Open letter/camera

[rwagner]

I have loved the Tomb Raider series since the very first one on PS. I've played every singe game except for AoD since that was just plain broken, not CD's fault since they didn't make it.

Legend was an incredible reboot and Anniversary was a fantastic remake.

Underworld was fun and I mostly loved it. It looked great and all the upgrades to Lara were much needed and they showed. The level design surpassed any game of it's kind as always.

But, enough is enough. The broken mechanics, the glitches, the camera. The broken WII version. And, MOST OF ALL, the stupid SAVE system! All three games have had the same one and NOBODY likes it. This is just unforgivable.

Three games in three years? This game was rushed and it shows.

The comparisons to Uncharted are tiresome but, since Uncharted was inspired by TR, it is unavoidable. Uncharted got it right,. All of it.

If the developers insist on combat in TR games (which I enjoy) and it would be boring without some, then they need to put in a cover system. They can still have her fight and jump around and have all her fancy acrobatics because it looks cool and Lara should know how to kick ass, it's fun, but how hard would it be for her to be able to take cover. There is certainly enough rocks, walls, and crates for her to do it. The amount of combat is perfect as it is since TR is not about fighting as much as other games.

The camera. The easiest solution to this is to have the camera pass thru solid objects and make everything transparent when looking out. Tons of other games do this all the time and it works perfectly, even games on the PS1 years ago. No excuse not to do it now.

Underworld needed to be in development for two years. Fans will wait. And, if it was as polished as Uncharted, the TR games will get new fans.

Maybe Lara has just run her course. I would be sad to to see her go since I have loved her from the very beginning but, I'd rather see her go then watch her become a haggard old bore.

Please CD, if your are going to continue on with the series, take your time and fix everything that was wrong and broken and make it as good as you can especially since you know full well you released Underworld before it was ready. This is an insult to TR fans that spent $60 on it. At the least, you could patch some of the glitches, I know it costs money to do this but, it cost your fans money to play it.

[rg_001100]

Feel free to post your review here as well.

[FinalKai]

Agreed. With everything.

[rg_001100]

Development started for TR:Underworld right after TR:L.

If the developers insist on combat in TR games (which I enjoy) and it would be boring without some, then they need to put in a cover system. They can still have her fight and jump around and have all her fancy acrobatics because it looks cool and Lara should know how to kick ass, it's fun, but how hard would it be for her to be able to take cover. There is certainly enough rocks, walls, and crates for her to do it. The amount of combat is perfect as it is since TR is not about fighting as much as other games.

Cover system. Yes, it might improve it, but please keep it optional.

[Taurus]

Played and completed on PC.

Game physics (Way in which Lara interacts with the world) great.

Plot great (Someone as bother to look at previous parts of this series).

Game play came be changed to suit fans who are interested in a puzzle game/adventure game and not just a shoot'm up.

But.......

Still no extra levels (apart from the one's Microsoft paid for), showing you can, but not willing for main game. Any normal gamer could complete this in 10 to 15 hours.

Reply factor REMOVED.
Mansion used not only to see what Lara able to do but to practice moves.

New Secrets, a joke. Did no one see what drove fans on in TR Legends (If you do not know the answer to this then your dumber than I think).

[drkmandalorian]

Also played and completed on PC and very disappointed. There is no resolution to the game, it just ends, and way too soon. I finished it in a little over 9 hours, and that was taking my time to look around. The game is very beautiful but that only goes so far with me. My guess is the Exclusive content for 360 is a big chunk of the game and maybe something that actually resolves the story, but those of us on PC will never get to see it, since it is now reserved only for those who have 360 and maybe PS3. Nice... When I shelled out my $45.00 I didn't realize I would only be buying 3/4 of a game. This is what I have been waiting so patiently for?

[josh1122]

like RG said if you have a review/rant please post it here http://forums.eidosgames.com/showthread.php?t=82905

review thread

and personal attacks against members(Taurus) is not needed

[RinoTheBouncer]

Legend n Anniversary's unlockables are way better then TR:U , i mean c'mon fans wanna have some more stuff to make the game live longer ... well i care alot for outfits n if others don't they can simple NOT choose them or NOT unlock them, but Concepts can be found anywhere.

[italibabee]

i agree with some things...next time i think they should take as long as they need if its 2 years or more....i can wait...i dont want them to rush with anything...and i dont think people should be nagging about the release date next time....if they push it back...well they push it back...whatever is best for TR im all for it

[Frag Maniac]

Anniversary remains to be the best TR of the last 3 titles IMO. It far exceeds both Legend and Underworld in efficiency of file size and optimization, and packs more diversity, fun and challenge in puzzles and gunplay.

Underworld is not the total bust that AoD was, but it is very laggy and buggy. You can't count on overwriting saves without crashing to desktop and there are several places Laura gets stuck just lightly bumping into low height rocks and such.

I also found the gameplay to be rather easy and boring compared to Anniversary, which pits you against more challenging enemy battles and death defying puzzle moves. Furthermore they've reduced the awesome well thought out Relic challenges to mere kicking of vases scattered within plain view all over the game. This is not in keeping with what makes TR a great game.

Sadly Underworld sits shoulder to shoulder with the many common titles released in the last year that favor eye candy over great gameplay and smooth performance.

[rwagner]

I'm sorry, although it may sound like it, this is not a review. This was meant as a letter to Eidos and Crystal Dynamics to fix their game, and not release such shoddy and sloppy work.

I do not want to see Lara and the Tomb Raider games dragged down yet again just because they feel the need to release a game a year. Everyone saw what Core did to her. Just hoping it doesn't happen again.

They can patch the camera, Ninja Giaden did it.

[rwagner]

At the very least, Crystal Dynamics could patch the camera, Ninja Gaiden did it.

It's a lot of work and money but, they will have plenty after all the DLC we will have to pay for. On top of the $60 we have already paid.

Releasing a game before it's done and taking our money for their laziness and holiday deadlines is just unfair. I bought it because I love the series plain and simple. Dispite what I read in reviews.

There are A LOT of AAA titles out now and most people can only afford a couple, when one of our favorites is a sloppy mess, then I find the lack of respect for long time fans to be reprehensable and we should not be treated to sub-par work. It's inexcusable.

I just hope in the future Eidos and Crystal Dynamics understands without the fans spending their hard earned money in the current US and World economy, they would not have jobs. Jobs that thousands of people would gladly work at for almost free.

[josh1122]

really no need for another thread

your other one was just fine to post this in.

Edit your other threads main post would work fine.


just delete this one and edit your other one in your other open letter thread

[Alex-Croft2]

Originally Posted by Frag Maniac

Anniversary remains to be the best TR of the last 3 titles IMO. It far exceeds both Legend and Underworld in efficiency of file size and optimization, and packs more diversity, fun and challenge in puzzles and gunplay.

Underworld is not the total bust that AoD was, but it is very laggy and buggy. You can't count on overwriting saves without crashing to desktop and there are several places Laura gets stuck just lightly bumping into low height rocks and such.

I also found the gameplay to be rather easy and boring compared to Anniversary, which pits you against more challenging enemy battles and death defying puzzle moves. Furthermore they've reduced the awesome well thought out Relic challenges to mere kicking of vases scattered within plain view all over the game. This is not in keeping with what makes TR a great game.

Sadly Underworld sits shoulder to shoulder with the many common titles released in the last year that favor eye candy over great gameplay and smooth performance.

I agree with you. I actually re-bought Anniversary because I missed it so much, especially after playing the Wii version of Underworld

[pinpal]

Originally Posted by rwagner

I have loved the Tomb Raider series since the very first one on PS. I've played every singe game except for AoD since that was just plain broken, not CD's fault since they didn't make it.

Legend was an incredible reboot and Anniversary was a fantastic remake.

Underworld was fun and I mostly loved it. It looked great and all the upgrades to Lara were much needed and they showed. The level design surpassed any game of it's kind as always.

But, enough is enough. The broken mechanics, the glitches, the camera. The broken WII version. And, MOST OF ALL, the stupid SAVE system! All three games have had the same one and NOBODY likes it. This is just unforgivable.

Three games in three years? This game was rushed and it shows.

The comparisons to Uncharted are tiresome but, since Uncharted was inspired by TR, it is unavoidable. Uncharted got it right,. All of it.

If the developers insist on combat in TR games (which I enjoy) and it would be boring without some, then they need to put in a cover system. They can still have her fight and jump around and have all her fancy acrobatics because it looks cool and Lara should know how to kick ass, it's fun, but how hard would it be for her to be able to take cover. There is certainly enough rocks, walls, and crates for her to do it. The amount of combat is perfect as it is since TR is not about fighting as much as other games.

The camera. The easiest solution to this is to have the camera pass thru solid objects and make everything transparent when looking out. Tons of other games do this all the time and it works perfectly, even games on the PS1 years ago. No excuse not to do it now.

Underworld needed to be in development for two years. Fans will wait. And, if it was as polished as Uncharted, the TR games will get new fans.

Maybe Lara has just run her course. I would be sad to to see her go since I have loved her from the very beginning but, I'd rather see her go then watch her become a haggard old bore.

Please CD, if your are going to continue on with the series, take your time and fix everything that was wrong and broken and make it as good as you can especially since you know full well you released Underworld before it was ready. This is an insult to TR fans that spent $60 on it. At the least, you could patch some of the glitches, I know it costs money to do this but, it cost your fans money to play it.

What do you mean the game is not finished??? I positively loved the game . and get off of this camera stuff, I passed the game 3 times already and enjoyed it without camera problems or glitches. And stop comparring Uncharted to tomb raider they are two different genres of games. I actually spent $90 dollars on this game and do not regret it at all. and also tomb raider is not a cover based game, and it rarely has alot of combat because its mostly about puzzle solving which I love. TRU is a nice and pleasant adventure, and I think that laras next gen debut is the best of the year

[josh1122]

Originally Posted by pinpal

What do you mean the game is not finished??? I positively loved the game . and get off of this camera stuff, I passed the game 3 times already and enjoyed it without camera problems or glitches. And stop comparring Uncharted to tomb raider they are two different genres of games. I actually spent $90 dollars on this game and do not regret it at all.

Agreed, although i didn't pay $90 for mine, i still payed retail price and dont regret it at all either, great game

and yeah the uncharted to TR comparisons are getting rather tiresome lol

but hey you cant please anyone, i wasn't around these forums for Legend or Anniversary releases, but i can almost guarantee it was as hostile as it is now hehe

similar topics and complaints and so forth.

[rg_001100]

I don't think it's such a bad thing for posters to create separate threads for reviews. It gives us a chance to comment, etc. whereas with the official reviews thread, it's just where we can tell CD what we thought.

[josh1122]

Originally Posted by rg_001100

I don't think it's such a bad thing for posters to create separate threads for reviews. It gives us a chance to comment, etc. whereas with the official reviews thread, it's just where we can tell CD what we thought.

Wasn't a review, it was the same rant that CD has failed everyone(same thing in multiple threads). Glad it was merged into one thread. Since his first thread was more than good enough for his second rant, fits well with his original post

[rg_001100]

Oh, missed that it was merged.

Rant against the camera? I know that there were rants about the camera when TR:A came out, and no doubt there were rants about the camera in TR:L. It's interesting that the camera of TR:A is now seen as a damn solid camera, (and not compared to the TR:U on either).

[josh1122]

Originally Posted by rg_001100

Oh, missed that it was merged.

Rant against the camera? I know that there were rants about the camera when TR:A came out, and no doubt there were rants about the camera in TR:L. It's interesting that the camera of TR:A is now seen as a damn solid camera, (and not compared to the TR:U on either).

Yeah I never had a problem with any of CDs TR games cameras(Thankfully) but I might be in the minority in that lol.

I can only imagine the outcry Legend got when it first was announced,especially being it was the first non CORE TR, yeeesh lol.

It will be interesting to see what adjustments CD makes for their next game, I'm just wondering what they'd call this one lol

[Natla]

You mentioned that the game finished very quickly. Could this be the reason?

http://forums.gametrailers.com/?do=s...=529101&page=1

[josh1122]

Originally Posted by Natla

You mentioned that the game finished very quickly. Could this be the reason?

http://forums.gametrailers.com/?do=s...=529101&page=1

doubt it

all he said she said speculation and rumor and no confirmation

something the haters will undoubtedly try to run with of course though

[Natla]

I haven't played Underworld, but I'm not sure if I'd characterise anybody who has queries about it as a "hater".

[josh1122]

Originally Posted by Natla

I haven't played Underworld, but I'm not sure if I'd characterise anybody who has queries about it as a "hater".

nah im just talking about the people out to hate tomb raider in general who take what a thread on GAMETRAILERS says as truth.

It's like the same situation where people were like ''omg eidos is paying people to give Underworld good reviews'' same type of little 'conspiracy' situation lol

I'll believe it when theres actual confirmation,gametrailer forums aren't the most reliable people lol

[Raina Audron]

Originally Posted by josh1122

nah im just talking about the people out to hate tomb raider in general who take what a thread on GAMETRAILERS says as truth.

It's like the same situation where people were like ''omg eidos is paying people to give Underworld good reviews'' same type of little 'conspiracy' situation lol

I'll believe it when theres actual confirmation,gametrailer forums aren't the most reliable people lol

So you don´t believe that Eidos did that? Why else would they fire the whole PR management? Barrington Harvey, the new head of PR ,said that their aim was that Underworld would have the highest possible scores until the release so he sent a message to reviewers that they should post reviews with less than 8/10 after its release..I find this quite disturbing..