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{"meta":{"keywords":"tomb-raider, tomb raider, tombraider, tombraider anniversary","description":"Tomb Raider 25th Anniversary: Revisiting The Original Trilogy"},"active":true,"show_in_home":true,"show_as_recent":false,"show_as_popular":false,"_id":"619fe4704636fa174a7236a1","aid":"tomb-raider-25th-anniversary","big_image_path":"tomb-raider-25th-anniversary-big.jpg","date":"11/24/2021","elements":[{"content":"<p>Tomb Raider is one of the few video game franchises that has completely transcended gaming, and can truly be considered a cultural phenomenon. Sparking several movies, as well as endless toys and other products, the mass appeal of the series is undeniable.</p><p><br></p><p>Now that we have hit the 25th Anniversary of Tomb Raider as a series, it’s worth looking back at how it all got started, whether the original trilogy holds up, and where the series is headed as we slide into 2022.</p><p><br></p><p>It is worth noting that while most gamers associate the original Tomb Raider series with console gaming, namely the original Playstation, these games were actually released on PC at a time when the vast majority of console games did not. The Tomb Raider series has actually always had a small but vibrant PC gaming community from the very beginning, which for a unique platformer / adventure game in the 90’s was something of an oddity.</p><p><br></p><p>With this in mind, let’s rewind the clock and travel back to where Lara Croft got started, and explore what made these games gems to begin with.</p><h2>Tomb Raider (1996): The Beginning of Lara’s Legacy</h2><p>At the time, Tomb Raider was an odd game. It had elements of several different genres, a product of one of the most experimental times in gaming history, when developers were just starting to expand out into the world of 3D and seeing where they could take new and more powerful game engines.</p><p><br></p><p>The original Tomb Raider combined elements of 3D platforming, adventure games, shooters, puzzle games, and horror, to form what was arguably something the gaming world had never seen before. Looking back, it’s actually fairly easy to see why the games took off from a gameplay standpoint.</p><p><br></p><p>At a time where 3D platforming meant cute and cuddly characters like Mario and Spyro the Dragon and colorful cartoon worlds, Tomb Raider took 3D exploration in the opposite direction. Dimly lit caverns, trap-laden crypts, gritty real-world locations, and shady gangsters. Rather than taking control of a harmless-looking cartoon protagonist and jumping around a bright and colorful 3D world, you took on the role of famous explorer Lara Croft, and were tasked with surviving in a dark and inhospitable landscape.</p><p><br></p><p>For anyone not familiar with the setting and gameplay of the original Tomb Raider, the game starts you off in the mountains of Peru, at the entrance to the forgotten city of Vilcabamba. Right from the start you realize that this is not an ordinary platformer or adventure game. It is so easy to die in these games it’s actually kind of hilarious compared to today’s standards, and what made the game all the more trecheroius was the fact that you could only save your progress at designated points along the way. You really had to master the controls, namely the jumping and grabbing features, to prevent constant fall damage and death.</p><p><br></p><p>While most remember these games for Lara’s acrobatics and dual-pistol-wielding gunplay, it’s perhaps the grappling and ledge-hopping that define the game at its very core. Unlike most platformers at the time, and to date, the game worked off of a kind of grid system, where the world consisted of squared off blocks, or ledges. These different ledges, outcroppings, pillars, and such had to be carefully navigated with a combination of jumping, grabbing, and carefully walking.</p><p><br></p><p>Unlike the majority of platformers at the time which encouraged rapid and almost frenetic movement with very little consequences, Tomb Raider severely punished haphazard movement. A simple slip off the edge of an outcropping could give you fall damage that would zap half your health or result in an immediate death, which would then take away all of your progress up until the last time you found a save crystal. To prevent these kinds of falls, you would have to use the slow walk feature, which would allow you to step up to and align yourself with the edge of an outcropping. From here, you could make precise jumps to adjacent ledges or carefully let yourself down by turning around, hopping backwards, and immediately grabbing.</p><p><br></p><p>The gameplay is unlike anything in today’s games, and at the time was relatively novel as well. Not before or since has any series truly replicated the gameplay mechanics of the original Tomb Raider games. While many of today’s younger gamers would consider the controls clunky and outdated, they were actually quite responsive and provided a distinct “puzzle” element to the adventure gameplay. Certain jumps had to be made in just such a way, by lining yourself up with very specific edges of particular ledges and then executing a running jump and grab at just the right moment in order to ensure survival.</p><p><br></p><p>It was this unique adventure gameplay coupled with a gritty graphical style and satisfying gunplay, that made the game a hit. One minute you’re carefully navigating up the side of a cliff, the next minute you’re fending off a bear with acrobatics and a flurry of bullets. At the time, the game was nothing short of revolutionary.</p><p><br></p><p>The real question is though, does the game still hold up today?</p><p><br></p><p>Out of the original trilogy, the first Tomb Raider is probably the weakest. While the core gameplay mechanics do hold up relatively well, and the graphics are immersive enough even after all this time, the game itself feels crude compared to the other 2. The full range of actions aren’t in this game, and the weapon selection is very limited as well. There are also a few clipping issues, enemy hitbox issues, and unbalanced areas of the game.</p><p>All that being said, the original Tomb Raider is still worth playing, if only for the satisfying exploration, challenge, and overall experience. This game also happens to have some of the most memorable levels in the series, including The Lost Valley, St. Francis’ Folly, and Sanctuary of the Scion.</p><h2>Tomb Raider 2 (1997): An Undisputed Gem</h2><p>From the canals of Venice to the snowy foothills of Tibetan mountains, <em>Tomb Raider 2</em> capitalizes on everything that the first game got right and then adds onto it with more immersion, more weapons, better puzzles, and more refined gameplay in general. Even the graphics have received a significant facelift only one year later.</p><p><br></p><p>Out of the original trilogy, Tomb Raider 2 epitomizes what made the series so popular. While there’s still plenty of dark and dank caves and temples to explore, there’s also a bit more meat in terms of the environments and what you’re likely to encounter along the way. There are far more human enemies this time around, which opens the door up for more exciting gunfights and dynamic situations. The traps have also changed for the better, with a much greater array of dangers to avoid that also require a sharper mind to avoid.</p><p><br></p><p>Whereas the original game mostly consisted of thorough exploration and the occasional puzzle that had to be mulled over, Tomb Raider 2 really forces you to think. Not only about level layouts and where items might be hidden, but in terms of the actual puzzles you have to solve in order to get to the next areas. Even the way in which you collect “secrets” has been updated, as these are no longer special alcoves or hidden areas you have to find, but 3 statues hidden in each level that reward you handsomely for finding all 3.</p><p><br></p><p>There’s something to be said for the atmosphere in the second game as opposed to the first. The colors are a brighter where they need to be while the darker areas are that much darker. In fact, many areas of the game are pitch black and require the use of the new flair item in order to see your way around. Your flairs are limited so this adds an entirely new dimension to the gameplay that is borderline frightening if you get caught in the wrong situation. Given that some of the areas of Tomb Raider 2 can feel downright spooky, this is part of what makes the game shine.</p><p><br></p><p>Strictly on the gameplay side of things, Tomb Raider 2 introduces vehicles into the mix, such as the speedboat and snowmobile, and new weapons like the M16 and grenade launcher. The game simply feels more complete, and offers what is arguably the best experience of the original trilogy in many ways. Although it still has the “blocky” or “tank” controls that so many modern gamers loathe, it’s this bit of limitation that defines the gameplay and adds a bit of strategy into the mix. After all these years, this entry holds up well and is worth a look if you are interested in a true gem from the 90’s.</p><p><br></p><h2>Tomb Raider 3 (1998): Satisfying but Frustrating</h2><p>As far as the original Tomb Raider trilogy goes, this one is the most polished. The graphics are rich and Lara herself looks smoother. The gunplay feels snappier and there are even more actions at your fingertips, including crawling.</p><p><br></p><p>There’s a lot to love about Tomb Raider 3, from the incredible locations to the action-packed gameplay, but the third installment is not without its speed bumps. For starters, the difficulty spike from Tomb Raider 2 to 3 is immense. If you felt challenged by the second game you may feel downright frustrated with the 3rd.</p><p><br></p><p>There are several reasons for this shift in difficulty. For starters, Tomb Raider 3 actually has the most punishing save system of all 3 games. Tomb Raider 2 actually ditched the save crystal system and allowed you to save anytime, anywhere. This could get you into trouble if you happened to save in an unwinnable situation (very possible given the nature of the game), but more often than not, it simply allowed players to take baby steps through the game and save after every difficult jump or tough battle if they felt the need. You would think that this would make the game a cakewalk but its emphasis on puzzle-solving, exploration, and actual execution meant that you certainly couldn’t breeze through the game even if you saved after every last challenge.</p><p><br></p><p>However, the 3rd adventure changed all that. The save crystals return, but instead of acting as save points strewn throughout the levels, they are collectible items that can be stored in your inventory and used whenever you want.</p><p><br></p><p>While this allows for more control over when and where you save your progress and potentially rewards good players by allowing them to stack saves as they go through the game in order to use them down the road, the issue is that in most cases these crystals are just too few in number, and as you get further in the game, some actually become fairly difficult to obtain at all.</p><p><br></p><p>The levels in Tomb Raider 3 are two or even three times the size of levels from the first game. You might have 5 save spots in one of the levels in the first game, and an equal number of available save crystals to collect in Tomb Raider 3. What this means is that players are ultimately forced to deliberate over when and where they save. Just completed a challenging part of the game that you were stuck on for days? Time to save! But what if you don’t get another crystal for the rest of the level, or even worse, what if the level is just about to end? At the start of each level, you get a free save, so this means that you could essentially waste a save crystal without even realizing it, or burn too many too soon and be left with peanuts in the latter part of the game when they are really needed.</p><p><br></p><p>Only by playing the game several times and getting better at it could you really judge the best times to save.</p><p><br></p><p>This issue wouldn’t be as bad were it not for the actual difficulty spike in the gameplay. Tomb Raider 3 pulls out all the stops: poison damage, quicksand, magic-wielding enemies, giant walking statues, and even complete leaps of faith. Tomb Raider 3 is the only game in the series that actually requires you to make a “blind jump” in one area, where there is no way to tell whether or not you will actually survive, you simply have to make the leap based on your understanding of the level layout.</p><p><br></p><p>In terms of the game’s progression, there is yet another hiccup that you will encounter. After the completion of the first set of levels (India), the game becomes open-ended in that you can select which set of levels to tackle next. These include the arid deserts of Nevada, the dark streets of London, and ruins located in the South Pacific. What the game doesn’t really tell you is that these 3 paths are not the same. In Nevada, there is a point where you lose all of your items...permanently!</p><p><br></p><p>This means that if you progress through all of London and the South Pacific, having acquired literally every weapon in the game and potentially a ton of ammunition, medkits, and flairs, you can be robbed of all of these items and go into the final levels with virtually nothing.</p><p><br></p><p>Not fun.</p><p><br></p><p>Another bizarre aspect of this open-ended level selection system is that there is a pretty noticeable order you are actually supposed to do them based on difficulty alone. Nevada, while difficult in its own right, is definitely the easiest and does not even have a final boss. Next would be the South Pacific, followed by the London levels, which are by far some of the most difficult not only in the game, but in the entire trilogy. These are only trumped by the final set of Tomb Raider 3 levels, Antarctica, which are almost painful at times.</p><p><br></p><p>If you can look past the difficulty spike, Tomb Raider 3 does deliver when it comes to satisfying gameplay and immersion, however. Easily the best array of weaponry in the series, better lighting, great level design, and plenty of interesting locations to explore. The Desert Eagle might be the most satisfying weapon in the series, and the addition of a “hidden” level at the end of the game that can only be unlocked by getting every secret is a nice touch. Just be prepared to work for it.</p><h2>Where is the Tomb Raider Series Headed?</h2><p>It can’t be argued that the Tomb Raider franchise hit a slump in the late 2000’s and into the start of the past decade. However, the series was revitalized with the 2013 reboot and its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider.</p><p><br></p><p>There are whispers of a new game slated for 2022, which would round out the new trilogy nicely. You might be wondering, if you are a fan of the newer games, is it worth going back to the old ones, especially on PC? And if you are new to the series entirely, are any of these games worth getting into 25 years after the fact?</p><p><br></p><p>The Tomb Raider series has always offered something a little bit different than your average adventure game. These days, when so many games seem to be a cookie-cutter of one another, with long-winded open-ended experiences, Tomb Raider still holds to a more linear format that makes exploration rewarding and that requires a solid grasp of gameplay mechanics in order to advance.</p><p><br></p><p>The older games definitely play differently than almost anything that’s out there on the market right now, even compared to the newer games of the same franchise. You might not be into the “tank controls” that dominated the early era of 3D, but if you are looking for a retro experience with plenty of heart and immersion, you really should give the original games a shot.</p><p><br></p><p>What really stands out about them is their cross-genre appeal. The original Tomb Raider trilogy is truly something all its own, which can be appealing in this era when so many games seem to want to be the exact same thing.</p><p><br></p><p>You will find yourself stepping carefully in the dark, afraid of falling into a pit of spikes. Outplaying enemies requires quick reflexes and an almost intuitive use of Lara’s various jumps and somersaults, sort of like an early prototype of <em>Dark Souls</em> but with guns instead of swords and hammers. The environments are also unique and at times creepier than many horror games. This is something that’s entirely lacking from the newer games.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus='1'></p>","id":"p0","sort_index":0,"type":"paragraph"},{"alt":"CLX HOURS Gaming PC","content":"clx-horus-gaming-pc.jpg","id":"img1","sort_index":1,"type":"image"},{"content":"<p><br data-mce-bogus='1'></p><p><br data-mce-bogus='1'></p><p>What’s great is, you don’t necessarily need a beastly gaming PC in order to play the originals, as they came out so long ago. The original PC versions of the Tomb Raider games were not on any kind of emulator, they were ports, so even if your gaming rig is several years old, you shouldn’t have any issues playing them, although in some instances you may have to configure your PC a bit differently so they play properly. Those early 90’s PC games don’t often play nice in 64-bit versions of Windows.</p><p><br></p><p>However, if you are interested in jumping into the next installment of Tomb Raider, you’re likely going to want to make sure that your PC is well equipped. It may be worth investing in a high-performance gaming PC, because the game will likely be next-gen all the way, compatible with the Playstation 5 for instance. We recommend one of our powerful pre-built gaming systems such as the Horus if you want to be prepared. The Tomb Raider games are not ones you want to play on low graphics settings, at least not if you want to avoid missing out on the full experience.</p><p><br></p><p>We offer a great selection of high-performance gaming PCs right here in our store, including the <a href='https://www.clxgaming.com/gaming-pc/clx-horus-mid-tower-gaming-pc' data-mce-href='https://www.clxgaming.com/gaming-pc/clx-horus-mid-tower-gaming-pc'>CLX Horus</a>, so if you are ready to follow Lara on her next tomb raiding adventure, this is where you should start your search. It looks as though there’s a lot in store for the franchise over the next few months, so bookmark us because we will be updating you with any developments as well.</p>","id":"p2","sort_index":2,"type":"paragraph"}],"mid_image_path":"tomb-raider-25th-anniversary-mid.jpg","sid":"pc-gaming-esports-news","small_image_path":"tomb-raider-25th-anniversary-small.jpg","sub_title":"Looking at the Past and Future of The Storied Franchise","title":"Tomb Raider 25th Anniversary: Revisiting The Original Trilogy"}
