How SHOULD I Play TRA?

[2WheelPilot]

I'm a newbie to TR, with TRA being my first. I made it through the first level, but I didn't find *anything*, but one medipack. Afterwards, I skimmed over the walkthrough, and I noticed that there's several things to collect, but I didn't see them. I plan on trying the level again with the walkthrough, but I don't want to do the whole game like that. I'll bite the bullet on the 1st level and redo it with the walkthrough, just to try to learn how and where the creators put in various objects. But it got me to thinking, what is the best approach for a newbie for getting the most out of TRA on the 1st run through? Should I be ultra-cautious, and try to find every object? Or just blast through, guns-a-blazing, getting only the obvious objects, and getting the rest later? Should I go all the way through without replaying any level? Or should I replay each level until I find everything? This looks like such a rich game, and I'd like to get the most out of it. Most games I play are mindless button mashers, but this one appears to deserve a little more care.

Thanks.

[Legend of Lara]

Well, TRA is a pretty nice place to start. :)

I'd say take your sweet time. Explore everything you can explore. Look everywhere for hidden treasures. Really take in the incredible atmosphere the locations give you. Otherwise known as "Slow Raiding", the best way to play any TR game. :D (bar Legend)

[Obscure]

There's a replay system at the end where you can go back and collect secrets so you don't have to worry too much about getting it all in one go. I feel it's best to go slow and look at everything as Legend of Lara said slow raiding is the best way to go through your first run as everything is new. Once you've been through it a few times, it starts to lose it's atmosphere so take your time and enjoy it.

[CrisGer]

Enjoy the first journey, it only happens once....and you have so much to look forward to. :) You can come back later with a good walkthrough and work your way thru the hardest parts and that is another layer of fun.

You have much to enjoy!!! :)

[Lud's Gate]

I would put the walkthrough down...!

Then, go through the game, guns-a-blazing. Get familiar with the levels.. and the objectives and environments. Then when looking for secret areas you'll see them a mile off

[2WheelPilot]

OK. Great! I was afraid that I was going need to use a walkthrough on each level, just so I could be assured that I had some necessary item later on. After completing the 1st level (Mountain Caves), I read a walkthrough which seemed to encourage you to kill the wolves at the collapsible bridge before crossing. I don't know about you, but the bridge collapse/wolf attack actually created a bit of an adrenaline rush for me. I jumped, then started firing wildly. If I'd done it the walkthrough way, it would have been no big deal. I'll still redo Mountain Caves with a walkthrough, and use it like a training level, but I'll try to do it solo the rest of the way.

Thanks.

[Mytly]

When I first started playing TR, I used a walkthrough almost every step of the way, because I was so afraid I would miss something important and realize my mistake later and have to backtrack or even start from scratch. I can't tell you how much I regret doing that, and I now wish I could experience some of those old games on my own without having the walkthrough holding my hand through them. So I strongly urge you not to make the same mistake. TRA should be easily beatable without a walkthrough (at the most you can resort to it only if you are hopelessly stuck somewhere). And yes, it's a good idea to try to look at the walkthrough after finshing a level, especially for the first couple of levels, so you get an idea of how well you have been able to get the hang of the game.

[Serval Boy]

Do not use walkthroughs. Please, do not use walkthroughs.

You might as well just go to youtube and watch videos of other people playing the game if you're going to use a walkthrough.

You will thank me when you finish the game knowing that you figured it out yourself, that you explored and ventured into the unknown, learning from your mistakes and risk-taking. When your patience, your intelligence, and your problem-solving abilities are the tools you use to finish this game, you'll realize how insulting the mere thought of a walkthrough is.

[2WheelPilot]

Do not use walkthroughs. Please, do not use walkthroughs.

You might as well just go to youtube and watch videos of other people playing the game if you're going to use a walkthrough.

I somewhat agree, but not totally. I play games for entertainment. If I get stuck for too long, the entertainment value starts to diminish. I definitely prefer to play without one, but I will resort to one as a last option.

You will thank me when you finish the game knowing that you figured it out yourself, that you explored and ventured into the unknown, learning from your mistakes and risk-taking. When your patience, your intelligence, and your problem-solving abilities are the tools you use to finish this game, you'll realize how insulting the mere thought of a walkthrough is.

I much prefer to complete a level solo. Much greater sense of accomplishment. I feel like I failed when I have to use a walkthrough. I think that walkthroughs are acceptable... as a last resort. Well, maybe a next-to-last resort. For me, cheats are THE last resort. I'm having a battle regarding cheats with my 9 yr old daughter. She wants to use them right away. Then I say "But that's cheeeeeating." She's starting to come around. I think she's also liking the feeling of accomplishment when she figures something out on her own. But still, using a cheat is still better than shelving a good game that has you baffled.

[AlexStark7]

I should tell you, try to have FUN. that's all =)
Try to learn to explore, or rush to the end! It doesn't matter. Dont push yourself to get everything in the first round or you won't be able to enjoy the game properly. You can replay it tones of times after that, and finish it on the first re-play round. ;)

[Megalith]

Don't use walkthroughs in your first playthrough except if you are seriously stuck and cannot progress further in the game.TRA has a hint system so i think you'll not need one for that.

Now if you want to play the game a 2nd time and go for a 100% completion then yes,use a walkthrough.It will be like almost playing a new game and it will give more replay value to the game.

[Tombreaper]

Never use a walktrough! That's very dangerous (;)), because it causes to deactivate that very important part in your brains that makes it possible to play action-adventure games like Tomb Raider.

[Lud's Gate]

Never use a walktrough! That's very dangerous (;)), because it causes to deactivate that very important part in your brains that makes it possible to play action-adventure games like Tomb Raider.

TRA isn't very hard anyway ;)

[Shark_Blade]

I love this thread, everyone seems to encourage that we should just go and explore, learn from experience rather than following a walkthrough. :D Listen to what they said 2WheelPilot because that's the fun and exciting way to fully enjoy the game. ;)

[Smog]

Don't use walkthroughs in your first playthrough except if you are seriously stuck and cannot progress further in the game.TRA has a hint system so i think you'll not need one for that.

It does? You mean the diary?

"The structures are carved from the surrounding rock."

Oh thanks Lara, that was really helpful. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, don't resort to a walkthrough unless ... unless you're playing Tomb Raider III or something. Then you're forgiven. But Anniversary's a piece of cake; you won't have any problems. I'm considering buying the strategy guide for Underworld, but only as a collector's item, not to actually use.

[2WheelPilot]

Seriously though, don't resort to a walkthrough unless ... unless you're playing Tomb Raider III or something. Then you're forgiven. But Anniversary's a piece of cake; you won't have any problems.
A "piece of cake"? Geez, I guess I'll never make it to TR3 then. I'm going through Croft Manor now, mostly with a walkthrough, because 1st time through, I found almost nothing. And most of the time, I'm thinking "I never would have found that. Hmm, I wouldn't have found that either. Hmm, I didn't know you could do that. Etc". Well, maybe my exploration skills will improve as the game progresses. I'll have to master that adrenaline dodge move first though.

[rowanlim]

Don't give up! Take it as an adventure! :tmb:

Try without the walkthrough first, there's no rush, is there? :D

[belter_21]

Anniversary is very immersive, so just pretend it's you in there..what would you do if you were in those environments?

[AlexStark7]

Anniversary is very immersive, so just pretend it's you in there..what would you do if you were in those environments?

Faint? she does a lot of exercise and she eat nothing xD.
Nah, i would get scared, make a call and go back to my house xD.

[2WheelPilot]

Anniversary is very immersive, so just pretend it's you in there..what would you do if you were in those environments?

I just got to the T-rex. I'm not quite sure what I'd do. I've not actually ever encountered a T-rex. I'm thinking I'd crap my pants, have a heart attack, and get eaten.:tea: Run? I don't even think the "run" command would get out of my brain. It would be completely overwhelmed by the panic.

[Troy]

Anniversary is very immersive, so just pretend it's you in there..what would you do if you were in those environments?

After Qualopec's tomb I would've gone home and probably never go out again.

[!Lara Croft!]

"...how should i play TRA..."

From start to finish, not the other way around.

Start = Play through
Finish = 100% complete savegame.

:D

It does? You mean the diary?

"The structures are carved from the surrounding rock."

Oh thanks Lara, that was really helpful. :rolleyes:

End of Caves "There must be a way to open this door."

St Francis Folly "These ruins are in a suprisingly good state of preservation."

Colluseum "The ruins are in a suprisingly good state of preservation."

Really helpfull lara:confused:, now how do you open the door, find the keys and get to the next level.