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[dreamfall]

We're not hating. Most of us enjoy the game for what it is, but what it is a braindead easy heavily guided game with almost no challenge. We're disappointed that the gameplay doesn't feature a level of challenge comparable to even CD's previous Tomb Raiders or even similar modern games that it emulates such as Arkham Asylum; it's extremely dumbed down, and in the case of the white paint everywhere, insultingly so. It ultimately feels sorta empty as a game in most areas of the gameplay, but enjoyable as an experience. This isn't a great analogy, but it's like a beautifully crafted meal consisting only of appetizers. It's satisfying, but you know the cooks could have and should have done A LOT better based on past visits to the restaurant.

Feel pretty much the same.

The art direction is incredible, but the combat encounters feel tiresome. And there's so much promise for good puzzles, that don't amount to what prior games offered.

Here's hoping the sequel improves on it in every way. I enjoyed it for what it was, but wanted so much more!

 

[Anticitizen One]

I agree that the first half of the game was better than the second. I was expecting the game to switch gears and become more survival horror focusing less on Cultists (who look like COD esque mercenaries wut) and more on japenese monsters and the Oni. Instead it becomes a Uncharted/RE5/everything clone with wave after wave of paramilitary dudes armed to the teeth, guys on turrets that you have to duck from, and giants wearing padded armor.

Seriously, its a small island and your supposedly up against a cult of survivors where are all these other soldiers coming from? Where are they getting all this gear and shit? Must be from the same company that supplies the goons in all the other "AAA" titles

Also, since they were copying other games why didn't they copy the optional tomb/puzzle design from Assasins Creed II? Those areas were actually challenging and had multiple sometimes pretty complex puzzles from what I remember and they were really interesting too. I remember there was one where you go deep into a catacomb and you come to an underground lake and if you peer into it you can see like a giant squid tentacle. That shit should have been in the game.

 

[speculawyer]

What is the point of killing animals? The first time you do it is to get meat and they make it seem like its going to be a part of the gameplay but you never have to again yet there skills you can level up that revolve around them.

I suspect they realized it was boring and thus eliminated it from the main story line. Would you really want missions where you need to kill 3 bunnies, 3 deer, and a rat?

 

[Skilletor]

Glad you finally got through it. Sounds about the same as me, but you managed to make a succinct post whereas I rambled for 10,000 words.

I've gotta admit that if they take some feedback to heart and add some damned puzzles and challenge to traversal (I'm resigned that more varied combat is a pipe dream), I'd give a sequel a shot. Not holding my breath, though.

That's only because you guys finished before me.

I would totally be down for some challenging puzzles and platforming, and if they came out of the gate with TR2 showing these things immediately, I would, if not anticipate it, would be willing to check it out eventually. But yeah, it's nice to want things.

Hopefully the new trademark is a GoL sequel.

 

[dreamfall]

Hopefully the new trademark is a GoL sequel.

We can dream!

 

[Anticitizen One]

I suspect they realized it was boring and thus eliminated it from the main story line. Would you really want missions where you need to kill 3 bunnies, 3 deer, and a rat?

No I just dont get why that first part is even in the game. Just so they can have a cutsene where lara says sorry to a deer to make her appear deep?

 

[Nome]

What is the point of killing animals? The first time you do it is to get meat and they make it seem like its going to be a part of the gameplay but you never have to again yet there skills you can level up that revolve around them.

At least they don't attack you like in Far Cry 3

 

[CatPee]

No I just dont get why that first part is even in the game. Just so they can have a cutsene where lara says sorry to a deer to make her appear deep?

Gotta shoehorn in that "survival" somehow.

Just finished the last bit of the game earlier. Man, that really dragged on. :/

 

[LightofRohan]

Finished it and really enjoyed it. I don't really care what people say...

But, holy crap that multiplayer is terrible unless my connection was just poor. It felt like I was playing a Playstation Home version of Tomb Raider.

I suspect they realized it was boring and thus eliminated it from the main story line. Would you really want missions where you need to kill 3 bunnies, 3 deer, and a rat?

I really think they had an eating mechanic almost up to launch, but scrapped it pretty late on because it was obnoxious. They have food crates and food perks ect. seems odd.

And yea, they have a lot of different animals, all with unique animations/death animations. I doubt they'd do all that work for some tacked on mechanic... I'm curious to see what happened.

 

[spekkeh]

We're not hating [on] a braindead easy heavily guided game with almost no challenge [that is] extremely dumbed down, and insultingly so.

(sorry had to be done, you did redeem yourself later)

It ultimately feels sorta empty as a game in most areas of the gameplay, but enjoyable as an experience. This isn't a great analogy, but it's like a beautifully crafted meal consisting only of appetizers. It's satisfying, but you know the cooks could have and should have done A LOT better based on past visits to the restaurant.

(a beautifully crafted meal consisting only of appetizers is called haute cuisine)

 

[LightofRohan]

Once Neogaf inserted it into Dark Souls, they've have this insatiable lust for challenge. It's kind of getting old now... I'm a fan of some challenge once in a while, but every game doesn't need to be hitting me in the face with its difficulty.

This was a great gf game. She watched my play through the whole thing and we never had that many hiccups or troubles...

 

[scytherage]

This game is actually good; the extreme violence sticks out at times, though. There are times when it makes sense but there are others

Spoiler

like the ridiculous river of blood in the cave, wtf

where it's just there for shock value and doesn't really serve the story.

That said I thought it was a worthy successor. Given all the hate I've read beforehand for this game, I guess I'm glad I can still appreciate games for what they are.

The one thing they absolutely nailed, and it isn't even anything to do with Lara or the environment....the sense that there's practically no loading between areas. That just made me keep playing and playing, and it felt like one of those old SNES games like Metroid where you have this sense of game addiction that doesn't stop because there's no lull in the action (no loading screen in between areas). I hope next gen can accomplish this type of feat a lot more, in all genres.

 

[RagnarokX]

(sorry had to be done, you did redeem yourself later)

(a beautifully crafted meal consisting only of appetizers is called haute cuisine)

I'm not sure what you're getting at. Hating implies trolling; being negative for the sake of negativity with no legitimate arguments. The game is braindead easy and offers little in the way of challenge, which is especially disappointing given the history of the franchise and the games which this game in particular is attempting to emulate.

Nice joke about haute cuisine

Once Neogaf inserted it into Dark Souls, they've have this insatiable lust for challenge. It's kind of getting old now... I'm a fan of some challenge once in a while, but every game doesn't need to be hitting me in the face with its difficulty.

This was a great gf game. She watched my play through the whole thing and we never had that many hiccups or troubles...

I've never played Dark Souls. It's true that every game doesn't need to super difficult, but I don't recall anyone asking for this game to be super difficult. I'd like for it to be thought-provoking; like a game. It isn't so much to ask considering it's from a franchise with a history of challenging platforming and puzzles that this game contain comparable challenge.

 

[LightofRohan]

The one thing they absolutely nailed, and it isn't even anything to do with Lara or the environment....the sense that there's practically no loading between areas. That just made me keep playing and playing, and it felt like one of those old SNES games like Metroid where you have this sense of game addiction that doesn't stop because there's no lull in the action (no loading screen in between areas). I hope next gen can accomplish this type of feat a lot more, in all genres.

Yes! It was definitely hard to stop at times and the environments were really stunning in certain parts, although they were often times a stark environmental change between the last location you were in. But, it was a concession that had to be made in order to give some variety to the locales, while still maintaining a cohesive path.

I'm amazed that this was in the same generation:
http://youtu.be/qrETgQ7Ft5A?t=8m

How far we have come... my god.

 

[joesmokey]

Finally finished the game today. I thought it was great overall and definitely a very strong first outing.

Superb art style and outstanding level design. The animations overall were very good and the voice acting was great as well. The story could have been a little more fleshed out than it was (I wish Lara reacted to the journals she found and that they actually had an impact with the crew members), but it did the job fine. This game to me was Uncharted mixed with Lost and The Descent (in a surprising turn of events).

The start was extremely slow but the game finally came into its own once some of the weapon upgrades kicked in. By the time I hit Shantytown I was absolutely loving the traversal aspects. Crystal Dynamics also did an excellent job at making the island feel like a cohesive place. It was amazing finding out that you were back to familiar camps at different parts in the game (I could have used less sliding experiences to get around the island though).

The combat was unfortunately the weakest link. There were times when it seemed like it worked well, however many times it was just an incredibly frustrating experience (the camera system being a large factor to this) to where I couldn't wait for those sections to be over. I'm also not really a fan of the typical enemy wave design pattern and this game didn't do that any favors.


As a side note, the PC port was phenomenal to play. Major kudos to Nixxes Software. Playing this at 5760x1200 was an awesome experience. Here's a glimpse:

 

[CosmicGroinPull]

That said I thought it was a worthy successor. Given all the hate I've read beforehand for this game, I guess I'm glad I can still appreciate games for what they are.

Me too. Glad I'm not a hardcorrrrrreeee gamer. Personally, any AAA budget game that's well-polished and doesn't offend me gets my money. I don't spend too much time obsessing over how I think a sequel should be.

 

[RagnarokX]

This game is actually good; the extreme violence sticks out at times, though. There are times when it makes sense but there are others

Spoiler

like the ridiculous river of blood in the cave, wtf

where it's just there for shock value and doesn't really serve the story.

That said I thought it was a worthy successor. Given all the hate I've read beforehand for this game, I guess I'm glad I can still appreciate games for what they are.

The one thing they absolutely nailed, and it isn't even anything to do with Lara or the environment....the sense that there's practically no loading between areas. That just made me keep playing and playing, and it felt like one of those old SNES games like Metroid where you have this sense of game addiction that doesn't stop because there's no lull in the action (no loading screen in between areas). I hope next gen can accomplish this type of feat a lot more, in all genres.

But we are appreciating it for what it is. Even if you didn't compare it to previous Tomb Raiders, or other contemporary games, or games in general it's still lacks challenge and is extremely guided. It's enjoyable but not intellectually stimulating enough. And sure, a mindless blockbuster popcorn movie can be enjoyable, and this game is enjoyable, but...

...it's ridiculous to say that it's wrong to compare. Comparison is how the human mind works. And this game especially begs comparison to fellow games that it borrows concepts from and to the franchise it takes the name of.

 

[spekkeh]

I'm not sure what you're getting at. Hating implies trolling; being negative for the sake of negativity with no legitimate arguments. The game is braindead easy and offers little in the way of challenge, which is especially disappointing given the history of the franchise and the games which this game in particular is attempting to emulate.

Hating to my mind means using extreme negative hyperbole. I guess I'm not so hardcore, but I died plenty, and actually found the earlier tombs quite difficult (though short). Look at this thread, you'll find many people bemoaning Shanytown for its difficulty spike. My wife, who admittedly is not very good, had a really hard time at certain points. Sure, it was no Megaman, it's certainly not very difficult, but saying it's braindead and devoid of any challenge is just ridiculous.

Using hyperbole is part of GAFs vernacular, therefore I used the gif, so maybe we just mean the same thing, but still.

 

[Anticitizen One]

Yes! It was definitely hard to stop at times and the environments were really stunning in certain parts, although they were often times a stark environmental change between the last location you were in. But, it was a concession that had to be made in order to give some variety to the locales, while still maintaining a cohesive path.

I'm amazed that this was in the same generation:
http://youtu.be/iesg5sEtGMM?t=20s

How far we have come... my god.

Tomb raider legend was last gen (ps2/Xbox)

 

[RagnarokX]

Hating to my mind means using extreme negative hyperbole. I guess I'm not so hardcore, but I died plenty, and actually found the earlier tombs quite difficult (though short). Look at this thread, you'll find many people bemoaning Shanytown for its difficulty spike. My wife, who admittedly is not very good, had a really hard time at certain points. Sure, it was no Megaman, but saying it's braindead and devoid of any challenge is just ridiculous.

"Hating" is essentially an ad hominem. It attacks the arguer rather than the argument. It attempts to dismiss the argument entirely by labeling it "hating" rather than legitimately arguing a counter position. Hate doesn't even describe how most people bringing up these negatives feel about the game; we're disappointed.

When I talk about lack of challenge I'm talking about the platforming, puzzle, and level design. The combat can be difficult, but for the wrong reasons, which is why people bemoan it. The difficulty in the combat stems from the dumb AI just throwing molotovs and dynamite at you endlessly and pinning you down with their perfect-aim x-ray vision machine gun fire; it's not the kind of difficulty people want. I died plenty, too, in firefights, but the combat felt tiresome, not challenging. The times when the combat is challenging in a positive way are the stealth segments because of their puzzle-like nature where they actually engage you in tactically grappling with the situation, which sadly there are few of. The platforming and level design certainly lacks challenge; everything is extremely guided and there is no skillful use of platforming. The puzzles only offer a very low level of challenge and they take up very very little of the game. Most of the gameplay requires little thought. Braindead may be a bit hyperbolic, but I think it effectively illustrates how low the amount of thought needed for a significant portion of the game is; it is very very low. For a new IP that might not be a completely bad thing, but for Tomb Raider...

Using Megaman as your example creates a false dichotomy; this game is extremely easy, and your example is a game that is very difficult. It also misrepresents challenge, as Megaman is challenging in a very twitch way that is not what people are asking for from this game. The challenge this game needs is more in terms of exploration and puzzle elements. There are different kinds of challenge.

How about this analogy: Microsoft releases a new version of Windows that runs smooth and has much improved GUI graphics but removes several important features that previous versions had that seriously reduces the utility of the OS; but people declare it the best Windows ever, because at a superficial level it is, and people can't wait for MS to add things they already had.

 

[Mascot]

Started this on Saturday, finished it on Sunday with 100%, and absolutely loved every minute of it. Okay, I would have liked a few more tombs, traps and puzzles, but TR delivered everything I want from a game of this type: tight controls, epic scale, an engaging story, gorgeous presentation, atmospheric audio and a good mix of stealth, exploration and combat. Like all great games I was genuinely sorry when it finished but will revisit the island for further exploration and to mop up all the remaining collectibles.

Now to read this thread to be educated on why I'm so very wrong and should have hated it from start to finish.

(Xbox 360)

 

[Lost_Paradise]

One thing I'd like them to improve apart from puzzles and the metroivania elements is for them to make combat based around stealth only, that part after

Spoiler

Roth's death

was really awesome, so more of that and less forced combat encounters please.

 

[itzknickknac]

I can understand being being underwhelmed with the lack of challenge this game gave. I can agree to that. But at the end of the game. I think the game is great. It's main focus seem to be the story which was creating that Lara we all knew. I myself wish they expanded a lot in this game: more exploration/openworldness, more animals (bears, some wild cat like a tiger or something, and at least post-game wolves, etc), give more challenging tomb with a more sidequest feel (the tombs were easy and felt half-assed honestly, I really wished they went more in depth with the tombs). But to be clear, I love this game.

No I just dont get why that first part is even in the game. Just so they can have a cutsene where lara says sorry to a deer to make her appear deep?

It would've been soooo awesome if they had done what MGS3 did with healing your own wounds. After that scene it was a small let down when I found out there was no purpose to killing them other than salvages

 

[leng jai]

The audio in this game is insanely good. I'm enjoying it despite how ridiculous everything is. Uncharted's platforming is realistic in comparison and there are more explosions than in a Transformers movie.

 

[lexi]

Started this on Saturday, finished it on Sunday with 100%, and absolutely loved every minute of it. Okay, I would have liked a few more tombs, traps and puzzles, but TR delivered everything I want from a game of this type: tight controls, epic scale, an engaging story, gorgeous presentation, atmospheric audio and a good mix of stealth, exploration and combat. Like all great games I was genuinely sorry when it finished but will revisit the island for further exploration and to mop up all the remaining collectibles.

Now to read this thread to be educated on why I'm so very wrong and should have hated it from start to finish.

(Xbox 360)

Not only should you have hated it, but it's the worst game of the generation, possibly ever.

 

[Bladenic]

Any word on that multiplayer patch regarding Shopaholic? Or has that already been fixed?

 

[Forsythia]

Any word on that multiplayer patch regarding Shopaholic? Or has that already been fixed?

Nothing yet. But you can get that achievement with a glitch, if you really want it.

 

[Blastoise]

If I hadn't played any of the Uncharted games, this would've been the most impressive game I've ever played.

Nice work.

 

[Mascot]

Does anyone know if enemies infinitely respawn AFTER finishing the game, and after you've killed them? I need to yank one more off a ledge for the Get Over Here! cheevo, but can't find any suitable victims.

Edit: Shanty Town seems like a good spot, by the big gate that separates the two main areas.

 

[Poona]

Tomb raider legend was last gen (ps2/Xbox)

It got released on the XBOX 360 at the time too. I have a copy (though missed the original release so have it in the 'Classics' packaging). Didnt get a PS3 release until the Tomb Raider Trilogy collection in 2011 though.

 

[Yanksfan]

Some people like to play games to relax and enjoy themselves.

Some people like to play games so they can critique the shit out of it on message boards.

At least both sides are getting their money's worth with this game.

 

[katkombat]

Tomb raider legend was last gen (ps2/Xbox)

Also was on GameCube iirc but it was on 360 too.

 

[Gowans]

I'm off to get some parts for the boat then take it inland. How much longer have I to go?

 

[Ricker]

I'm off to get some parts for the boat then take it inland. How much longer have I to go?

You are more then 2/3's in...

 

[Gowans]

You are more then 2/3's in...

Thx

 

[LightofRohan]

Some people like to play games to relax and enjoy themselves.

Some people like to play games so they can critique the shit out of it on message boards.

At least both sides are getting their money's worth with this game.

Nice way to look at it!

I've yet to find a game that hasn't been critiqued to death on GAF though

 

[Skilletor]

Some people like to play games to relax and enjoy themselves.

Some people like to play games so they can critique the shit out of it on message boards.

At least both sides are getting their money's worth with this game.

Some people can do both. It's common practice for me to do so after reading a book I like or don't like.

Some people enjoy thinking and expressing critical thought about why or why not they enjoy a particular piece of entertainment.

Nice way to look at it!

I've yet to find a game that hasn't been critiqued to death on GAF though

Not really, as I don't play games to critique them.

 

[Slacker]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but when are we going to get some DLC on the PC? Loved it so much I demand MORE.

 

[Uno Venova]

I thought I was done at one point in the story, because the amount of explosions around me seemed to forecast it, but that looks like it was only the 2/3 point. I kind of wish it was the end because it's starting to drag a little.

 

[Bladenic]

I'm off to get some parts for the boat then take it inland. How much longer have I to go?

1-2 hours, depending on how much exploring and collecting you're doing.

 

[Ricker]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but when are we going to get some DLC on the PC? Loved it so much I demand MORE.

Sadly they said DLC will only be for multiplayer so far...I whish they would change their mind and make at least one solo DLC...what a great opportunity to make for example one big old style TR 1 and 2 Tomb/dungeon riddled with those huge puzzles,while keeping the new combat gameplay...

 

[Bladenic]

Sadly they said DLC will only be for multiplayer so far...I whish they would change their mind and make at least one solo DLC...what a great opportunity to make for example one big old style TR 1 and 2 Tomb/dungeon riddled with those huge puzzles,while keeping the new combat gameplay...

I'd be disappointed if they don't release at least one solo DLC. I think it'd be great for them to release a post story DLC. Plus they could incorporate some of the leftover enemy designs and maybe make it more puzzle oriented.

 

[RagnarokX]

Some people like to play games to relax and enjoy themselves.

Some people like to play games so they can critique the shit out of it on message boards.

At least both sides are getting their money's worth with this game.

By this logic, no games can be bad and there can be no valid criticism because you should just shut up and enjoy them for what they are. People just complain because it's fun to hate. They aren't disappointed over the declining quality of key aspects of something they like. Nope. Just having fun hating.

This is an ironic position to take considering you once said "It is sad that it has been 20 years since I was last excited to play through a new Sonic game." It sounds like you have a similar issue with Sonic as the "haters" have with this game. You say Sonic 3 disappointed you after Sonic 2 and those games are more similar than different.

 

[Gowans]

Just finished it, loved it. What a fantastic game!

 

[Anticitizen One]

Also was on GameCube iirc but it was on 360 too.

but it wasn't made for current gen consoles. It was a port and from what I remember a pretty bad one at that. It was designed for ps2/xbox/gc hardware

 

[KevinCow]

Beat the game a little bit ago. I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I thought I would. Liked it enough to keep playing afterwards to collect stuff. Even liked it enough to deal with the annoying input lag, which seemed to be off by about .2 seconds. I don't know if it was my setup or what, because I don't really have that issue with other games.

I'm not really sure what I expected this game to be. After playing it, I think the pitch meeting went something like this:

"Hey, let's make Arkham Asylum, but also Uncharted!"

Which, you know, sure. But I definitely enjoyed the explorey Batman half of the game more than I enjoyed the shooty, scripted, QTE-infested Uncharted half of the game. Though the shooty wasn't nearly as bad as the other things. I hope the inevitable sequel strikes a better balance. A bit more explorey, far less scripted, a little less shooting. I'd like to see them go a bit heavier on the Metroidvania aspects. Have the new power-ups open up whole new areas instead of just let you access a few pickups, for example.

I'm going back through and wrapping up the collectibles right now. This is always one of my favorite parts of this kind of game. You get to an area and go, "Ooooh yeah, I remember this place. This is where that happened."

But I'm kinda annoyed, because there's one camp that refuses to be recognized on my map, and I think it's gonna keep me from getting 100%. :/

 

[Epcott]

Some people like to play games to relax and enjoy themselves.

Some people like to play games so they can critique the shit out of it on message boards.

At least both sides are getting their money's worth with this game.

One can enjoy the game and still critique their experience in hopes that it will be taken into account if and when a sequel is developed. I loved the game but I'd be lying if I said it was flawless perfection.

 

[R3TRO]

Just finished it. I enjoyed it but boy did it drag!

 

[HammerOfThor]

Just beat it with 98% complete. All in all I really enjoyed it. I was aiming for 100% but I couldn't find a mine and then just got dizzy and gave up lol. I'm totally satisfied with the game. Also am I the only one who got some nice deja vu at the end when Laura was holding the two guns

 

[xxracerxx]

Tomb Raider is going to be the Amazon Gold Box deal tomorrow. Just a heads up for those interested.