AOD devs talk Lara Crofts PS2 debut - Page 3

Lowrence · 04-01-25, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonSlayer

This is from a recent issue of Retro Gamer.

The making of Project Eden.

AOD is briefly mentioned on page 3.

Heres that AoD relevant quote from Page3.

Quote:

Development of Project Eden ended up taking four years "It lasted from 1998 to 2001 - way longer than the two years we intended. This was part of the general problem at Core of insufficient project planning that of course led to Angel of Darkness massively overrunning and all the problems that caused" says Gavin.

It's fairly clear that there were major project management deficiencies at Core that weren't just AoD related. Herdy Gerdy was another Playstation 2 project from Core that was really late too. Is it really any wonder they were booted off the franchise if none of their PS2 projects could be delivered on time?

**maximum_123** · 05-01-25, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowrence

It's fairly clear that there were major project management deficiencies at Core that weren't just AoD related. Herdy Gerdy was another Playstation 2 project from Core that was really late too. Is it really any wonder they were booted off the franchise if none of their PS2 projects could be delivered on time?

I agree. Years ago, following Core being dropped and the release of the LAU trilogy, I always wanted to believe that it was unfair and not Core's fault for their demise following AOD. However, as time goes on and even by the developer's own admission that they were in over their heads, it's really clear that there was a distinct lack of project management - and also technical skills.

From the design documents, it appears to me that they were overly ambitious without much forethought into the execution. You can look at other PS2 titles from the time with streaming engines, better control schemes, etc. and realize they were in a bubble and unable to see out of it. For example, I don't buy the 'nobody liking the analogue control scheme so we changed it' reasoning considering this was standard by 2003.

I love AOD, and still think it's the best game in the franchise, but a lot of that reasoning surrounds the mystique of 'what could have been' rather than what actually was.

Scottlee · 12-01-25, 15:42

AOD was the Cyberpunk of its time, except back then you couldn't just patch your way out of trouble. It was released at least a year too early. At least. I still remember realising about a third of the way through just how dismally 'not fun' it was.

I will be playing it later this year on the PS5 for the first time in over 20 years. I'm nervous to go through it again tbh.

12-01-25, 15:42	#23
Scottlee Member Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 8,098	AOD was the Cyberpunk of its time, except back then you couldn't just patch your way out of trouble. It was released at least a year too early. At least. I still remember realising about a third of the way through just how dismally 'not fun' it was. I will be playing it later this year on the PS5 for the first time in over 20 years. I'm nervous to go through it again tbh.