Tag

crystal dynamics

028: Tomb Raider (2013)

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We raid some tombs and discover our inner Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2013).

Developer: Crystal Dynamics with Eidos Montreal (Multiplayer), Nixxes (Next-Gen Console Ports), Feral Interactive (Mac/Linux Ports) and Square Visual Works (CGI) | Publisher: Square Enix | Release Date: March 5, 2013

Jacob, Mike, Moe and Special Guest Kevin Reaburn travel to the Dragon’s Triangle, reminisce about TressFX and miss spring game sales by two days.

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Players: Jacob McCourt (@JacobMcCourt), Michael Ruffolo (@ruffolom) and Moe Murtadi (@mmurtadi)

Special Guest: Kevin Reaburn (@ATribeCalledKev)

Website: LeftBehindGame.Club | Twitter: @LeftBehindClub

Show Notes (spoilers):

  • 1:30 Jacob re-introduces the audience to Kevin Reaburn
  • 2:40 Kevin starts with a big question: “which came first?” (correction: pre-Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider games were developed by Core Design)
  • 5:30 Our exposure to the Tomb Raider franchise
  • 8:40 The writers of Tomb Raider: Rhianna Pratchett and Susan O’Connor
  • 9:30: So many credits in this game!
  • 10:05: The story of Tomb Raider (2013)
  • 11:20 It’s just called Tomb Raider, y’all
  • 13:00 What is the Definitive Edition? Also, TressFX
  • 14:50 This isn’t the “old Lara”
  • 18:35 The rest of the crew of the Endurance
  • 19:10 Hunting and gathering
  • 23:00 Survival Instinct
  • 24:15 We debate about the best weapon in the game
  • 25:20 This game is so violent and has much dirty rebar
  • 28:40 A bear trap and a wolf attack
  • 30:05 Tomb Raider’s world building
  • 31:20 Jacob’s Dad Moment
  • 33:20 Encounters with the supernatural
  • 35:50 Lara’s First Kill (“kills a deer, kills a man and kills everyone”)
  • 38:35 The game’s progression
  • 40:05 Slow-mo time (aka the Steady Shot), fire arrows and headshot reticle
  • 42:35 Combat puzzles & Tomb Raider vs. Uncharted
  • 45:05 Comparing the game to Indiana Jones
  • 46:15 Shantytown and difficulty
  • 49:00 The landscape and the tombs
  • 51:45 Smart AI
  • 53:20 Under-developed side characters
  • 54:20 Dual pistols are overrated
  • 55:30 Issues with the next-gen ports and great checkpoints
  • 59:55 The final confrontation
  • 1:04:40 The Final Hours of Tomb Raider & Jason Graves’ soundtrack/”The Instrument”
  • 1:06:25 Final thoughts
  • 1:11:00 Kevin missed the Xbox Spring Sale by two days. We tell him about for the first time here.