Official Thread Rise of the Tomb Raider

Frozpot

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Sep 13, 2013
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Have you noticed any controller lag?
Nothing that sticks out. I didn't notice any, but I'm sure if you timed it or something, lol. It feels plenty responsive to me. I forced myself to stop at Siberia last night. If That first tomb is a taste of what's to come, I will be very happy :) I'm playing on the second hardest setting. I've died a few times to traps or mistiming (no automatic platforming here). I also like that when you have to run, you have to RUN. If you take the time to smell the roses, you're getting a rock to the head, lol, and crumbling ledges will take you with them (I'm looking at YOU, Uncharted). It's nice to have that sense of urgency back.

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I wonder if they are sneaking some pre-rendered stuff in there because some of that physics destruction is damn impressive. Of course, it happens during game-play as well. The end of the Syria tomb was pretty amazing. I love that they have lots of physical objects lying around. I was just randomly shooting stuff to see how static it was, and was pleased that objects stuffed into little crevices would break or go flying with the appropriate sounds (a metal cup clangs against stone). Shooting down those hanging incense canisters is satisfying as they look properly heavy as they fall.

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It really looks Next-Gen, regardless of whether the 360 can run a pared down version. The Geometry alone is very impressive. Tons of tiny details and moving foliage makes it feel alive. That first scene on the top of the mountain (and the beginning of the Siberia level) actually FELT cold, lol. They captured it perfectly. The wind, particles, and volumetric effects come together convincingly.

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The dynamic snow is the best I've ever seen. Even their hands leave their own impressions. I killed a deer (which is handled much better than 2013) at the top of a hill, and as it slid down the hill it made a drag mark the whole way :D There are a lot of things to find and collect (Wood, shoot down nests for feathers), and I really like the animations they made for them (like lara stripping the branches off the trees).

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Lara herself is one of the best In-game models as well. Her hair has more weight and friction than before, and even moves differently when wet. She even squints when aiming the bow :) Textures are high res. She makes lots of appropriate facial expressions. The only issue I have is that the game occasionally hits the uncanny valley very hard. He face can definitely be over-animated at times. Small price to pay though, and Lara seems even more like a real person than ever before.

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I even find the story more interesting this time. It has a more Indiana Jones vibe than the Reboot. I really like Jona, lol. I'm sorta rooting for him to be a love interest for Lara. He'd certainly be a break from the norm, and he's so loyal and likable. Overall, the pacing has been very well handled and though the enemy is a bit cliche, It's been handled well so far. I've only killed 2 or 3 enemies so far. The beginning is pretty much all exploration and navigation.

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This is a Top Game. Top. Game...

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Top. Game.
 
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This and Fallout might be the only games I buy for the rest of the year
 
Quick note. I just got to the Siberia hub and the jaggies and pixel crawl is pretty bad. It's mainly on the bare tree branches, and there are a lot of them. Everything else is fine though on the AA front, imo. Framerate does struggle a bit too. I haven't felt hindered in anyway way though.

Combat has been unforgiving. Satisfying to clear an area. On the difficulty I'm on -hard- your health doesn't regen during combat, and enemies are very aggressive. I just got the hand gun, so hopefully that makes it easier. Stealth is a must.
 
Finished the game, would still give it an 8.5. I'll tell ya I actually like the stories in these games. Not one character felt annoying, and the villains and enemies were pretty fun. Still prefer the first game overall, but this is a great entry into the series.
 
I have to say...after playing for 3 days (my GOTY so far)...once this series ends and they reboot it or just plan on going a different direction I hope it involes just Lara dealing with just nature with maybe a little bit of military involvement. TR2 is much better in this aspect than TR1 there's more exploration, more tombs but I would love to play a TR game where there are NO guns whatsoever. I know even the original 96 one had them but it would be so much sweeter to just rely on bow and maybe knife the usual stuff. Just you against the harsh conditions and animals just the survival aspect. And if there's militia people that you're only allowed to use your bow or knife and everything is about stealth. Setting traps in nature for dinner (F PETA) when you're in an area that has no animals running around, checking up on them, more underwater levels and puzzles, even more and bigger tombs, going through swamps fighting alligators, fishing by going underwater etc.

CD has created a great formula for this. No other developer does it better then them atm. So if someone can, it's them.
 
I never played the multiplayer in the past games, but I'm not sure how you'd replicate this experience with others.
 
After playing and being constantly wowed last night (did the cistern challenge tomb), I'm giving this game graphics king nod on X1. It's not always as refined as RYSE, but damn.

On the AA issue. I've noticed that the aliasing only really happens on high contrast lighting edges. It's actually really smooth. Once the lighting changes to a less harsh/contrasty situation, the aliasing is nearly unnoticeable. I love all the physics stuff.

This scene: They really nailed the facial animation and VO. I really wish they pushed this level of subtlety for the rest of the game.

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I've been enjoying the story quite a bit, and Lara is definitely showing signs of the bad-ass she will become. I think the main story arc is a bit cliche, but the journal stuff (tracking the prophet) is really quite interesting, imo. Notice the how similar the cut-scene model above, and the game-play model below... so good..

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Do yourself a favor- Play it on Hard. Being forced to play stealthily and having a reasonable fear of your enemies makes it so satisfying.
 
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Its sooooo good. I really recommend turning off survival instincts. I passed a tomb a few times and couldn't figure out where the entrance was, when I found how to get in It made it and the puzzle inside much more rewarding.
 
These tombs are massive, heck the whole game is huge. So many places to climb, drop into, and explore. I have no idea how far along I am but there is much to see and do. Good story and cut scenes also. Loving it.
 
I dont have the game yet. Probably pick it up today but I'm thinking Microsoft needs to by the IP. They could use a great adventure game to add to their portfolio. I wonder if S.E. wold be willing...
 
I know this is like an echo chamber but WOW this game is good. Better than the reboot for me if only slightly so far. I just played through reboot about a month ago so very fresh in my mind :). The vistas are fantastic and have gotten me to actually take screenshots in game which I never do. If you haven't gotten this game and enjoy 3rd person action/exploration type games....go run and get it. It is damn good.
 
i'm having a blast but the one thing i hate is the forced encounters. those areas are so small to have fun.

but other than that, i think it's better than the first one.
 
I've played some great games. This one, is amazing. So close to CGi and the game play is to die for. Microsoft should do something about acquiring this Ip. T. R. Goes together with Xbox like Pesci and De Niro.
 
I made it to the geothermal area tonight and the game continues to look more and more stunning. The lighting and texture work at times is insane. Some of the set pieces looks like you're watching/controlling a movie. I feel bad for the people who overlook this game in favor of the recent bigger name releases.
 
I made it to the geothermal area tonight and the game continues to look more and more stunning. The lighting and texture work at times is insane. Some of the set pieces looks like you're watching/controlling a movie. I feel bad for the people who overlook this game in favor of the recent bigger name releases.
I loved the first remake. I'm sure this is better.
 
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I think Ryse just got handed in the visuals dept.
Only thing about graphics like these is that there is need to have a great story attached. I think that's going to be a big challenge for developers this gen.
 
Just started playing the first Tomb Raider before picking this one up. I'm really enjoying the definitive edition, how does TROTR compare to the first game? better ?