Shadow of the Tomb Raider - General Chat

[VictorXD]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Bear

Sam had so much potential, she had this amazing backstory of being Lara's best friend and after Yamatai she could have become the new Amanda with her new Himiko powers... just imagine what an amazing boss battle they could have made!

But instead, they made her disappear from the games and made her story arc in the comics... (which wasn't that epic, she deserved better)

Indeed, she could have been a much better version of Amanda. Though I still think keeping her alive and getting rid of the boss fight we were going to have against Samiko was a huge mistake and great stupidity from both a gameplay and narrative point of view.

[Portugalraider]

I actually think that Sam has more potential to become an interesting character now that the games and comics established that Lara and Sam fell apart, but are considering reconnecting.

I can see a game exploring these new dynamic of Lara and Sam basically being strangers to one another, despite still feeling there is a connection between them. About seeing how they both grew and became different people, see if they can return to how their relationship was before or have it evolve, if they can even still have any sort of relationship. As long as it doesn't end up as another "Samsel in distress story", as long as it stays as them both going on an adventure together, it could actually be a really interesting thing to explore, and either a proper re-introduction or send-off to Sam.

Much more interesting to me than "Sam is now possessed by Himiko and is evil", if I'm honest. That just sounds too cliche in my opinion (yes, the comics ended up doing that, but at least they had Sam actively fighting against the possession and being instrumental in getting Himiko off of her own body). Even Amanda had reasons to become evil and didn't become a villain because of Fluffy and/or the Wraith Stone influencing her.

And Amanda wasn't even that evil if you think about it, at least when compared to Lara. Her grudge towards Lara and her former friends is somewhat justified (I mean, they didn't even tried to recover the bodies, let alone see if anyone survived), both have somehow selfish reasons to go after Excalibur (though Lara's are certainly much more relatable), and they both are willing to kill to get what they want. Only difference is Amanda prefers to have others do the killing for her, while Lara prefers to do it herself.

[Rai]

Originally Posted by James_Rutland

Am I the only one so happy the reboot trilogy happened?

I'm playing through TR 2013 again, and I just love the direction the series has taken. I just wish a few things stuck, like Lara having the duals in Rise + Shadow.

I love Shadow, but I also feel like Rise is one of the greatest games of this generation. So packed with content and visuals that still look like one of the best on the market today IMO

I hope we get news soon on a new game, I hope they don't just ditch the reboot timeline, that would be so wasted. I just want another game in the same universe but set about 5-8 years later with a more mature Lara.

You're not alone. There is just not many of us left on the forum. I agree with your last point too. I'd prefer 3-5 years between Shadow and Lara's next big adveenture, story-wise. I don't want more time to have passed for Lara as I want to know what she's been up after her origin. Shadow already gave her a lighter attitude, so I think that's enough for her to be going forward with a lighter approach to an adventure, rather than being super serious. That way they can explore a more witty side (just not too OTT).

[Chamayoo]

Originally Posted by RAID

Platforming was horrible in the LAU games. Lara was stuck to a ledge 99% of the time only to hop to another ledge. LAU are definitely down there with AOD in my book. Best be forgotten.

I would exclude TRU out of this, they really managed to make the platforming varied in this one. I even think there was more ledge-hopping in Shadow.

[Portugalraider]

Originally Posted by Rai

You're not alone. There is just not many of us left on the forum. I agree with your last point too. I'd prefer 3-5 years between Shadow and Lara's next big adveenture, story-wise. I don't want more time to have passed for Lara as I want to know what she's been up after her origin. Shadow already gave her a lighter attitude, so I think that's enough for her to be going forward with a lighter approach to an adventure, rather than being super serious. That way they can explore a more witty side (just not too OTT).

They need less serious stories. I know you read the comics, Rai, so I know you know reboot Lara can have a very snarky side and actually enjoy herself, without ever feeling out of character. But she is able to show that side of her in the comics because they aren't afraid to commit to lighthearted moments in those stories, even when they are quite serious.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, whoever is developing and/or writting for the next games should seriously look into the reboot comics to see what kind of narrative tone works best for Tomb Raider: serious when it needs to be, light-hearted when it also needs it. A good balance between light and dark, to let Lara properly show all sides of her personality.

[pitchtheripoff]

Originally Posted by Portugalraider

They need less serious stories. I know you read the comics, Rai, so I know you know reboot Lara can have a very snarky side and actually enjoy herself, without ever feeling out of character. But she is able to show that side of her in the comics because they aren't afraid to commit to lighthearted moments in those stories, even when they are quite serious.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, whoever is developing and/or writting for the next games should seriously look into the reboot comics to see what kind of narrative tone works best for Tomb Raider: serious when it needs to be, light-hearted when it also needs it. A good balance between light and dark, to let Lara properly show all sides of her personality.

I think the worst part is that they tried showing Lara's happy side in Shadow but it fell flat cuz they did it like twice. They really need to improve their writing.

[VictorXD]

Originally Posted by Chamayoo

I would exclude TRU out of this, they really managed to make the platforming varied in this one. I even think there was more ledge-hopping in Shadow.

I actually agree with this (except the part about shadow, I need to replay it to notice that). TRU gave you all sorts of options when climbing and did a good job exploring all of them. The controls might not be the best and animations might be ugly sometimes, but it did do a lot of things right. Even the white ledges were better blended than the previous games.

[Chamayoo]

Originally Posted by VictorXD

I actually agree with this (except the part about shadow, I need to replay it to notice that). TRU gave you all sorts of options when climbing and did a good job exploring all of them. The controls might not be the best and animations might be ugly sometimes, but it did do a lot of things right. Even the white ledges were better blended than the previous games.

That was what I felt for ledge hopping but maybe I'm wrong and it's maybe the same as TRU actually. Both games have more varied platforming than the others so it helped them to not overused a particular mechanic.

[Rai]

Originally Posted by Portugalraider

They need less serious stories. I know you read the comics, Rai, so I know you know reboot Lara can have a very snarky side and actually enjoy herself, without ever feeling out of character. But she is able to show that side of her in the comics because they aren't afraid to commit to lighthearted moments in those stories, even when they are quite serious.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, whoever is developing and/or writting for the next games should seriously look into the reboot comics to see what kind of narrative tone works best for Tomb Raider: serious when it needs to be, light-hearted when it also needs it. A good balance between light and dark, to let Lara properly show all sides of her personality.

Oh I definitely agree that there was a better mix in lighter and serious when needed moments in the comics. I was talking from a game pov. There was an attempt to show lighter moments by giving Lara a few down time scenes where she was with Jonah or perhaps the scene with Una. I'd argue that tombs, optional and story led are also times that can be counted as 'lighter' in a sense as these are the times Lara is in her element and voices her appreciation of the location. The only real way that I can think of that a lighter story could work is to focus on the myth that is being told, whether it's a real myth adapted to fit the game, which I think was done well in all three Survivor games, or a completely made up one. There would be no family drama or some personal connection to the villains, just Lara going on an adventure that's interrupted by the appearance of a villain, who gets in the way of her goals. Or maybe inconvenienced is a better term (and here come the termites to spoil it). Lara is apparently done with her origins, so she's fully confident and willing now to go on an adventure for the thrill of it. Which, imo, is what they were implying with the ending. The game writers just need to be free to do this, as you say.

Originally Posted by pitchtheripoff

I think the worst part is that they tried showing Lara's happy side in Shadow but it fell flat cuz they did it like twice. They really need to improve their writing.

And what do you propose they do to show this? Because it 'fell flat' (I disagree) in Shadow because the devs are all too aware of the fans' preference for Lara to be isolated. These lighter moments in Shadow all involved interactions with others - Jonah by the campfire, over the headpiece with Jonah and Abby, Jonah and the Eli the worm scene, Lara and Una and, imo, any time Lara is alone in a tomb just enjoying the historical aspects or the scenery. Putting it that way, I think there are more examples that are even given credit to.

[Zsott]

Originally Posted by Portugalraider

.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, whoever is developing and/or writting for the next games should seriously look into the reboot comics to see what kind of narrative tone works best for Tomb Raider: serious when it needs to be, light-hearted when it also needs it.

But here's the catch: the same person wrote the comics, who wrote the story for the games...supposedly.
I say supposedly, because around RoTR Rhianna said -when she was let go - that Lara's story is done (or her work for finishing the trilogy's story), yet she isn't credited among the writers in SoTR's credits. (my point is, we don't know whose decision was/is to make Lara the way she is)

I've said it before, I would be more tolerant towards the current iteration, if she'd resemble to her comic counterpart. There, she is very well enjoyable, nothing too much 'in your face'.