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Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

So, the new Tomb Raider came out today, and it's been getting mostly positive reviews. I was initially excited, as it sounded like Uncharted with better characterization (something that it missed from time to time). Then, the infamous interview where they wheeled out some executive designer not involved with the game was talking about "rape" and "protecting Lara" came out, and then lost my interest. Even the whole development team and writers pushing his comments aside didn't really pull me back in. With the good reviews it's been getting, though, I'm cautiously optimistic. Has anyone played it yet?

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

I kinda enjoyed the times when we could judge a game on it's actual merits. When we fought monsters, saved the world, had fun platforming experiences, leveled up, slayed demons. Now every other gamer has to cry about social justice and judge a game based on how loud the white knights are crying about a particular aspect of the game that might not be politically correct. It's pretty fucking sad.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

I mostly didn't want to buy it because he made features of it sound really fucking stupid and creepy (creepy in a bad way).

I'm not like Kotaku, trying to find some gender controversy in everything to rile up commenters and appear smug, but playing out some weird dweller's idea of empowerment like he was describing would make me feel creepy. It drew me in because it seemed like a much more personal, down-to-earth version of the Uncharted games (I series I recently fell in love with). From what I hear, the game is very good, and there's only some disconnect with Lara's "What have I done?!" moments and the fact that you level up by killing lots of animals and people. Considering that's the only consistent criticism, I'll probably get the game sometime soon.

I know you like to do the "Greg only likes story games with amazing stories," thing, but I call it appreciating something for what it is. I can appreciate dumb fun. I play the hell out of Gradius, Contra, and Metroid, or newer games like Meat Boy, Hydorah, or Bulletstorm because they're simple, brain-tickling fun. But if a game is going to tout a story, or brandish it as a main feature, then I'm going to treat it like any other major feature in a game. It almost never turns me away from a game whose gameplay I enjoyed, but I'm not going to ignore a poor major feature that hurt my overall enjoyment of a game (SONIC THE HEDGEHOG FANS UGH). In the case of "getting away from rapers" and "wanting to protect hot little Lara," it sounds creepy and embarassing. Having to subvert my own self-respect makes it a little difficult to enjoy a game, sometimes.

Joined: Aug 28 2011 Posts: 537

JoshWoodzy wrote:

I kinda enjoyed the times when we could judge a game on it's actual merits. When we fought monsters, saved the world, had fun platforming experiences, leveled up, slayed demons. Now every other gamer has to cry about social justice and judge a game based on how loud the white knights are crying about a particular aspect of the game that might not be politically correct. It's pretty fucking sad.

Gotta blame Mario for holding that press conference for better working conditions for videogame characters.

Posted: Mar 07 2013 04:57 am

I used to love this series on the PS1, mainly the first two games. This is one franchise that just won't die no matter how many shitty games it produces, but perhaps this one will put Lara back on track.

Posted: Mar 07 2013 05:46 am

Greg the White wrote:

I know you like to do the "Greg only likes story games with amazing stories," thing, but I call it appreciating something for what it is. I can appreciate dumb fun. I play the hell out of Gradius, Contra, and Metroid, or newer games like Meat Boy, Hydorah, or Bulletstorm because they're simple, brain-tickling fun. But if a game is going to tout a story, or brandish it as a main feature, then I'm going to treat it like any other major feature in a game. It almost never turns me away from a game whose gameplay I enjoyed, but I'm not going to ignore a poor major feature that hurt my overall enjoyment of a game (SONIC THE HEDGEHOG FANS UGH). In the case of "getting away from rapers" and "wanting to protect hot little Lara," it sounds creepy and embarassing. Having to subvert my own self-respect makes it a little difficult to enjoy a game, sometimes.

Thank you!

It's worth saying that when a company pitches a game as having a great story (which many these days do, and better than almost anything did as I was growing up) it should be judged on that criteria. And you know what; I'm going to go ahead and fill the stereotype of Greg here and say that I appreciate the level o writing in games now more than I ever have before. I don't wax nostalgic days when some equivalent of Bowser was the villain in every game, because that was fucking boring. I'm much more interested in and enthralled by games that present a good story, believable, likable characters in a world I can immerse myself in than ones that just have me kill a turtle monster for the fuck of doing it.

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

Well nothing I said implied I didn't like story. Everything I said applies to the pseudo-intellectual social justice superheros who insist on subtext that isn't there in every other game to get a release. And even worse, the supergamers who read something that some overpaid internet nobody wrote about said game, dissecting and insisting on situations that aren't even there, and then reacting accordingly, all without playing the game. It's ridiculous and embarrassing.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

I got that, Woodzy, I kind of just trailed into another topic. I agree, and I wasn't going to jump on my self-righteous soapbox to have the team finger wagged into the ground, but I wasn't going to pretend that what an executive on the development team said wasn't weird and put me off. It would have been better if people had just looked into it more, instead of just riling up commenters and saying "job well done" to themselves. After digging really hard, I found an interview with the head writer where she basically called that first interviewed guy a jackass who didn't know what he was talking about.

I used to go to Kotaku, but fuck, they are turning into the worst kind of editorial. They pretty much just exist to harass developers and PC-shame them. Kind of hard to take their views on feminism seriously when those editorials are sandwiched between "CHECK THIS HOT COSPLAYER" topics.

Title: Sir! Joined: Jul 19 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 66

I saw Conan play through it during a bit for his show last week. The graphics look pretty amazing, but as he pointed out, the camera angle seems to focus on Laura's ass......not that that's a bad thing...

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

Greg the White wrote:

I used to go to Kotaku, but fuck, they are turning into the worst kind of editorial. They pretty much just exist to harass developers and PC-shame them. Kind of hard to take their views on feminism seriously when those editorials are sandwiched between "CHECK THIS HOT COSPLAYER" topics.

Kotaku is the Weekly World News of the game world.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

Yeah, apparently one of their top editors went in to get free shit before the new Twisted Metal came out, and David Jaffe cursed their shit out, because one of their contributors had recently called David a misogynist or something right before then. Also, there's this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWEiccW5l4Q&list=UU6wjRsdD-QwspUuKl1JBSkw&index=12

Posted: Mar 11 2013 05:21 am

Wait... Didn't David Jaffe also make God Of War?

Posted: Mar 11 2013 05:36 am

Joined: Feb 16 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 329

I've played it. It's fun. I enjoy it more than Uncharted. Haven't tried multiplayer yet, but it's definitely worth a rental at least.

Posted: Mar 14 2013 09:15 am

Best game I have played this year. And, I am very serious.

Posted: Mar 15 2013 08:55 am

Knyte wrote:

Best game I have played this year. And, I am very serious.

Really? Hm. Maybe then i will consider playing it.

I was never a huge Tomb Raider Fan, to me it was just one of these generic games that lack in creativity but it's been a while since a last played a game, so i guess i will check this one out.

Joined: Aug 22 2012 Posts: 17

I don't have a cool signature or a graphic in my name; so ultimately my word isn't worth as much as those who have populated these boards for some time before me.

That said, I thought Tomb Raider was incredibly enjoyable. To me, it feels like it's everything Uncharted wanted to be. I very much enjoyed Uncharted 2, and was ok with Uncharted 3.

The game will show you a lot of what you've seen before in games, that much is true, however the execution and controls are all fantastic. I never once thought to myself, "Gee, the camera really pans on her ass", but that may be because I'm 32 years old and not 17.

There is something unbelievably gratifying about sniping people with a bow & arrow. Also the puzzles are pretty simple yes, but games don't always have to be about mind bending puzzles. I understand that the franchise was originally founded upon complex puzzles which felt immensely rewarding once completed; but I personally believe games have taken a dramatic turn towards being more simplistic and less rewarding; albeit allowing you to experience more of the game. This may not be everyones cup of tea, but for a 9-5 kinda guy with a 7 month old baby, I'm ok with being able to get past a puzzle after a few minutes of scheming.

Gaming today feels like it's marketed more towards those individuals who have full time jobs and families, because let's face it; gaming grew along side of me. Again, at 32 years of age and gaming since 87, I have witnessed every transition in gaming.

Enough preaching. The game is a lot of fun, not overly difficult, and has some intense moments. If you like ANYTHING about Uncharted, I have to give Tomb Raider my highest possible recommendation to you. If you sort of liked Uncharted, I still recommend Tomb Raider. It is incredibly fun, tells a decent enough story, has gorgeous graphics, and is fun. To each their own, but I'd recommend this pretty highly, ESPECIALLY if you can Gamefly it.

Also, this trick is indestructible. I can't remember another game in recent memory in which the protagonist gets seriously beat down in all sorts of ways and still manages to walk around. Yes yes, I get it, it's a game; and by no means is this a criticism, merely something I noticed. That facet in no way devalued the game or my enjoyment of it.

Cheers if you read all of this
-Ryan Raze

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

Downloading it right now. When the only complaints I hear are from kids saying "well there's not much tomb raiding!" or neckbeards talking about narrative/gameplay synchronicity, I'm willing to slap the cash down for an Uncharted-meets-The-Descent game with good reviews. Really looking forward to it.

Joined: Aug 22 2012 Posts: 17

You know, now that you mention it, it does have a few very "Descent-like" moments. In fact, there is one in particular where I said, "Oh this guy must love The Descent".

It's good stuff

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

This game may be bad, generic, and not a Tomb raider Title by ANY definition of the term, but I am having the time of my life playing it. I normally hate Tomb Raider games, too.

Not every game needs to break the mold to be entertaining.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

Also Lara is my kind of woman: Able to take a beating.