Tomb Raider vs Bioshock Infinite vs Dead Space 3 vs Crysis 3

[srinivas1015]

I'm at a crossroads here. I have the budget and time for only one game and don't know which route to take. They all seem like good games.
I don't play multiplayer and only interested in the single player campaigns.


This is what I'm thinking about each game:

1)Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider Legend is the only game I've played in the franchise and I absolutely loved it. I love platforming games in general and the dynamic environments in the latest instalment look brilliant. Combat looks a little weak but to be honest, combat isn't the reason I want to play Lara Croft.
A couple of questions:
i)Does it become repetitive? I've heard some people say this but each level looks radically different to me.
ii)Do you get level select?
iii)When you're playing it, does it feel like a rehash of Uncharted? (A series which I loved btw)


2)Dead Space 3
I played the first Dead Space for 10 mins and I found it too tense and creepy. I've played FEAR before but Dead Space felt incredibly lonely. I can't put it into words but there was something in the atmosphere that got under your skin and made you feel uneasy.
From what I've seen in the trailers, Dead Space 3 seems more like action horror rather than a survival game like Doom. With Star Trek Into Darkness coming up, Dead Space 3 actually excites me a bit more. Especially with the inclusion of space jumps .
A couple of things:
i)Do you get to experience various environments? I don't want a game where you spend most of the game in a closed building/ship where the word 'space' has no meaning. What I'm saying is that I don't it to be like the movie, 'Pandorum' but more like the new Star Trek movie or Stargate.
ii)How's the difficulty? I don't want a game that is unforgiving.
iii)I plan on playing alone without co-op but if you do this, will you have an A.I controlled partner with you?

Also, I still have to finish Mass Effect 3 (I have around 50% of the game left.). I'm wondering if playing both Dead Space 3 and Mass Effect 3 at the same time will feel like too much of the same thing.


3)Crysis 3:
I didn't like the first one so much, loved the second. This seems more of the same and I want to try something new, so this is kinda low on my consideration list.


4)Bioshock Infinite
I know absolutely nothing about this game or this franchise except the bare outline of an underwater city and Big Daddies, etc. THis game seems like a normal FPS based on the ONE trailer I saw but I hear great things about this game as well. What is the health system like in this game? I have absolutely no idea what to expect from this game.


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I don't know which to choose. Any insight would be appreciated. I don't care about game spoilers so feel free to speak openly if necessary. Also, what is the gameplay hours for each? It would really suck if I finish a game in 3 hours or something but at the same time I don't have time to play something as vast as Far Cry 3.

If you had to choose one and another game as a runner up, which would they be?

[madlost1]

I can only comment on Tomb Raider but I'm absolutely loving it so far. I'm about half way through and I don't feel things getting repetitive at all. I don't believe there is a level select but if you miss any of the relics or the tombs you get back to them through fast travel between campsites. The combat system it self is actually very well done with a multitude of ways of getting things done with plenty of ammo available and upgradable weapons. I also love Uncharted and I think this runs more parallel to it and is not trying to rip it off. It sucks it probably won't get a sequel because I could see Uncharted and Tomb Raider running side by side for years as two completely different experiences but with the same spirit.

[Foggy]

Bioshock Infinite is probably still going to be game of the year come the end (if not Top 3, granted it's got to beat The Last of Us and GTA 5). I've heard bad things around Tomb Raider from friends, Dead Space 3 mainly takes place on one planet.

The health system is that you scavenge health items when you're low on health, but you have a sheld that regenerates. When you die, you instantly restart at the exact point you left off at (enemies still have the same amount of health).

[Pounder]

I would go with Tomb Raider.

[sukraj]

Tomb Raider is an awesome game.

[Taipan]

It seems tarvis is one of the few guys here that might have played all of these. I only played Tomb Raider and I loved it. Great game.

[Omegaice]

I've played 3 of the 4 games posted as Crysis never interested me. Anyways, my picks would go:

1. Bioshock Infinite
2. Tomb Raider
3. Dead Space 3

[TCsabres006]

Out of all of the ones listed I only played Tomb Raider. I played the first dead space for a couple levels and couldn't really get into the game. Crysis 3 reminds me of Mass Effect which I'm not a fan of. Knowing the creators of the Bioshock games, there will more than likely be a "Game of the Year" Edition, later this year or this time next year.

My vote would be for Tomb Raider. I wasn't a fan of the original Tomb Raider games, but I really love this one. I work at an electronics store and that seems to be the same thing everyone says "I hated the original but love the new one." The graphics on this game are absolutely stunning!! If you enjoy the Uncharted Series, I would definitely get this game

[Dirk504]

The only one I've played is Tomb Raider, and it's amazing.

[owa]

Tomb Raider.

[Steve]

I have all four of the games on your list, but have only gotten to play two of them so far: Tomb Raider and Dead Space 3. Both are excellent games.

Tomb Raider is the only Tomb Raider game I've ever played so I had no real pre-conceived notions going into it. As a huge fan of Uncharted I thought it looked like a lot of fun. I loved the game play and personally I never thought it got repetitive. Considering the entire game takes place on one island, I thought they did an excellent job with varying the environments from level to level. The combat mechanics work well and you can tell a difference as you upgrade your weapons and develop new skills throughout the game. As noted, there's no level select, but you can revisit previously played areas using the fast travel option to look for collectibles you might have missed the first time through. The biggest negative to the game IMO is the lack of a New Game + option. If you want to start a second playthough, you have to start from scratch as there's no way to keep your weapon and skill upgrades from the previous playthrough. Where I felt this game lacked a little bit in relation to the Uncharted series is that it did not make me really care about the other characters in your party like Uncharted made you care about Elena, Sully, and Chloe.

Dead Space 3 is also an excellent game IMO, but I feel you would be missing out on this one not having played the previous two installments. However, toward the end of this game I was starting to feel things were getting a bit repetitive. Not terrible, but I was starting to feel it somewhat. It's also my opinion that if you play this game then you should also download and play the Awakened DLC (which is not free). IMO it's the ending to the game that should have been included on the disc from the beginning. This game takes place in two main environments: the first is moving back and forth between a few various space ships that are part of a decaying fleet. I would estimate that close to half the game takes place in space. The game then moves to the planet where you get a nice change of environment. You will NOT have an AI companion if you are not playing co-op. You will encounter the other characters from time to time in cut scenes but then everyone splits up to go do their own thing.

I'm currently playing God of War: Ascension, but when I finish it I will be moving to Bioshock Infinite. The first two games in the series were awesome IMO, and based on the ratings it sounds like this one will be too. Normally I would never suggest someone play games out of order, but since this game is technically a prequel of sorts I doubt it will be that big of a deal.

I've only played the first Crysis. I thought it was alright. I got it as a free download since I pre-ordered Crysis 3. I took a chance on this entire series. I bought the second one pre-owned, but haven't gotten to it yet. The first one did not make me want to jump immediately into the second one. I'm glad to hear you liked it better than the first. Parts two and three of Crysis will be lower on my list of backlogged games to get to. Of all the games on the list I would definitely put this one at the bottom. Throughout the entire first game I couldn't shake the feeling that they were trying to compete with Halo here, but fell a bit short. Just my two cents of course.

Long story short I would say flip a coin between Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite. If you had played Dead Space one and two it might be a different story, but you haven't. Or if you want to save some cash, buy the original Bioshock on the cheap and enjoy.

[jamesdevil]

I've played them all and it isn't really close. Bioshock Infinite is a seminal game and will be referenced and revered for years. If you care about storytelling and narrative (I'm going to assume such if you're on a film site) then it is a no brainer. I like the three others but they aren't exceptional at anyone thing and they are very similar to games that have come before it.

[tarvis]

Originally Posted by Taipan

It seems tarvis is one of the few guys here that might have played all of these. I only played Tomb Raider and I loved it. Great game.

;o

Hello. Nope! Just Bioshock Infinite!

[Blu Doon]

Originally Posted by Steve

Or if you want to save some cash, buy the original Bioshock on the cheap and enjoy.

This!
You can get the BioShock Ultimate Rapture Edition for $30 it includes the 1st and 2nd game plus DLC for about $30. They both have great stories and the 2nd game does have a decent multiplayer that would keep you entertained

Oh I would also recommend Max Payne 3 or far cry 3 for a little bit older titles you can get either one for cheap

If you are deadset on one you have listed I would say JamesDevil nailed it down go with Bioshock Infinite

Personally I would just rent Tomb Raider from Redbox a few mins after midnight gives you about 45hrs to beat it and you would only have to pay $2. I heard its a good game but very short and zero replay value

[max041104]

Bioshock Infinite!

[srinivas1015]

Thanks a lot for the replies everybody !

Seems like a Tomb Raider is a very safe bet and I'm definitely gonna order that. It's a real shame that there's no level select though. I don't care that much about collectibles but after completing the game, a few months from now, a might feel like jumping into it and playing a certain part of the game if I have an hour to kill and I feel like it. Regardless, it looks awesome and I don't think I should miss this.



I have the budget for one more game but this is where I'm having trouble deciding. I know a little about what each one of these games are but the only one I'm clueless about is Bioshock Infinite. I read a little online and got the story but apart from being an FPS, what is the gameplay about/like? This is the game where I could use the most insight as I have absolutely no idea what type of experience this is. Is it a semi-rpg as well like Mass Effect?




@Foggy
Thanks for clearing up the health system in Bioshock. Good to hear that you atleast have a regenerating shield as I don't really like looking for health packs like old school games.

@madlost
I just saw a gameplay vid and I see what you're saying about combat mechanics. The environment is REALLY dynamic! I saw Lara use her bow to pull down a tower! (made of wood ) I thought it was a simple run and gun mechanic like the older games. Are there other innovative things you can do? (I'm not expecting it to be groundbreaking or anything but I'm glad to see that there are a few variations in combat.)



@Steve
Thanks for the extremely detailed reply. After reading what you and everybody else on this thread have written about Tomb Raider, I'm pretty much sold on it .
Frankly speaking, I found the first Dead Space too creepy and tense to play . It's weird actually as I've seen a lot of horror movies and played a lot of games in this genre including FEAR, Silent Hill, Condemned, etc, but none of those made me feel the way Dead Space did for some reason. Dead Space 3 looks like a great game but do you feel the atmosphere is less tense than the other games in the franchise? I saw the first 10mins on YouTube and it looked like a great mix of adverse environments, claustrophobic action, and great set-pieces like in the Uncharted series. I'm glad to hear that it takes place in a variety of environments including Space. I was worried that it would take place in a single confined area like Doom.
I'm wondering if I should just go for Crysis 3 as it might give me the adrenaline pumping action sequences with great Michael Bay type set-pieces without having to worry about the horror element. One thing that impressed me in the Dead Space 3 vid was the dismemberment! The hands and torsos kept crawling towards the player! I honestly did not expect that to happen! I expected simple dismemberment like in Fear!
Crysis 2 is radically different from the first game. I think you should give it a try for atleast 10 - 15mins to get a feel of it.


@Blu Doon
Already played Max Payne 3 and Far Cry 3 . I have around 30mins everyday to play so I don't think renting will really work for me.





As of now, I'm sold on Tomb Raider. As for the second game, how much of the horror element is present in Dead Space 3 and how similar does it feel to Mass Effect 3? Those who've played Crysis 3, is it like the second game cos I absolutely loved that one but disliked the first.

Tomb Raider is a 3rd person platformer with some action and great dynamic environments with some major set-pieces.
Dead Space 3 is an action horror 3rd person shooter with some minor setpieces like space jumps and climbing down a mountain.
Crysis 3 is an action 1st person shooter with MAJOR set pieces including trying to survive in a chaotic dynamic environment like the falling building sequence in Transformers: Dark Of The Moon. Game's gameplay mechanics vary from other FPS games due to the nanosuit.


Now when it comes to Bioshock Infinite, I have no idea what it is except that it an FPS. Can you guys elaborate on what makes it different for the other FPS games apart from the story?

[Icemage]

I finished Tomb Raider and am currently playing Bioshock Infinite.

I skipped Dead Space 3 over concerns about its game design, but I'll probably pick it up when EA announces an inevitable Dead Space Collection disc. By the by, it's a sci-fi horror game, so it bears almost zero resemblance to Mass Effect 3 aside from being science fiction in third person.

Crysis as a series has never impressed me with its gameplay. Its freeform level design tends to just devolve into "pick something that works and shoe-horn your technique into every single level", which can often ruin set piece battles. Might pick up Crysis 3 at some point, but I'm honestly not that interested in playing it.

With that background in mind, my recommendation goes to Bioshock Infinite. It's truly one of those rare games that merits discussion for Game of the Year. Wonderful world-building, wonderful atmosphere, and a setting that really feels lived in.

Tomb Raider is also great, of course, but in a different way.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

@Steve
Thanks for the extremely detailed reply. After reading what you and everybody else on this thread have written about Tomb Raider, I'm pretty much sold on it .
Frankly speaking, I found the first Dead Space too creepy and tense to play . It's weird actually as I've seen a lot of horror movies and played a lot of games in this genre including FEAR, Silent Hill, Condemned, etc, but none of those made me feel the way Dead Space did for some reason. Dead Space 3 looks like a great game but do you feel the atmosphere is less tense than the other games in the franchise? I saw the first 10mins on YouTube and it looked like a great mix of adverse environments, claustrophobic action, and great set-pieces like in the Uncharted series. I'm glad to hear that it takes place in a variety of environments including Space. I was worried that it would take place in a single confined area like Doom.
I'm wondering if I should just go for Crysis 3 as it might give me the adrenaline pumping action sequences with great Michael Bay type set-pieces without having to worry about the horror element. One thing that impressed me in the Dead Space 3 vid was the dismemberment! The hands and torsos kept crawling towards the player! I honestly did not expect that to happen! I expected simple dismemberment like in Fear!
Crysis 2 is radically different from the first game. I think you should give it a try for atleast 10 - 15mins to get a feel of it.

No problem.

With regard to Dead Space 3, what you have to keep in mind regarding the environments is that even though they're different, they're also similar (I never thought I would say such a thing while being serious). What I mean by that is that the goal of Dead Space games is to make you feel trapped and uneasy. You've obviously seen for yourself that the first game does an excellent job with this. In the third game, even though part of it is played in space and part on the planet, it still works in ways to make you feel claustrophobic. The space part is obvious: tight corridors, low levels of light, creepy surround sound effects while in the ship and muted sound and limited air supply while outside the ship in space. On the planet you spend time going in and out of caves and tunnels with low light and tight turns and cramped quarters or you're in parts of the old installation (which is run down) and find conditions similar to being on the spaceships. Out in the open you often face blinding, driving blizzard conditions so you have very limited visibility and can't hear over the wind so enemies can attack by surprise. In the few instances where you're in a wide open, well lit area you have to fight a large creature (boss battle). So whether you're in or out, space or planet, you usually have low light, creepy atmosphere, and tight quarters.

The Dead Space games make for a slightly different type of shooter though because of the dismemberment aspect. Instead of aiming for the head for a quick kill like in a more conventional shooter you have to shoot the enemies' limbs off. I usually go for shooting off the legs first (if they have legs) because most of them can't crawl at you as fast as they can walk or run. Then taking off an arm (3 limbs total) usually finished them off. However, some of them can cover ground pretty quickly even with no legs. Your kinesis and stasis abilities also add interesting elements and allow you some more flexibility in combat. A kinesis module allows you to interact with certain elements of the environment and use certain items as projectiles, including the claws of dead necromorphs. The stasis module allows you to interact with other environmental elements and also allows you to put enemies into a literal slow motion state for a few seconds making them more vulnerable and giving you a little more time to deal with multiple or larger enemies. The upgrade system makes your weapons and abilities feel more powerful as you progress throughout the games.

Of the other horror games you listed, the only one I've played is FEAR (played the whole series). There are only a few instances in the entire FEAR series where I recall the overall feeling of dread you get from Dead Space.

I haven't said all of this to try to talk you into Dead Space 3. I still recommend playing all of them in order because the story of each game builds upon the story and mythos established in the first two. You can get through the 3rd game just fine I'm sure, but you may not fully understand everything that's going on narrative wise without having played the other 2.


I'm really looking forward to playing Bioshock Infinite. I debated whether to start it or God of War Ascension and opted for GoW because I had just finished playing a different GoW game and decided to finish up the series.

The original Bioshock offered an incredible setting and unique combat abilities because of the variety of weapons and special abilities/powers you acquire (such as being able to set an enemy on fire or freeze them or blast them with electricity from your fingertips) and it looks like Infinite does the same. The enemies are varied and often quite powerful as well. I highly recommend you play the original Bioshock some time (the original also has a wicked plot twist).


ETA: Just FYI you can go on YouTube and see several different previews and videos for Bioshock Infinite that might help you decide.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by Blu Doon

Personally I would just rent Tomb Raider from Redbox a few mins after midnight gives you about 45hrs to beat it and you would only have to pay $2. I heard its a good game but very short and zero replay value

Absolutely this! As great of a game as TR is, it is a rental through and through IMO. Spend $2-$4 for a one or two night redbox rental and you will get your fill of it.

I would love to hear from more people who have actually played both TR and Bioshock Infinite. I have not played BI yet, but looking forward to renting it one of these nights.

[Dirk504]

Based on what you said about not having enough time to play all day and wanting a game for it's single player, I'm reinforcing my opinion on Tomb Raider. Some have suggested renting it, but I think it's worth a purchase if you really want to enjoy it. I've been playing for about 2hours 3-4 times a week since I got it on March 15th, and I'm still only like 60% completed. Of course you can rush through it, but there's so much to do on the island, I want to take my time.

I have Crysis 2 and I wouldn't say it sucks, but I've had it since December and really don't see myself going back to complete it anytime soon. I read the reviews about Crysis 3 and heard it's more of the same.

Dead Space 1 and 2 were amazing IMO. Haven't played 3 yet, but will be getting it when the price drops.

I've never played any of the Bioshock games, but heard Infinite is amazing... like Super Mario Bros. amazing . I don't like most FPS, but I'm really impressed, from the Youtube videos I've seen.

With that said, I'd get Tomb Raider first and then you never know, BI may be on sale once you've completed Tomb Raider. Like you, I don't have time to platinum every game either, so I stick to one or two games at a time and catch the others on sale down the road.