Let those who do not know Lara Croft cast the first stone. This intrepid archaeologist, who has been running, jumping, shooting and solving puzzles around the world for over twenty years, is one of the most iconic and influential characters in the history of video games. Lara Croft is not only the heroine of games, but also the heroine of films, comics, books and other media. Its popularity and influence on popular culture cannot be denied.
Lara Croft first appeared in 1996 in the game Tomb Raider, which was a breakthrough in the action-adventure game genre.. The game offered 3D graphics, free exploration, arcade challenges (in hindsight, I can see how difficult it would be to perfectly position a character, make a jump or jump to, say, grab a ledge), logical puzzles and an engaging plot. .
The game was so successful that it got a sequel. In fact, every year another part of the brave archaeologist's work is published. sThe problem is that in the days of the first PlayStation version, Core Design, the studio responsible for the game (or rather the people who worked there) were tired or oppressed by the then publisher Eidos Interactive – According to the slogan: “You have to strike while the iron is hot.” At the time, Tomb Raider was considered the goose that laid the golden eggs. by the time.
New life for old games
Annual releases have had a significant impact on the quality of the game, offering players a steak that is constantly reheated but less flavorful. Some crew members were so tired that individual “units” decided to quit their jobs. This was especially noticeable in the third and fourth installments, because Lara's “vestigial” memories in the fifth installment were completely pathetic, which led not only to poor reception (bad reviews), but also to poor sales.. Personally, although at the time I also complained about the quality of gameplay, lack of variety in missions, and general lack of idea for the game, I enjoyed it. Because hey! This is Tomb Raider after all. I was and still am a huge fan of Lara Croft's adventures. However, it is these three games (included in the remaster) that make up the classic Tomb Raider trilogy, which is considered the best and most important “part” of the classic series.
Now, more than twenty years after the first game's release, Lara Croft fans have reason to rejoice. Aspyr Media has announced that it will release Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, which includes remastered versions of the first three games in the series. This sluggish 'game pack' is scheduled to be released on February 14, 2024 on multiple platforms – PC, PS4, PS5, XONE, XSX and Switch. But what does a remaster mean? This means the games will feature updated graphics, with new character models, changed textures, and better lighting. However, if someone prefers to play games in their native pixel technology, they will have this opportunity. Simply press a button to switch between the new and old graphics at any time during the game, which seems to be an interesting patent. In addition, the games will have improved support for controllers, which means that Lara's controls will be unified according to current times.. We will also get better compatibility with new operating systems and support for 4K resolution.
Back to the roots?
For many players, the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Pack will be a chance to return to the roots of the series and relive the adventures of Lara Croft. For others, this will be an opportunity to experience these iconic games for the first time. Anyway, this remaster is a tribute to one of the greatest video game legends. But is it worth it? genuinely? You can get a lot of these games. But this will be verified by players who vote with their wallets. Only then will we know if it's worth trying to release the game in this format.
Personally, I think that Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is not just regular versions of old games, even classics from the PSX era. It is also an expression of respect and thanks to the creators and fans of the series who have supported and loved Lara Croft over the years. It's also an invitation to rediscover these great games that changed the face of the action-adventure genre forever. These are returning memories worth living.
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