674 replies to this topic

[seawolfnyy]

I like it a lot. The gameplay is a lot like Uncharted mixed with the Batman Arkham games. I'm roughly 1/3 through, so I'll post a review when I'm finished.

[x007AceOfSpades]

I like it a lot. The gameplay is a lot like Uncharted mixed with the Batman Arkham games. I'm roughly 1/3 through, so I'll post a review when I'm finished.

 

Awesome! looking forward to your review!

[seawolfnyy]

Tomb Raider (2013)

Developer: Crystal Dynamics

Publisher: Square Enix

Rating: 9.0/10

Platforms: PC/PS3/X360)

 

(This review is based on the Playstation 3 version)

Lara Croft returns in a long overdue reboot to the Tomb Raider franchise.

 

Plot: The game is set on a mysterious island called Yamatai in the Dragon's Triangle, south of Japan. Lara becomes shipwrecked and must learn to survive amongst the island's violent weather and cultists inhabitants. The story is good but not great. The game is mostly about Lara's growth as a character. The supporting cast is good in it's own right, but no character other than Lara is truly memorable. Camilla Luddington does give an exceptional performance as Lara. The game takes roughly 10-12 hours to complete in one playthrough and keeps you on edge throughout.

 

Visuals: This game is definitely one of the most beautiful of this generation. Every character is animated realistically and the environments are down right gorgeous. Occasionally, there is a frame rate slow down, especially in the massive fire fights, but these hiccups are few and far between.

 

Sound: The soundtrack for the game is very good. The haunting theme plays sporadically throughout the game and the score does a great job of capturing the game's mood. The voice acting is exceptional as well. Never does the dialogue seem cheesy or forced. Crystal Dynamics really put a lot of effort into making Tomb Raider be able to compete in today's market with the likes of Gears of War and Uncharted.

 

Gameplay: This is the area where the game really seems to start taking it's cues from other successful franchises. The combat plays almost exactly like Uncharted. The cover system works really well and is actually an improvement over the mechanics seen in Uncharted. Throughout the game, Lara can level up and gain access to more combat styles, with the ability to distract enemies and have pretty violent finishing moves. The platforming is also far superior to Lara's previous adventures. Gone is the god awful camera. In this version, it never seems to get in the way and cause problems. The jumping mechanics have also been greatly overhauled. I never found myself having to frustratingly repeat sections because I couldn't line up jumps properly. The game also contains semi-open world style gameplay. Throughout the game, you are able to complete optional side quests such as raiding tombs and gathering documents that give further insight into the backstory of the island and to gain salvage and experience. The gameplay helps to differentiate this Tomb Raider from the previous almost 100% linear games.

 

Multiplayer: This is probably the biggest failure for the game. While the maps are all decent (I liked how vertical they were) the game just doesn't lend itself well to multiplayer. Strangely some of the features of the single player combat is missing in multiplayer such as being able to switch from the right shoulder to the left. The game really doesn't take advantage of the exploration aspect of Tomb Raider and just turns itself into a pretty generic and uninspired multiplayer.

 

Overall Verdict: Multiplayer notwithstanding, Tomb Raider serves a gritty and exciting reinvention of the Tomb Raider brand. Lara Croft is a stronger character than ever before. The size and scope of the game is simply stunning and well worth the 5 year wait between it and TR:U. There is plenty to like in this game and is easily the best game so far of 2013.  9.0/10

[thecasinoroyale]

Great review seawolf - I think this is something to try catch as a fan of the series.

 

Browing on Amazon today, saw some upcoming titles that got me rather excited with their cover art...

 

[Iceskater101]

Omg I can't wait for Injustice!

[thecasinoroyale]

Looks like a big improvement on the DC vs Mortal Kombat game they had a few years ago. Looks very dark indeed!

[x007AceOfSpades]

Nice review sewwolfnyy! Loved it and Can't wait to own it.

 

Of the three you've listed, only looking forward to Rambo. The rest just look like garbage to me.

[seawolfnyy]

I'm really looking forward to Star Trek. Hope it will be a better licensed game than the one we are not to speak of....

[thecasinoroyale]

Yes, me too. Although I read some preview that the action only takes place in and around the USS Enterprise? Which I hope's not true, but we'll see in April.

 

Rambo should be interesting - as with the game that should not me mentioned, it sounds promising with good material to use, I just hope it's used well to make something half-decent to honour the series.

[Iceskater101]

I think Injustice sounds really bad ass! I am going to go home for spring break so I will be able to play xbox!

[seawolfnyy]

I'm really looking forward to Star Trek. Hope it will be a better licensed game than the one we are not to speak of....

I doubt it. I've seen screens of various planets and other locales. It may be that the Enterprise is some sort of hub. But there's no way the entire thing can really be in/around the Enterprise.

[Iceskater101]

Injustice has a really good roster! I am excited for this game, they released a lot of people from Justice League such as Hawk Woman, Aquaman and I really want to play as them.

[S K Y F A L L]

I'm just jumping into this thread blindly but I suspect I'm the only one playing a Wii. Lately been playing a lot of 'The Legend Of Zelda: Princess Twilight' & 'Skyward Sword'. Skyward Sword kind sucks but anyway when ever I die and it asks if I want to continue I think to myself; "Of course I bloody well want to continue." -DAD

[MajorBoothroyd]

I'm just jumping into this thread blindly but I suspect I'm the only one playing a Wii. Lately been playing a lot of 'The Legend Of Zelda: Princess Twilight' & 'Skyward Sword'. Skyward Sword kind sucks but anyway when ever I die and it asks if I want to continue I think to myself; "Of course I bloody well want to continue." -DAD

 

You're not alone. I'm not playing it now, but dang, the games are amazing.

Sorry to nitpick, but don't you mean 'Twilight Princess'?

 

Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are both amazing for the Wii. And maybe Mario Kart... I'm not giving the shovelware games any thought though.

[seawolfnyy]

I'm just jumping into this thread blindly but I suspect I'm the only one playing a Wii. Lately been playing a lot of 'The Legend Of Zelda: Princess Twilight' & 'Skyward Sword'. Skyward Sword kind sucks but anyway when ever I die and it asks if I want to continue I think to myself; "Of course I bloody well want to continue." -DAD

 

You're not alone. I'm not playing it now, but dang, the games are amazing.

Sorry to nitpick, but don't you mean 'Twilight Princess'?

 

Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are both amazing for the Wii. And maybe Mario Kart... I'm not giving the shovelware games any thought though.

Yes, he did mean Twilight Princess. TP is my second favorite Zelda after OoT. I didn't like Skyward Sword. The story isn't very good and the game just feels so formulaic.

[thecasinoroyale]

I have a Wii but only have a couple of games, Wii Party, Mario Kart and Wii Sports. I always wanted the Indiana Jones game though...!

 

It's mainly used more for social/family gaming together and my XBox is the true gaming console I play for myself.

[Iceskater101]

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

[S K Y F A L L]

Yes I meant 'Twilight Princess', Skyward Sword should have kept the option to skip cut scenes by pressing 2. Some of the cut scenes are just horrible IMO. My favorites are tied; OOT and TP. I got OOT for the Wii but using the game cube control is really hard to control the sights when using the arrows etc. compared to when I played it on my 64. The Lego games are great, Star Wars and both Indiana Jones. 

[PPK_19]

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

 

I'm more of a Pit fan myself! But Kirby is a close second! 

[x007AceOfSpades]

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

Do you have Xbox Live?

[Iceskater101]

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

 

I'm more of a Pit fan myself! But Kirby is a close second! 

 

I know a ton of people who play as Pit, but I just like Kirby because he/she? is really cute and I like how it can suck people in and spit them out, lol

 

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

Do you have Xbox Live?

 

I do! Gamertag: iceskater101

[x007AceOfSpades]

 

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

 

I'm more of a Pit fan myself! But Kirby is a close second! 

 

I know a ton of people who play as Pit, but I just like Kirby because he/she? is really cute and I like how it can suck people in and spit them out, lol

 

> 

Xbox 360 is awesome! Though I love playing the wii for brawl. I always always always always play as Kirby!

Do you have Xbox Live?

 

I do! Gamertag: iceskater101

 

 

Added you!

[Iceskater101]

Yep I got your request and I added you! We definitely should play together sometime.

[x007AceOfSpades]

Yep I got your request and I added you! We definitely should play together sometime.

Replyed to your message, oh and we definitely will, once I have live hooked up again.

[Iceskater101]

What games do you like to play on live?

[thecasinoroyale]

Ooh ooh, if we've got any XBox gaming, I'm up for it if there's anything playing I've got?

 

Add me if you like:  GelNerd

[Iceskater101]

I will definitely add you casinoroyale! I have been playing a lot of Gears lately, but we should find a game that everyone has and do a huge CommanderBond gaming session haha

[thecasinoroyale]

Thanks Icestaker! Work it in with the timezones and it'd be amazing!

 

Do we all have any of the same Bond games as a starting point for multiplayer action?

[x007AceOfSpades]

Been playing offline Aliens Colonial Marines, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, and Minecraft. Online, Black Ops II.

I'll add you today tcr!

[thecasinoroyale]

Thanks Ace! It'd be great having a gaming CBn community...as best we can!