I know it has flaws, but TRU is underrated

VictorXD · 21-09-24, 19:39

Pretty much what the title says. I love underworld, many greast locations, ideas, I love how they brought back the OG villain from the first game, I love the doppelganger, the Manor blowing up. It's a very ambitious game, one of the most ambitious of the whole franchise IMO, right up with AOD and 2013.

I think this game is criminally underrated among TR fans.

Guilherme · 26-09-24, 19:08

Agreed! I love TRU to bits and was obsessed with it back when it was still the latest entry in the franchise. TRU Lara is still the most iconic one Crystal ever made, I don't get the complaints about camera and controls either, they were always fine to me.

I'd say my only disappointment with the game is how uninspired and not iconic the last level is, it's basically just Med. Sea and Jan Mayen Island mashed together, could've been something more unique, and let's not talk about the lack of proper boss fights.

Also I've been itching to play the less awesome PS2 port again tbh.

Chamayoo · 01-10-24, 12:33

I think TRU is getting a bit more of appreciation, today. It was a bit tough to be a fan of the game between 2008 and 2013, it really wasn't popular at that time !
History is repeating itself because it happened to AOD as well. However AOD is definitely cult classic in the fandom now, I can't say the same for TRU.

I talked a lot about this game but I love :
- How rich, accrobatic and varied platforming is.
- The focus on puzzle and exploration.
- You mainly are fighting wildlife and supernatural creatures, with a bit of human encounters. The balance was right !
- While not enough, the effort to be less linear (than at least TRL and TRA) and we had cool difficulty options like hiding the icons for instance.
- The locations (but it feels samey in the last 1/3 of the game I admit).
- Doppie abilities (we need the DLC on PC and Playstation ASAP)

With all the glitches, controls fixed and the game to be longer, ooooh we were closed of something !

Tommy123 · 03-10-24, 18:46

Underworld is one of my favorite games in the franchise. Its unfortunate that it could not reach all the potential that they planned for it but this game gave us a lot of memorable moments and iconic characters.

I joined TRF back in the day to talk with the head writer when he was doing a Q&A session here about Underworld and LAU. I remember i asked the question of what happened to Amanda's tattoos and he said they were just temporary ones (Henna) in attempts to harness abilities with her knowledge of how the ancients did it. You can find the link to the answer to my question on Amanda Evert's official wiki page.

So in a way Underworld holds a special place in my heart for introducing me to TRF as i had also previously been a user on Planet Lara. I got to meet so many incredible people here and meet many longtime friends. I will always be thankful for Underworld for providing me these amazing experiences.

I can still remember showing my friend Jessica the trailer for TRU and my dad picking me up from Jr. High and handing me the game in the passenger seat. Some of my favorite memories.

CroftCore · 04-10-24, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by VictorXD

Pretty much what the title says. I love underworld, many greast locations, ideas, I love how they brought back the OG villain from the first game, I love the doppelganger, the Manor blowing up. It's a very ambitious game, one of the most ambitious of the whole franchise IMO, right up with AOD and 2013.

I think this game is criminally underrated among TR fans.

I got my Xbox 360 back in the day specifically for Underworld! I have so many great memories of this game. Learning how to use the 360 while playing Underworld, I'll never forget when I figured out I could play music from the console hard drive WHILE playing the game, my mind was blown.

I was obsessed with Underworld, I'll never forget staying up for the reveal trailer on Spike TV. That night was so exciting, I wish I knew of this place back then, I bet everyone was excited.

Underworld is definitely my favorite of LAU, Crystal really got Lara right in this game, I'd say she was the closest they ever got to a proper Lara Croft. She was really fierce. I also think this games visuals have aged beautifully. They still look fantastic, and I can imagine Underworld would look incredible with a remaster on modern consoles. Then when the DLC came out? I was so shook that they were able to add to a game after it came out, ugh, such a fun time.

Chamayoo · 04-10-24, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroftCore

Underworld is definitely my favorite of LAU, Crystal really got Lara right in this game, I'd say she was the closest they ever got to a proper Lara Croft. She was really fierce. I also think this games visuals have aged beautifully. They still look fantastic, and I can imagine Underworld would look incredible with a remaster on modern consoles. Then when the DLC came out? I was so shook that they were able to add to a game after it came out, ugh, such a fun time.

You were one of the lucky ones who experienced the DLC in real time ?

Can't wait for LAU's turn to be remastered. Better graphics, the DLC on all platforms and hopefully revamped controls ? Count me in !

CroftCore · 04-10-24, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chamayoo

You were one of the lucky ones who experienced the DLC in real time ?

Can't wait for LAU's turn to be remastered. Better graphics, the DLC on all platforms and hopefully revamped controls ? Count me in !

I did!!! I'll never forget begging my mom for some Microsoft Points so I could buy them. It was such an exciting time. I was so blown away by Lara's Shadow with the new powers and the way the doppel controlled. I loooooooved Beneath the Ashes as well for Lara's outfit, I love that outfit, one of the best even to this day.

Chamayoo · 06-10-24, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroftCore

I did!!! I'll never forget begging my mom for some Microsoft Points so I could buy them. It was such an exciting time. I was so blown away by Lara's Shadow with the new powers and the way the doppel controlled. I loooooooved Beneath the Ashes as well for Lara's outfit, I love that outfit, one of the best even to this day.

So cool ! Beneath the Ashes is in the same league as Thailand and Mexico as the best levels of TRU (or even from all Crystal games) for me. Great outfits I agree, even if I'm less a fan of the bikinis but still nice for those who appreciate them.
Doppie is so refreshing to control but I found the level to be repetitive. The setting though, should have been the architecture from the Artic Sea level since the beggining. Awesome scifi scenery and also good traps here and there.
I played the DLC almost a decade later I think on 360 in a friend's house. It was a bit surreal to play extra levels from TRU after all this time.

21-09-24, 19:39	#1
VictorXD Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 9,931	I know it has flaws, but TRU is underrated Pretty much what the title says. I love underworld, many greast locations, ideas, I love how they brought back the OG villain from the first game, I love the doppelganger, the Manor blowing up. It's a very ambitious game, one of the most ambitious of the whole franchise IMO, right up with AOD and 2013. I think this game is criminally underrated among TR fans.

01-10-24, 12:33	#3
Chamayoo Member Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 11,269	I think TRU is getting a bit more of appreciation, today. It was a bit tough to be a fan of the game between 2008 and 2013, it really wasn't popular at that time ! History is repeating itself because it happened to AOD as well. However AOD is definitely cult classic in the fandom now, I can't say the same for TRU. I talked a lot about this game but I love : - How rich, accrobatic and varied platforming is. - The focus on puzzle and exploration. - You mainly are fighting wildlife and supernatural creatures, with a bit of human encounters. The balance was right ! - While not enough, the effort to be less linear (than at least TRL and TRA) and we had cool difficulty options like hiding the icons for instance. - The locations (but it feels samey in the last 1/3 of the game I admit). - Doppie abilities (we need the DLC on PC and Playstation ASAP) With all the glitches, controls fixed and the game to be longer, ooooh we were closed of something ! Last edited by Chamayoo; 01-10-24 at 12:35.

03-10-24, 18:46	#4
Tommy123 Member Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 14,665	Underworld is one of my favorite games in the franchise. Its unfortunate that it could not reach all the potential that they planned for it but this game gave us a lot of memorable moments and iconic characters. I joined TRF back in the day to talk with the head writer when he was doing a Q&A session here about Underworld and LAU. I remember i asked the question of what happened to Amanda's tattoos and he said they were just temporary ones (Henna) in attempts to harness abilities with her knowledge of how the ancients did it. You can find the link to the answer to my question on Amanda Evert's official wiki page. So in a way Underworld holds a special place in my heart for introducing me to TRF as i had also previously been a user on Planet Lara. I got to meet so many incredible people here and meet many longtime friends. I will always be thankful for Underworld for providing me these amazing experiences. I can still remember showing my friend Jessica the trailer for TRU and my dad picking me up from Jr. High and handing me the game in the passenger seat. Some of my favorite memories. Last edited by Tommy123; 03-10-24 at 18:48.

26-09-24, 19:08	#2
Guilherme Member Joined: Feb 2023 Posts: 307	Agreed! I love TRU to bits and was obsessed with it back when it was still the latest entry in the franchise. TRU Lara is still the most iconic one Crystal ever made, I don't get the complaints about camera and controls either, they were always fine to me. I'd say my only disappointment with the game is how uninspired and not iconic the last level is, it's basically just Med. Sea and Jan Mayen Island mashed together, could've been something more unique, and let's not talk about the lack of proper boss fights. Also I've been itching to play the less awesome PS2 port again tbh.