the raptors. Turns out the best way to fight things is to find an area you can climb up a little and shoot from above.

I also have to mention that it looks good and runs really well even on my aging system, with pretty much everything on (even DoF).

[Xessive]

Got the demo downloaded, played, beat.

Its pretty cool. Familiar but still very different from the original. The combat is kind of wonky. Not sure if it was just me or some setting, but I had to hit the fire button for every shot instead of just holding down fire and letting Lara keep shooting. This made the combat more difficult than it should have been. I was on easy and the animals were kicking my ass. Especially the raptors. Turns out the best way to fight things is to find an area you can climb up a little and shoot from above.

I also have to mention that it looks good and runs really well even on my aging system, with pretty much everything on (even DoF).

In the demo it took me a while to get the hang of the combat, but then I started playing it like the original TR; dodge, jump around and shoot.

And the demo doesn't explain the "dodge technique" where you can actually kill an animal with one shot. Basically you shoot at it till it gets angry (you see a reddish ring blow out from them), and it'll charge at you. When it's close enough time will slow down for about 1 sec (you'll also see some direction arrows in the lower right corner), in that time you have to roll out of the way while you're still locked on to it, and two reticles will appear and close in. Once they become red, shoot and bingo: dead.

The game runs very nicely, even better than TR Legend.

[scottws]

I played and beat the demo.  I am not sure I'll get it.  It was okay.  I was underwhelmed by both the visuals and the level itself.

[Xessive]

I played and beat the demo.  I am not sure I'll get it.  It was okay.  I was underwhelmed by both the visuals and the level itself.

I think the graphics were basically the same as TR Legend, although I sometimes feel they're better, especially underwater. The level in the demo was so-so.

I have to say the game does bring back the feeling of isolation that was dominant in the original. I was huge fan of the original so I'm really enjoying this one, even if just for the thought.