verena xeventus
04-06-07, 00:52
****SPOILERS**** BELOW!!!
For those who still hav'nt played the game and for those who have not played the original I have decided to write a comparison of the two, showing each games strengths and weaknesses. Feel free to add your own comments and comparisons.
Croft manor - original: Pretty straight forward intro level showing you how to control lara, nothing special.
Croft manor - TRA: An interesting look around a different mansion than the one in the original. Mansion is better and has more things to keep you occupied.
=PERU=
The caves. TRA has skipped part of this level where you encounter a wolf ambush and a timed lever run. But has added a new intro sequence and personally I think its just as good as the original if not better.
original: 3/5 TRA: 4/5 VERDICT: Not bad
Vilcabamba: Shorter level which is a shame because this was one of my faves in the original. Graphics alone save this level from being a total rip off, and it's just long enough to keep fans of the original happy-ish!
original: 5/5 TRA: 4/5 VERDICT: Could be longer and include inside the temple part of the level.
The lost valley: Another one of my faves in the original, although TRA's version is very well designed, it comes across as being reletively easy compared, i.e. the first cog is right there infront of you and personally I think It should have been hidden in a cave in the valley itself. TRA's version is not a bad attempt all in all and the T-rex fight is pure adrenaline, love it!
original: 5/5 TRA: 4/5
Tomb of qualapec: The original looked overly bright (orange and red) but utterly authentic as a royal tomb. TRA presents a very good alternative to this, providing more traps and some similarities to the original. The is the first level in TRA that truely gives it the advantage over the original. Much improved IMO!
original: 3/5 TRA: 5/5
=GREECE=
St francis folly: SHOCKED AND AMAZED! The original was good, TRA is 100%, the best level in TRA by far and the game is worth buying for this level alone. It's lenghty, full of puzzles and full of action.
original: 4/5 TRA: 5*/5
The coliseum: The orignal had a few puzzles, threw in a timed run, had plenty of enemies and was well worth playing. TRA's version isn't even worth the effort, it's neither long, full of puzzles or full of action. It can be completed in less than 5 minutes and considering the beautiful appearance of the level I'm very sad to see it wasted, especially after the exellent level before.
original: 4/5 TRA: 2/5 (Level completely destroyed IMO)
Midas's palace: The original boasted a very long level, once again full of puzzles, lots of action and a LOT of exploration. Although TRA hasn't done a bad job with this level, it lacks the all important level puzzle combination and has been downsized significantly. However, in TRA's defence, the actual room puzzles where you get the lead bars are better designed and a lot of fun in the process. For this reason it equals the original. Oh, and about the aquaduct and the 3 lead bars... they are still in the level for those who are concerned.
original: 5*/5 TRA: 4/5 VERDICT: Not bad, and has good replay value.
The Cistern/Tomb of Tihocan: The cistern in the original was a very lenghty and involving level which acted more like a maze with keys located around the place. Tomb of tihocan on the other hand was pretty claustrophobic. TRA's version has improved the look of the cistern and merged the two levels together, but Crystal Dynamics missed out a very important part of this level... keys and doors! Yet again I find myself disappointed with the TRA version. In TRA's defence, the level LOOKs great and theres a cool centaur fight towards the end of the level.
original: 5/5 TRA: 3/5
=EGYPT=
City of Khamoon/Temple of Khamoon: TBH I was starting to lose some of the nostalgia by this point, but then I was again presently suprised in the same way as I was with St Francis folly. TRA stays true to the original in every sense in this level, and the only thing that brings down TRA's version is a few annoying timed runs that often go very badly wrong due to some awkward camera angles. This can be forgiven IMO.
original: 4/5 TRA: 5/5
Obelisk of Khamoon: This was another fave of mine in the original, the level was lenghty and impressive at the time 1996-1997. TRA once again does this level justice, with one exception... THOSE BLOODY ANNOYING WALL RUNS! Ok, I admit they are very nice at first, but this level introduces over kill to the newly introduced move, it becomes annoying and highly frustrating in parts. I'm surprised my computer and PS2 survived myself and my Girlfriend. Iv'e since played it again three times and I'm getting used to the controls.
original: 5/5 TRA: 4/5
Santuary of the scion: The hige sphynx is still there in TRA, but this time it's improved graphics and lighting make a big difference. There are some side rooms with a new puzzle which was really interesting. Shame Larson wasn't there with his little speach.
original: 3/5 TRA: 5/5
=ATLANTIS=
Natlas Mines:The original was dark and in all honesty wasn't very good. The textures where horrible too. The only thing I really liked about the original level was the fights with Natla's cronies. The new version isn't bad as an intro to Atlantis, textures are a whole lot better and the entrance to the great pyramid is impressive. Unfortunately, the fights with Natlas cronies are now a cut scene, and a bad one at that.
original: 2/5 TRA: 3/5
The great pyramid: The original was a huge climb to the top of a pyramid with a dangerous start to the level. Very spooky and very hard. TRA and CD just couldn't resist the opportunity to make this level harder! not challenging... but VERY frustrating. Atlantis in TRA looks very nice, but they made it TOO hard with the timed wall runs, and they took out all of the side rooms, which shortens the level significantly. This is actually a good thing though, because by the time the third wall run has been completed most of us are thankful for a shortened level.
original: 4/5 TRA: 1/5
Atlantis/Final conflict: Everyone remembers the tedious torso fight! Well it's back, only this time, it's not tedious, its a whole lot of fun (and I usually hate bosses!). This is a fairly short level in TRA once again downsized by Crystal Dynamics. No where near as annoying as the pyramid, which allows the player to appreciate the level design and textures etc. The Natla fight in the original was fairly easy and the escape from the crumbling tomb was a lot of fun... in TRA, the Natla fight is annoying in parts and it ends in a cut scene, rather than allowing the player to escape from the collapsing structure. Overall, not bad.
original: 3/5 TRA: 4/5
=MOVES AND CONTROLS=
Controls in the original were grid based and didn't allow much freedom. One thing that Legend and TRA provides us with is freedom of movement. However, the introduction of the new wall walk causes some problems. It's ok at first, but then it goes into over use and starts getting frustrating when you have to jump off at backward 90 degree angles.
=GRAPHICS/TOMB DESIGN & TEXTURES=
Well, the original looks considerably aged now, but the TRA version boasts very impressive graphics (even though it's not next gen!!!). Tombs look authentic and OLD (in a good way). Very much improved.
=OVERALL=
TRA isn't a bad job, but then again I still think the original is better. Either way, it's a LOT better than legend and has good replay value. A big plus point for me is that the boss fights are not as annoying, infact they are fun.
original: 5/5 TRA:4.5/5
That's all.... let me know what ya all think, and please give me your comparisons and opinions. I hope this thread hasn't been done before, if so I apologise, just felt the urge to write it.
For those who still hav'nt played the game and for those who have not played the original I have decided to write a comparison of the two, showing each games strengths and weaknesses. Feel free to add your own comments and comparisons.
Croft manor - original: Pretty straight forward intro level showing you how to control lara, nothing special.
Croft manor - TRA: An interesting look around a different mansion than the one in the original. Mansion is better and has more things to keep you occupied.
=PERU=
The caves. TRA has skipped part of this level where you encounter a wolf ambush and a timed lever run. But has added a new intro sequence and personally I think its just as good as the original if not better.
original: 3/5 TRA: 4/5 VERDICT: Not bad
Vilcabamba: Shorter level which is a shame because this was one of my faves in the original. Graphics alone save this level from being a total rip off, and it's just long enough to keep fans of the original happy-ish!
original: 5/5 TRA: 4/5 VERDICT: Could be longer and include inside the temple part of the level.
The lost valley: Another one of my faves in the original, although TRA's version is very well designed, it comes across as being reletively easy compared, i.e. the first cog is right there infront of you and personally I think It should have been hidden in a cave in the valley itself. TRA's version is not a bad attempt all in all and the T-rex fight is pure adrenaline, love it!
original: 5/5 TRA: 4/5
Tomb of qualapec: The original looked overly bright (orange and red) but utterly authentic as a royal tomb. TRA presents a very good alternative to this, providing more traps and some similarities to the original. The is the first level in TRA that truely gives it the advantage over the original. Much improved IMO!
original: 3/5 TRA: 5/5
=GREECE=
St francis folly: SHOCKED AND AMAZED! The original was good, TRA is 100%, the best level in TRA by far and the game is worth buying for this level alone. It's lenghty, full of puzzles and full of action.
original: 4/5 TRA: 5*/5
The coliseum: The orignal had a few puzzles, threw in a timed run, had plenty of enemies and was well worth playing. TRA's version isn't even worth the effort, it's neither long, full of puzzles or full of action. It can be completed in less than 5 minutes and considering the beautiful appearance of the level I'm very sad to see it wasted, especially after the exellent level before.
original: 4/5 TRA: 2/5 (Level completely destroyed IMO)
Midas's palace: The original boasted a very long level, once again full of puzzles, lots of action and a LOT of exploration. Although TRA hasn't done a bad job with this level, it lacks the all important level puzzle combination and has been downsized significantly. However, in TRA's defence, the actual room puzzles where you get the lead bars are better designed and a lot of fun in the process. For this reason it equals the original. Oh, and about the aquaduct and the 3 lead bars... they are still in the level for those who are concerned.
original: 5*/5 TRA: 4/5 VERDICT: Not bad, and has good replay value.
The Cistern/Tomb of Tihocan: The cistern in the original was a very lenghty and involving level which acted more like a maze with keys located around the place. Tomb of tihocan on the other hand was pretty claustrophobic. TRA's version has improved the look of the cistern and merged the two levels together, but Crystal Dynamics missed out a very important part of this level... keys and doors! Yet again I find myself disappointed with the TRA version. In TRA's defence, the level LOOKs great and theres a cool centaur fight towards the end of the level.
original: 5/5 TRA: 3/5
=EGYPT=
City of Khamoon/Temple of Khamoon: TBH I was starting to lose some of the nostalgia by this point, but then I was again presently suprised in the same way as I was with St Francis folly. TRA stays true to the original in every sense in this level, and the only thing that brings down TRA's version is a few annoying timed runs that often go very badly wrong due to some awkward camera angles. This can be forgiven IMO.
original: 4/5 TRA: 5/5
Obelisk of Khamoon: This was another fave of mine in the original, the level was lenghty and impressive at the time 1996-1997. TRA once again does this level justice, with one exception... THOSE BLOODY ANNOYING WALL RUNS! Ok, I admit they are very nice at first, but this level introduces over kill to the newly introduced move, it becomes annoying and highly frustrating in parts. I'm surprised my computer and PS2 survived myself and my Girlfriend. Iv'e since played it again three times and I'm getting used to the controls.
original: 5/5 TRA: 4/5
Santuary of the scion: The hige sphynx is still there in TRA, but this time it's improved graphics and lighting make a big difference. There are some side rooms with a new puzzle which was really interesting. Shame Larson wasn't there with his little speach.
original: 3/5 TRA: 5/5
=ATLANTIS=
Natlas Mines:The original was dark and in all honesty wasn't very good. The textures where horrible too. The only thing I really liked about the original level was the fights with Natla's cronies. The new version isn't bad as an intro to Atlantis, textures are a whole lot better and the entrance to the great pyramid is impressive. Unfortunately, the fights with Natlas cronies are now a cut scene, and a bad one at that.
original: 2/5 TRA: 3/5
The great pyramid: The original was a huge climb to the top of a pyramid with a dangerous start to the level. Very spooky and very hard. TRA and CD just couldn't resist the opportunity to make this level harder! not challenging... but VERY frustrating. Atlantis in TRA looks very nice, but they made it TOO hard with the timed wall runs, and they took out all of the side rooms, which shortens the level significantly. This is actually a good thing though, because by the time the third wall run has been completed most of us are thankful for a shortened level.
original: 4/5 TRA: 1/5
Atlantis/Final conflict: Everyone remembers the tedious torso fight! Well it's back, only this time, it's not tedious, its a whole lot of fun (and I usually hate bosses!). This is a fairly short level in TRA once again downsized by Crystal Dynamics. No where near as annoying as the pyramid, which allows the player to appreciate the level design and textures etc. The Natla fight in the original was fairly easy and the escape from the crumbling tomb was a lot of fun... in TRA, the Natla fight is annoying in parts and it ends in a cut scene, rather than allowing the player to escape from the collapsing structure. Overall, not bad.
original: 3/5 TRA: 4/5
=MOVES AND CONTROLS=
Controls in the original were grid based and didn't allow much freedom. One thing that Legend and TRA provides us with is freedom of movement. However, the introduction of the new wall walk causes some problems. It's ok at first, but then it goes into over use and starts getting frustrating when you have to jump off at backward 90 degree angles.
=GRAPHICS/TOMB DESIGN & TEXTURES=
Well, the original looks considerably aged now, but the TRA version boasts very impressive graphics (even though it's not next gen!!!). Tombs look authentic and OLD (in a good way). Very much improved.
=OVERALL=
TRA isn't a bad job, but then again I still think the original is better. Either way, it's a LOT better than legend and has good replay value. A big plus point for me is that the boss fights are not as annoying, infact they are fun.
original: 5/5 TRA:4.5/5
That's all.... let me know what ya all think, and please give me your comparisons and opinions. I hope this thread hasn't been done before, if so I apologise, just felt the urge to write it.