“I love collector’s editions and personally designed sets for Batman: Arkham Asylum and Age of Conan,” said Stewart.

“I’ve done loads and loads and I’m a big fan of them. So yes it’s on my list and I’ve already been doing a lot of exploration so I can say with certainty that there will be a collector’s edition. The editions may be unique to specific territories however, because some areas have restrictions and so on.”

The Collectors Edition would be expected to arrive on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC releases of the game, but perhaps the recently announced Mac edition could gain one too.

DLC was also mentioned but again no detail were mentioned. Stewart did say that he wouldn’t release DLC that blocked off certain aspects of the game for others, nor just include it to make more money.

“We will look into DLC and we’ve done DLC in the past, but it all boils down to experience. We need to make sure it fits. We also need to make sure we have time to build it, and we’re focused on the core experience right now,”

“If there is a piece of DLC, it may continue on a different trail from something that was hinted at in the game, or it might take something out of left field. DLC will give you a different experience, however, it’s certainly not something that has been removed from the game in order to make more money.

“That is completely against what we’re all about. Especially in regards to Tomb Raider it’s more important than ever that we do DLC right. The end of the game has to feel definitive. You don’t see a movie in a theater only for the big finale to be reserved for the DVD. That doesn’t happen.”

Tomb Raider launches this Autumn for PS3, Xbox 360, PC and potentially Mac.

Source: VG24/7

Global brand manager Karl Stewart said the Wii U wont be getting a version of the game as they have made it working with existing tech, a Wii U release would have to take the consoles unique features into account.

“When we started developing the game we made a conscious decision that it was all about building the game for a platform and making sure the game was specific to that platform,”

“Given that we’ve been working on the game quite a while before Wii U was announced I think it would not be right to try and port it across. If we started building a game for the Wii U we would build it very differently and we would build it with unique functionality.”

A Mac version will be on the way, but it is unsure if it will launch alongside the PC version or will join the market at a later date.

“We’re in the middle of discussions with a company looking to do just that. I’d love to be able to see it day and date with the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC release, but there is a technological aspect to it as well that we need to achieve. But yes, I want a Mac version because I love my Mac.”

Source: VG24/7

The new Tomb Raider game is highly anticipated by many people espically after it’s E3 showing where it looked amazing, the game is been developed by Crystal Dynamics and now a new video showcasing the making of the trailer has been released.

The trailer is called Tomb Raider Making Of The ‘Turning Point’ Trailer and doesn’t show to much gameplay as it’s just the developers show how everything came together and their involvement in the E3 trailer for the game but it’s worth a watch. You can check out the video below.

Are you excited for the new Tomb Raider game? after seeing it at E3 I am pretty excited as it did look fairly amazing. Also, Tell us below what you thought of the trailer.

‘A famous explorer once said, that the extraordinary is in what we do, not who we are’

And that’s how the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise as begun.

Yep, Lara Croft has set out again to make (re-make) her mark on the world of Video Games one more time. Oh, and to find adventure, except this time, adventure finds Lara.

And to our delight too!

Gone is the Lara of old who tweaked in the eye of danger and punched huge sharks in the face, no wait, that was the Tomb Raider movies. Better not to mention those.

Over a decade after Tomb Raider was first released on the PlayStation One and quickly became the benchmark for 3D action adventure titles, it seems poised to join the ranks of the current Kings of the action adventure mountain, Prince of Persia and Nathan Drake (Uncharted).

Lara’s look is not the only part of the franchise to get a makeover as Tomb Raider 2012 will be utilising the new Crystal Engine (game engine) from Crystal Dynamics, giving the developers the ability to drop the previously linear style for a more open and freedom oriented gameplay choice.

Speaking of gameplay, this will be a tale of survival for Miss Croft, thus the player will need to scavenge for not only weapons and tools but for food and water in order to stay alive. The game also includes a skill system, a new survival instinct mode (to help with elemental based puzzles, such as fire, water, wind, etc) and free aim combat abilities.

Due to the games open world nature, players will come across stations or base camps which can be used to combine collectables into useful tools/weapons and to teleport to another base camp to help with travelling the strange island.

To see the new Lara Croft in action, check out the E3 trailer for the Tomb Raider reboot and get ready for an action packed adventure, heading our way end of 2012.

Enjoy!

Tomb Raider E3 Trailer (2012)

Are they good for you?

Hell, are they good for me?

Do they mean us or our wallet harm?

Or are they only good for Game Publishers who want to make some extra change from people with happy thumbs and fingers.

Well first of all, check out the below list of HD remakes and collections that I’m sure we are all aware of. If I missed a couple, then please point it out in the comments.

Here’s a quick hit list of most HD collections, some are available to buy and the rest will be coming out later this year -

God of War HD Collection

God of War 1 & 2

Prince of Persia HD Collection

Sands of Time, Warrior Within, The Two Thrones

Sly Cooper HD Collection

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus,  Band of Thieves & Honor among Thieves

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection

MGS 2, 3 Snake Eater and PeaceWalker (from the PSP)

Zone of the Enders collection

Zone of the Enders Part 1 & 2

Tomb Raider HD Collection

TR Legends, TR Anniversary & TR Underworld

Resistance 1 and 2 Re-release (not a HD remake, but I’ll list it anyway)

Devil May Cry HD collection

DMC 1, 2 & 3 (Special Edition)

Splinter Cell HD Collection

Splinter Cell , Pandora Tomorrow & Chaos Theory

Team Ico HD Collection

ICO & Shadow of the Colussus

God of War HD Collection volume 2 (God of War Origins Collection)

GOW: Chains of Olympus & Ghost of Sparta

Silent Hill HD Collection

Part 2 & 3

Resident Evil Revival Selection/Collection

Resident Evil 4 & Resident Evil Code: Veronica

Tekken Tag Tournament HD with Tekken CG based Movie

Half of these titles were announced at E3 and only a few will be multi platform, such as the Metal Gear Solid collection.

Most will be PS3 exclusives, most probably due to these titles being exclusives in their previous life on the PS2.

So, why are publishers so wanting to re-release their tried and proven games to us gamers. Surely they can apply their development resources on new IP’s, sequels and other products.

Well, let’s check this from the IP owner’s perspective.

Most of these games come from well established popular franchises which have already seen or will see sequels releasing on current gen consoles. There’s a new Silent Hill coming, new Devil May Cry, new Metal Gear Solid (Rising), new Sly Cooper (4), new Tomb Raider (reboot), and even ICO/Shadow of the Colossus will see The Last Guardian next year too.

Gaming has expanded this generation. Previous gen, gamers were gamers. But now, everybody’s a gamers and the gaming audience is much wider, much more varied democratic than ever before.

Developers and publishers don’t just want old school fans to buy sequels, they want new fans onboard too. So what better way to do this, then to re-introduce a franchise with it’s already popular history to a new generation of gamers. A generation who are growing up with HD as a standard platform too.

For example, Halo: Combat Evolved is being updated to HD and will be re-released soon. Not soon afterwards, Halo 4 will be releasing. As if The Chief didn’t have enough fans already.

Now, let’s have a look from your and my perspective. The old school gamer.

Even though we have copies of our favourite games in air tight, anti dust, fire-proof transparent containers already, why not play the game again in HD. It’s also convenient to have everything on one console (due to a lack of backward compatibility). Why not re-live our favourite characters and moments.

Not only can we re-live our most cherished memories, but we can now share them with our friends, brothers and sister’s is a more hands on manner.

Yes, I know You Tube works for this too, but this is much better.

HD versions of these games will also age better too and be easily compatible on the next bunch of consoles already being thrown at us.

Now, I never had the chance to play Sly Cooper during my PS2 days. But now, I can easily find out what all the fuss was about with the HD Collection, plus this will line me up perfectly for the upcoming Sly 4 sequel.

Is this necessary? No, not always. I’m pre-ordering Deus Ex Human Revolution, even though I haven’t touched the first two entries, but you know what I’m getting at.

So, are HD collections/re-makes another way to make money out of us pound stretched gamers.

Hell Yeah!

But, I personally think it’s a brilliant idea and want to see even more of them.

You see, my philosophy is……. no no, wait a second, give me a chance here.

My Philosophy is…….

There’s no such thing as an old game. Great game never get old.

The tech gets old, but our memories never get old.

And this is a great way to re-live our old gaming years, when gamers were just gamers, not core, hardcore, casual, part time, pink, blue, pokadot, or anything else.

It also doesn’t hurt that you can get your old favourites for half the price of a new game, and they also include around 3 times more gameplay time than half of the direct current gen releases.

So let me know what you think.

Should we have more collections, or are they really a waste of time?

I am JustaGamer……………………… Just Like You!

(OK, I promise, I’ll change that sign off soon. Man, we gamers are a picky bunch).

Just moments ago, Gametrailers TV revealed the first trailer for the Tomb Raider reboot. It looks pretty great, and it definitely looks like the series is heading in the right direction. Hopefully they can bring this legend back to the forefront.

Prologue
The Tomb Raider series is one that began its life on the Sega Saturn. It is also what was responsible for the original Playstation’s success in the mid 90’s. Throughout the years it has gone through few development studios and many more changes in her looks and the logo itself. Every entry into the series usually adds more features to her abilities and new weapons. One thing has remained true upon the years. It’s an adventurous platforming, third-person shooter about British archeologist, Lara Croft. Underworld expands on the back-story of Lara and gives the player insight into her inner workings about her family. The game starts off at Croft Manor as its under siege in sort of a prologue mission. Once you escape and learn the basic moves of the game your treated to average level cutscenes. The gameplay is mix of fast paced shooting sections and some slow and somewhat annoying puzzle solving that at times is just no fun at all. The climbing and swinging is reminiscent of recent games such as Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. It’s not as fine tuned as the later game but it works pretty well. You get an Adrenaline meter in this chapter of the series that will let you go into slow motion and aim for vital headshots on beasts and goons you fight. It also features a new melee combat system where you use the face buttons to fight. Crystal Dynamics have also added interactive cutscenes called Adrenaline Moments. For example: you control Lara as she’s running down a hallway as a buildings about to explode. It adds to the feel of the game and fun factor.

This Might Hurt.

Treasure Hunter
Treasure, it’s what Lara is always after. Throughout the game there are hidden treasures scattered about the levels and it’s your job to uncover them (think Uncharted treasures) and collect as many as you can. If you collect them all you will be rewarded with respective trophy/achievement. There are also three hidden swan diving locations throughout the game along with six hidden Artifacts which there are roughly one in each level. There’s enough to collect to keep you busy for an additional four hours of gameplay. To break up what seems to feel like a very boring running, climbing, puzzle, more running gameplay there are segments where you control Lara as she’s riding her motorcycle it’s a very welcomed addition to the series just wish there was more to drive around, it’s very linear and takes a few attempts to get it right. The game contains roughly 7 levels to explore and collect treasures. Each level is rather lengthy clocking in about 1-2 hours depending on how intricate of a playthrough you are doing.

Look Into My Eyes....Hey! I Mean It!

Survival Master
The game is decently lengthy for a linear third-person shooter. The story is decent but it involves zombie-like monsters, killer animals, and a genetic clone of Lara aka The Doppelgänger. It also is a good follow-up for series followers. Now for the not so pretty stuff, Tomb Raider: Underworld is simply put, boring. The story isn’t very captivating sure its fine but I think it could have done more and been a longer game. In this day and age games that are SINGLE PLAYER only should add more to make your money worth something. There is no replay value what so ever, sure there’s difficulties and a treasure hunter mode where you can just look for treasures you missed without the puzzles but still lacking. The glitches happen every so often, as far as camera it can be atrocious at times especially while climbing or doing multiple actions like running and shooting at the same time. Maybe I’m spoiled with Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

Quick Facts: Third-Person Shooter
Action-Adventure Platformer
Puzzle Solving
Positive: Decent Platforming Mechanics
Graphics Are Pretty Good For A 2008 Title
It Has Trophies Via A Patch So You Can Play It Again!
Negative: No Replay Value
No Online
Some Very Bad Camera Angles
Very Repetative
B-Movie Story
Multiplayer: No

Difficulty: 4/5 (Some Puzzles Can Be Very Frustrating On Harder Difficulties)

Developer: Crystal Dynamics

Publisher: Eidos Interactive

ESRB: T

Length: 8-10 hours

Systems: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC

Release Date:
NA: November 18th, 2008
EU: November 21st, 2008

SCORE: 7.0

Anthony (ShadyDevil) DeCicco