IDENTITY CRISIS!!!

[Samara]

I'm very sad now. I don't know what to think anymore. :(

Since a very long time, I played Tomb Raider with great joy and fun. I thought Lara was cool. It was my role model.

I played TR2 when I was around 9 years old. So half of my life, Tomb Raider was my favorite game ever. It is the really first video game I played, and since then I never stopped. I played all TRs more than once, except for the games who were exclusive for a platform I did not have. (Beneath the Ashes, Lara's Shadow... :rasp: ) Still today, I play TRLE quite often, and I can't stop. This game is my life. I'm a bit sick about it.

So, Lara was a bit like my role model. I started cosplaying... My hair is so long it drops right beneath my buttocks, I like to braid it. :rolleyes: I wear boots all the time when I go out. Well, I like the way Lara looks, the way she behaves.


To me, she is a strong woman. I love her.

When I saw her in the first TR9 trailer back in june 2011, I almost cried when she screamed (on the shore, when she puts a bandage on her arm...) :nut:


The thing is: we had TR3 when I was younger, but it was in english (we did not have the french version). I did not understand anything. :nut: (When I had the occasion, I would always play in french obviously.) In fact, TR almost thought me english. :nut: At first I did not understand, but at the same time, I began english classes. So I could understand some written words, but not when Lara spoke. Now I'm a bit better. :whistle:





So. Lara was voiced by many different people in her lifetime. In english, she had Shelley Blond, Judith Gibbins, Jonell Elliott, Keeley Hawes and the current one, but we don't know her name yet, to voice her.


In french however, Françoise Cadol is the only one who voiced her, since 1996.


But now it will not be her anymore. I was saddened to read that today.


To me, Lara's voice is Françoise Cadol's...
A while ago, I was watching TV. There was a documentary about Africa's animals or something. But the voiceover was done by Françoise Cadol! I was happy to hear her, it was like if Lara was the one to say that text... :p



Really, how could I explain that... When I tried the games in english, (for instance we had both versions of TR2, one in french and the other in english) I was surprised to see that Lara's voice was so different from TR2 and TR6, for example... It... "scrapped" my idea of who Lara was... I don't know how to explain it. I'm lost for words...


But in french it was always the same person, the same voice. Always. When Lara had a big change (we all know TR1's Lara and TR7's Lara are very different) it was less of a shock for me to hear her voice was still the same.



But now. Can I call TR9's character Lara? I don't know. Do I want to? I don't think so. I don't think I like her anymore. "Identity crisis." :hmm:
I know CD wants to show her progress as a person. We'll see her struggling. We'll see her in pain.
But I was used to see her as a strong person. Not like that... I don't know if anyone feels like me. I don't want a role model who cries... I want one who's strong and insensitive... Who can kill a dragon, catch fire without even screaming, who can get bitten by a T-Rex without dying and can swan dive and climb on walls and jump 2 meters high and stay underwater for 2 minutes...




Well. You might say it is quite not a realistic idea... But to me video games are not meant to be realistic. If I want a realistic game, I'll play the Sims.
With TR, I expect to explore floating islands, see dinosaurs and creatures, visit inexistent places, discover hidden secrets and artifacts... TR is my way to escape the real world.


But now, I don't feel like I can rely on Lara anymore. Because of her voice, her behavior, her appearance. I don't want to look like her anymore.





Conclusion:
-I love you, Françoise Cadol, you did an amazing job and I'll never forget you. :flowers: You are the best to me. :p
-I think I'll keep playing TRLE. :rolleyes: Fan-made levels are amazing and they're some good old style TR levels that are at the same time a breath of fresh air.

[Metalrocks]

a bit melodramatic are we. ;)

dont you think its a good thing to see lara being more human? why do people think the hero must be always cold blooded and tough as hell:rolleyes:. of course its a change to see her suddenly so emotional, being in pain, etc. but thats a good thing. people can relate to some one more when the person is more human. i like the new one much more then the old one. i can actually relate my self with her. she makes a more believable impression to me, and for others, then the previous lara.

its after all laras very first adventure. no experience what so ever, so its obvious that lara is like that.

i dont think everyone of us can sympathize with you about the voices. yes, it is weird to have different voice actors for the same person but i guess it had its reasons.
so i cant understand your outcry. that it turns you off, just because you dont have the same voice actress. you play a young lara. its obvious you need a fitting voice. having an older lady giving her voice for a young girl is not very believable, dont you think.

[Copeland]

This game isn't realistic necessarily, only the character, and I'd hate to have an unrealistic character.

[a big house]

^ I prefer unrealistic characters. For example my favourite character would be 'the boss' from the Saints Row trilogy, just because, customizing a character to be able to fall off the top of a building and survive is fun, like a game should be.

I can understand why CD want the new Lara to be real to her situation, but in all honesty, if the game was exactly the same, only with 'Teflon Lara', I think I'd personally be able to enjoy it better and not worry about the consequences of getting shot, or killing a random animal.

Since this thread is about voice actresses, I will add, I hope TR10 has an older Lara, I want Keeley back.

[GemmaDarkmoon]

I played TR2 when I was around 9 years old. So half of my life, Tomb Raider was my favorite game ever. It is the really first video game I played, and since then I never stopped.

But I was used to see her as a strong person. Not like that... I don't know if anyone feels like me. I don't want a role model who cries... I want one who's strong and insensitive...

I love TR2 and it's my favourite game ever. I too have been playing since the early days and I agree her strength is what makes her one of if not the best video game characters about. I love Lara exploring unrealistic stunts, visiting amazing places assosiated with myths and battling with monsters and want to see that be the main theme of the series. The whole point of this game however is that this is where Lara finds her inner strength. I don't want to see her weak either but hopefully by the end of this game and going forward in the series she won't be. Everyone including CD I think wants her to be a strong woman.

I don't feel like I can rely on Lara anymore. Because of her voice, her behavior, her appearance. I don't want to look like her anymore.

There are aspects where I think they may have gone too different from before. I find the outfit choice to be really out of context with the Lara persona. I wouldn't want to look like her as much in that attire. I do desperately hope her old style will be back again soon. On most things though it may be worth just giving CD a shot at trying something different for this game at least.

We do have such varied views on the reboot here and it's great that you can always find people that agree and that have contrasting views. If you don't like aspects like her voice why not go to the thread about that and suggest what would be better or why it's bad.

[Samara]

why do people think the hero must be always cold blooded and tough as hell:rolleyes:.
people can relate to some one more when the person is more human.
its after all laras very first adventure.
that it turns you off, just because you dont have the same voice actress.



I think heros should be cold-blodded because as I said, if I want a realistic game, I'll play the Sims. Don't you think it is cooler to have such power when the hero is tough? I always known Lara as a tough person. That's why I'm confused about the "new" Lara.


Lara's first adventure: so, is it the plane crash when she was 9, with Von Croy when she was 16 or with this shipwreck when she's 21... This is another problem. No continuation. I know this is a reboot. But is it a reason to erase some (or most) of Lara's past? :scratch:


My outcry: I don't recognize Lara anymore. :( I don't recognize Tomb Raider anymore. To me, it looks like they're trying to do a Silent Hill kind of game: a survival horror. Just look at what happened to the girl in the trailer (The one who's attached... Steph I think). And now the goal is: survive and find food, a shelter or something. Before: discover artifacts and stop baddies from controlling the world.
The spirit of TR is not there anymore. :(





This game isn't realistic necessarily, only the character, and I'd hate to have an unrealistic character.



It's ok. I know we don't all have the same opinion on this. :o I needed to express mine.





I can understand why CD want the new Lara to be real to her situation, but in all honesty, if the game was exactly the same, only with 'Teflon Lara', I think I'd personally be able to enjoy it better and not worry about the consequences of getting shot, or killing a random animal.



Me too, I'd prefer 'Teflon Lara". But with the "Weaker Lara", they'll gain a new public, so I guess old fans are not as important as new ones. :nut: Just kidding. :whistle:





I don't want to see her weak either but hopefully by the end of this game and going forward in the series she won't be.
There are aspects where I think they may have gone too different from before.
On most things though it may be worth just giving CD a shot at trying something different for this game at least.
If you don't like aspects like her voice why not go to the thread about that and suggest what would be better or why it's bad.




I hope at the end of this game, Lara will stand up the "possible final boss", and look straight at the camera, braid her hair and grab some dual pistols. And then, they'll do TR: Anniversary 2. :rolleyes: Haha, I know that won't happen, I'm just dreaming.


For this game at least, ok. I just hope Lara will come back stronger in TR10. :p


About the suggestion for Lara's voice, I don't think the French community is behind me. I think they too find it better with a younger voice. But maybe it's better that way. And CD won't change for one single fan who's not happy about their decisions.
I've been thinking about that today. I like to associate Françoise Cadol with Lara. But I would probably not like to associate her with the new Lara. :thud: So maybe a new voice actress is better. (As long as they bring F. Cadol back for TR10!!! :rasp: ) No, I'm just dramatizing I guess. :nut:






Not everyone can be happy about the game. I know.
I listened to some gameplay from 2011's E3. I did not watch it, I listened to it. (I did not want to spoil myself, so I closed my eyes not to see the gameplay.) All I heard was Lara screaming, groaning (I don't know if this is the correct term :nut: ), whining and having a painful moment I guess. That's when I knew that person was not really Lara. Come on, even in TR7, the 9 years old Lara is stronger than that! :eek:


Another thing. "Lara's birthday" does not exist anymore. Every February 14th was special for me, not for Valentine's day, but for Lara's birthday! You know I like(d) TR really much. Well, now CD said her birthday is not on Feb.14th anymore. Because Batman does not have a birthday, James Bond does not either, or something like that, so Lara should not have one, then.
So what? Lara was unique for being one of the only video game character who had a birthday! Why deleting it? They're killing her originality! Why conforming? Stay unique!



Again, to me, they are killing Lara's and TR's nature. :hmm: That is why I react.

[Metalrocks]

the sims is far away from being realistic. the only game that comes at least very close to being realistic, is SWAT4. but thats my view.

it also depends on the story of the game. if the character is weak, emotional, etc. im fine with that. its a very good change to have an character who isnt always the ultimate asskicker.
yes, i was surprised as well to see lara like this. but its an origin story and its pretty obvious that her reaction to this kind of situation is normal and natural. also seeing someone in paine is a pretty normal reaction as well. even fully trained soldiers feel pain. doesnt matter what sex they are.
its like starting your very first job at a new work place. you are always nervous because its all new to you and unfamiliar.

have you played amnesia? you cant fight back what so ever. you are always running away from monsters, the main protagonist was also breathing heavily because he was scared. the game was a huge success, even when he wasnt a kick ass hero. i had some minor issues with it but it was a good game. even when it dint scare me as i hope it would.

and actually we were celebrating laras bday on the 14th. so its not forgotten. its also easy for me to remember because i have my bday one day before her :D

[a big house]

I'll tell you what looks like a realistic game, that Watch Dogs one. Man, that looks good...

As a comparison, what sells more overall; fun, exciting, non-realistic games or emotional, thought-provoking, realistic games?

I don't think any of my games have made me emotional. But that's probably 'cause there's never a lonely man who's cat (which had cancer) died. < That happened in 'Dirt' I cried.

Anyway! I think when I'm playing TR9, I'll still be thinking of 'Teflon Lara' and in turn, doing crazy shiz whether it kills Lara or not :D

[Metalrocks]

I'll tell you what looks like a realistic game, that Watch Dogs one. Man, that looks good...

true. it does look amazing. but i think she means is, it plays realistic. not what looks realistic.

what also plays almost realistic, is splinter cell.

[Driber]

a bit melodramatic are we. ;)

I'd call it: passionate about TR :)

i dont think everyone of us can sympathize with you about the voices.

I can.

I think we have it easier because we're already used to voice actress changes.

Samara has played 15 years of TR with the same voice actress. That's gotta be a bigger adjustment than when we "had" to get used to Carol Alison :whistle:

I listened to some gameplay from 2011's E3. I did not watch it, I listened to it. (I did not want to spoil myself, so I closed my eyes not to see the gameplay.)

heh, I also try to avoid spoilers as much as possible, so I can relate to that. I think that during this year's E3, CD may have shown a bit TOO much of the game, actually :o

Another thing. "Lara's birthday" does not exist anymore. Every February 14th was special for me, not for Valentine's day, but for Lara's birthday! You know I like(d) TR really much. Well, now CD said her birthday is not on Feb.14th anymore. Because Batman does not have a birthday, James Bond does not either, or something like that, so Lara should not have one, then.
So what? Lara was unique for being one of the only video game character who had a birthday! Why deleting it? They're killing her originality! Why conforming? Stay unique!

Like Metal said; no one is stopping you from celebrating Lara's birthday.

Lara may not have a specific birthdate in the upcoming game, but current/old Lara still does!

Remember the ending of TR4? Lara supposedly died and we didn't hear anything about her until AoD was announced. Did people in the meantime stop celebrating Lara's birthday? I don't think so :)

[a big house]

^ Yeah, I think it'll play realistically, I mean in most games being near an explosion is like nothing, however in WD, it actually has an effect on the player.
I've only played Double Agent and I didn't think it was that realistic, I found it stressful and confusing haha

I think Alan Wake was quite realistic, well except the supernatural storyline, but still...

[Metalrocks]

lol, you have to play splinter cell 1 and 3. part 2 is not as good in my opinion. available on steam.
very good stealth games. shooting is really not a good option.

@driber
passionate... dint think like that. still melodramatic to me but i understand now. :)

[a big house]

^ I never use my Steam account, my laptop can't handle games haha. I do think I've played another SC before, but I know for certain that I didn't like it :L

[Samara]

I'd call it: passionate about TR :)


Absolutely. My favorite game ever. I'm very attached to it emotionnaly. As I said, I played most of the games more than once and I still play TRLE almost every day, which is perfect for me, because I'm used to the TR classic engine, so I don't mind the controls. (I mean my friends for example would like better the next-gen games because the controls are way easier for them to learn...) I think the TRLE level builders throughout the world are doing a great job and their work is amazing. I wish I'll never stop playing TRLE. I like it too much. Imagine you could play your favorite game and always had new levels to explore. With TRLE, it kind of never ends. I play since... maybe 2008, and I'm not bored yet. :nut:

Now I did play Uncharted series, as well as Myst, with great entertainement and pleasure, but TR is not the same to me. I learned to play with TR. I feel like it is something more than just a normal game. It's serious. :o






And when I wrote the Sims was a more realistic game, I meant:


Tasks in the Sims:
Cook.
Sleep.
Make friends.
Paint your house and decorate it.
Woops, extinguish the fire you created while you were cooking.
[...]


Tasks in Tomb Raider:
Climb up a 20 meters high wall with no climbing gear.
Kill a mutant, a dragon, a dinosaur, a yeti...
Get an ancient artifact with unknown powers.
Survive a gunfight with some ennemies.
Explore unrealistic areas (For example: TR2: floating islands/TR5: the island with mystic creatures when Lara is young.)
[...]

[Driber]

TRLE sure is lots of fun!

Do you just play custom levels or also build them?

[Samara]

Do you just play custom levels or also build them?


I just play them. I don't think I'd have enough patience to build some. :nut:


I don't know what's happening however, but since a couple of days, trle.net is not working. I cannot access it, I don't know why. :confused: The last level I downloaded is quite long, so I'm not worried for now. But I realize living without this website would be difficult. I admire its administrator(s) as well as the level builders for their devotion. :p

[a big house]

^ You should take a look at Skribblerz, that site has some good levels :)

[Samara]

^ You should take a look at Skribblerz, that site has some good levels :)


It is true. But I really like trle.net's search system. ;)

Another good point about Skribblerz: it has some exclusive levels! :D :thumb:

[Error96]

But I was used to see her as a strong person. Not like that... I don't know if anyone feels like me. I don't want a role model who cries... I want one who's strong and insensitive... Who can kill a dragon, catch fire without even screaming, who can get bitten by a T-Rex without dying and can swan dive and climb on walls and jump 2 meters high and stay underwater for 2 minutes

I have always really looked up to Lara for her strength (physical and in personality), her attitute (From her integrity to her dedication) and her beauty. Looking at this Lara and this let's make her weak or 'more human' element is so unappealing. I would rather have a 'super' Lara who has these incredible abilities and to see her in that weakened state well I just miss having a character you can really look up to so I agree with where you are coming from Samara.

[Driber]

I don't know what's happening however, but since a couple of days, trle.net is not working. I cannot access it, I don't know why. :confused: The last level I downloaded is quite long, so I'm not worried for now. But I realize living without this website would be difficult. I admire its administrator(s) as well as the level builders for their devotion. :p

trle.net is working for me just fine. Perhaps it was just a temp downtime.

Yeah, it's a great site, very useful. My GF and I use it very often to download new TR levels. I also recently re-designed their Hall of Fame page, which was fun to do :)

[Samara]

Looking at this Lara and this let's make her weak or 'more human' element is so unappealing.


I absolutely agree with you on that! (And on everything you said in this post too. :o )




trle.net is working for me just fine. Perhaps it was just a temp downtime.
I also recently re-designed their Hall of Fame page, which was fun to do



Yes, it was down for some time, but now it's back! :D


I saw the new HoF design. Congratulations, it looks really good! :thumb:

[Lara_Fan_84]

Hmm...I think you're looking into it too much. Lara doesn't actually exist, she's a video game character. If you prefer the classic Lara like from the original Tomb Raider then stick with that. It's not a sin to dislike the way Lara looks now. I personally like her the way she looks then and now. It's awesome to see her look more human and to see her from a different perspective.

[Samara]

I think you're looking into it too much. Lara doesn't actually exist, she's a video game character.


I know Lara "doesn't exist", but it is not a reason not to like her and not to care about her/what she becomes. ;) :whistle:

[Driber]

I saw the new HoF design. Congratulations, it looks really good! :thumb:

Thank you. Glad you like it :)