Tomb Raider 2012

[Odin]

Hmmmmaybe. But it's what I think when I read this one will be "free roam". Just Cause 2 at least eh.

[.A²]

Tomb Raider doesn't work as an open world game.

[KoFF]

I don't think it will be like Just Cause 2 either.

This takes me back to JC2... Damn, good times. HUGE open world.

But yeah, Tomb Raider has its focus on different areas. It will be large and there will be a whole lot to explore, but you can probably not go further than you can see in most areas.

[Odin]

Heh, guess I'm not too updated on info then and it was all rumours. It still remains announced as a survival game and that there will be a huge island to explore though. Whether if it will will be "free-roam" or some sort of goal-driven exploration as seen in the Assassin's Creed game, I don't know but I doubt it will be structured (in stages) like in the past games.

Won't be exactly a reboot/rebirth otherwise imo.

But yeah, Tomb Raider has its focus on different areas. It will be large and there will be a whole lot to explore, but you can probably not go further than you can see in most areas.

But it sounds possible that she would need an artifact for some cave she's in, yet to get it she would need to get into some forested ruined village. And it could be that most of it would be done without transitions. It doesn't sound too impossible.

[KoFF]

There's a lot more news about the game since that dusty article for sure xD. You ARE supposed to be able to run very far into the environment and some places will even offer alternate routes to progress with the game. Still, it's not on the same kind of scale as said games. Also, it has been stated that to reach some areas, you will need to grow your physical abilities with Lara as you progess, so you might have to return to some areas or you may be running around in one giant area for a long time, solving puzzles and finding paths. As I see it, it's probably more similar to something like Silent Hill survival horror in that you really can explore far when outside, but it's nothing near open-world. I imagine it as being larger and more choice-path packed than Silent Hill. Just making a vague comparison to get an idea.

Of course we haven't seen all that much of the game yet. It would be nice with a new gameplay trailer soon. One that shows running around outside and not INSIDE caves.

[Odin]

Meh it will be nice if it has a vast land. Make a long journey. Set up a camp and heal you wounds/ cook. Freaking sharp your arrow heads.

If she's outside and you see a mountain and you know you can defenetly reach it, then I will be more than happy!

[Odin]

Eidos staff answering some questions on another board.

stevo505 asks: Will we ever see some behind the scenes content, such as motion-capture and voice-recording sessions?

Yes, we intend to show lots of behind the scenes content, but are working to ensure that it isn’t delivered in the same old vein as developer diaries. We’re going to do something very special in not-so-distant future, although I don’t want to give it away right now.


aragorn2 asks: The game will have any stealth system or it will be more action style?

We’re working very hard to ensure our combat system has a variety of different play paths and play styles. Melee, ranged, and stealth interactions all play a huge part in this world. We’re looking forward to showing you our combat system around E3, when we’ll be unveiling it.


LaraRocks2 asks: Can we expect to see a variety of enemies? or will it be exclusive to the islanders and animals? (ie no more mythological creatures?) and/or boss battles?

I don’t want to keep giving away spoilers. There is obviously an element of mystery to the island that you have to play to properly experience. I can say that there are plenty of people on the island, and lots of diversity in your encounters. I look forward to fans seeing the bow in action, and to hunting. That’s what you do on an island, right? Hunt.


adobeARTIST asks: Now that Lara is so much more humanized (bravo on that direction of character development) what's the potential to see her get involved in any relationships?

I’ve read and fed into the script now on many, many occasions, and I can tell you that there is no love interest in this game. She is trying to survive. She is busy. Surviving the situation is all she can cope with right now; surviving a relationship would be a bit tough. In one of the next releases we could possibly see this more human Lara meet someone, but that is way over the horizon.


Foundered asks: All the past games have had Lara search for an artifact. Will the goal of the game be an artifact, or survival?

Lara has landed on an island that is shrouded in mystery, so obviously we want her to uncover that mystery. First and foremost she has to survive. There is a core discovery to be made, and that core discovery will unlock the mystery of the entire island and answer a lot of questions for you. There are items and artifacts that you have to pick up and find around the island, but everything points to this big discovery.


larafan-25 asks: Will the axe interact with fixed climbing points, or will we be able to free climb with it?

We have a very wide range of fixed points, guaranteeing you’ll have freedom of movement. There are limitations, however, like not being able to jump off the side of a cliff and hook onto the side at random to free climb. The real world doesn’t work like that. Like real life you can’t just walk up to a cliff and assume you can climb it. It may be too steep, or too rocky, or jagged. But then there will be other areas perfect for climbing. It will feel organic and natural. The path won’t be screaming at you – no white ledges

For tl;dr: not much new. Lara's in a Lost episode. Wait for E3.

[.A²]

Can't wait for this. It's exactly what Tomb Raider needed. lol @ the suggestion that Lara needs a man.

[KoFF]

Lara with a man didn't even occur to me. Sure she had some background story with men in the old TR and there was also the potential relationship between Lara and Curtis.

Anyway, good information. Enjoyed reading it. I'm particularly pleased with the relic hunt being intact. Everything taken into consideration, it sound of the game is upscaling steadily. I wonder if it'll be any longer than the old TR's though. I imagine it'll be the usual Eidos length, which isn't too long, but a worthwhile purchase nonetheless.

[Odin]

It sounds like there may be backtracking in it. I want some sort of free roam gameplay.