I am now at complete peace with the control system...

[RebeL_fARmeR]

This may cheer up some people who are really, really hating the control system in AOD. When I first played AOD I thought the controls were appaling, now they don't bother me at all.

There's a simple difference that we're all missing:
There's a difference between a bad control system that you CAN'T use and a bad control system that you CAN use. I've pretty much mastered the AOD control system now... the difference? Lara does EXACTLY what I want her to do and when I want her to do it, I have control, I can now use the AOD control system without so much as a cringe.

So, my advice to all the people out there who're still annoyed with the control system: You're probably trying to make the control system do more than it can, this makes you irritated, play with the controls and understand their limitations, then you can learn the control system.

Once you do that you'll most likely find total peace in the controls.

I was once like "STUPID CONTROL SYSTEM SCUM, DIE DIE DIE"
Now I'm "Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhh, all is bliss"

Patience. The control system's a lot different and somewhat bad, master it for what it is and you're gonna be fine.

Cheerio

[salvestrom]

I agree. As soon as you stop trying to make Lara side step immediately and allow for the lagged recognition of key presses the game becomes less of a headache.

I also agree that this is not to say the fact the controls lag is acceptable, just that not fighting with them improves the game play alot

Sal

PS. I'd really love for Core to email me the offending bit of code causing the lagging so I can put it in it's own private file which I will then execute in a variety of manners before personnally and permantely eradicating it from my harddrive.

[XanderD2]

Originally posted by salvestrom
I also agree that this is not to say the fact the controls lag is acceptable, just that not fighting with them improves the game play alot

LOL!! It's true if you don't try to fight in the game, the controls are just fine.

[salvestrom]

lol :P

I had a lot more grief trying to fight H2H the second time through. Wasn't allowing room, timewise, for Lara to switch into fighting stance - and I was letting her move out of it again by kicking the enemy too far away

[Raven]

I have got used to the controls on PC, it's just so darn frustrating compared to the other TR games where Lara was smooth and responsive.
It's worst during combat. You can't:

-get away from an enemy fast enough-they're kicking Lara's ass while she maneuvers away at tortoise speed.

-maneuver at all when you've got a weapon drawn-the absolutely ing awful auto-target, so good in previous games, simply yanks Lara back towards her enemy no matter what direction you try to run in. Where does the official strategy guide get off telling you to run round in circles when you're fighting?

-Fire when you're jumping, wasting valuable time.

I actually love this game, but it could have been so much better. I have literally been screaming at the screen in sheer frustration at times.

[BkBaby999]

There's a simple difference that we're all missing:

yes, the simple option of having the simple choice of choosing your own control system.....that's what was missing. So what I was able to adapt and play the game.....the point is it's 2003 and this game was put out like it was in the Dark Ages.....and it was supposed to be the hot new wonderful improved Tomb Raider with the new engine....and they couldn't even build in options?!? even the original had options!

the only thing AoD has over the original is the option to save whenever you want and thank goodness or else I bet people would REALLY be cursing the came a blue streak for unplayability if it had the old save crystals!

[salvestrom]

I also don't like the lack of options - and some missing stuff that seemed only natural to include for me. None of the menu's are free scrolling (ie they scroll to the bottom then loop to the top again). Holding down an arrow key won't scroll through the save/load games window, you have to repeatedly tap the key - and again it won't loop so you can get to the bottom from the very top just by pressing up. I really hope they include a destroy button for the Items menu in the next game. And get rid of the press a key screen. And finally provide an in-game option to exit all the way out of the game in one go!

I'd also have liked the ability to map multiple keys to any one move.

Oh, and can we have it back that pressing a number button selects a different weapon. And put that on the mouse wheel too :P And add mouse look, like it usually is...

Gah. See. I just can't make up me mind...

Sal

[Rimmer66]

I keep reading about peeps slagging off the game for bad controls. Let me tell you that the game runs smooth as silk on my PC, ALL possible graphic options are set top MAXIMUM, controls are fine with me, it's a matter of getting used to camera angles, but once you get used to it, it's easy actually.

What frustrates me is the bloody response time - when you hit walk, lara starts to walk about a second after or maybe less. There is a lag between your command and the character's response that is bloody pathetic, that aside everything's well.

[Raven]

Originally posted by Rimmer66
I keep reading about peeps slagging off the game for bad controls. Let me tell you that the game runs smooth as silk on my PC, ALL possible graphic options are set top MAXIMUM, controls are fine with me,

Well you're lucky then, aren't you My PC is pretty high spec and I cannot get the sound working, and the game freezes completely every couple of minutes in some areas.

What frustrates me is the bloody response time - when you hit walk, lara starts to walk about a second after or maybe less. There is a lag between your command and the character's response that is bloody pathetic, that aside everything's well.

Yep, and the fact that Lara now pauses between actions, whereas before she could switch smoothly from jump to run to roll etc etc.
I've said this before and I'll say it again; screw realism. I want Lara's former athleticism and speed back.

[XanderD2]

Originally posted by Rimmer66
There is a lag between your command and the character's response that is bloody pathetic, that aside everything's well.

I wonder if you have already met Brother Obscura, but the smiley at the end of your post tells me that probably you have not yet.

[Raven]

LOL, Xander. When young Rimmer comes face to face with everyone's favorite spectral ass kicker, the contented smile will be wiped off his features at last.

*cackles in evil glee*

Seriously Rimmer, I'm glad you're enjoying the game. Don't mind me, I'm just bitter because it keeps screwing up on my system and I find Lara about as lithe and athletic as a pregnant hippo.

[salvestrom]

I keep reading about peeps slagging off the game for bad controls.

This is one of two things, either PS2 users who aren't happy with the analogue controls or PC users who aren't happy with the:

... bloody response time

The PC controls (layout) haven't changed since the first game

Just thought I'd clear that up for you Rimmer

[RebeL_fARmeR]

I work it out like this: At first people discover that it IS a bad control system, it ISN'T as responsive, it IS harder to use... if they don't accept that the control system has limitations and try to use it in a more dynamic way then they will get very annoyed very quickly. Let's face it, there's no point trying to make it do what it cannot do and thus get frustrated. It ain't getting any better!
Here's the new control system, here's what it does and doesn't do, use the control system in a way that it allows you to use it, don't try and get anything extra out of it because that just ain't gonna happen!

I still say it, the control system is bad... the only difference now is that I've mastered it for what it is and I don't try to get out of it what cannot be got out of it!

Therefore all is jolly!

[Notts Raider]

Originally posted by Drexel
I read a review somewhere that said controlling Lara was like controlling a battered shopping cart.

Which is wrong....there is less trouble controlling a battered shopping cart.

LMAO

BTW is it possible to use a joypad on AOD, i'm thinking of getting one 2Morra

[Raven]

Originally posted by RebeL_fARmeR

I still say it, the control system is bad... the only difference now is that I've mastered it for what it is and I don't try to get out of it what cannot be got out of it!

Therefore all is jolly!

Your chirpiness makes me sick!
Sorry, I'm PMSing. Not usually this tetchy.
Anyway, hopefully the control issue is one that will be addressed in future....there've been enough complaints about it.

[pedraobr]

I agree with rebel_farmer.The controls are not to bad, the only thing i didn't like is that you can't change the control settings. I'm used to the controls on the others TR and miss it.

[Cdczq]

To PS2 user, the most terrible thing is only analogue stick is available and you can not use the crossing button. What a stupid idea!
But to PC user, there is no troubles. Through a USB 2 PS converter , I can use PS controller on PC, more exciting is I can change the controller setup as i like.

[XanderD2]

As a PC user, I must say the source of my frustration is the combined effect of the sluggish controls and the auto aim feature. Literally I was pulled under the red wraith many times while trying to shoot and freeze him. Once you draw your weapon, you are locked into an unbreakable forward-backward pattern. .

[nowalruses]

I agree in part. Given a little time and determination the new controls can be mastered and the game becomes very playable. However, they still fall woefully short of the older control systems. And, those control lags are a royal pain in the...well, you get the point. I'm playing PS2 with the analog controls and I have found that if you can get the hang of manipulating the camera the same time you're moving Lara it makes life much easier. My advice to the frustrated is take the time to explore the controls during slow portions of the game, let yourself get comfortable and familiar with what she can and can't do, always be concious of your camera angle, and don't let the funky controls and the numerous little bugs ruin the whole experience for you...it is still Tomb Raider after all.

Have fun and Happy Raiding!