Tomb Raider (Series)

[BubblegumMecha]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

Great news. My copy of the remastered trilogy is due to arrive on Tuesday. With that, my recent order of the survivor trilogy (I recently found out that not only do I have the PC version of TR'13 on disc but I also have the GOTY edition from GOG, though I don't recall ever purchasing the latter), and the upcoming remasters of IV, V, and VI, Lady Croft is certainly back in my life.

Heck, I even found my old PS1 discs and my PS2 copy of AOD.

EDIT:
I also found my PS2 copies of Legend and Anniversary, along with my PS3 copy of Underworld.

Looking closer at my GOG account, over there I have Tomb Raider - The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider Chronicles, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Underworld, and Tomb Raider GOTY.

And... I have paperback copies of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Man of Bronze, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Lost Cult, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Amulet of Power.

Sheesh! I am shocked I don't have either of the Angelina Jolie movies.

That’s quite a collection! I completely missed out on the anniversary games and I wish they would get their own remasters. I’m not sure if I didn’t have a capable rig or console that could play them at that time.

I’m really enjoying getting back into the classics and relearning trick jumps and grid maneuvers. The 60+ fps is so nice too. I think the last time I played these was on original PS1 hardware. I’ll definitely be getting the next collection on disc. I’m really curious if they will be making changes to or fixing Angel of Darkness.

[Zivouhr]

Yeah, the remaster 1 2 3 Tomb Raider from Aspyr games are really good with the remastered graphics and controls. I'm still going through Tomb Raider 1, which is awesome since she's actually in giant Tombs the whole game almost.

The modern "Tomb" Raider games are so far off the mark about what "Tomb Raiding" is all about, since they take place pretty much everywhere but inside a tomb. Not good.

The R3 L3 photo mode camera is also a big help for quickly scanning and going through areas without needing Lara to run all over the place risking her life.

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by BubblegumMecha

That’s quite a collection! I completely missed out on the anniversary games and I wish they would get their own remasters. I’m not sure if I didn’t have a capable rig or console that could play them at that time.

I’m really enjoying getting back into the classics and relearning trick jumps and grid maneuvers. The 60+ fps is so nice too. I think the last time I played these was on original PS1 hardware. I’ll definitely be getting the next collection on disc. I’m really curious if they will be making changes to or fixing Angel of Darkness.

Remasters of the Legend trilogy would be great (I wonder if Crystal Dynamics would put a disclaimer on those ), and I do hope Angel of Darkness gets some much needed TLC.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by BubblegumMecha

I’m really curious if they will be making changes to or fixing Angel of Darkness.

I imagine they will. If this collection of remasters is anything like the last one, they'll have actual TR superfans and modders working on it. I could see AoD getting reworked controls to make it more responsive, some cut content reinstated, etc. Hopefully they also iron out the bugs in the last level of Chronicles!

I've always really liked the game, warts and all. I've seen a lot of peeps question why they're even bothering with a remaster of AoD, given it's often considered the black sheep of the franchise, but I don't they realise the following it has.

[RocShemp]

My deluxe edition of the remasters arrived today. Somewhat disappointed that the soundtrack is a digital download only (I seem to recall an unboxing video that showed a soundtrack CD as well). However, I look forward to playing these tonight.

[RocShemp]

So it turns out the soundtrack CD was only for the European release. That blows cos the CD is why I ordered the deluxe edition.

[RocShemp]

After playing for a bit (and searching online for the answer), I should point out if you're going to use the modern controls, keep in mind that the ledge grab is with the R2, which the game labels as secondary, instead of using the action button (triangle in the modern controls) as instructed by the mansion tutorial. The action button (square) works as expected when using the tank controls.

It's a shame they didn't also make remastered versions of the cinematics to go along with the shiny new graphics. But on the positive side, I forgot how thrilling it is when music suddenly plays after long stretches of silent exploration (ambient sound effects notwithstanding). It really makes you feel all alone before suddenly jolting you with the warning of sudden danger. I do hope that Tomb Raider Next (really hope that's just a working title) follows the aesthetic of the original.

[BubblegumMecha]

That’s incredibly lame with regard to the CD.

I’m slowly working my way through the first game, sticking with tank controls. I love the feeling of isolation and how unforgiving the game can be. I’m trying to limit saves and replay sections to get better after death. The inclusion of the midair 180° twist in the first game makes combat so much more fluid. There’s so much fun stuff you can style around with. I remembered you can get a running start, swan dive, draw guns, and start firing like in an action film. Totally needless, but there it is.

More fun with photo mode.

[Zivouhr]

Remaster 1, 2, 3: True that the tank controls default are the only way to pull off those cool jump moves. I am on modern controls and while I miss those cool jumps, I am getting through the whole game without needing those fancy jumps, despite one early review video saying the game is much harder with modern controls, which I disagree with.

Still, an easy way they could've allowed those cool jumps with modern controls? Just have a shoulder button or bumper button pressed in at the same time jump is pressed for a special flip back/side jump. They could've programmed that in and made it work without needing the tank control set up. But they kept it more basic, so in modern controls, the only way you can jump is the way Lara's facing.

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Remaster 1, 2, 3: True that the tank controls default are the only way to pull off those cool jump moves. I am on modern controls and while I miss those cool jumps, I am getting through the whole game without needing those fancy jumps, despite one early review video saying the game is much harder with modern controls, which I disagree with.

Still, an easy way they could've allowed those cool jumps with modern controls? Just have a shoulder button or bumper button pressed in at the same time jump is pressed for a special flip back/side jump. They could've programmed that in and made it work without needing the tank control set up. But they kept it more basic, so in modern controls, the only way you can jump is the way Lara's facing.

Also, shooting is slightly harder with modern controls. With tank controls, Lara immediately locks onto her targets and shoots in their direction regardless of which direction she's going. With modern controls, she needs to face her opponents to lock onto them.

[BubblegumMecha]

I think the early general consensus was that tank controls gave players an advantage, as movement was missing key maneuvers. I think that opinions have changed in the last few months since the collection’s release. Most of the recent speed runs I’m finding on YouTube are using modern controls. It allows easy turns to activate switches and change directions. That seems to outweigh anything tank control specific moves provide. Even the strafe jump sections can be ignored with proper diagonal jumps. This can be done in the obstacle course in TR2 to shave seconds off.

I remember people similarly claiming that Resident Evil Remake HD’s modern controls were too confusing in the first days after that release. Now it seems to be the only way people seriously play the game.

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by BubblegumMecha

I remember people similarly claiming that Resident Evil Remake HD’s modern controls were too confusing in the first days after that release. Now it seems to be the only way people seriously play the game.

I never played RE1 with the new controls before I read your post. If it lets "serious" players finish the game more quickly and efficiently, good for them. But I find it unintuitive. Have to switch to the D-pad to move backwards, and because up is no longer forward you have to rotate the stick relative to where it was after coming into a new camera shot. The game also only has two foot speeds and doesn't let you do anything when you run, so nothing is gained by removing the run button and utilizing the full tilt. In a game where caution is important and the danger with the cam is in what you can't see, having to be delicate with how far you tilt the stick only places additional muscle stress on the thumb. I never found up always being forward weird at all. Why would it be?

[BubblegumMecha]

I agree. I have tried to play REmake with the new controls and I couldn’t get used to it. Up to move forward, left to counter clockwise, right to clockwise, and back to reverse always clicked with me.

[RocShemp]

My PS5 is downloading a 1.5 GB update for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. Anyone know what's changed?

[BubblegumMecha]

Yep it looks like this is the rumored update. Playing around with it now.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

My PS5 is downloading a 1.5 GB update for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. Anyone know what's changed?

All the details are here. Patch dropped yesterday.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

Also, shooting is slightly harder with modern controls. With tank controls, Lara immediately locks onto her targets and shoots in their direction regardless of which direction she's going. With modern controls, she needs to face her opponents to lock onto them.

Thanks. I'll try tank controls again, where she rotates slowly like a treaded military Tank vehicle, and then pushes forward or backwards, or jumps. Definitely some advantages then to using the old controls for aiming.

Looks like that update is mostly for bug fixes.

I had a bug in the underground Caves where you have to lower the Box Room with the door. It formed a 2nd box on top of the one that landed on the ground after only plugging in 2 fuses. The 3rd fuse disappeared from the Conveyor belt. Only at the near end of the level did the fuse finally show up mysteriously in the conveyor belt room long after it started spinning. I picked up the 3rd fuse, installed it and nothing at all happened. Definitely a weird bug, as I was able to jump through the 2nd room stacked on top of the grounded one in the fuse room, and jumped onto that ledge.

I think I'm on the final stage with all of the internal organs in Tomb Raider 1 now. Tough flying monsters and shooting monsters. Moving boxes in

[Show spoiler] the throne room.

Really good, classic Tomb Raider game, even with the modern controls limiting certain options for jumping and firing. Game is fully complete-able even so.

[RocShemp]

Although I ordered all three at the same time, Amazon has thus far only shipped Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Hopefully, Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider ship soon.

[RocShemp]

UPDATE:
The other two shipped today.. But they're coming through ParcelPool.

[Zivouhr]

Finally finished Tomb Raider 1 REmaster fully with modern controls. 17 hours indicated for total playtime at the end. That's not counting all the trial and error and searching for solutions during the puzzles using the photo camera. The generous "Save anywhere" saved me a lot of grief. I could not have completed this game without checkpoints like the Save's provided.

Really good game! Main criticism is they should've added a manual aim mode. The auto aim stuff is pretty clumsy in 2024, but for this game, probably necessary as the enemies are bullet sponges and move randomly. Now onto Tomb Raider 2.