Home Gaming Rise of the Tomb Raider hands on: finally – actual tomb raiding!

Rise of the Tomb Raider hands on: finally – actual tomb raiding!

5 min read
36

Believe it or not, Lara Croft has been around for nearly two decades! Gaming’s leading lady has had her ups and downs, but more recently, an absolute high with the franchise reboot in 2013, (imaginatively named) Tomb Raider. It was a phenomenal title, showing gamers the early days of Miss Croft and how she came to be the awesome explorer we all know her to be. Thing is, Lara didn’t do much tomb raiding on Yamatai. As fantastic as that game was, the reality is it had very little to do with its actual name. This is something Crystal Dynamics are looking to rectify in the game’s sequel, the Rise of the Tomb Raider.

And this is something that has me incredibly excited. After Microsoft’s conference at Gamescom, I was somewhat put off because all that was shown was premium action, with Lara brutally destroying every enemy in sight. This isn’t a bad thing per se. The original reboot did gunplay very well as a matter of fact, and it was immensely enjoyable.

I was desperate for any details regarding the bits of the game that didn’t involve shooting everything to hell however, and I finally had my wish granted. I got to play 30 minutes of Rise of the Tomb Raider, most of which were pure exploration. Before I got my grubby paws on the controller though, a developer played through the first few minutes of the demonstration.

TR

It kicks off in a very bright, hot and dusty Syria, where Lara is being driven somewhere by a local. Seeing as she has a knack for attracting danger, it isn’t long before a wild helicopter appears and opens fire, tearing the car up. A blink of an eye later, and Lara is out of it and clinging to a cliff face… you know, just the average Croft day!

She scrambles up, unhindered (for now), and proceeds along the ledge. She spots something of interest and mentions research her father was doing. An audio log plays, where Mr Croft speaks, shedding more light on what she is looking at. This happened pretty often throughout the demonstration.

Soon enough, Lara is doing what she does best – jumping and climbing to get to her next point of interest. In doing so, the developer discovers a chest, and tells us that these will be scattered throughout the world (much like the last game). It’s perfect for those OCD explorers who love to search every nook and cranny for a relic of interest, or simply for the satisfaction of completing the game 100%.

O_O

Finally, after reaching the tomb, I am given the controller. It just so happens that I am in a very narrow, dark space, meaning I have a close up of Lara from the front. What immediately grabs my attention is the dirt, scratches and blood covering her face. This is very much the Lara we got to play as in the last game. She may have matured during her time in Yamatai, but she is still very much vulnerable and a bit rusty at what she does.

Once out of the narrow passageway (which was filled with something I won’t mention for fear of ruining the surprise), I navigated several puzzles involving the raising of water levels to proceed, and lots of natural hazards. What’s a tomb without a good few million spiked floors, right? One resulted in my death – the sneaky bugger.

The puzzles themselves weren’t too challenging, but the developer assured me that this is one of the earlier tombs, and thus, serves more as a tutorial in a sense. If I ever ran into a dead end though, I could make use of Lara’s keen focus, which highlights points of interest, guiding me in the right direction.

TOMB

One new addition the developer touched on briefly during his presentation was Lara’s ability to improve her foreign languages. This tomb for example, had Greek writing on the wall. By examining other points of interest, like a mural, Lara became more proficient in the language.

I never got to do it properly myself (though I did fill my language xp bar a little), but I’m guessing that becoming proficient enough allows for the text on the wall to be read and understood, and thus, a secret of the tomb being discovered. If that’s the case, then damn it’s a cool feature – especially for people like me who want to explore every inch of everything. Those who aren’t interested can simply move forward with the core quest if they wish to though.

Speaking of which – all the while I am treading these dusty caverns, explosions can be heard every now and then in the distance. Whoever was in that helicopter is closing in on the prize too – they’re just taking the back door – which happens to include lots and lots of explosives.

AAAH

I get to it first. It isn’t long before our noisy enemy appears too. His name is… I honestly don’t know, but I’d imagine he is the game’s antagonists, or at least one of them. He looks rather ruthless and unpleasant. Good. I can’t wait to take him down.

It’s at this point we see I see Lara has grown. Outgunned, she somehow manages to turn the tables, resulting in crazy end to my demo. During this segment, I had to shoot two people. That really seems like a drop in the ocean compared to all the merciless violence demonstrated in Microsoft’s demonstration.

I addressed my concerns with the developer as soon as my time with the demo was up. He assured me that what was shown in the Microsoft conference was certainly action orientated, but not necessary. Players can choose to follow the far more sneaky, less ruthless route if they wish.

TR1

And that in itself is enough to have me excited for Rise of the Tomb Raider once more. Don’t get me wrong, like I’ve said, I loved the gunplay from the reboot title. I just yearned for something a little more, for lack of a better expression, ‘Indiana Jones’ in my gameplay.

If Rise of the Tomb Raider can throw a whole lot of that in, it’s going to be an amazing title. If you’re a fan of Lara, I’d advise boarding the hype train.

Last Updated: August 11, 2015

36 Comments

  1. Lara can bite my colossal fat ass. I have supported her from day 1, when her boobs were mere pyramids on my Sega Saturn to the last iteration of her adventures.
    And what does she do? Flake out on us PS4 people. I hope this franchise ends up a relic of our time.

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      August 11, 2015 at 10:37

      Salty….

      Reply

    • oVg Planned Obsolescence

      August 11, 2015 at 11:36

      EXACTLY WTF? We are already invested in the reboot and her Trilogy and they go and fcuk us.

      I compare it to MASS EFFECT 3 being a 1 year exclusive on the PS3. The Internet would have burned EA down.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        August 11, 2015 at 11:39

        Oh no. But this is Laraz. She can doez noe wrongz.

        Reply

        • oVg Planned Obsolescence

          August 11, 2015 at 11:42

          They bet on the wrong horse in the name of greed. Microsoft did not bankroll the game like Nintendo did when they resurrected Bayonneta 2 from the grave. The Tomb Raider reboot was already set for a trilogy. The more Squaresoft try to justify their exclusive deal $$$$$ the more I hate Laraz.

          Reply

    • UrbanCr33per

      August 11, 2015 at 13:24

      I always try to avoid reading comments on gaming articles … because there always seems to be so much animosity going around. When is everyone going to just grow up already?

      So, in other words … you have so much animosity that you’ll rather spite yourself? A true gamer is not a PS4 gamer … a true gamer is not an Xbox One gamer or a PC gamer … a true gamer is not even a Wii-U gamer or a mobile gamer. A true gamer is a gamer above and beyond anything else. If you has a genuine passion for games and gaming, then you realizes that if you limit yourself to a single platform, then you are missing out on many great gaming experiences that other platforms offer. I am a gamer … I do not let platform choice dictate what I can and can’t play.

      While I understand that some of these “deals” are not ideal, they are a reality of the gaming ecosystem … and if you’re not going to grow up and live with it, then you’re going to become a sour old prune who is going to miss out on a lot of fun. These deals are coming from all sides … Sony’s just as “guilty”. For example … Street Fighter V and Tim Schafer’s games are console exclusives on PS4 … and not just timed exclusives like Rise of the Tomb Raider.

      As for me … I can’t wait to play Rise of the Tomb Raider, I’m so excited about it … I’m dying to play Uncharted 4, can’t wait for March 2016 to roll up … and I’m really excited about XCOM 2 on PC. All 3 these games will be great! … and I will not be missing anything. I’m really hyped about Quantum Break … and The Last Guardian (just take my money already!). If you want to be sore arsed about some deal that was made, then the only one losing out is you … I’ve got a super games line-up for the next year or two.

      Reply

      • oVg Planned Obsolescence

        August 11, 2015 at 16:49

        “a genuine passion for games and gaming” There is the problem, we care about our Hobby to the point we become fans, and when a fanbase who made a product popular get shafted then you are going to see scorn more furious than Hell.

        Kind of like all those old school Nintendo Fans who helped Nintendo Rise to the very top from their wallets, and then got their bubbles blown when Nintendo shifted over to the casual Soccer Mom market with the Wii because they can now afford a Blue Ocean strategy.

        Being butt hurt about a hobby is perfectly healthy, till we get diagnosed with a terminal illness then our priorities will change.

        Until then, lets bitch 🙂

        Reply

      • Sweetbrandigirl2004

        August 11, 2015 at 20:52

        A True gamer stands up for what is right and doesn’t REWARD the GREEDY ass corps for Fucking us over and bratraying thier fanbase by accepting a huge sack of money to deliberately keep a game from Playstation fans that was made popular and kept alive for mnay years by THOSE playstation fans. I will NOT reward SE for they’re berayal by giving them my money for this game and I sure as HELL am not going to reward MicroDic by buying thier shitty console ! I’ll pass on this game and play UC4 giving my money ot Naughty Dog a company that knowns how to reward their fanbase and not screw them over.

        Reply

        • UrbanCr33per

          August 12, 2015 at 09:02

          Fair enough … if this is a matter of principle to you, then I assume you will not be rewarding Capcom by buying Street Fighter V either … because they are “bratraying thier fanbase” as well. If it’s a principle, then it goes both ways … unless, of course, if you’re so juvenile as to be hypocritical with your principles. I mean … how is it ok if Sony or Nintendo does it, when it’s not ok if Microsoft does it?

          Reply

  2. VampyreSquirrel

    August 11, 2015 at 09:16

    I can’t wait for this game to hit PC, I started playing the first (reboot) one again yesterday.

    Reply

  3. Pieter Kruger

    August 11, 2015 at 09:18

    Looks amazing! Just look at that ass of hers…….perfection! Though some ponies would admittedly prefer staring at Dude Raiders ass in stead…..????

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 11, 2015 at 09:38

      Hmmmm having to choose between Uncharted or Tomb Raider…

      http://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/aM1j6nA_460sa.gif

      Reply

      • Ir0nseraph

        August 11, 2015 at 09:40

        ^This

        Reply

      • Sweetbrandigirl2004

        August 11, 2015 at 20:53

        NOPE ! Not a chance ! Wont reward SE for their betrayal by giving them my money !

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          August 12, 2015 at 07:47

          I’ll get TR on sale, because Lara showed us she’s cheap 😛

          Reply

    • K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)

      August 11, 2015 at 10:08

      Nice ass.. pity about the freaky underwater hair.

      Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      August 11, 2015 at 11:22

      Dude Raider seems rather emotional or is he getting too old for the job?

      Reply

  4. Ir0nseraph

    August 11, 2015 at 09:39

    So many good games out in November, tomb raider is on my list, no preorder yet will wait for a lazy review before I jump though.

    Reply

  5. Steffmeister

    August 11, 2015 at 09:47

    I upgraded my graphics card this weekend, so I’ll get this on PC… In the meantime I’ll play uncharted 1,2,3 & 4 on PS4
    Best of both worlds. 🙂

    Reply

  6. Nikola

    August 11, 2015 at 09:48

    So if this was developed for Xbox One will the max resolution be 900p?

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      August 11, 2015 at 09:55

      You lost all your graphics street cred when you joined us playing indies :P, so 900p should be just fine.

      Reply

      • Nikola

        August 11, 2015 at 10:25

        hahaha true that Rocket League is the best!

        Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      August 11, 2015 at 09:57

      You don’t play anything under 1080p? ????

      Reply

      • Nikola

        August 11, 2015 at 10:25

        Of course not;) hahaha

        Reply

    • Krabby Paddy

      August 11, 2015 at 10:00

      Probably, and PC and PS4 will have to wait at least a year for ‘remastered’ version.

      Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      August 11, 2015 at 11:23

      1080p 30fps confirmed.

      Reply

  7. DragonSpirit009

    August 11, 2015 at 09:51

    So getting this game! Don’t know how or when but I’m getting it!!

    Reply

  8. ZA Ludomusicologist

    August 11, 2015 at 10:13

    Impressive. Most impressive.

    Reply

  9. oVg Planned Obsolescence

    August 11, 2015 at 10:20

    COOL I look forward to playing this after XMAS 2016… Hopefully I will still be alive… or not, either way the Hype train for the PS4 and PC owners is like waiting for Metro Rail on a Monday morning. If it comes it comes.

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      August 11, 2015 at 10:36

      You mean you’ll still be picking this up even after all the constant spoilers I’ll be throwing at you once it launches on Xbox One…..?????

      Reply

      • oVg Planned Obsolescence

        August 11, 2015 at 11:33

        No, just saying. I will be too busy playing FF XV and Uncharted to care for this game.

        I will watch it on Youtube.

        Reply

        • coip

          August 11, 2015 at 16:30

          By the time you get to play Uncharted, Xbox One owners will have beaten Rise of the Tomb Raider a half a year earlier.

          Reply

          • oVg Planned Obsolescence

            August 11, 2015 at 16:40

            12 months earlier 😉

  10. oVg Planned Obsolescence

    August 11, 2015 at 11:45

    Imagine if Kindle bought the rights to the Harry Potter franchise? You can only read Harry on a Kindle because…. greeeeed.

    Only the gaming Industry pulls this shit.

    Reply

    • coip

      August 11, 2015 at 16:28

      That’s a false analogy: books don’t have to be individually coded for disparate platforms. They’re merely displays of text.

      Reply

      • oVg Planned Obsolescence

        August 11, 2015 at 16:40

        Depends who owns the Font 😉

        Reply

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