@Polite Society: Yeah, I agree. There was just something so taboo, so forbidden, so pure about pixelated boobs. This? It just ain't cutting it for me....sigh...
@Orionsaint: Uncharted stole and poorly implemented Tomb Raider's exploration mechanics (whatever you want to call them.. the wall climbing and shit) but that does not mean TR and Uncharted are actually in the same genre. TR is about exploring and Uncharted is about shooting bad guys in the face. Uncharted didn't do jack shit to the TR series. #tombraider
@Godmars: You mean Underworld? Anniversary was released before Uncharted, so there was only one game that "re-invented itself". And it wasn't even a re-invention since Underworld is just a prettier version of Legend.
Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld look different than the older games because they're made by Crystal Dynamics now, not Core. But that's beside the point.
My point is that too many people compare Uncharted to TR when they're not really in the same genre. It's like.. if TR is Resident Evil 2, than Uncharted is Resident Evil 5.
Both TR and Uncharted have exploring, puzzles, and shooting.. but Uncharted concentrates the most on the shooting, and the puzzles and exploring are just there to fill the gaps between gunfights. TR also has shooting, but it's obviously only there because it's hard to sell an adventure game without any enemies (which is why the combat is kinda blah). In my opinion, it's not far to compare the two as there's an audience for both. #tombraider
@Tayruh: "It's not fair to compare the two" is what I meant to say. I can't seem to find the edit button for some reason.. Did they remove that without me noticing? #tombraider
@Tayruh: It's very fair to compare the two games and it's pretty redundant to say Uncharted stole from TR. When TR stole from Indiana Jones. Uncharted 2 perfected that style of game in every way. TR has been struggling for years.
Don't get me wrong. I love the TR series, but let's be real here. The last few TR games were shallow and short. The next TR needs bigger production values, better acting, better story, multiplayer, better villians, better controls. The list goes on. Uncharted 2 rewrote on the book on action adventure games. GOTY!!! #tombraider
@Orionsaint: I'm not saying that the Lara Croft character of the storyline was unique; I'm just saying that TR implemented that form of environment navigation in a game first.
Also, I'm really not seeing what everyone else sees in the Uncharted games (yes, I own both and have finished of them). I'm honestly not trying to troll here, so please understand that I found the Uncharted games to be quite entertaining and I enjoyed playing through them.
However, the environment navigation that was taken from TR was done sloppily, inaccurate, and also a bit heavy handed on the "oopsie-daisies" when you missed a jump. It made you feel like you were ice skating at the best of times and teleporting at the worst of times. IMO, that's not better than TR.
Also, the puzzles in both Uncharted games are literally a waste of time. I mean, they have the damn answers written for you in a book. They're not even hints; they're totally just answers. They're all something along the lines of "turn this thing till it looks like this image". With puzzles that totally mindless, I'd have rather had Drake solve them in a cutscene since it obviously doesn't require my thought processes to solve them.
Those are my two biggest issues. For the Uncharted series to render the TR series into useless, it needs to actually be better than the TR series when it comes to its strengths.. and those are the environment navigation and puzzles. TR has never been about the combat, so I don't see a point in even comparing that. I mean, I think there's more enemies in the first chapter of Uncharted than all of TR:Underworld. #tombraider
@Tayruh: When you consider the length of Uncharted 2, (a lot longer than underworld) coupled with the graphics and scope of the environments, just jaw dropping! I mean Wow, I think a game like this could only be done on a bluray disc.
I agree, that while the puzzles are easy in Uncharted 2. They are nice looking and fun, even if they're easy to solve. I had no real issue with the jumping and climbing. I loved it! I especially liked the good acting and constant chatter while you're playing the game. TR legend's dialogue puts you to sleep.
Now, I agree that TR essentially created this genre in gaming. If you've followed all my post on Kotaku, often I'm defending TR, about not getting any regonition in the gaming industry. It's always seen as just that TNA game. I love the TR series and Uncharted was no doubt influenced by TR & the Indy series. So the comparison is obvious.
Let's get to the real point though. TR has flopped in sales for the past ten years. It got ok to awful reviews at best in those years. It's lucky Square came along. The franchise is on it's last legs.
The reality is, the Uncharted series has set a new bar for this genre, starting with game play, graphics, dialogue, story, length, multiplayer and combat. It's a damn fine game and most important, Fun! Gamers and critics can attest to that. You my friend are in the minority.
Combat today is very important in action and adventure games. It's time for TR series to start using more combat and have a better combat system. I mean shooting bad A.I. of animals is getting way old. The TR series looks old and silly next to today's games. I really hope Square tackles TR with a more modern approach. One that that appeals to today's gamers.
@Tayruh: Oh and one last thing. You can bet your ass. That when a new TR game comes out, like it or not. The first thing critics are going to do is compare it to the Uncharted series.
Why? Because the industry now considers Uncharted the premiere action puzzle adventure game. The benchmark has been set. #tombraider
@Orionsaint: Tomb Raider Legend: Metacritic rating = 80
Tomb Raider Anniversary: = 77
Tomb Raider Underworld: = 76. None of those are awful scores. I hear what you're saying to a degree, but having now finished Uncharted 2, the exploration side was lacking. I have to agree with Tayruh, I got a whole lot more out of Tomb Raider, and felt Uncharted, whilst a graphical tour de force, was lacking. But that doesn't mean I'm right of course, I thought GTAIV set a new bar for sandbox games, and most people call it an 'overhyped' game that didn't compare to San Andreas or (le horror!) Saints Row 2.
And finally, there's nothing wrong with being in the minority. The minority are the ones purchasing games like NMH, The World Ends With You, most of Atlus' back catalogue etc. Heck if you want to try the "you're in the minority" argument, then everything = minigames/rhythm games/COD for evermore.
@Orionsaint: All I'm trying to say is that TR and Uncharted have different priorities when it comes to game design. TR is focused on puzzles and exploring and Uncharted is focused on shooting. Because of that, I don't think it's fair to say that TR fails while Uncharted succeeds. It's all a matter of taste. Since I really like TR's exploring and puzzles, I found Uncharted to be lacking, and therefore actually enjoyed TR: Underworld with all of its shortcomings in battle better than Uncharted 2. That doesn't mean TR is a better series than Uncharted or vice versa because each game fills a different role.
That's why I feel it's not fair to compare the two. They're always compared by their combat systems and nothing else.
It's kinda weird, really. The only reason Uncharted gets compared to TR at all is because it stole its environmental navigation techniques (I think it would have been better off stealing Assassin Creed's, to be honest), which most people that enjoy Uncharted don't even seem to give a crap about. You never see anyone saying "Aww shit! Gears of War is totally done for now!"
@TearsandScreams: Dammit. :P I hate using the "I'm in the minority" argument, because I hate seeming like I hate everything just because everyone else likes it.. but I have to say that I'm a huge SMT fan, think that TWEWY is one of the greatest DS games ever, and really want NMH. I guess you have me pinned pretty well. I just like actually deciding which games *I* like and not having some stuck up reviewer throwing out some score on the 4 point scale to tell me what's worth playing.
(P.S. I really like Call of Duty also, so I guess I don't fit 100%.)
@ROTBI: The first TR was good. You were probably too busy at the time playing SM64. I never bought an N64. So in 96 TR was something of a revelation for me.
@Tayruh: "The only reason Uncharted gets compared to TR at all is because it stole its environmental navigation techniques."
That's all? Are you sure? How about that they're both treasure hunters. They both solve puzzles in tombs. They both feature collecting treasure and artifacts.
TR has been sucking for years. Remember when it was nominated for game of the year? Oh yeah it never was, remember how everyone was gushing over TR. Oh yeah they don't. What planet do you live on?
I understand you love all the TR games. That's fine, but I'm talking about the big picture here. The bottom line is Uncharted 2 is loved by almost everyone in the industry. Regardless of what you say and it will win game of the year on many different sites. When TR does that. Will talk again.
@Jonn: don't bother, DA's admins of late have been rather pathetic, i reported a straight trace and color (same colors NO changes at all!) and they didn't accept the complaint because "the original artist was not complaining, instead it was a third party" the only way to get'em to accept anything atm is put it in the complaints forums and get more people to write up about it. #tombraider
@Indigen: Yes, I do consider it my duty to report deviations that violate dA's policy. That's what "Report Deviation" is for. The mods can't police the thousands of deviations that are submitted daily themselves.
Any comparisons to "snitchin'" will be disregarded.
@Hi-Im-Asylum: that guy Stjepan Sejic is a killer graphic novel artist. Did a lot of stuff for TopCow like the Witchblade and the Darkness. Amazing work! #tombraider
Call me crazy but Lara Croft was never really my type. I can't put my finger on why, but I just don't go crazy over her like so many Tomb Raider fans seem to. Even the models they hire to portray her just don't really do it for me. #tombraider
While its nice that they're doing this I'm not sure how many people care. It isn't like adding trophy support at this point is going to get them any extra sales. It makes me wonder why they even bothered putting in the effort.
@zgreenwell: Devs can't win with that attitude. If they do things just to get sales, people complain. If they do things for gamers that won't influence sales, people complain. I for one am pleased about this. I was going to get this for the 360 for the achievements (and I love me some tomb raider!) when I get around to it, but the graphics looked better on PS3 so now maybe I'll get it for that and see what the trophies are.
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/17/09
Trust me AJ, i will wholeheartedly enjoy them (^_~)
P.s let me add one more pic to the list ^_^ #tombraider
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
Is that why TR had to re-invent itself over the last few games? #tombraider
11/17/09
Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld look different than the older games because they're made by Crystal Dynamics now, not Core. But that's beside the point.
My point is that too many people compare Uncharted to TR when they're not really in the same genre. It's like.. if TR is Resident Evil 2, than Uncharted is Resident Evil 5.
Both TR and Uncharted have exploring, puzzles, and shooting.. but Uncharted concentrates the most on the shooting, and the puzzles and exploring are just there to fill the gaps between gunfights. TR also has shooting, but it's obviously only there because it's hard to sell an adventure game without any enemies (which is why the combat is kinda blah). In my opinion, it's not far to compare the two as there's an audience for both. #tombraider
11/17/09
11/17/09
Don't get me wrong. I love the TR series, but let's be real here. The last few TR games were shallow and short. The next TR needs bigger production values, better acting, better story, multiplayer, better villians, better controls. The list goes on. Uncharted 2 rewrote on the book on action adventure games. GOTY!!! #tombraider
11/17/09
Also, I'm really not seeing what everyone else sees in the Uncharted games (yes, I own both and have finished of them). I'm honestly not trying to troll here, so please understand that I found the Uncharted games to be quite entertaining and I enjoyed playing through them.
However, the environment navigation that was taken from TR was done sloppily, inaccurate, and also a bit heavy handed on the "oopsie-daisies" when you missed a jump. It made you feel like you were ice skating at the best of times and teleporting at the worst of times. IMO, that's not better than TR.
Also, the puzzles in both Uncharted games are literally a waste of time. I mean, they have the damn answers written for you in a book. They're not even hints; they're totally just answers. They're all something along the lines of "turn this thing till it looks like this image". With puzzles that totally mindless, I'd have rather had Drake solve them in a cutscene since it obviously doesn't require my thought processes to solve them.
Those are my two biggest issues. For the Uncharted series to render the TR series into useless, it needs to actually be better than the TR series when it comes to its strengths.. and those are the environment navigation and puzzles. TR has never been about the combat, so I don't see a point in even comparing that. I mean, I think there's more enemies in the first chapter of Uncharted than all of TR:Underworld. #tombraider
11/18/09
I agree, that while the puzzles are easy in Uncharted 2. They are nice looking and fun, even if they're easy to solve. I had no real issue with the jumping and climbing. I loved it! I especially liked the good acting and constant chatter while you're playing the game. TR legend's dialogue puts you to sleep.
Now, I agree that TR essentially created this genre in gaming. If you've followed all my post on Kotaku, often I'm defending TR, about not getting any regonition in the gaming industry. It's always seen as just that TNA game. I love the TR series and Uncharted was no doubt influenced by TR & the Indy series. So the comparison is obvious.
Let's get to the real point though. TR has flopped in sales for the past ten years. It got ok to awful reviews at best in those years. It's lucky Square came along. The franchise is on it's last legs.
The reality is, the Uncharted series has set a new bar for this genre, starting with game play, graphics, dialogue, story, length, multiplayer and combat. It's a damn fine game and most important, Fun! Gamers and critics can attest to that. You my friend are in the minority.
Combat today is very important in action and adventure games. It's time for TR series to start using more combat and have a better combat system. I mean shooting bad A.I. of animals is getting way old. The TR series looks old and silly next to today's games. I really hope Square tackles TR with a more modern approach. One that that appeals to today's gamers.
11/18/09
Why? Because the industry now considers Uncharted the premiere action puzzle adventure game. The benchmark has been set. #tombraider
11/18/09
Tomb Raider Anniversary: = 77
Tomb Raider Underworld: = 76. None of those are awful scores. I hear what you're saying to a degree, but having now finished Uncharted 2, the exploration side was lacking. I have to agree with Tayruh, I got a whole lot more out of Tomb Raider, and felt Uncharted, whilst a graphical tour de force, was lacking. But that doesn't mean I'm right of course, I thought GTAIV set a new bar for sandbox games, and most people call it an 'overhyped' game that didn't compare to San Andreas or (le horror!) Saints Row 2.
And finally, there's nothing wrong with being in the minority. The minority are the ones purchasing games like NMH, The World Ends With You, most of Atlus' back catalogue etc. Heck if you want to try the "you're in the minority" argument, then everything = minigames/rhythm games/COD for evermore.
11/18/09
That's why I feel it's not fair to compare the two. They're always compared by their combat systems and nothing else.
It's kinda weird, really. The only reason Uncharted gets compared to TR at all is because it stole its environmental navigation techniques (I think it would have been better off stealing Assassin Creed's, to be honest), which most people that enjoy Uncharted don't even seem to give a crap about. You never see anyone saying "Aww shit! Gears of War is totally done for now!"
@TearsandScreams: Dammit. :P I hate using the "I'm in the minority" argument, because I hate seeming like I hate everything just because everyone else likes it.. but I have to say that I'm a huge SMT fan, think that TWEWY is one of the greatest DS games ever, and really want NMH. I guess you have me pinned pretty well. I just like actually deciding which games *I* like and not having some stuck up reviewer throwing out some score on the 4 point scale to tell me what's worth playing.
(P.S. I really like Call of Duty also, so I guess I don't fit 100%.)
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
That's all? Are you sure? How about that they're both treasure hunters. They both solve puzzles in tombs. They both feature collecting treasure and artifacts.
TR has been sucking for years. Remember when it was nominated for game of the year? Oh yeah it never was, remember how everyone was gushing over TR. Oh yeah they don't. What planet do you live on?
I understand you love all the TR games. That's fine, but I'm talking about the big picture here. The bottom line is Uncharted 2 is loved by almost everyone in the industry. Regardless of what you say and it will win game of the year on many different sites. When TR does that. Will talk again.
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
I've gotten stuff taken down with little more than "look, it's obviously a drawover of original art!" #tombraider
11/18/09
Does that pay well?
11/19/09
Any comparisons to "snitchin'" will be disregarded.
11/17/09
Putting the face of Natalie Portman on Lara Croft is totally Batman. #tombraider
11/17/09
11/18/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
so basically this one.
[maxcdn.thedesigninspiration.com]
The rest are just "look at my giant breasts and dumb expression oh yeah mmm sexy" :| #tombraider
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
Samus on the other hand.. #tombraider
11/17/09
Thanks for sharing, some nice stuff to look at there indeed. #tombraider
11/17/09
A lot of the drawings sure are sleazy!
11/17/09
05/22/09
05/22/09