Tomb Raider (2013)

[alkemyst]

That is exclusive DLC you can only get with the fleshlight version.

and you must supply your parent's address and be over 40 years old as your billing location.

 

[Dankk]

So... over the weekend, I finally got around to finishing this game.

Incredible. Absolutely stunning. Definitely potential GOTY material right here.

Took me 12 hours with 75% completion (obviously I didn't go out of my way to find everything). But I loved the storyline, the characters, the atmosphere, just... everything. I was not expecting the writing to be so good.

And they did a great job with Lara as a character. They didn't make her a complete badass-bitch, but they didn't make her a ditzy "girly-girl" either. Rather, they managed to find a perfect balance between the two, which is impressive. I think it must be hard to develop a good, likeable female protagonist. The entire cast of characters all felt very real and human. The stellar voice acting helped as well. I think that was some of the best voice acting I've ever heard in a game.

There's many more good things I could say about the game (do I even need to mention how gorgeous the graphics are?), but man, I'm wowed. This is definitely a $50 game. (As in, it's worth paying a full $50 for).

 

[Dankk]

Ok, I gotta add just one more thing: The cover system. Holy smokes, did anyone else notice just how flawless the cover system is?

There's no "sticky cover"; there's no cover button. In fact, the game doesn't even have a crouch button. Lara crouches and takes cover automatically. You never tell her when to do so. She just does it.

For people who haven't played the game, you're probably thinking "well sheesh, that sounds really annoying". Nope. Not even a single bit. When she crouches, she always does it at the right time, 100% of the time. If there's enemies close by, she automatically crouches and sneaks around. If you walk up to an obstacle, she automatically hides behind it. You don't press any buttons. When the area is safe, she stands up normally. Throughout the entire game, it works perfectly.

The people that programmed this game are wizards. I've never seen this done so well in a game before (or rather, I've never seen it done at all). Now, when I go back to traditional cover-based shooting games, I will not be able to adjust to their primitive controls, because Tomb Raider has spoiled me.

 

[sze5003]

Yeah I noticed that and I had thought I must have fat fingered something to take cover haha. I agree this is one game that is worth the full price. I may go back and try to finish underworld now.

It's been a while since I played a game like that. I recall first playing uncharted 1 and 2 and feeling the same at the time. One thing though, I didn't get far, just past the part with the airplane and antenna, how do you complete challenges and make sure you collect everything because the maps do seem linear at first. I guess you use the instinct ?

I uninstalled it as I had too much on my pc and I'll put it back when I have time because I want to enjoy it. Not one of the many games you just want to finish.

Square enix makes some good games, waiting for this next one and another hitman too I hope.

 

[Childs]

Square enix makes some good games, waiting for this next one and another hitman too I hope.

Thief is next.

I finally got around to playing this weekend. If I wasnt following the thread I dont think I would have gotten past the first hour or so. The melodrama was pretty thick, and in my head I'm thinking "just shut up already". At some point it did get fun though. I'm not sure when, but I definitely did a 180 at some point. I was wondering WTF are you guys smoking, but now I kinda get it. lol I was hit with some graphical glitches, which was really ruining the experience. That scene where she comes out of the cave and looks at the wreck was all messed up.

http://youtu.be/rQ_xdCpcg48
http://youtu.be/aFEk3YQ5jx0

But apparently turning off fullscreen exclusive access fixed it.

Using firearms feels like cheating. I am using the recurve bow maxed out, and need another part for the next upgrade. I have an AK, but havent used it. Might not until I have to fight some giant dude walking around with a club. But that bow is very satisfying. I even use it in close combat: just dodge and hip fire it like Legolas in LOTR.

One thing I'm thinking while playing this is how sick Uncharted would have been on PC. The keyboard and mouse work really well for everything except the quick time events. Maybe if the key prompts were bigger or something, because I always screw up, especially when they switch between E and F. I am always caught looking at the action instead of looking for keys to hit.

Anyways, I'm at 6 hours, 39% complete. Around 90 mins were just benchmarking. I thought I was being thorough, but its flying by.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Anyways, I'm at 6 hours, 39% complete. Around 90 mins though were just benchmarking. I thought I was being thorough, but its flying by.

It's a long game. A couple of times I thought I was done and then something happens and you get another 3 hours of game. Followed some something else happening and another 3 hours of game.

 

[Dankk]

how do you complete challenges and make sure you collect everything because the maps do seem linear at first. I guess you use the instinct ?

There's a fast-travel system. Use it to go back to previous areas and get all the collectibles.

lol I was hit with some graphical glitches, which was really ruining the experience. That scene where she comes out of the cave and looks at the wreck was all messed up.

http://youtu.be/rQ_xdCpcg48
http://youtu.be/aFEk3YQ5jx0

But apparently turning off fullscreen exclusive access fixed it.

That's funny. I personally never had any graphical oddities, with the newest Catalyst 13.3 driver and the latest patch. (Although there were a couple times when my screen flickered, but it didn't happen enough to annoy me.)

Using firearms feels like cheating. I am using the recurve bow maxed out, and need another part for the next upgrade. I have an AK, but havent used it. Might not until I have to fight some giant dude walking around with a club. But that bow is very satisfying. I even use it in close combat: just dodge and hip fire it like Legolas in LOTR.

This is what I thought at the beginning of the game too. "The bow is awesome, why use anything else?" Get ready to change your mind. There WILL be areas of the game where you are immediately surrounded by multiple, large, armor-plated enemies, all charging toward you simultaneously, and you're going to find that a high-powered shotgun blast to the face is far more effective than an arrow.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

This is what I thought at the beginning of the game too. "The bow is awesome, why use anything else?" Get ready to change your mind. There WILL be areas of the game where you are immediately surrounded by multiple, large, armor-plated enemies, all charging toward you simultaneously, and you're going to find that a high-powered shotgun blast to the face is far more effective than an arrow.

Just use the bow to blow up a container when they walk by lol. Way more satisfying.

Although I did go on a Navy Seal kick with the silenced AR. The cover system is pretty good in this game. Contextual based cover systems make the character seem more real.

 

[Midwayman]

This is what I thought at the beginning of the game too. "The bow is awesome, why use anything else?" Get ready to change your mind. There WILL be areas of the game where you are immediately surrounded by multiple, large, armor-plated enemies, all charging toward you simultaneously, and you're going to find that a high-powered shotgun blast to the face is far more effective than an arrow.

I tried using only the bow for the longest time, but eventually the enemies come too quickly in some areas to be effective with the bow. I switched out to silenced pistol and killed everyone with headshots.

 

[Durvelle27]

 

[Childs]

There's a fast-travel system. Use it to go back to previous areas and get all the collectibles.

Haven't done that yet. I'm not using that survival vision thing, so many times I end up moving to the next stage while I'm looking for goodies. I dont think I'll go back, as I'm not sure I see the point in it. Now, if it unlocked weapons or something I would, but it looks like its just XP.

That's funny. I personally never had any graphical oddities, with the newest Catalyst 13.3 driver and the latest patch. (Although there were a couple times when my screen flickered, but it didn't happen enough to annoy me.)

Its quite inconvenient. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X9buJIE4o0

I almost stopped playing altogether. I thought I waited long enough to have the kinks ironed out, but I guess not. At least I havent had this problem in the last few hours.

This is what I thought at the beginning of the game too. "The bow is awesome, why use anything else?" Get ready to change your mind. There WILL be areas of the game where you are immediately surrounded by multiple, large, armor-plated enemies, all charging toward you simultaneously, and you're going to find that a high-powered shotgun blast to the face is far more effective than an arrow.

I know what you are talking about. I switch to the shotgun when I am about to die, but since I got the melee attack with the axe I dont need the shotgun. At least so far.

It's a long game. A couple of times I thought I was done and then something happens and you get another 3 hours of game. Followed some something else happening and another 3 hours of game.

I am just going by what others were reporting in the thread, as far as completion percentage when they finished. I think someone listed 79%, and I am half way there after 4-5 hours.

 

[Dankk]

Haven't done that yet. I'm not using that survival vision thing, so many times I end up moving to the next stage while I'm looking for goodies. I dont think I'll go back, as I'm not sure I see the point in it. Now, if it unlocked weapons or something I would, but it looks like its just XP.

Well, to be fair, XP is kinda important for leveling up and gaining new skills. More skills will make you more powerful.

And it's not just XP/collectibles you should be looking for; you also want to go back and search for salvage crates. Salvage crates give you salvage. Salvage lets you upgrade your weapons. Upgraded weapons, subsequently, make you more powerful too. So there is definitely good incentive to search around the levels and pick up everything you can.

 

[Childs]

Well, to be fair, XP is kinda important for leveling up and gaining new skills. More skills will make you more powerful.

And it's not just XP/collectibles you should be looking for; you also want to go back and search for salvage crates. Salvage crates give you salvage. Salvage lets you upgrade your weapons. Upgraded weapons, subsequently, make you more powerful too. So there is definitely good incentive to search around the levels and pick up everything you can.

I'm the salvage king! All my weapons are maxed salvage wise, even though I dont use them. There were some salvage crates that I couldnt get to because I didnt have the fire arrows, but I guess I can go back and get them now. There might be some gun parts in there.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Well, to be fair, XP is kinda important for leveling up and gaining new skills. More skills will make you more powerful.

And it's not just XP/collectibles you should be looking for; you also want to go back and search for salvage crates. Salvage crates give you salvage. Salvage lets you upgrade your weapons. Upgraded weapons, subsequently, make you more powerful too. So there is definitely good incentive to search around the levels and pick up everything you can.

There are a handful of level up abilities that are moderately useful, the rest are filler.

 

[you2]

I didn't try to 'xp' but when I finsihed the game at 84% complete I had all weapons upgrads (but 1) and all skills upgrade (but 2). I.e, by the time you finish the game you will have pretty much option (skill/weapon) if you want them.

 

[PowerYoga]

I'm about 75% through the game. Are there specific crates that have gun parts and are missable? I'm missing like 1 bow part, a rifle part and such.

 

[Childs]

I'm about 75% through the game. Are there specific crates that have gun parts and are missable? I'm missing like 1 bow part, a rifle part and such.

The first bow part I found on the body of the first big guy with a shield. It was right before I climbed the radio tower. Another gun part I got in a tomb. They might be missable, although I would think they would give you another opportunity to find it somewhere else later on.

 

[TallBill]

The first bow part I found on the body of the first big guy with a shield. It was right before I climbed the radio tower. Another gun part I got in a tomb. They might be missable, although I would think they would give you another opportunity to find it somewhere.

Pretty sure they are somewhat random and staggered. I got all parts to every gun after beating the game but at like 80%

Optional tombs gave me a bunch

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I'm at like 92% right now and I still haven't found all the pistol parts. Also, I don't have enough salvage to build everythign out at the moment. Need to start hunting some rats lol. Talk about grinding.

 

[CPA]

Pretty sure they are somewhat random and staggered. I got all parts to every gun after beating the game but at like 80%

Optional tombs gave me a bunch

I think it's a combination of set and staggered. If you miss the first place you can find a part, then it staggers to a next place. There are parts of the game you just can't move forward without the parts upgrades.

 

[you2]

Maybe I was just lucky; I only played once but i found all the parts (at least the descriptions sez all the wepaons are 100%).

 

[dust]

Wow! What a game that was! Best one I played in a long time:awe:

Could have lived without the impulse actions, "press f so you don't die idiot", plus a manual save would be desirable( I tried to go stealth sometimes, if I made a mistake I had to kill everyone, reloading the checkpoint doesn't help).

I will probably have another run on hard, but I doubt I'll be replaying it again after that. I already turned every stone, found everything, upgraded all that was.

Solid A minus in my book! I will expect more of the same from them.:hmm:

 

[RockinZ28]

Damn, this game was legendary. Best game Ive played in some time.

Art work and level design was amazing. Story was good. Controls worked wonderfully, and the awesome graphics just helped bring everything to life. Great reboot to the TR series, hope they can make a couple more with the same team.

 

[Phobic9]

I was on the fence with this game when reading about it initially but I managed to get it for $30 so I took the plunge. All I can say was wow. With the newest patches from Nvidia and SquareEnix I was able to play the last half of game totally maxed out at 1440p with TressFX. Holy crap this game looks amazing.

The gameplay itself was a bit on the easy side though. I really wished it had more puzzles like the original TR games did but I can see the team progressing to this in future sequels. I also didn't really like the QTE boss fights. They were more annoying than anything else.

The total package was well worth the few gripes I had. They did a pretty good job making Lara a badass while making her pretty relatable as well.

 

[Sephire]