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[Lime]

The fact that people are comparing it to the Uncharted type of game design speaks volumes about Tomb Raider's game design in itself

 

[Derrick01]

Are people really wondering why mp is empty when the game hasn't even released in all regions >.>

Probably won't be much of a difference once it does release.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

The fact that people are comparing it to the Uncharted type of game design speaks volumes about Tomb Raider's game design in itself

Indeed. I'm hopeful people are making an arbitrary comparison and that the games don't share too many similarities in game design, structure, etc.

It's inevitable they will share some, but Tomb Raider should be considerably better than Uncharted in a number of departments, not least in game design, structure, exploration, combat, platforming, etc.

 

[truly101]

That's hardly an achievement. Uncharted has been on a sharp decline since it abandoned its roots from the first game and headed in a more scripted, linear, action oriented direction.

uhhh, there's no exploring in the first Uncharted, its wave after wave of brown people to shoot with minor platforming bits. The other two games were just as consistent, just better paced.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

uhhh, there's no exploring in the first Uncharted, its wave after wave of brown people to shoot with minor platforming bits. The other two games were just as consistent, just better paced.

There's quite a bit of exploration in Uncharted 1. Not massive expanses, but most of the locations provide a certain degree of exploration compared to the far more linear and scripted sequels.

 

[SkylineRKR]

I think the Vita version is actually the best Uncharted game. The writing and characters are worse, as are the gimmicky touch controls and there is less polish overall but I felt the game had somewhat of a more complex level design. I really enjoyed GA in hindsight. I replayed UC2 afterward at a friend who couldn't get past the shitty stealth section and I felt I wasn't having fun with it at all.

 

[haikira]

Can anyone confirm if the difficulty level can be lowered after beginning the game? I want to give the game a shot on hard, but have the option to lower in case I whimp out.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

I think the Vita version is actually the best Uncharted game. The writing and characters are worse, as are the gimmicky touch controls and there is less polish overall but I felt the game had somewhat of a more complex level design. I really enjoyed GA in hindsight. I replayed UC2 afterward at a friend who couldn't get past the shitty stealth section and I felt I wasn't having fun with it at all.

It was more reminiscent of the first Uncharted. The jungle locale, the platforming, etc, it felt like a return to the series roots. I hope it continues and doesn't follow the mainline Uncharted games to become a scripted and ultimate shallow experience.

 

[Montresor]

Prolly 30-40 hours assuming no boosting.

Mulitplayer seems like it will be a drag, and it's not the most enjoyable experience. I've been playing for about an hour or so.

but you need to get to Prestige 3 - Levevl 59 or something. That's crazy.

That's crazy. Well I'm in it for the single player. Hopefully I end up liking the multi, because if I don't, I won't bother chasing of those crazy achievements.

I'm pretty excited to grab this!

 

[Phonomezer]

is it just the setpiece or also what do you within? Uncharted impresses me the most with what you do right now and shit is happening left and right. Boat for example

Hmmmm, bit of both, but more of the former.

!!!!!!

I want to know where you are at now ;_;

I was at that (spoilers)

Spoiler

windy fucking palace/temple section OH MY GOD so good. That is until the shanty town.. gross

 

[Solo]

Calm down Solo, you will only have to wait a few more days until you can put those head phones on and just visualize with the audio porn you so wanted from the voice of Camilla, you dirty plough son of a whoreson.

:|

 

[Danny-Boy]

This is an uncharted clone from top to bottom. Doesn't try to bring its own style, it's a straight up copy. Even the way Lara moves, it's the female version of Nate. There's no exploration to be had, you might get one alternate path here and there, but the bigger areas is just an illusion. Make no mistake you've got one path with plenty of enemies ahead of you. Puzzles consist of open the gas pipe, open the wind tunnels, or rock something back and forth until a scripted event takes place and opens the way forward. Platforming is okay but most of it is very easy jumps that you can't miss, the shimmy across ledges which has been a simple left to right, and climbing up walls with your pick axe. No risk taking.

 

[I'm an expert]

Probably won't be much of a difference once it does release.

Good thing you're..buying it.

 

[Derrick01]

Good thing you're..buying it.

Not for multiplayer, I won't even try that.

 

[Isaccard]

Still no keys from Amazon.

 

[I'm an expert]

Not for multiplayer, I won't even try that.

Mp will most likely be the best part of this game.

 

[Lime]

Good thing you're..buying it.

I don't see how that negates Derrick01's criticism.

 

[I'm an expert]

I don't see how that negates Derrick01's criticism.

I didn't know he was one of the anti-mp types. Too bad.

 

[Phazon]

So I'm in the

Spoiler

Shantytown

now and there is way too much combat. Hope this isn't a sign of what's to come.

It will be a bit calmer in the parts after that one

 

[Phonomezer]

It will be a bit calmer in the parts after that one

That was the only part of the game I think felt out of place so far.

 

[MrCookiepants]

That whole

Spoiler

burning building

set piece. Probably one of the most memorable moments for me this gen. Naughty Dog and Santa Monica have some competition.

How are they gonna top THAT for the endgame?

 

[Isaccard]

I didn't know he was one of the anti-mp types. Too bad.

Derrick is anti-everything.

 

[Slacker]

God the mp is woeful. Took me half an hour to find a game (ps3) and when I did, a 2 vs 1 tdm, the guy on the other team was invincible!!!!!!!!

Is anyone even online playing this? Would love to see the numbers lol.

Uh, game's not actually released yet. Give it a couple days.

 

[Steve McQueen]

Some people, playing the PS3 version, report some minor framedrops. Anyone, playing the 360 version, witnessed this?

 

[void666]

Just got the game for 25 dollars on a brazilian website. (http://www.nuuvem.com.br/)
Paid through paypal and got the key right away. Pre-loading now.

I wasn't planning to buy it, but i couldn't resist this price.

 

[Frillen]

So been playing the 360 version for a couple of hours. Stunning looking game. Can't believe I'm seeing this on a 8 year old hardware. Gameplay is fun and pacing is good. Action segments -> Exploration segments -> Action segments -> Exploration segments. It seems to follow that path which is not a negative thing for me. Controls are tight and rarely annoy me. No screen tearing and framerate is pretty solid.

 

[K' Dash]

Still no keys from Amazon.

What? Did you check your games library? It should be there by now, I received mine like 14 hours ago.

 

[Isaccard]

What? Did you check your games library? It should be there by now, I received mine like 14 hours ago.

Yep. They've got me on hold over the phone right now.

 

[Phanatic8390]

Woah Amazon released the keys for preload? Is this the first time they've done that? I can't recall anyone mentioning them having done that before but this is my first pre-order from them so I have no prior experience

 

[eshwaaz]

So been playing the 360 version for a couple of hours. Stunning looking game. Can't believe I'm seeing this on a 8 year old hardware. Gameplay is fun and pacing is good. Action segments -> Exploration segments -> Action segments -> Exploration segments. It seems to follow that path which is not a negative thing for me. Controls are tight and rarely annoy me. No screen tearing and framerate is pretty solid.

Hallelujah. Thanks for that tidbit. Screen tearing has become the bane of my video game existence.

 

[DieH@rd]

Hallelujah. Thanks for that tidbit. Screen tearing has become the bane of my video game existence.

PS3 version also free of tearing.

 

[DukeBobby]

Mp will most likely be the best part of this game.

Really?

The multiplayer looks alright, but I can't imagine it being anywhere near as good as the single player.

 

[statham]

Yep. They've got me on hold over the phone right now.

it took mine about 50 hours from when I preordered

 

[Scythian Empire]

Really wish I could afford this game. The previews are looking good.

Too bad BioShock Infinite is coming out this month. Lara will have to wait.

 

[I'm an expert]

Really?

The multiplayer looks alright, but I can't imagine it being anywhere near as good as the single player.

Let's be honest for a sec. The actual gameplay will probably be a snooze. I'm sure the set pieces, characters, checklist nature of collectibles, and so on will make for a fun romp - just like Uncharted - but these games don't take much skill or thought, whether it's the shooting (prolly cover), the platforming (prolly sticky), the exploration of looking behind every corner for a jewel, ammo conservation.. Throwing in upgrades doesn't make it a deep game.

The mp however, like UC or AC, will actually let the combat and traversal bloom. Fighting humans is always totally different than being locked in an arena with 4-5 npcs (most likely the combat design of this game as well). I understand not everyone wants that level of challenge though.

 

[Isaccard]

it took mine about 50 hours from when I preordered

Finally got my keys.

When are we supposed to get the $5 credit? >_>

 

[Steve McQueen]

Going for the PS3 version. If the engine is the same as in Absolution or in Deus Ex HR, the PS3 version has a slight advantage ( sharper textures ). At least...according to the face-offs of DF.

 

[iratA]

Ok so I just had to stop playing to come in and talk about this shit.

*Impressions Below - very mild spoilers*

Soooo just finished the room with the Big Bell thingy. Holy Shit Son! I'm just speechless atm. I'm one of ND's biggest supporters, but damn if this wasn't designed as an Uncharted Killer! I mean seriously, what the hell did I just play!

People who love Uncharted SP are going to flip out and really owe it to themselves to buy the shit out of this.

Some of my key thoughts:
* This game has some of the best visuals on PS3 (yes I went there) there are some incredible things going on here but the art direction and level design are supreme. Don't even get me started on some of the particle, fire and lighting effects in this game. Its visually arresting in places to the point I very, very often find myself stopping and just looking around to soak it all in. Which leads me to my next point.
* The atmosphere in this game is so soooo good. This game has an atmosphere quite unlike anything I've ever felt before, again art direction places a huge rule here.
* The voice acting from Lara. Love it, it feels so raw and you really hear every subtle little gasp and so on. Yes I want to protect her (yep went there too)
* Presentation and Polish for games in this genre have a new very high benchmark. Again not taking anything away from the Uncharted series that I love dearly, but ND stand to gain a lot from playing and taking some cues from this game. I think this game really gets you on an emotional level that Uncharted could use a bit more of.
*The pacing feels god tier for me. The more I think about it, I think its the pacing of its set pieces and how smoothly they are wound into the environment and the general flow, that makes the whole thing work.

So yeah loving this game. Haven't touched the MP yet and I came for the SP anyway and so far I'm thinking this will be a gem long remembered well into next gen.

Oh and so based on the bell thingy can anyone tell me as a rough percentage, how far through I am?

 

[I'm an expert]

The atmosphere is really the only thing drawing me to this game. It looks like a darker UC, and I can get behind that. I also think a female protag is fun to play every now and then.

 

[Grisby]

Any type of unlockables out in the open yet? Any costumes or are those regulated to preorder bullshit.

 

[I'm an expert]

Any type of unlockables out in the open yet? Any costumes or are those regulated to preorder bullshit.

Preorder, and most likely available later for $2-3.

 

[DieH@rd]

Oh and so based on the bell thingy can anyone tell me as a rough percentage, how far through I am?

I really don't know [havent finished it], but the next major set piece will blow you away.

 

[iratA]

The atmosphere is really the only thing drawing me to this game. It looks like a darker UC, and I can get behind that. I also think a female protag is fun to play every now and then.

If your coming for the atmosphere. Your in the right place my friend ;-)

 

[iratA]

I really don't know [havent finished it], but the next major set piece will blow you away.

Really?! So you know the whole bell area I'm taking about. Because man that whole bit leading in was melting my mind.

 

[I'm an expert]

If your coming for the atmosphere. Your in the right place my friend ;-)

I will be in a few weeks when it's half price! But good atmosphere and checklists ain't enough for a day one. =/

 

[Grisby]

Preorder, and most likely available later for $2-3.

Bah.

 

[I'm an expert]

Bah.

Did you forget what gen you were in.. >.>;

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

Picked it up for $32 for steam. Im ready

 

[statham]

Finally got my keys.

When are we supposed to get the $5 credit? >_>

I would guess upto 2 weeks after launch going by past experience.

 

[iratA]

I will be in a few weeks when it's half price! But good atmosphere and checklists ain't enough for a day one. =/

Sure. I just hope this game sells well enough to get a sequel that builds and expands on the game design used here. I haven't finished it yet, but I already know I'm going to be needing more of this in the not too distant future. This is a great action/adventure game with the kind of production values we just don't see enough of.