Lara Croft is one of the most recognisable faces in the world of video games. She is right up there with Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario, her trademark short shorts and teal tanktop are unmistakable.
Ms. Croft first jogged into our living rooms in 1996 when Tomb Raider was released for the ill-fated Sega Saturn games console. The game was rapturously received, praised for it's cinematic graphics and innovative gameplay.
Tomb Raider quickly became more than just a game, Lara Croft rapidly became a digital sex icon. Portrayed as a beautiful, athletic, educated woman from an aristocratic background, Lara quickly began appearing on posters on the walls of teenagers across the globe. As Lara's popularity grew so did the popularity of the Tomb Raider franchise.
Sequels and new Tomb Raider games came out frequently on every possible format. PC, Mac, every conceivable console and eventually mobile phones all had their own incarnation of the unstoppable franchise.
Despite it's massive distribution, Tomb Raider had a serious problem. After a few years the technology behind the games was no longer ground breaking, the graphics were no longer particularly impressive and drowning Lara for fun only keeps you entertained for so long.
With a new Tomb Raider game just out it must be considered just how well it will hold up against the likes of Fable II, a seemingly endless roleplaying game, infinitely more customisable than any Tomb Raider offering.
Previous Tomb Raider games have seemed slightly dated when compared to competitors which are truly utilising the full potential of their chosen platforms. Sure, Tomb Raider's graphics have steadily improved, Lara's motion has become progressively more realistic and the targeting and combat systems have been drastically overhauled over the years, but the formula has remained much the same.
Up to now Lara has not benefited from the regular story overhauls similar games franchises have. Usually, Lara needs to find something of archaeological significance but someone kind of evil corporation or headcase individual wants it as well.
Both parties go after whatever ancient trinket that particular game requires. There's some kind of double cross, Lara does some climbing, kills some endangered species, solves a few puzzles (usually with google's help) and eventually defeats the baddies. She then usually escapes a near death situation and goes home for a cup of tea and a crumpet.
It cannot be denied that Tomb Raider is in need of a serious overhaul, the gameplay needs work and an exciting new story is a must. Many are saying that Tomb Raider: Underworld will be that game, taking the best parts of previous Tomb Raider's and adding an exciting new setting powered by powerful next-gen consoles.
Tomb Raider Anniversary, the previous game which attempted to address many of the problems with the Tomb Raider franchise, fell lamentably short. The game was dated despite all the updates to gameplay, the new targeting system was too little too late. It did not live up to all the hype.
Good news though, Tomb Raider: Underworld promises to revolutionise the series, but will it be enough to rise to the heady heights of popularity it once enjoyed? It can't be denied that the game makes the most of the next-gen console's power. The animations are reportedly superb, some have gone as far as to describe the games environments as "photo-real"
These greatly improved graphics have been provided by an all-new all-singing all-dancing engine. No lazy cut and paste jobs. The nice people at Crystal Dynamics have really gone to town.
New materials and vastly improved shading means multiple textures and layers can now be combined to create realistic, layered environments. Vines snake their way up crumbling rockfaces and for once you can actually see the leaves! No more indistinct green fuzz to represent foilage.
Contextual animation means that if Lara moves through some eerily realistic long grass she automatically uses her hands to gently clear her path, if she is armed then she simply does it one-handed, no more disappearing weapons!
Vertex shading makes trees sway gently in the wind and grass and bushes rustle as critters run away from Lara's massive guns. One of the big new developments is the addition of Spherical Harmonics lighting technology. This exciting new gizmo, which sounds like it was reverse engineered from a crashed UFO in the late 70s, has a subtle yet impressive effect.
Simply put, Lara will ever so slightly reflect the colour of the environment she is in, not like some kind of chameleon-archaeologist but instead in a very good simulation of real life. This adds yet another incredibly subtle touch of realism.
If Lara is in an area with alot of green foliage she will take on a barely noticeable green tinge, just enough to tie her in to her environment. This does not sound all that impressive but think of all the times you have been playing a game and the main character just looks out of place, as if cut and copied onto the background, this is a thing of the past, for Tomb Raider at least.
Add to this nice little touches like each level having its own weather system, Lara getting dirty in dusty/muddy/generally grimy areas, an improved combat system, interactive environments and acrobatics modelled on those of an Olympic trained gymnast and you have quite an impressive game.
However, it is still a Tomb Raider game, only time will tell if these admittedly impressive improvements have what it takes to revitalise the franchise. Of course the series has its fanboys and fangirls and they will be posting glowing reviews online and will have undoubtedly finished their first run-through by now.
All we have to do now is wait and see, how good is this game going to be?
Author Resource:-
Samantha is an expert Research and Theatre consultant. She is currently excited about the upcoming West End revival of Oliver!
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