Something I Noticed While Replaying TR1 and Compare It To TRA

[Risak]

TRA was a nice game, I liked it, captured some of the stuff of the original and added some nice things to it. It had some cons (camera, swimming controls, emo drama stuff, empty smaller levels, dumb AI, etc) but overall an 8/10 for me.

Last week I decided to play TR1 again. Last time I played it was maybe a year ago? Played it more than a dozen times already over the years.

Right after starting the game, it immediately felt epic and mysterious ... from the get go. I don't know why that is but it just hits you. The sounds, the music, the areas that every time look new and fresh, how did they do that? It can't be just nostalgia because I have other classic games I played years ago and that feeling isn't there when playing them again.

It also feels more serious and dangerous, and scary at places. The more you progress the more the epic feel surrounds you. Im at the Obelisk now. The diversity until now was huge, be it areas, moods, atmosphere, sounds, it's like a long journey that won't end. And eventhough some levels are small, they feel collosal.

I didn't have these things with TRA unfortunately, maybe asking too much, but what is it that puts that epic feel into a game? Let's brainstorm on that so CD has some input on the next TR.

:o

[miufs]

Dude, its Tomb Raider 1...
Thats ALL i need to say.
A game that will never be matched, altough i keep my fingers crossed that some game in the future can bring me back the sensations i had when i played TR1. :)

Im happy that i can say that i experienced TR back in 96. Im happy to say that i know "that feeling" that unfortunately some TR fans missed because they were too young or missed the game back then... ;)

[yuppymunch]

i am a huge fan of all TR games , well actually i lie, i didnt like AOD that much! but anyway, i do love TRA, i think its great, but i know what you mean.

even though ive played TR1 over and over, i still always get scared at the same parts! even though i know whats coming! and the music is just fantastic, they have got some new cool music in TRA but nothing like the original! TR1s music gives me the shivers!

TR1's levels are so huge, and iscolating. its brilliant. but, TRA has just amazing graphics.

i like the games for different reasons, and i am not going to bad mouth either of them , they both have flaws, but i can get over them :)

[Inkheart]

I've no idea how to describe the thrill of Tomb Raider 1, and I still can't work out how they did it. I will never forget that thrill of the T-Rex turning the corner . . . and I feel so sorry that future generations might never play the original if they consider the graphics and gameplay beneath them. I pity the fools.

[Eddie Haskell]

The original defies all attempts at precisely explaining it's tremendous attraction and the "love" that gamers have for it. For me, it is an incredible experience that begins each and every time those doors close behind Lara at the start of the great adventure. The noise of the wind, the wolves jumping you, the first sight of Larson, the echoing gurgling in the Cistern, the centaurs coming alive, it goes on and on.

One more thing:
This game has the ability to put you well beyond the limited graphics and into a much fuller world in your minds eye. The ambient sounds, the music and the superb level design all combine in your mind to create a substantial, veritable world, and therefore this game goes beyond simple gaming into something else. :) In some ways when you compare the original to Anniversary, it is like comparing a great and beautiful painting (original) to a wonderfully detailed photograph (Anniversary).