My thoughts and feelings............

[Randy 54]

I cannot describe in words, how disappointed I am right now. I was really hoping that the leaked concept art was somebody's ill attempt at humor and in reality, a good old fashioned Tomb Raider game was on the way. After following the series from the beginning to this point, I am saddened at what has become of it.
Also, the cover photo is nothing short of grotesque.

[Blue Skies]

Fair enough! Whatever they came up with would not be for everyone. What do you find grotesque about the new render? Personally, I am excited about Tomb Raider all over again :)

Dropping the auto-aim, dropping the overly sexualised aspect, dropping the real life model.
A new Lara for a new era that competes with the other contenders out there.

I can't wait to start exploring the island. Remember the spooky island (Black Isle, Ireland) in Chronicles...Bring It!!!

[dark7angel]

Fair enough! Whatever they came up with would not be for everyone. What do you find grotesque about the new render? Personally, I am excited about Tomb Raider all over again :)

Dropping the auto-aim, dropping the overly sexualised aspect, dropping the real life model.
A new Lara for a new era that competes with the other contenders out there.

I can't wait to start exploring the island. Remember the spooky island (Black Isle, Ireland) in Chronicles...Bring It!!!

I totally agree with you!!!!
I follow TR from the very start and I do think that this change was needed!!! At first I was a little apprehensive towards it but now I'm really excited and I think it looks really great!!!
And Lara's new render, she looks beautiful and so realistic!!! I LOVE it!!!

[chriss99]

I absolutely agree that it's high time Tomb Raider series was restarted.
I'm still digesting all the information about the game. I understand that many fans got used to the old formula of the game and this must have come as a shock for them (including myself). I'm not disappointed, yet I don't sense excitement. I don't want to judge the game before I see some more concrete info.
The question I'm asking myself is whether the reboot is an absolute necessity. I guess we'll see sooner or later.

[LC is Me]

Eh, I don't understand why everyone is so disappointed with a RENDER.

Sure the concepts are "confirmed" for the most part, but I think they will be able to do so much more with this release that they couldn't before. I'm sick of the old formula. TR needed a new one if Crystal had ANY thoughts of this series surviving. This game could be what brings Lara back more, especially with the response it's getting from the scans. Now restarting the entire story, "rebooting" Lara as a character and her backstory themselves...that's a gray area for me. But if this game is impressive, I can get over that.

And like I've said before...she's an EXPLORER. It's been stated time and time again that we are dealing with a more inexperienced, younger Lara. I would expect her to look nothing short of shot in whatever official render would come from this new game.

[RoombelinaUK]

old fashioned

"old" is precisely the reason.

[Denis..]

"old" is precisely the reason.

yes i got bored with the same thing too..i want something totaly new and a reboot was needed..i always used to saying that tru was a failure and yet gol was ok..but i want my lara to be on top as she was long ago..

[Denis..]

you guys dont seem to get it that the series werent going well and it was important to change EVERYTHING! i want lara to be on top as she was long time ago and u saying aw it wasnt nesesery and underworld was ok and blah blah blah..come on now dont u want lara back on top??

[josh1122]

One thing I find funny people are now saying ''yeah I was getting tired of the same old thing'' but it was tmost of those same people constantly complaining that the game wasnt playing like the OLD Core games.

Just find that kind of weird

[Pulse]

I've always said TR needed something fresh and needed to be a next gen game if it was to survive. It looks like CD has done that, so I applaud them.

BTW She's 21... she could have still been in a plane crash (when she was 9) with her mother for all we know. They may have changed some things, and they may have improved on or left others untouched. Until we know that, we can't be making judgments about the new TR backstory.

[josh1122]

Or they could still be dead for all we know and she wants to make them proud in an honor type sense, in their name.

[qwerty]

this game gonna rock...i feel it

[RoombelinaUK]

i want lara to be on top

LOL I hope you mean that in a metaphorical way :rasp:

[Tombfan#1]

Personally I LOVE the new lara and What I've read so far about this new Tomb Raider! :D But then again I loved all The Tomb Raiders. Through the Bugs and other bd things they were rather good. I do agree that this game DOES need the change simply because it was doing a lot of the same old stuff, but that old stuff was and is still enjoyable! It just needed that make over that we all hate or love. Hopefully this will be a good thing that they're doing to Tomb Raider!:thumb: I will LOVE it no matter what to be honest!

[Danielsun]

rather confused about that josh/denis convo there made me smile though :)

i'm looking forward to hearing about this in the future , would like to know some of the features, but at this moment in time i want a trailer :p

[Ants_27_]

It's basically the end of the old games to make way for a new beginning, were the character Lara Croft may actually fit in for once.

Regardless of if 'hardcore' fans just want what they've been getting, TR has to compete with competition cause things can't really survive on just fans anymore... unless its so successful that as soon as something relating to it sells by the bucket load.

It wouldn't have been a shock to see TR being canceled, especially the way it was going until now. But that's not saying you have to like it, definitely not. In order for some to love it other must hate it.:)

[adobeARTIST]

you guys dont seem to get it that the series werent going well and it was important to change EVERYTHING! i want lara to be on top as she was long time ago and u saying aw it wasnt nesesery and underworld was ok and blah blah blah..come on now dont u want lara back on top??

I feel the same way. I can remember when Tomb Raider first entered the scene, and just set the stage on fire. The games were all the toast of the town and gamers were endeared with Lara.

The flaws were mostly overlooked because it was all a new experience, so most reactions were "oooooh, and aaaahhhhh" over the amazing 3D (for the time) vistas and that sense of wonder in exploring them.

But as time went on TR got branded with stigmas like rehash and same old, same old. And less and less gamers were forgiving about things like camera angles and issues of jump detection and the like.

I saw the series and character I hold so dear fall from grace and be abandoned for other mascots. Even treated as a joke, with some comments that her good games were a thing of the past.

Lara was once a top icon, and I want to see her reclaim her glory and once again be talked about with praise and acclaim. I hope this will be the game to do it.

I can also say, being a regular on the Gamespot forums, the cover and new info has been a topic of discussion there too, a forum where it's not just TR fans. And I can tell you most of the feedback has been quite positive. I heard from people that lost touch with the series now interested again after seeing this new coverage. This shows a great deal of promise :) :flowers:

[Fox89]

One thing that does make me worry a little is that Crystal are changing the formula they know significantly. I'm playing Legend again now and coming straight onto it off the back of Underworld and Anniversary I'm seeing the rough edges. This was the first revitalised Lara, and there are some major issues.

Combat and Vehicle sections are the main two. Very very weak. The puzzles lacked imagination. Zip and Alistair are annoying after a while. It's still a good game, but in many respects its a trial run. They didn't perfect the formula until Anniversary. I just hope Crystal's ambition isn't too much for them with this new project. Looking back, Legend was somewhat of a trial run. I hope the new TR doesn't turn into something similar.

[Love2Raid]

I think it all looks very promising. It's shaping up to be a more mature game, like it used to be. I like the new bio as well, it is more like the classic one. Let's hope they will stick with this one, lol.

I love that they are going to develop the character more, the fear factor in this game, the survival element and the potential of the story.

I worry about a lack of tombs, too much cinematic/interactive cutscene crap and too much focus on combat.

There is not much more that I can say about it, I have to play it first. :)

[hakumen001]

Fair enough! Whatever they came up with would not be for everyone. What do you find grotesque about the new render? Personally, I am excited about Tomb Raider all over again :)

Dropping the auto-aim, dropping the overly sexualised aspect, dropping the real life model.
A new Lara for a new era that competes with the other contenders out there.

I can't wait to start exploring the island. Remember the spooky island (Black Isle, Ireland) in Chronicles...Bring It!!!

"overly sexualised aspect"? I'm at a loss... What are you speaking on? If you're only speaking on her bust size, I have/know/see women that have bigger breast than her every day. I cant remember the last flat chested girl I've seen. Rare to see fat people too unless older or around a fast food restaurant. I live in Phoenix so it's hot year round and Cali girls visit too so maybe I'm missing something? Are you talking about the Models and not the games themselves? Are you female? If you think TR is "overly sexual" you'd kill yourself in Japan, Korean, Europe, South America, AZ or Cali cause I don't see it. Never did. Though sex sells if it ever did start making her a real sex symbol and not the tame PG13 one LC is.

[Driber]

^ Bunch of posts removed.

Leave the personal remarks and bickering off this forum, guys!

[hakumen001]

After seeing the cover, Im convinced the are is going to be of amazing quality art wise, but LC herself is no longer attractive. It makes me sad. Aesthetically she doesn't look attractive anymore.The dirt and blood is amazing and that would be an amazing game mechanic if as she got lower on health, she looked ragged like the concept art released. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so someone thought she looked better this way at CD. Sad. If they at least change her lips I could almost accept it! They are really bugging me! Other than that, everything else almost sounds great. Wandering about the collecting food and water...

[David603]

Here are my thoughts and feelings on Tomb Raider.

The reboot is desperately needed. The basic concept of the Tomb Raider series hasn't changed in 14 years. 14 years ago it was amazing, but having a game based on linear "exploration", puzzle solving, and (simplistic) combat is never going to be great now.

Lara started life as a cardboard cut-out of a character, albeit one that was reasonably interesting and likeable. Sure, CD made an effort to update the character with Legend, making her more human, but they were still hampered by feeling that they had to stick with the old back-story (the changes they made were very minor).

Starting over is the only way to go, and allows the creation of a new story and a Lara that isn't hampered by 14 years of different developers and story writers.

The new concept is amazing, and genuinely seems like something that's exciting in a modern game. What's more, it seems like it can bring back the fear and atmosphere that was present in the earlier games. Back then it was because you were exploring the unknown, never knowing when you would run into an enemy or trap, and Lara (and through her the player) was actually in danger from said creatures. Now you can see enemies and traps from miles off, and the enemies aren't even slightly threatening, despite requiring a huge amount of ammunition to kill.

The new look is also great, Lara looks like a real person now, not a cartoon character.

All in all I'm hugely excited about the future of Tomb Raider now, where before this information came out, I was thinking that the next game would be a continuation of the TRL/TRA/TRU plotline and concept, and despite being a big Tomb Raider fan, and having enjoyed the recent games to a reasonable extent, I wasn't very excited over the prospect of another.

[Ants_27_]

As for her not looking, "As attractive".

But when I played the past games, I never once looked at Lara in the way "Oh my God, she's attractive!"... I just can't seem to do it with game characters.

I probably wouldn't even take much notice of her if I play it. For example, when Underworld was shown off, people moaned about thats her hands were too big... I mean c'mon, hands?!:lol:


But back to my post, that's my two cents anyway! :)

[handsomepete]

I'm still not sure yet, I love the last one underworld, thought it was going to pick back up again. I'm OK with it as long as it stays true to itself meaning: it's tomb raider for a reason, not human raider, not shoot animals raider or bring people back from the dead raider. I want to explore tombs, solve some puzzles and shoot some stuff up along the way. You can add dinos, you can have undead and skeltons, you can have mummies but leave Aliens out of it and drop the doppelganger. I'm ok with some of the sexy shots just leave the umteeth bikini unlock out. Shorts, two guns, and a mid drift works a few proper attire is fine too. I wouldn't go to the artic in shorts why would she?

Stay within formula: give us an artifact, give it a story then bury it for a few hundred years and make us go get it. Actualy I still would like to see even a board or two of america history thrown in. Something like she finds a store of old civil war era stuff and has to find a part of the story there, or revolutionary stuff. Just a personal thing I wouldn't mind seeing.

[josh1122]

I don't really have really any feelings so far on the game.

It SOUNDS pretty interesting,however I've seen a lot of things that look and sound interesting and they've been a complete bust. So I'm like 50/50 in terms of interest level on the game. Half me is like yeah it might be good and the other half is opposite.

I'll have to wait for the first gameplay trailer to see if it might interest me,CGI trailer won't interest me

[Randy 54]

It's basically the end of the old games to make way for a new beginning, were the character Lara Croft may actually fit in for once.

Regardless of if 'hardcore' fans just want what they've been getting, TR has to compete with competition cause things can't really survive on just fans anymore... unless its so successful that as soon as something relating to it sells by the bucket load.

It wouldn't have been a shock to see TR being canceled, especially the way it was going until now. But that's not saying you have to like it, definitely not. In order for some to love it other must hate it.:)

Yes, but I'm wondering if a new direction could have been accomplished without a reboot. Now, you're playing Lara Croft in name only because the identity is lost, so basically, it's just another game, and I'm skeptical about the M rating. It kind of turns me off. But, I'll take the wait and see approach like some others are. The ironic thing about all of this is, it was
Tomb Raider that brought everyone together on this forum, and at the same time, it's Tomb Raider that's dividing some.

[JeanLucAwesome]

This is now my most anticipated game right alongside uncharted 3 and
It's about time the series got a reboot, I loved Legend but as fun as it was it's far from a AAA game.

I don't get why some people are turned off by this, It's still Lara Croft, It's not like the previous games had a deep, rich, spectacular plot. It lacked substance, it wouldn't even really matter what order you played them in. Building her from the ground up will finally breathe some life into this franchise and the whole survival element sounds really cool.

As for Lara's new yet familiar look, she's stunning, I almost want to take that pic out of my magazine and display it lol. If they had a poster of it I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat. *hint*hint*

[Bampire]

Care for more elaboration?

I know I was personally displeased with the first conceptual artwork but seeing the re-rendered artwork she looks absolutely adorable.

It does have that Tomb Raider feel, because you're surviving on your own, let alone you're also getting a taste of how a Human would act in situations; without weaponry that they brought from home. Also, the fact that we're able to use what is around us as what we so desire, like weaponry (as stated), for puzzles (like in all the other TRs), and just the idea of surviving. Raiding tombs is there, as well. This is just a mixture of Angel of Darkness (Horror game, still Tomb Raider, because you still have those elements, especially without the dual 9mm Pistols) and the classic TR with a few spices added in which I have just stated.

Going to her appearance, she looks less like a woman injected with botox. She looks natural, adorable, youthful, beautiful and strong. She doesn't look nor feel fake, she still looks like Lara. You don't always need those key elements that help make a character memorable, you need their personality. This game will shape the sprouting adventurer into the woman we grew up to love and look up to. Yes, she will be different, yet it is all for the best.

You can dislike it all you want but for those who like it will move on within the franchise.

I personally gave up being the one clinging to the past, since I've moved onto another franchise for my History, action-adventure kick. Doesn't mean I dislike TR franchise. I am still loyal and seeing these changes makes me pleased. Viewing it as positive.

It's time to move on, are you ready?

[hakumen001]

After reading the GI article, it seems they're throwing out everything that was LC and quite frankly, putting a different person and game in it's place, but using the Tomb Raider name and naming the new girl LC instead of giving this new person a different name. They changed her looks, personality, 3 measurements, back story, etc. There is nothing LC about her. I'm at a lost as to why they couldn't just name this something else. Does it sound interesting? Yes. It could be a great game, but it's spitting on the history of the franchise. I guess that will just take me getting over that small little detail of what it's been since TR1. CD wants to go realistic instead of stylized? They have that right. I'm sad about it, but it could be great. I just can't stomach looking at her... Maybe with some footage and seeing it in motion I'll change my mind. :(

Side note: I kind of imagine LC would look like this with the realistic modeling

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2508/lcshouldbe.jpg

though I know there is no chance of that happening now.

Though the story is interesting. I wander if she'll get any of her bk story back or is everything trashed and this is story now? Or maybe if this is an alternate universe for LC. Like in Xmen. Like Wolverine having his claws in 1 comic and the other comic he lost his metal sort of deal. That would be easier to accept.

[Fox89]

Yes. It could be a great game, but it's spitting on the history of the franchise. I guess that will just take me getting over that small little detail of what it's been since TR1.

I don't think that's really fair at all. Even Legend and Anniversary made major changes to the formula. It may be a reboot but it's not like they're asking to forget the original Tomb Raider games never happened. There's nothing wrong with change, even radical change, as long as it is done for good reason. Crystal Dynamics have provided good reasons, backed up by many people on this board and beyond who feel the Tomb Raider franchise is becoming stagnant and has fallen behind similar games like Uncharted.

[kalle90]

I don't think that's really fair at all. Even Legend and Anniversary made major changes to the formula. It may be a reboot but it's not like they're asking to forget the original Tomb Raider games never happened. There's nothing wrong with change, even radical change, as long as it is done for good reason. Crystal Dynamics have provided good reasons, backed up by many people on this board and beyond who feel the Tomb Raider franchise is becoming stagnant and has fallen behind similar games like Uncharted.

Where does this Super Mario thinking come from? I see more and more people questioning what is the point of Mario Tennis, Mario Party, Mario Postman... Like 50 games named Mario that have nothing to do with each other, yet developers are sticking to old known names more and more

Some 15 years ago Tomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, Resident Evil, Syphon Filter, Legacy of Kain etc. were born. Why did so many original titles come up back then? Why today we see so much COD 9, Guitar Hero 12, Tony Hawk 21, Medal Of Honor, Prince Of Persia, Splinter Cell etc. games that have completely lost their origins?

Is it because earlier gamers were devoted to games while today's casual crowd can't find Tomb Raider-like games unless they're called Tomb Raider? How many people bought Black Ops just because it got the words Call Of Duty on it?

[Fox89]

Is it because earlier gamers were devoted to games while today's casual crowd can't find Tomb Raider-like games unless they're called Tomb Raider?

It's because back then there weren't already a load of established franchises and there was a major technological shift. When that happens you're likely to get not just new games but new types of game that take advantage of the new tech. But even before that we were getting plenty of the phenomenon you refer to. By the time the PS1 came along we had Final Fantasy VI, a series of Zelda, Mario, Sonic, Metroid and Castlevania titles. This concept of taking a successful franchise and putting a bigger number on the end has been around for many many years..

And the converse is true in the modern day as well. I'm looking at the PS3 section of my games shelf at the moment and I can see:

- Valkyria Chronicles, Uncharted, Read Dead Redemption, Resonance of Fate, Mirror's Edge, Assassin's Creed, Enslaved, Batman: AA, LittleBigPlanet, Heavy Rain and Dead Space.

So it's not as if there's a lacking of new IPs. I agree that with something like Mario it has gotten somewhat out of hand because we have games that have almost nothing in common with the original at all, even conceptually. And if Tomb Raider had become, I dunno, a football game or a sci-fi FPS then I would absolutely share your concerns. But it's not, it's a very similar concept with a few tweaks to bring a classic franchise up to date. And that's fine. This is why I have no problem with Super Mario Galaxy or Resident Evil 4. Fan service & nostalgia plus modern game mechanics: the best of both worlds.

[kalle90]

Well I don't really see rebooting as fan service or source of good nostalgia. I see CD is just trying to ride on a classic name

Guess it's just a case of agree to disagree. If name is the biggest problem of the game it will be damn good

[Fox89]

Well I don't really see rebooting as fan service or source of good nostalgia

Fair enough, though I'd like to mention it's been done with good success before. Take Batman Begins or the new Star Trek film for example, I'd say that both did it very well.

[Error96]

Two halves to this story. Firstly the changes to Lara's look. Got to say I really hate it. There is nothing there that has the essense of Lara or what a younger Lara probably looked like. Even looking at the released pictures for a while I just can't see it. Both face and body shape don't fit AT ALL with a backwards progression of a Core or CD Lara to the age of 21. Complete disaster.

Now I get to be much positive now I am moving on to the concept of this game. The idea that we have TR back up in a more mature game, darker, more death scenes and more nasty suprises. I love it. The survival element and intacting with the ships crew sounds great. Love the fact that we will see a girl starting as weak and getting stronger and more bold as the game goes on. TRU failed to bring much new to the table but this has tons of new ideas and pottential. In AOD (not TRU) we saw a wonderful angry aggressive side to Lara that brought a whole new angle to her and hope this will do the same with a vulnerable side to Lara.

I think this could be the fantastic reboot the series needs but the MASSIVE risk is that in this reinvention that what and who Lara is may be lost. End up with a character that we can't connenct to as Lara. In her looks that already seems to have happened and if that mirrors to other things like personality then then could kill the game. I do though think from what we have seen this will be CD's best TR game so far.

[Love2Raid]

What´s that half-naked skank doing up there? :confused::hmm:

[Era]

I absolutely love Lara's new look and love her not looking overly sexual. I like how she's roughed up because obviously you're not going to stay clean in a bunch of caves. Hopefully they keep things as realistic as possible.

I think people forget sometimes that this is a figure most of us have grown up with (I was like 7 or 8 with the first one) and she's become a real source of feminism for the women/girls of today. She's strong, can take on any man or beast, and smart as hell. I believe if more people think of it that way, this artwork would be a lot more acceptable to them. The colors and the lines are precisely drawn, the dirt and blood look like dirt and blood. It's amazing how far we've come with digital media. Imagine where we were 14 years ago with what look like a bunch of blocks and we thought it was amazing.

That's just my two cents.

[LARALOVERnr.1]

What´s that half-naked skank doing up there? :confused::hmm:

I was also thinking that! I was just scrolling down and then I came across that and I was like: 'Whait, what? Did I just see a woman in bikini on an discussion about someone's thoughts and feelings??!... :scratch:'

Sure there's a good reason to post it, I'm just way to lazy to read all the comments :lol:

[qwerty]

After reading the GI article, it seems they're throwing out everything that was LC and quite frankly, putting a different person and game in it's place, but using the Tomb Raider name and naming the new girl LC instead of giving this new person a different name. They changed her looks, personality, 3 measurements, back story, etc. There is nothing LC about her. I'm at a lost as to why they couldn't just name this something else. Does it sound interesting? Yes. It could be a great game, but it's spitting on the history of the franchise. I guess that will just take me getting over that small little detail of what it's been since TR1. CD wants to go realistic instead of stylized? They have that right. I'm sad about it, but it could be great. I just can't stomach looking at her... Maybe with some footage and seeing it in motion I'll change my mind. :(

Side note: I kind of imagine LC would look like this with the realistic modeling

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2508/lcshouldbe.jpg

though I know there is no chance of that happening now.

Though the story is interesting. I wander if she'll get any of her bk story back or is everything trashed and this is story now? Or maybe if this is an alternate universe for LC. Like in Xmen. Like Wolverine having his claws in 1 comic and the other comic he lost his metal sort of deal. That would be easier to accept.

oh god..that is cheap photoshop and plastic there...gosh.thats what u call classy and british?no offence but that brings to mind strippers not aristocrauts with anyways big breasts and full lips.i like the new direction.i see lara in that person in those renders only alot younger,unexperianced and realistic.as far as the change of story is concerned,i like the trilogy storyline and i was kind of dissapointed with another new approach but what can u do?i know it will grow in me in the end.and hel this is a sandbox game peoples....

[chriss99]

After seeing this picture I'm kinda happy that CD made Lara's model as it is now. The times when her fabulous personality was overshadowed by her sexiness are finally over.

[Triangle3]

For me Lara has always mixed personality and sexiness perfectly. Her standard look is just so iconic and bold and is still one of the best things about the series. I love how she uses style and class to show off her body and always looks incredible in her adventures. It is never trashy though. To me actively seeking a very non-sexual image for her greatly detracts from the whole Lara look. It doesn't make sense for Lara not to have a more hour glass shape considering how she looks when she is older.

The M-rating is going to be the big saviour of the modern TR series. CD can do so much more now they are not badly restrained by the teen rating. They can push the boundaries to make something new and fresh that can give PoP, Uncharted, Wet etc real competition.

[Jurre]

Alright: my thoughts and feelings: I have always advocated the progressive standpoint, to explore new possibilities I think is important to keep the series fresh, especially with strong competition from Uncharted in particular. So I welcome the new features (free aim, basecamps, et cetera) that are being promised. However, I am not so sure about the change from a typical adventure story into a dark horror setting: I think it is the features that with each game need to be updated, not the essence of the game in general. Sure, Lara's adventures on (what looks to be) Skull Island will be a great ride, but is it really Tomb Raider? To me it ventures a little too far from the classical adventure feeling: you know with swinging on vines and such in exotic locations.

Considering the image of Lara of someone who is all dirty and bloodied: I don't really dislike it, but for me its unnecessary. Tomb Raider I think doesn't have that level of realism in which someone would look like you expect after climing and fighting for dear life in musty old tombs. She has superhuman abilities: incredible atletic skills, fighting off monsters and looking sexy while doing it. Maybe of course this game will be the story of how she got to that, but that remains to be seen...

Nonetheless: I cannot emphasize enough how good I feel about Crystal D daring to do something new: because making essentialy the same game over again is not gonna help Lara any further.

By the way, that model is from Texas : in the spectrum of Anglo-Saxon peoples as far from British as possible I imagine. Oh, and Crystal D: don't ever make Lara wear a thong: I hate those things...

[Fox89]

To me actively seeking a very non-sexual image

I find her far mroe sexually appealing now then she was before. Just because her proportions used to be completely ridiculous. Now she's got more of a 'girl next door'look. But in a classy way.

[kalle90]

After seeing this picture I'm kinda happy that CD made Lara's model as it is now. The times when her fabulous personality was overshadowed by her sexiness are finally over.

IMO the best games were the ones in which Lara really didn't have any personality (originals). Most of her dialogue just explained the mythology around her

AOD was the 1st with truly personal story and I didn't like it, plus overall the technical side was s*** from controls to RPG features. The CD games continued from that

So IMO this new game should focus on clever and believable level design

[LarasFAN]

Have u seen the critiques that the tomb raider games have got lately? Apparently, Lara has lost a lot of fans since th game became for "young" teenagers. Eidos,CD and SE decided to fix that by creating a small/horror like TR, for the adults out there. Making everything more realistic, more scary and more FUN for players. So wait till the AMAZING game comes out and then judge it... in my opinion this is gonna be the best TR game out there. I MEAN LOOK AT THE SCANS ALL OVER THE NET! Have you seen anything yet? everything looks so damn awsome!

[adobeARTIST]

After reading the GI article, it seems they're throwing out everything that was LC and quite frankly, putting a different person and game in it's place, but using the Tomb Raider name and naming the new girl LC instead of giving this new person a different name. They changed her looks, personality, 3 measurements, back story, etc. There is nothing LC about her. I'm at a lost as to why they couldn't just name this something else. Does it sound interesting? Yes. It could be a great game, but it's spitting on the history of the franchise. I guess that will just take me getting over that small little detail of what it's been since TR1. CD wants to go realistic instead of stylized? They have that right. I'm sad about it, but it could be great. I just can't stomach looking at her... Maybe with some footage and seeing it in motion I'll change my mind. :(


You're confusing reinterpretation with make a whole new character. All fictions are subject to the generation which tells their tale. But at their core remains the fundamentals on which the finer details are built.

Lara being now 14 years old is no exception to this. And just as much, while some details have been revised, the core fundamentals are still there. She's the young aristocrat beset by a tragedy which cuts her off from the life she knew, and for the first time ever, is forced to rely only on herself, learning of strengths & skills she never knew she had. And from that experience is transformed to be more than she ever knew she could be.

How is this so different from the Lara we always knew? And while this particular story focuses on survival with the bare minimals at her disposal, I'm sure once we move past this experience in her history, we'll again see the aristocrat & archaelogist combo of the contemporary Lara Croft.


For me Lara has always mixed personality and sexiness perfectly. Her standard look is just so iconic and bold and is still one of the best things about the series. I love how she uses style and class to show off her body and always looks incredible in her adventures. It is never trashy though. To me actively seeking a very non-sexual image for her greatly detracts from the whole Lara look. It doesn't make sense for Lara not to have a more hour glass shape considering how she looks when she is older.



THIS!! Exactly this!

What has always been the enduring appeal to me about Lara, is that she was both Sexy AND Classy. Not just one or the other, buth both distinct poles of the spectrum co-existing in a unique persona. To me that made her far more diversified and complex than any other female protagnist in gaming.

I was always bothered by some people's notion around here, that sexiness cancels out intellignce, integrity, and sophistaction. Because that is just not true. It's all about how a person uses their assets, both the intellectual & physical, as well as how broad they make their own horizons. Rather than limit themselves, how much more rewarding to embrace multiple aspects.

What makes for more interesting character development; a mono-toned personality (being focused on one image most of the time), or a well rounded multi-faceted and complex personlity? I say it's better to appreciate ALL a person's attributes rather than selectively focusing on one or another, recognize their entire packge, not just what you'd prefer.

Just because Lara is a rugged outdoors explorer, does that mean she has to be all the time of her life? Couldn't she enjoy some leisure time by her pool on weekends in her bikini, without that compromising her dedication to her vocation? I think she can have both.

And on a side note, what's with all this animosity towards models. Not just the one posted above, I just get this sense towards models in general who pose nude, or nearly nude for a living. And that's all it is, an occupation. Beneath the on screen image, they're people, just as regular as you or I. I've actually met a few in person, hung out and conversed with them. Give em a chance and you'll be surprised the personality that lies beneath their looks, which is all that most ever see from photos alone.

I mean do some people really think they're so much better to be able to judge them as "skanks"? Really, that's just uncalled for.

[qwerty]

Alright: my thoughts and feelings: I have always advocated the progressive standpoint, to explore new possibilities I think is important to keep the series fresh, especially with strong competition from Uncharted in particular. So I welcome the new features (free aim, basecamps, et cetera) that are being promised. However, I am not so sure about the change from a typical adventure story into a dark horror setting: I think it is the features that with each game need to be updated, not the essence of the game in general. Sure, Lara's adventures on (what looks to be) Skull Island will be a great ride, but is it really Tomb Raider? To me it ventures a little too far from the classical adventure feeling: you know with swinging on vines and such in exotic locations.

Considering the image of Lara of someone who is all dirty and bloodied: I don't really dislike it, but for me its unnecessary. Tomb Raider I think doesn't have that level of realism in which someone would look like you expect after climing and fighting for dear life in musty old tombs. She has superhuman abilities: incredible atletic skills, fighting off monsters and looking sexy while doing it. Maybe of course this game will be the story of how she got to that, but that remains to be seen...

Nonetheless: I cannot emphasize enough how good I feel about Crystal D daring to do something new: because making essentialy the same game over again is not gonna help Lara any further.

By the way, that model is from Texas : in the spectrum of Anglo-Saxon peoples as far from British as possible I imagine. Oh, and Crystal D: don't ever make Lara wear a thong: I hate those things...
is that a model..?i thought she was a pornstar(nothing wrong with the pornstars out there)..anyways i find that image u described completely necessary..i want to see human in lara,i want to see her in pain,with scratches and wounds and ripped clothes(not in that way)because thats what u get when ur a real tomb raider.and i want also to identify a human being a real and recognizable charcter in her.as much as i love the series i gotta admit that the chracter of lara croft has always been one dimensional be it the classics or the trilogy.so yes im excited and i was excited from the moment i saw the leaked concepts(and anyone out there who things that tr is turing to resident evil is simply exaggerating..plus these cretaures dont look like zombies.they have a more sophisticated look they seem to have a purpose on this island,they do not look like mindless insatiable maneater beasts to me)

[Jurre]

..anyways i find that image u described completely necessary..i want to see human in lara,i want to see her in pain,with scratches and wounds and ripped clothes(not in that way)because thats what u get when ur a real tomb raider.Well considering that they are going for a horrorgame in a nightmarish land having the character being torn up is very appropriate: I am not complaining about that, in fact I'd say they're spot on...
Its just perhaps that I prefer to have her raid around in a more pretty looking world, with enough peril lurking around every corner, but without the really gritty realism. But thats me, you can have your opinion...

[qwerty]

Well considering that they are going for a horrorgame in a nightmarish land having the character being torn up is very appropriate: I am not complaining about that, in fact I'd say they're spot on...
Its just perhaps that I prefer to have her raid around in a more pretty looking world, with enough peril lurking around every corner, but without the really gritty realism. But thats me, you can have your opinion...

its not turning to a horror game...just because there are those creatures and "a survivor is born" it doesnt mean they gonna change the franchises genre.they are no that stupid people.off topic:who thinks the word:survivor is going to be the new trend just as epic was back before trus launch?

[LC is Me]

Unless there are people involved with the game whose name could be fused with the word "survivor" I don't know for sure. xD

[qwerty]

Unless there are people involved with the game whose name could be fused with the word "survivor" I don't know for sure. xD

ur right.what about teh phrase :"a survivor is born"?it sounds catchy,badass and at the same time dramtaic.its the key phrase they will use ten consecutive times in a sentence to brain wash us in the dev diaries to come(remember the epicness of epic and how epic that was?).i lay my bets on that

[AlanqtrMain]

dont worry with this new reboot she will be 25 in a few years, she will have earned enough money to get a boob job and be back to her original DD size.

[adobeARTIST]

dont worry with this new reboot she will be 25 in a few years, she will have earned enough money to get a boob job and be back to her original DD size.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r242/adobeartist/facepalm/not_sure_if_serious.jpg

[LC is Me]

ur right.what about teh phrase :"a survivor is born"?it sounds catchy,badass and at the same time dramtaic.its the key phrase they will use ten consecutive times in a sentence to brain wash us in the dev diaries to come(remember the epicness of epic and how epic that was?).i lay my bets on that
You could be right about that.
....
Dx

[DarthVader#1]

I'm dissapointed with the concept art. I hope she doesn't look like that in the game. She's just kind of... ugly, for lack of a better word. And her hair makes her look like an anime character.

[Fox89]

Lara being now 14 years old is no exception to this.

Very true, other than the fact that you're 7 years out. She's 21 :)

[LC is Me]

Very true, other than the fact that you're 7 years out. She's 21 :)

She's 14 in game years.
Meaning, the very first TR was released 14 years ago.
Heh. :B

[Fox89]

She's 14 in game years.
Meaning, the very first TR was released 14 years ago.
Heh. :B

AAHH!!

It all makes sense now!

I take it back :D

[adobeARTIST]

LC_is_ME had it right. I ws talking in terms of game chronology with how fictions get re-interpreted and re-imagined for the times.

Just look at Batman, in 75 years every artist and writer that handled him has created him in their own vision, yet all keeping to a core foundation.

[Andy64]

Oh Lara what the heck have they done to you. I will first express my oppions on the changes to the shape of Lara's chest through 1 word and the medium of emoticons ...... Noooooooo!!! :(:mad2::(:mad2::(:mad2::(:mad2::confused::mad2::(:(:(:(

The new model doesn't look like a 21 year old Lara. I don't know where this daft trend that female game heroes have to be non-sexy and look like and act like guys (e.g. like Faith from Mirrors edge) has come from. Going down that line isn't right or representitive of Lara at all. CD are just blaming Lara's appearence to create a false scapegoat for the insipid boring personality they gave her in TRU and the deep flaws in stories, linearity and length of their games. In truth the look of Lara has been one thing CD have got spot on every time till now.

Why can't Lara have a relateable character and intellegence but also with large breasts and some sexyness? They are not mutually exclusive properties. At least the story is clever this time round and will see the fear factor back that I had long since been saying was missing. Fingers crossed this game delivers and by the end of it Lara has grown as a person and character. That she is ready for the game after this one to grow back both mentally and phyically in to the beautiful, curvy, smart, stylish, sleek and iconic hero we know and love.

[Fox89]

Why can't Lara have a relateable character and intellegence but also with large breasts and some sexyness?

Because no girl can be sexy unless she has MASSIVE BOOBS.

I'm not trying to suggest you're shallow or anything because that would be mean but... kinda demonstrating the male stereotype there :)

Does that mean all men have to look like this (http://toucharcade.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/duke-nukem-3d-20090706005418390_640w.jpg) to be sexy?

[adobeARTIST]

Oh Lara what the heck have they done to you. I will first express my oppions on the changes to the shape of Lara's chest through 1 word and the medium of emoticons ...... Noooooooo!!! :(:mad2::(:mad2::(:mad2::(:mad2::confused::mad2::(:(:(:(

The new model doesn't look like a 21 year old Lara. I don't know where this daft trend that female game heroes have to be non-sexy and look like and act like guys (e.g. like Faith from Mirrors edge) has come from. Going down that line isn't right or representitive of Lara at all. CD are just blaming Lara's appearence to create a false scapegoat for the insipid boring personality they gave her in TRU and the deep flaws in stories, linearity and length of their games. In truth the look of Lara has been one thing CD have got spot on every time till now.

Why can't Lara have a relateable character and intellegence but also with large breasts and some sexyness? They are not mutually exclusive properties. At least the story is clever this time round and will see the fear factor back that I had long since been saying was missing. Fingers crossed this game delivers and by the end of it Lara has grown as a person and character. That she is ready for the game after this one to grow back both mentally and phyically in to the beautiful, curvy, smart, stylish, sleek and iconic hero we know and love.

I've said much the same thing (just see a few posts back), though you streamlined it quite succinctly. Intelligence and sexiness are not mutually exclusive.

I would also say though, that Lara's sexiness and beauty isn't necessarily in her cup size. It's in her attitude, her confident posture, her poise & grace, her swagger, her bold mannerisms.

She's sexy because even though she can at times accentuate her features, she's not motivated by vanity or conceit. It's more along the lines of not giving a damn what anybody else thinks. It's an appeal in believing that there is nothing wrong with being sexy, and making no apologies for being who she is.

The physical attributes are only a much smaller part of the equation of what makes Lara HOT :) :)

[Andy64]

Because no girl can be sexy unless she has MASSIVE BOOBS.



The statement is obviously not true.

I think the reduction in breast size is too big of a change from the primary Lara image. From what I have read the change was intended to make Lara less sexy so that they can show an intelegent side to her and make her easier to connect to. The current Lara can already fit that - Have large breasts, be sexy yet also smart and be easy to connect to if the writing is good. Much of the connection problem to Lara is due to the poor writing of her personality in TRU.

There is so much in Lara's personality that could be brought out more. Desexulising Lara seems like removing a side of her rather than adding things which is more what is needed. Maybe add more of Lara's great brand of humour or attitude in some cutscenes for instance. Issues with Lara's looks have been way down the list of fan concerns with recent TR games anyway.

Taking something so iconic away from a character is something that probably shouldn't be done. Like taking away Mario's Mustache and red Hat or Sonic's gloves and sneakers. It doesn't change the gameplay but it spoils the image of the character. Same thing applies to Lara's big breasts. She could be just as sexy with the smaller breasts but if the new Lara was used again beyond this game I couldn't connect to her that much as she would always feel a bit non-cannon.

The physical attributes are only a much smaller part of the equation of what makes Lara HOT :) :)

Very true

[adobeARTIST]

Ummm Andy, I'm pretty sure Fox89 was being sarcastic about that Big Boobs remark ;)

And I do agree that reducing Lara's sexuality isn't adding to her, it's just taking away from her. I preferred that she was both sexy and sophisticated, as that made for a far more intersting person than just one or the other. Complexity and diversity is the key to good character development.

But I can still say that the aforementioned sexuality doesn't rely on breast size, but far more on attitude. And really, does the exact size really matter? The very first render of Lara was comically unrealistic and that got toned down somewhat over the next 4 games. AoD, while still exaggerated by most standards, was at least more naturally contoured compared to the absurd triangular cones she first had. point being, her breasts have continuously been revised, as has the rest of her physique. Which is still impressive so I see not a damn thing to complain about :)

It's the same principle as not getting too attached to the braid. While some complined that it was "iconic" and that Lara without the braid "just isn't Lara", I saw the pony tail as the natural evolution of Lara's design. It's unrealistic to expect a woman to always wear the same hair style every day of her life. That and hair should be the least important identifier of a character.

As long as her figure is curvy, toned, and athletic, it's still sexy regardless of specific measurements. The basic concept is still there, and complaining about a number to her figure is just overly nit picking.

[dark7angel]

Ummm Andy, I'm pretty sure Fox89 was being sarcastic about that Big Boobs remark ;)

And I do agree that reducing Lara's sexuality isn't adding to her, it's just taking away from her. I preferred that she was both sexy and sophisticated, as that made for a far more intersting person than just one or the other. Complexity and diversity is the key to good character development.

But I can still say that the aforementioned sexuality doesn't rely on breast size, but far more on attitude. And really, does the exact size really matter? The very first render of Lara was comically unrealistic and that got toned down somewhat over the next 4 games. AoD, while still exaggerated by most standards, was at least more naturally contoured compared to the absurd triangular cones she first had. point being, her breasts have continuously been revised, as has the rest of her physique. Which is still impressive so I see not a damn thing to complain about :)

It's the same principle as not getting too attached to the braid. While some complined that it was "iconic" and that Lara without the braid "just isn't Lara", I saw the pony tail as the natural evolution of Lara's design. It's unrealistic to expect a woman to always wear the same hair style every day of her life. That and hair should be the least important identifier of a character.

As long as her figure is curvy, toned, and athletic, it's still sexy regardless of specific measurements. The basic concept is still there, and complaining about a number to her figure is just overly nit picking.

I always find myself agreeing with you!!! :thumb:

[Andy64]

I do agree that reducing Lara's sexuality isn't adding to her, it's just taking away from her. I preferred that she was both sexy and sophisticated, as that made for a far more intersting person than just one or the other. Complexity and diversity is the key to good character development.

But I can still say that the aforementioned sexuality doesn't rely on breast size, but far more on attitude. And really, does the exact size really matter? The very first render of Lara was comically unrealistic and that got toned down somewhat over the next 4 games. AoD, while still exaggerated by most standards, was at least more naturally contoured compared to the absurd triangular cones she first had. point being, her breasts have continuously been revised, as has the rest of her physique. Which is still impressive so I see not a damn thing to complain about :)

I agree with you completely on everything you said especially the point of the interplay of Lara's sexyness and sophistication developed through personality and style rather than body dimensions. As for the changes to Lara's shape over all the years I have to say that up until now they are all within bounds and she has always looked completely fabulous.

Looking at the new renders though the body shape isn't quite right for a 21 year old Lara. The breasts are definately too small. Doesn't fit with her becoming her current shape by the time of the accident in TRL or TR1/TRA without cosmetic surgery (dread the thought). The new Lara look is the part of the concept that I am least keen on (With the exception of the beautiful greeny render of her face) but maybe seeing in-game shots with new angles will change that.

It's the same principle as not getting too attached to the braid. While some complined that it was "iconic" and that Lara without the braid "just isn't Lara", I saw the pony tail as the natural evolution of Lara's design.

I think the braid is great but so are the ponytail, Japan hair down look and even the new mess of a hairstyle which actually does fit with the situation. She can so easily change her hair any time she wanted so no continuity problems and I agree, not much issue there.