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Surviving and learning to fight back as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider
A lot can happen in the span of two hours. In Tomb Raider, I witnessed a young Lara Croft change from unsure archaeologist assistant to a survivor, willing to do whatever it takes to save her friends and protect herself.Tomb Raider is a reboot of the iconic series and heroine therein, and the story of a world-class explorer coming into her own. After being stranded on an island seemingly lost to the world since World War II, the naive youngster grows into the confident and strong Lara Croft we've known all along.%Gallery-172529%
Tomb Raider scored by Dead Space composer Jason Graves
Jason Graves is composing the score for Lara Croft's upcoming reboot, Tomb Raider. Graves has composed music for several games, recently winning a BAFTA for his nerve-racking Dead Space score. A behind-the-scenes video has been released alongside the announcement, providing a sneak peek at Graves' approach to the soundtrack.More importantly, it introduces us all to "the Instrument." You'll just have to watch to find out what it is.
Lara Croft won't be swimming in next year's Tomb Raider
Global Brand Director for Crystal Dynamics, Karl Stewart, did a quick Q&A session on the official Tomb Raider twitter account this morning, and revealed an interesting design decision that will affect fans of aquatic exploration. The Tomb Raider reboot won't have any underwater shenanigans during gameplay – though not because the new Lara Croft has forgotten how to swim, thankfully.Video game characters often have issues with the backstroke; Grand Theft Auto: Vice City protagonist Tommy Vercetti could famously survive gunshots, but wouldn't last more than a second in waist-deep water. In contrast, some of our fondest memories of Lara Croft involve diving through secret, watery passages.Stewart said we'll see more about the game's other traversal gameplay soon, leading up to Tomb Raider's release in March next year.
Tomb Raider Collector's Edition runs $100, strolls to Steam for pre-order
The North American Tomb Raider Collector's Edition costs $100 and includes an "Endurance Survival Kit" tin, an 8-inch Lara Croft figurine that comes with three sets of extra hands (creepy), a 15-by-19-inch reversible map and poster, a 5-by-7-inch art print and three iron-on badges, and that's just the stuff you can put on your shelf. The Collector's Edition also includes the soundtrack CD and the weapons pack DLC.European fans can get the Survival Edition, which has an art book and waterproof survival pouch alongside the map, soundtrack and DLC. The European Collector's Edition includes the Survival goodies, and adds the North American figurine and Endurance tin.Additionally, Tomb Raider is available for pre-order on Steam today, for 10 percent off ($45) and with the chance to unlock reward tiers.
Square Enix online store discounts FF7, more [update]
We don't expect much from publishers' official online stores. Pricing tends to be a little on the high side. That's why it's such a surprise to see what appears to be a legitimately great sale on the Square Enix Online Shop, from today through October 28.Discounts range from 30 to 50 percent on games – including pre-orders on Tomb Raider and Hitman: Absolution, which sell for $41.99 each plus shipping. Update: those pre-order items have been changed back to regular price. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is $27.99. Shipping is free if you manage to find $100 worth of stuff to buy.Separate from this 72-hour sale, the publisher has put the PC version of Final Fantasy VII on sale through November 4. It's discounted $5, to $6.99.
Tomb Raider pre-order bonuses include jackets, mud
Depending on which retailer you raid*, you'll get different bonuses with your Tomb Raider pre-order, as has become the custom for retail games.GameStop offers the "Challenge Tomb," a new location full of "environment puzzles." Amazon gives you a raft of content – though not an actual raft, which Lara would probably find useful. Instead, you get a "Hunter Skin" that basically covers Lara in mud; a Kindle Fire copy of The Final Hours of Tomb Raider; and an art book. Best Buy gives pre-orderers a 48-page hardback comic called "The Beginning," and an "Aviatrix Skin" with a bomber jacket for Lara.The images provided with these announcements suggest each retailer will have two more offers, revealed in December and January. There were pre-order announcements for the UK and Ireland, as well, which are detailed after the break.%Gallery-167918%*Please shop in an orderly manner.
The 'Final Hours' of Tomb Raider tells the story of telling a story
How do you reinvent an icon? No, seriously, how do you do that – we've never done it and it sounds hard. For many of the folks at Crystal Dynamics, it's the greatest undertaking of their careers, evidenced in this latest episode of the Final Hours series focusing on Tomb Raider.Tomb Raider lead writer Rhianna Pritchett weighs in with just how much of herself she's put into Lara Croft and what it's like being the first female lead writer in series history. Crystal Dynamics' Karl Stewart also goes into the game's Comic-Con 2012 presence and the anxiety that comes from showing off Tomb Raider to the general public for the first time.This latest episode also reveals pre-order bonuses through Amazon: an art book, in-game skin and a digital copy of the Final Hours series for Tomb Raider for Kindle Fire.
Rhianna Pratchett announced as lead writer on Tomb Raider
Rhianna Pratchett is handling lead writer duties on the Tomb Raider reboot from Crystal Dynamics. Pratchett, the daughter of fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett, is no stranger to video game storytelling, having contributed to the Overlord games, Prince of Persia and Mirror's Edge.Pratchett has apparently been working on the narrative for Tomb Raider since "its early inception," and has brought "a depth and credibility to Lara" only she can, says Darrell Gallagher, head honcho at Crystal Dynamics. Pratchett, who is at San Diego Comic-Con 2012 this weekend, will participate in two Tomb Raider panels on Saturday. Full schedule and panel descriptions can be found past the break.[Image credit]
The 'Final Hours' of Tomb Raider documented in March, first episode out now
Geoff Keighley's behind-the-scenes "Final Hours" series is taking on Tomb Raider, and he's getting video help from Zachary Levi. Square Enix enlisted Keighley for a "Final Hours" Tomb Raider entry – which Keighley says he's "especially excited" about, due to it being "a tale about the act of reinvention, both of a studio and of a franchise." But Square also nabbed Levi for a video documentary supplement, which kicks off today, a full eight months before the game launches. Those are some long final hours, eh?The completed entry will launch in March 2013 alongside the game, and will once again be available on iPad and PC. Kindle Fire owners can also snag it via Amazon. Check out the first Zachary Levi video entry above.
Raid, Ruin, Sleep, and Dream with Square Enix at Comic-Con
Square Enix is going to be basically everywhere at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, with playable demos in multiple locations, panels, and various other events. The booth (number 3829) will host demos of Hitman Absolution, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Sleeping Dogs, and Tomb Raider.In addition, Kingdom Hearts and Heroes of Ruin will be at the "Nintendo Lounge" at the Marriott Marquis & Marina. Square games will also be on display at the GameSpot Gameroom, Spike booth, and the Xbox Lounge.In addition to all that, Square Enix will sponsor the "Nerd HQ" event and show off its games there, including over 20 playable Tomb Raider demo stations. There will also be a Tomb Raider panel on Saturday, a Hitman "photo sniping contest," a cosplay event, and several other ways to spend your whole Comic-Con only looking at one publisher's video game lineup.
Camilla Luddington is the new Lara Croft in Tomb Raider
Square Enix has announced that Lara Croft will have a new voice actress in the upcoming Tomb Raider series reboot: Camilla Luddington, recently seen on True Blood and Californication. Luddington was born in England, but as seen on this late night talk show, she apparently uses an American accent when appearing on American media.Worry not, though - Luddington has a lovely English accent as well (and you can hear her using it on this clip of Graham Norton's show in the very beginning). She definitely sounds younger than previous Croft voice actors, which Square Enix says will contribute "a depth of emotion and the youthful tone needed for Lara Croft" in the game.
Tomb Raider's first piece of DLC exclusive on Xbox 360
Xbox 360 owners will get an exclusive piece of DLC for Tomb Raider when it launches next year – remember, it was recently delayed to March 5, 2013. Crystal Dynamics' Darryl Gallagher revealed the news during Microsoft's E3 press conference, but didn't go into detail on what the DLC is or whether it would be offered gratis.%Gallery-156939%
Tomb Raider explores retail on March 5, 2013
"I hate tombs," Lara Croft groans in the latest trailer for Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider reboot. And you know what? For all the insanity that she goes through in the gameplay footage above, we're going to let Lara complain all she wants.Earlier this month Square Enix announced it had delayed Tomb Raider to Q1 2013, leaving us hanging for a more definitive date. Now we have it. Lara will arrive at retail on March 5, 2013, for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.
Tomb Raider delayed until Q1 2013
The younger, dirtier and unvarnished version of Lara Croft still needs some polish, according to Crystal Dynamics. The developer is pushing back the release date of the next Tomb Raider, from Fall 2012 into the first quarter of 2013. (Yes, the same quarter that now hosts another one of 2012's former heavy hitters, Bioshock Infinite.)"Our priority now is to make sure we fully deliver the very highest quality game," Crystal Dynamics Head Darrell Gallagher wrote. In a missive posted on the game's official forums, Gallagher shared the studio's push to make Tomb Raider "the best game of our careers." The delay will boost quality up to "a level that you deserve," he said.The shift in release date has also given us an unexpected sense of optimism. If enough promising games get pushed into next year, we might actually start rooting for the world's continued existence beyond 2012.
God of War 2 director Cory Barlog joins Crystal Dynamics
Cory Barlog, who served as writer and director for God of War 2, as well as "story creator" for Ghost of Sparta and creative director for Chains of Olympus, has joined Crystal Dynamics to work on its forthcoming Tomb Raider reboot and "a yet to be announced new title."Its unclear what this transition may mean for Barlog's Mad Max project, which was reportedly in production at Avalanche Studios. "I can't comment on our project, but all I can say is that the projects we've been working on for the last two years and the one we recently started up in NY are sailing along like never before," said Avalanche Studios founder Christofer Sundberg in a statement to Eurogamer.This either means that Mad Max is continuing without Barlog at Avalanche Studios, or that it was never there to begin with. Either way, we're looking forward to seeing what kind of vengeful, face-painting influence Barlog has on Lara Croft's future, and whether his presence at Crystal Dynamics could finally lead to Gex of War.
Tomb Raider to be promoted with real world geocaching treasure hunt
Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have announced a partnership with Geocaching.com to promote Tomb Raider. What's geocaching, you ask? Essentially, it's a modern day form of treasure hunting, in which participants use GPS to uncover "geocaches" hidden across the globe by other enthusiasts. Later this year, the promotion promises "a series of unique location-based adventures" in the spirit of Lara's own lust for precious artifacts. The promotion will use a combination of Geocaching.com's own app and "a photo-based adventure project" called Geocaching Challenges from Groundspeak.com. Presumably, would-be tomb raiders will be hunting for objects related to Lara and her adventures, though there's no hint as to what these treasures will be -- we can only hope that scions are involved.
New Tomb Raider film to focus on Lara Croft's beginnings
If Hollywood's already keen on dragging you through another origin story with Spider-Man (who?), it can't surprise anyone by proposing a narrative backtrack for the lesser known Lara Croft. The new Tomb Raider film, vaguely positioned for 2013, will return to the posh explorer's formative years, though it might not fall in lockstep with next year's game, which also strips away the Croft cruft to focus on a harsh tale of survival. Producer Graham King tells ComingSoon.net that the new movie is "something very different" from the ... commercially acceptable Angelina Jolie outings. "Listen, the box office, they weren't disasters but I find it interesting that the story that we're telling is really the story before she became Lara Croft," he says, "so it is a character piece." And when she does become Lara Croft, we hope it's accompanied by a scene in which she repeatedly, explicitly imparts the correct pronunciation to the audience. Look, it's easy. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Laura Craft: Haberdasher.
Tomb Raider celebrates 15th anniversary with a Lara Croft art gallery
The Tomb Raider franchise celebrated its 15th anniversary (which is crystal, by the way -- get your mom, girlfriend, wife, sister or sister-wives something from Swarovski, cheapskate) with an artistic tribute to Lara Croft, featuring digital renditions from eight legacy artists and newcomers. Artists include the current senior art director for Tomb Raider, Brian Horton; Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, art director for Deus Ex: Human Revolution; and the final artist, Toby Card, who designed the original Lara Croft back in 1995. Check out the gallery here, but don't check it out too hard -- Lara is only 15, after all.
Tomb Raider Xbox 360 could use a hug
We've seen a lot of custom Xbox 360s before, but never one that looked like it was in so much pain. The Official Tomb Raider Blog is currently running a contest to give the Xbox, featuring a bruised and battered Lara Croft, away -- and it's clear that it could use a good home. And just look at that Xbox controller! Poor little guy must have fractured a handle. Winning isn't quite as easy as filling out a form, as the blog is asking folks to answer trivia questions, which can only be found via Twitter, Facebook and during the last five minutes of Crystal Habit, the Crystal Dynamics podcast. Once you have the answers, you can enter the contest here. Do it quickly, because someone needs to get that mistreated console away from those monsters.
Square Enix launches official digital magazine
Square Enix has launched an official, free, online magazine full of info and interviews on all of its upcoming games, aptly titled "Square Enix Magazine." The first issue, available right here, features stories on Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Final Fantasy XIII-2. Finally, Square Enix has given us a place online to get information about video games. Whew.
