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Joystiq impressions: Tomb Raider Underworld
Inspiration seems to be cyclical in the games industry. Well, at least in the case of Tomb Raider Underworld. Many of the improvements we saw in the latest preview of the upcoming Lara Croft adventure seem to come directly from last year's Tomb Raider-inspired Uncharted. Considering the wide accolades Naughty Dog's title received, that's certainly not a bad thing.There are a lot of elements which make us think back to Nathan Drake's quest for treasure. Perhaps it's the environment: the lush jungles of Thailand, with their deserted, decaying ruins reminding us of that other lush, ruin-filled jungle. But there are other similarities to note here, as well. Crystal Dynamics' creative director, Eric Lindstrom, told us that the team was trying to make Lara more human in regards to her abilities. She'll interact with the environment, by pushing foliage out of the way. She'll stumble when she makes large jumps. For the first time, Crystal Dynamics is working with motion capture, to make sure Lara feels a bit more believable.We've heard this pitch before, no? Lara will be holding off ledges, and she'll look towards the direction of a place she can grab on to. We saw Lara jump from one pillar to another, but before jumping, she reached out her arm towards the next pillar to indicate the potential action. Then we saw her approach a narrow walkway, cautiously, lifting her arms for balance as she crossed. We watched her stumble a bit too, struggling to make her next jump.%Gallery-32983%
Tomb Raider: Underworld heads underwater (underneath this headline)
Despite having her franchise rebooted a la Batman Begins, it saddens us to see acrobatic archeologist Lara Croft give in to her old, animal-killing habits. Sure, there's a modicum of guilty pleasure to be derived from watching her kick tigers in the face, but the above shark-slaying video simply lacks ... finesse. If watching the lithe leading lady go all Richard Dreyfuss on the wonders of the deep is something you find upsetting, we'd advise you to skip to the video after the break, where she runs around Mexico sticking poles in holes.Oh, don't even start. Tomb Raider: Underworld is out on November 18th.
New Tomb Raider: Underworld vids reveal new moves for Lara
A pair of new Tomb Raider: Underworld trailers have been released, and we'd like to direct your attention to the one above in particular. There are a number of new gameplay elements seen here. For instance, Lara picks up a bar and inserts it into the wall where she can then swing on top of it to reach new heights. Others skills featured in the video include wall jumping, balance beam walking and, our personal favorite, wall climbing a la Assassin's Creed. We'd like to point out that all of these moves are superbly animated.The second video, embedded after the break, features Lara's new and improved swimming abilities. It also features her blowing up a shark with a sticky bomb, a practice we're not sure we wholly endorse. Doesn't she have any Shark Repellent Bat Spray or something?
Tomb Raider devs talk story, locales
While most of the in-game footage of environments from Tomb Raider: Underworld that is shown in the video above was taken from the other, non-Wii systems, it's still a great look at how the developers recreated the wonderful real-world locations we'll no doubt be traversing when the game releases, as well as Underworld's story. When Tomb Raider: Legend released, it brought an actual half-decent story to the franchise and ever since we've finished that game, we've been waiting to see how all of this pans out. Apparently, Underworld will involve a god and Thor's hammer.Check it out above, as it shows all of the hard work developer Crystal Dynamics has put into the game. Excited? We are.
Myth understood: Tomb Raider devs on Underworld's story
Ever since Tomb Raider: Legend plumped up the character of Lara Croft -- narratively speaking -- and sent her gallivanting across the globe in a quest for vengeance and maternal closure, we've been dying to see what lies on the other side of the cliff the franchise reboot left us hanging from. According to a new behind-the-scenes video for Tomb Raider: Underworld, we can expect to encounter a god in need of a good pounding from Thor's hammer. Though brief, the clip delves into the franchise's ever-sprawling mythology, as well as the research trips developer Crystal Dynamics underwent to capture the look and feel of Cambodia and Mexico. The informative voices you'll hear belong to creative director Eric Lindstrom and cinematics director Toby Gard -- the latter of which shouldn't be confused with the cinematic director, who barks orders through a megaphone whilst leaping from exploding helicopters.%Gallery-15158%
Video: the story behind Tomb Raider: Underworld
So, we've all seen Lara Croft running and jumping and kicking her way through Thailand (and swimming in the deep blue sea) in her latest adventure, Tomb Raider: Underworld, but why? What is she searching for? It turns out that she's looking for Thor's hammer. In the video above, creative director Eric Lindstrom explains that Norse mythology is the underlying thread of the game. Exactly how Norse mythology applies to Lara's journey into Thailand and South America, Crystal Dynamics isn't saying, but it certainly sounds intriguing. It doesn't hurt that it looks great either. Here's hoping it all comes together.
Tomb Raider: Underworld lets you kick tigers right in the face
The renowned adventurer and acrobatic grave robber, Lara Croft, finds her lithe self on the wrong side of a PETA protest yet again in November's Tomb Raider: Underworld. Though her abhorrent antics, which include mowing down exotic panthers and posing akimbo on the perforated corpses of fuzzy bears, have been widely witnessed before, these latest anti-animal maneuvers still leave our jaws agape. Or dislocated, if you're a marauding tiger who's just been introduced to the leg-end of Lara Croft.
Video: Lara Croft kicks tiger in face, lives
Well good lord. Tomb Raider: Underworld is looking better and better all the time. In this latest video, we see Lara doing her usual acrobatic thing -- check out her spinning on top of a pole and then leaping off: epic -- when suddenly ... OMG TIGER ATTACK! It's no trouble for Lara though as she proceeds to kick the tigers -- in the face -- multiple times. Honestly, there's nothing else we can say about this video. We tried coming up with something, but words fail us. She kicks ... a tiger ... in the face. Seriously, eeny, meeny, miny moe, kick a tiger in the face. Watch it.
New Tomb Raider: Underworld footage is Thai-tastic
We're so jealous of Lara Croft. Not for her frequent adventures, or her physical fitness, or her swanky pad, or even her loyal manservant -- with the lifestyle and wages of a professional video game blogger, all of those things become readily available. There's one aspect of her life we still manage to covet, however -- her international travels. Sure, we occasionally get to head to the west coast, or Germany, but in her latest title, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Ms. Croft manages to hit up Mexico, the Arctic Sea, and in the above video, the lush jungles of Thailand.The sneak preview features some excellent shots of the second level of Underworld, not to mention a fantastic look at Lara's beautiful ... platforming animation. Considering the unlikelihood of the Thailand Video Game Expo ever existing, we regret to admit that it's probably the closest we'll ever come to The Land of Smiles.
Video: Lara Croft leaps and swings through Thailand
Tomb Raider: Underworld just keeps getting better every time we see it. The latest video of Lara Croft's latest adventure is all about her acrobatic skills. Let's say they look pretty damned nice. From climbing to shimmying to swinging, everything looks nice and smooth. At one point it looks like Lara even swings over a pole and proceeds to perch herself on top of it. We have to add that it's all super speedy too. That's a good thing because no one likes to watch their character spend 30 seconds climbing a 10-foot rope. Also worth noting is the lush greenery, so lush in fact that Lara has to brush it away from her face as she runs through it. Why are you still reading this? Watch the video!
Tomb Raider takes on Thailand in Underworld trailer
Download to PSP Some have been bugging us to put the new Tomb Raider trailer on our site. The franchise has really found its groove since the successful series revamp in Tomb Raider: Legend. The upcoming Tomb Raider: Underworld looks like a very dramatic continuation, filled with tons of reasons for Lara to wear wetsuits and other inappropriate-for-an-explorer outfits. This one's coming to all the platforms out there, including PS3. %Gallery-28435%
First gameplay trailer for Tomb Raider Underworld
Eidos just dished out the first "real" trailer for Tomb Raider: Underworld. Those of you keen on Lara already know another trailer released for the game (along with that dev thing), but it was little less than a teaser. This one actually has a bunch of gameplay footage in it, so we're calling it the first. But, just as the previous teaser had something wrong with it (it didn't show any gameplay), so does this. We're pretty sure this isn't the Wii version. What tipped us off? The fact that it's in HD and the environments look a lot better than we could've hoped for. It's okay to still watch it, though. The console ports are essentially going to be the same game.Are you anxious to tackle Lara's latest adventure? Have you been sucked back into the franchise by Tomb Raider Legend, like so many of us, and have high hopes for Underworld?%Gallery-29889%[Via press release]
Lara tackles Thailand in new Tomb Raider: Underworld trailer
The new flesh-and-blood Lara? Pretty. Cool. But it's the texture-and-polygon one in Tomb Raider: Underworld – the proper, next-gen sequel to the series-reviving Tomb Raider: Legend – that we're really excited about. This first full gameplay trailer for Underworld is a jaw-dropper, showcasing ruins in a new locale (Thailand) and offering quick glimpses of action in other parts of the world (and underworld). We're pretty sure we see the first location from the game to be revealed – rain-drenched Mayan ruins – and a tease at a return of the nefarious bad-girl, Natla, from Tomb Raider: Anniversary in there. Also: giant spiders, giant octopus, and giant statues of Norse Gods, the mythology of which (Thor's hammer, in particular) factors heavily in the game's plot as Lara continues her quest to find Avalon.To coincide with the video reveal of Tomb Raider: Underworld's Thai locale, Eidos has released a new batch of screens showcasing the level's sheer jungle-y, ruin-y, tiger-y splendor. Check them out in our updated gallery below.%Gallery-15158%
New Lara Croft model shows she speaks, does tricks
Yesterday, Alison Carroll was revealed as the latest promotional Lara Croft flesh-model for the Tomb Raider franchise. Today, there's a couple videos of Carroll talking (boring) and doing flips in short-shorts (wheee!). OK, before the feminists have a freak out, we're totally semi kidding. To her credit, Carroll used to be a gymnast, so she actually can do some of Lady Croft's more stylish moves.If hearing Carroll's British accent ups the Tomb Raider heroine's sex appeal and gets you to buy Underworld this November, then the girl's done her job. The videos of Carroll's meeting with the press can be found after the break.[Thanks, jkaccnt]
Cosplaying for cash: Meet the new Lara Croft model
Her real name is Alison Carroll, but for the purposes of your fantasies you may refer to her as Lady Croft. The Sun has some pics of the 23-year-old, who was revealed today as the new public body of the polygonal heroine. The model will now travel the globe, hunting for her next paycheck, as she meets fans and swallows her pride "acting out stunts from the game."There's a few more details about the model/actress in The Sun story, but the only important thing to know is that she's single and ready to mingle. Yes boys, slather on some Drakkar Noir and work some extra-stiff gel through that greasy hair because Ms. Croft is available. For those who actually care about the game that Carroll will be promoting, Tomb Raider: Underworld will be available Nov. 18 in NA and Nov. 21 in Europaland.
Joystiq E3 hands-on: Tomb Raider: Underworld
click to embiggen The room is stuffed with a handful of game journalists. It's dark. Drifting from the (very nice) speaker system are the sounds of ocean waves lapping against a boat. On screen, Lara Croft stands on the wooden deck wearing scuba gear. Thrifty girl that she is, it looks like Lara didn't want to spring for a wetsuit with legs in it. Apparently not worried by the deep cold of the ocean, she dives into the water. It's time for me to play Tomb Raider Underworld. %Gallery-28391%
Tomb Raider: Underworld E3 trailer blows our minds in reverse
Based off of our explorations of the Croft manor in previous Tomb Raider installments, we can say with absolute certainty that Lara Croft has a pretty sweet pad. Or, rather, had a sweet pad -- in the latest E3 trailer for Eidos and Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider: Underworld, the titular adventurer, now sans hot pants, apparently lays waste to her extravagant dwelling. The two-minute, gameplay-less trailer is visually impressive, though our minds are racing with questions surrounding the top-heavy historian's act of residential sabotage. Is she trying to collect on her homeowner's insurance? Is she attempting to quash a rather formidable termite infestation? Perhaps she's trying to earn a visit from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? We'll be finding out when Underworld explodes onto store shelves November 18.
Underneath Underworld
With the Tomb Raider series really delivering the goods in Legend and Anniversary, hopes are at an all-time high for the upcoming Tomb Raider: Underworld. Lara Croft can't seem to stay out of trouble, and all logic suggests she should settle in to a nice teaching job or a part-time psychology course. Of course, the biggest adventuring badass since Indiana Jones can't sit still for long, and Eidos has kindly given us a behind-the-scenes look at the development team's goals for Underworld.The epic music and snappy camerawork make Creative Director Eric Lindstrom and Lead Artist Eric Neuburger out to be some kind of big time nerds superheroes, and we will support this theory if Underworld turns out to be any good. If past precedent is to be relied upon, it will be.
The Underworld opens its gates in time for the holidays
Your scheduled jaunt into the underworld now has an actual time frame for, uh ... scheduling. Word hits today that Lara Croft's latest adventure will be available for you to play through later on this year. Tomb Raider: Underworld will release this November across all platforms.If you're looking for more on the game, visit the Tomb Raider Portal. There's plenty of goodies there, including a podcast and behind-the-scenes write-ups on the game.
Lara Croft to visit the Norse underworld this November
With Tomb Raider: Underworld set to be among the quartet of titles to be shown by Eidos during next month's E3, the publisher has launched the game's official website, simultaneously slapping a November release date on Lara Croft's latest trip underground for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PS2 and PC. In addition to offering a narrowed release window, Eidos also shed a few details on the busty heroine's "exploration-based" escapade, revealing in a statement that the game will see Ms. Croft seeking "the secrets of the Norse underworld and a forgotten power." This immediatly makes us think that she'll be hunting down Thor's hammer, because really, who needs guns when you're packing Mjolnir?
