I have mixed feelings about Lara Croft and her adventures in Lara Land. Unlike the feelings I had for Ellie in The Last of Us, Lara left me cold. She was a little grim, the whole story was grim, and she stayed grim after she finished the game and went exploring. She still looked scared and cold and a little wimpy. And wouldn't stop with the heavy breathing and sighing. I wanted to say It's ok Lara, everyone is gone, you're safe. But no, she looked very shiftyeyed.
Anyway, before I get off track. Exploring: the tombs were very similar andpuzzles were lack-luster. The next TR game better improve the tomb raiding aspect or they'll have to rename the franchise! Weapons: I wasn't impressed with the aiming which was off-centre, unlike FarCry3 where the reticle is at the end of the gun. Weapons had good weight and audio though. Audio: I liked the sound of Lara's boots on different surfaces and the sound of skittish deer and bird life, plus the bow and arrow sounds and animation. Textures: beautiful views and vistas and detail, although similarities in tomb textures become all too familiar.
Inspiration was obviously gained from other games. 1. The burning building and sliding down the waterfall, hundreds of respawning enemies, music becomes peaceful when all enemies are eradicated --> Uncharted. 2. "Fix the boat otherwise we won't get off the island" / pick flowers --> FarCry3. 3. Stormguards (TR) / Stormcloaks, arrow to the knee, Dodge Counter --> Skyrim.
Enemies: they could never be seen from above to pick off and snipe. They were non-existent until triggered. The game does not like you going back in time to a previous area once you activate a camp base (eg going from the Windmill area back to Shantytown). Lara can't shoot while bending down in a tunnel, but she could in older games.
The game has little replay value. But this is not to say I didn't enjoy it while it lasted. But all in all I found it very rushed. Graciously the creators have given us opportunity for post-game exploration, which can be quite beautiful when using Q (pc) to show Survival Instincts and gold deer gallop past. And the stillness. Except for Lara's sighing. *Sigh*.
(This is a good read too: Wot I Think: Tomb Raider.)
Anyway, before I get off track. Exploring: the tombs were very similar andpuzzles were lack-luster. The next TR game better improve the tomb raiding aspect or they'll have to rename the franchise! Weapons: I wasn't impressed with the aiming which was off-centre, unlike FarCry3 where the reticle is at the end of the gun. Weapons had good weight and audio though. Audio: I liked the sound of Lara's boots on different surfaces and the sound of skittish deer and bird life, plus the bow and arrow sounds and animation. Textures: beautiful views and vistas and detail, although similarities in tomb textures become all too familiar.
Inspiration was obviously gained from other games. 1. The burning building and sliding down the waterfall, hundreds of respawning enemies, music becomes peaceful when all enemies are eradicated --> Uncharted. 2. "Fix the boat otherwise we won't get off the island" / pick flowers --> FarCry3. 3. Stormguards (TR) / Stormcloaks, arrow to the knee, Dodge Counter --> Skyrim.
Enemies: they could never be seen from above to pick off and snipe. They were non-existent until triggered. The game does not like you going back in time to a previous area once you activate a camp base (eg going from the Windmill area back to Shantytown). Lara can't shoot while bending down in a tunnel, but she could in older games.
The game has little replay value. But this is not to say I didn't enjoy it while it lasted. But all in all I found it very rushed. Graciously the creators have given us opportunity for post-game exploration, which can be quite beautiful when using Q (pc) to show Survival Instincts and gold deer gallop past. And the stillness. Except for Lara's sighing. *Sigh*.
(This is a good read too: Wot I Think: Tomb Raider.)
