Sheepman's Underworld Review

[tomee]

Funny how you pointed out that there are huge rooms and long hallways. The huge rooms are actually the reason why there are so long hallways. They are so enormous that they would collide without those long connecting corridors.

BTW seeing how harsh you were with the mediterranian sea I think you were quite generous here giving this section 9/10

[tomekkobialka]

Originally Posted by tomee

Funny how you pointed out that there are huge rooms and long hallways. The huge rooms are actually the reason why there are so long hallways. They are so enormous that they would collide without those long connecting corridors.

Excuses, excuses... Having long hallways is fine, I guess, but as long as there is something IN them!

I think 9/10 is just about right for Thailand. That last area with the tree in the centre is one of my favourite in TRU (with the lighting and statue of Thor etc.) And when you know you're heading back to Croft Manor, you can't help but think: "Ooo, I wonder if this is the bit where Lara blows up her manor...as we saw in the teaser trailer! "

Oh yeah, and did I mention the awesome music that plays during the 'R.J.R' cutscene?

[Seth94]

I think that rating is correct for Coastal Thailand. It was a fantastic section, but it had its flaws, especially with the last two levels. They were, like you said, too short really, and they were largely overshadowed by the first two levels imo.

[sheepman23]

Thank you for the comments everyone.

Originally Posted by tomee

BTW seeing how harsh you were with the mediterranian sea I think you were quite generous here giving this section 9/10

I had considered giving it an 8, but then I realized that 8/10's are usually good levels that just don't have anything really special about them, and Thailand certainly isn't that. I think 9 is the right rating.

[just*raidin*tomb]

I agree with your rating. Once again. Great points. Quick question: Did you find the tiny "puzzle" at the end of Thailand really annoying? It wasn't really a puzzle, but you had to do a wall run and jump back on the platform so that you could reach the switch. It took me ages to reach that platform. It was incredibly annoying.

But other than that and a few bland hallways I think Thailand is pretty great. Of course I was little disappointed there wasn't more to do in the Temple entrance at the beginning "Remnants". Such a shame we couldn't spend more time doing a puzzle there or something. It was a beautiful area. It's essentially get from point A to point B and it's a little boring considering the complexity of the following level.

[Mytly]

Great reviews, Sheepman. I mostly agree 100%, including with the final marks. Thailand is a pretty great level, with lots of eye - and ear - candy, and some quite good gameplay. I particularly love the mirror puzzle and the rotating walls one in The Ancient World (or is it in Puppet No Longer? Why the hell are these two levels separated anyway? ). A lot of the gameplay involves just getting from point A to point B, but when the scenery is so amazing, I can't really complain.

Originally Posted by sheepman23

Again, I don't judge games on graphics ...

Why not? Graphics are an integral part of games - why shouldn't you judge them on the basis of graphics? - along with other aspects, like gameplay, atmosphere, etc., of course. I mean the aesthetic aspect of graphics, of course, not the technical. You can't compare, say, the graphics of a game released in 1998 to one released in 2008 on their technical basis. But you can certainly say that Thailand is one of the most beautiful levels in the whole of the TR series, and can compare its beauty to that of Madubu Gorge.

Originally Posted by sheepman23

Pardon me, but why is there some random tree growing here?

Well, the roof is open, so a seed could easily blow in. Actually, I love this spot - along with the first courtyard in Remnants, IMO this is the most beautiful spots in the game (random tree and all). In fact I love it so much, I tried to create a similar room in the custom level I'm building, though it has turned out quite different now.

Originally Posted by sheepman23

So in other words, coming to Thailand was useless.

Indeed. Lara could literally have just stayed at home. But then, of course, we would have missed a gorgeous level, so it's a good thing that she decided to traipse halfway across the world for something that was in her basement the whole time.

Damn it, Sheepman - your Med Sea review reminded me of why I really do not want to replay TRU, and your Thailand review reminded me of why I really do want to replay it. So now I'm torn, and it's all your fault.

[sheepman23]

Originally Posted by just*raidin*tomb

I agree with your rating. Once again. Great points. Quick question: Did you find the tiny "puzzle" at the end of Thailand really annoying? It wasn't really a puzzle, but you had to do a wall run and jump back on the platform so that you could reach the switch. It took me ages to reach that platform. It was incredibly annoying.

Yeah, it took me like 20 tries to make the backwards jump off the wall run the first time I played. This time I got it on the first try.

Originally Posted by Mytly

Why not? Graphics are an integral part of games - why shouldn't you judge them on the basis of graphics? - along with other aspects, like gameplay, atmosphere, etc., of course. I mean the aesthetic aspect of graphics, of course, not the technical. You can't compare, say, the graphics of a game released in 1998 to one released in 2008 on their technical basis. But you can certainly say that Thailand is one of the most beautiful levels in the whole of the TR series, and can compare its beauty to that of Madubu Gorge.

I should've elaborated on that; I don't compare games based on graphics. Saying that TRU is better than TR1 because it has gorgeous graphical content is not a fair statement in my eyes, but I understand what you're saying about aesthetic beauty. Speaking of Madubu Gorge, I would love to see that level remade today... I could see it looking very much like Thailand, minus the Hindu stuff.

Damn it, Sheepman - your Med Sea review reminded me of why I really do not want to replay TRU, and your Thailand review reminded me of why I really do want to replay it. So now I'm torn, and it's all your fault.

Hmm... hopefully my Mexico review will help encourage you to replay it. (I really like Mexico, in case nobody has figured it out yet )

[just*raidin*tomb]

I actually replayed the first level and I'm Thailand right now. I quite enjoy the Med despite its flaws. I decided to replay the game after...years. It's funner than I remember.

As for the graphics, I wouldn't rate a game based on graphics but art design. Is it a pretty game? Does it fit the mood of the game? Of course if the graphics are detailed eyecandy that's always a plus but these days I think all games look nice graphically so it's kind of become superfluous imo.


Yesyesyes. Mexico is one of the best levels of any Tomb Raider game I think.

[lord gaga]

Great review! I agree on the whole with your rating and thoughts! I was kinda dissapointed with the last level. Had so much wasted potential.

[Mytly]

Originally Posted by sheepman23

I should've elaborated on that; I don't compare games based on graphics. Saying that TRU is better than TR1 because it has gorgeous graphical content is not a fair statement in my eyes, but I understand what you're saying about aesthetic beauty. Speaking of Madubu Gorge, I would love to see that level remade today... I could see it looking very much like Thailand, minus the Hindu stuff.

Yeah, actually I know what you meant, but I just had to post that little rant anyway, as it's one of my pet peeves. A lot of people really do seem to think that judging even the aesthetic aspect of a game's graphics make them seem shallow. This is especially in case of any debate involving LAU.

And yeah, I'd love to see Madubu Gorge in modern graphics.

Originally Posted by sheepman23

Hmm... hopefully my Mexico review will help encourage you to replay it. (I really like Mexico, in case nobody has figured it out yet )

Hmm, I like Mexico, but I don't love it. So your review better be pretty damn impressive.