Home Gaming Thankfully, Rise of the Tomb Raider isn’t all about killing

Thankfully, Rise of the Tomb Raider isn’t all about killing

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Rise of the Tomb Raider isn't all about killing

Seeing Rise of the Tomb Raider during Microsoft’s conference at Gamescom was a bit painful. Having seen some promising footage of the upcoming timed exclusive back at E3, I knew it featured some major improvements to some of the best parts of the reboot – but instead we were treated to a lengthy montage of Lara just killing everything with a pulse. It felt lifeless, boring and, more importantly, very unlike Lara Croft.

That’s all still in there, but thankfully everyone can now see what Microsoft chose to show behind closed doors last week. Actual tomb raiding – and by far some of the best parts of this sequel.

The above is the full hands-on Syria demo that the other resident Porra here got to get all cosy with, and his excitement for the game afterwards was palpable. Tomb raiding was a big part of the reboot, but I’m glad to see that Crystal Dynamics have clearly focused on expanding it. Tombs are now big, expansive areas for you to explore time and time again, especially if you want to uncover all of their secrets.

Most tombs will have treasures hidden behind obstacles that your current Lara might not be able to overcome. Either you won’t have the right gear, or your proficiency in a particular tongue might not be high enough for you to decipher age-old messages. You build these both up over time though, giving tombs a much bigger sense of replayability than before.

And they’re offer up some nice pacing between the murderous rampages Lara seems to want to engage in. I have nothing against a more action orientated Tomb Raider (isn’t that what we were all asking for before the reboot?), but I am glad the other finer elements haven’t be left out entirely.

Last Updated: August 11, 2015

17 Comments

  1. No. No “you’ll have to come back later once you have the right gear” in order to finish the level. I hate that.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 11, 2015 at 14:45

      I guess you can say this XBOX game has a lot of
      (•_•) /
      ( •_•)>??-? /
      (??_?)
      180’s

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 11, 2015 at 14:51

        hehe. It’s something that annoyed me in the Batman games.

        Oh look, there’s a Riddler trophy on the other side of that steam vent… a whole 2m away. Oh look, I can’t get it because I don’t have the stupid glue gun yet. Guess I’ll have to come back a few hours later after I’ve got that. And this is in a story mission.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          August 11, 2015 at 14:55

          It’s to squeeze more gameplay out of the game. Making you backtrack.

          Reply

    • The Sten

      August 11, 2015 at 14:59

      …or “you’ll have to come back later once you have the right console”

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        August 11, 2015 at 15:01

        Not this guy, he’s a Steamer

        Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      August 11, 2015 at 15:23

      Any different to 9000 other games out there where you will not attack a level 658 creature if you are a lowly level 3?

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 11, 2015 at 15:31

        Actually, yes.

        Reply

        • Dutch Matrix

          August 11, 2015 at 15:59

          Actually no. And you suck! Your father sucks! Your mother sucks! And that hobro you call a friend also sucks! And your grade 1 teacher! So there! This argument is over and won by me!

          Reply

    • RinceThis

      August 11, 2015 at 15:26

      Well, you hate EVERYTHING so this is not news…

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 11, 2015 at 15:31

        Not everything, only you.

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          August 11, 2015 at 15:39

          I must be doing something RIGHT then!

          Reply

    • GooseZA

      August 11, 2015 at 15:54

      Tombeh Raidurr?

      Reply

  2. WitWolfy

    August 11, 2015 at 15:49

    Buying this day one.

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      August 11, 2015 at 16:09

      This game looks phenomenal and rightfully should be a day one purchase, whether it’s on Xbox, PC or Playstation! ????????????

      Reply

  3. Pieter Kruger

    August 11, 2015 at 15:59

    That ass that ass THAT ASS!!!????

    Reply

  4. Graeme

    August 12, 2015 at 08:42

    Lara isn’t a murderer so why is she killing people without being provoked or threatened? This isn’t the Lara I know or want. If Crystal Dynamics keeps changing TR into an action RPG, I’ll rather buy the game that does it better, viz Uncharted. I play TR for the puzzles and the manor stages. Let’s not make TR the poor man’s Uncharted.

    Reply

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