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3 Suggestions for Shadow of the Tomb Raider

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Leaked images online have spread the rumour that Crystal Dynamics is currently working on the next instalment of the Tomb Raider series and that it’ll be called Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Although nothing official has been said by the developers as of yet, it’s looking more and more likely that these rumours are legit. So, without further ado, let’s dive straight into three suggestions  the Tomb Raider series could benefit from.

A less hackneyed story

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first two games in the revamped and rebooted Tomb Raider series. However, one thing that’s been a little lack lustre is the main narratives that run throughout the games. The first game is an origin story and to be fair, does an alright job of establishing the tone and overall feel of the series. We get to see a young Lara Croft struggle for survival, outnumbered and out matched, on a very inhospitable island. Although many of the characters are cliche, Lara herself, and the struggle she endures, manages to be sufficiently gripping in order to keep the plot plodding along . The second game however, Rise of the Tomb Raider, really struggles to captivate. You can tell that they don’t really know where to go next with Lara. It’s like the characters’ traits were all picked straight out of a hat containing scraps of paper with Hollywood movie tropes written on them. The story is predictable and leaves no room for surprises. When one of the main villains of the game was revealed, I rolled my eyes and laughed at the shear predictability of it. The second that character appeared on screen, I said to myself: “that’s the villain, right there”. The fact that they even tried to make it a twist is almost insulting to the players. Not to mention that it makes Lara herself look like a complete dimwit. Throughout the game I was constantly connecting the dots long before she did, while shouting “Oh come on, it’s so obvious Lara!” at the TV screen.

My first advice for the story of Shadow of the Tomb Raider would be to stop looking at Hollywood movies for inspiration. You’ll only find the same sad tropes there. Instead, they should look at other games for inspiration. Games such as the Uncharted series, which manages to really nail the characters, making them believable and not just cut out copies of every banal character found within an action film. The irony isn’t lost on me that Uncharted draws it’s inspiration from many matinee adventure films, but Naughty Dog still manages to make their stories and characters feel fresh. Another game that could serve as inspiration is Horizon: Zero Dawn. The story didn’t really go where I expected it to and the characters, including Aloy herself, are interesting and complex. Hopefully, Crystal Dynamics will draw from these franchises (and the many other interesting ones out there) and come up with a captivating story this time around.

The inclusion of an over-world map

So far, both games have operated in a semi-open world layout, where you travel throughout various maps (or re-explorable levels if you like) of varying sizes, all connected together in a corridor like fashion. The Tomb Raider series wouldn’t necessarily benefit from going full-on open world. However, the inclusion of a large explorable over-world, filled with secrets, hidden treasure and tombs would really immerse the player within the world. It could be a little similar to the Madagascar section in Uncharted 4 (I know, Uncharted again, but it’s hard not to compare and contrast the two) only much bigger with more to do. The over-world would also serve as a hub where you can gain access to the other levels, only you’d have to find them by exploring the map. This would put an emphasis on the exploration which is, in my opinion, what makes the Tomb Raider games so thrilling. The inclusion of vehicles to traverse and explore the over-world would also be a welcome addition.

Don’t make it an Xbox One (X) timed exclusive

Don’t make it a timed exclusive for any console, in fact. If there is one thing that really annoys me, it’s when big companies splash out so they can get a game on their own console first. When Rise of the Tomb Raider was announced as an Xbox One timed exclusive, I was amongst the many gamers who gritted their teeth in anger. The thing is, I wanted to play Rise of the Tomb Raider. But then, Microsoft decided it wasn’t going to let me play it yet, unless I bought their console right away, of course. I had no intention of doing that. I already had my PS4 and that was enough for me. So, I knew I just had to sit there and wait while Microsoft held the game ransom until they finally got fed up and released it along with all its DLC, at which point I could finally purchase it. Timed exclusives are stupid and pointless. I hope Crystal Dynamics (who are just as responsible in this case) don’t let any company get in the way of supplying the game to whoever damn well wants it!

The Tomb Raider games are definitely a highlight when it comes to fun AAA games. However, if Shadow of the Tomb Raider doesn’t innovate a little, the series will quickly go stale, just like the original series did, back in the day. Hopefully, my suggestions will be helpful, or they will most likely be ignored. Who am I to say how video games should be made, after all? Oh wait, I’m the one who buys them! As are you reader, so what other suggestions would you have for the Tomb Raider series?

Source: Game Guiders

Video games have been a passion of mine from the very first time I played one, at the age of five on Amstrad!( Never heard of it? It was an 80s thing) From then on, I developed a great love for video games and have always owned some form of console throughout each generation of gaming, from the NES to the PS4. Call me a casual if you like, I was probably gaming before you were even born, kiddo.

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Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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