I consider myself a huge fan of Tomb Raider. Yet I had only really played on game from the original Playstation titles: Tomb Raider 2. I decided to change that now, and got the other 4 games, starting my playthrough with the original 1996 game.
And woah, it's incredible!
I've replayed TR2 recently and I didn't quite enjoyed it that much. I thought it showed its age and I'm not one to ever say that about games. Yet, surprisingly, I don't feel the same way about the first Tomb Raider at all. Yes, it can be frustrating and slow and imprecise sometimes, but it's still a fantastic experience. I'm getting close to the end of Egypt and I keep getting awestruck by how great the levels in this game can get. There are some really big levels with amazing vertically and a lot of opportunities to explore. It's truly is the Dark Souls of Tomb Raider in terms of backtracking and getting back to the point you started.
I've also heard a lot about "feeling of isolation" and yadda yadda, and generally I think these things tend to go over my head. Yet in this game I did feel that. I did feel like I was alone in this vast place where every corner could reveal something new and interesting. And I have to say, there were some scary moments here and there that would be a match for its contemporary Resident Evil. The only thing I can't understand is why some people think Anniversary isn't a proper remake of this game. The more I play it the more the remake feels a fantastic modernization.
All that said, it brings me to the question in the OP. Tomb Raider is a long running franchise and certainly one of the most relevant ones in all of gaming, with Lara Croft the most successful female protagonist in videogames. Yet I'm not sure there is a game in the series that would be overwhelmingly considered a masterpiece, or a landmark as I put it. Except maybe the first game? Which came out in the early days of 3d graphics and I think it already did a fantastic job in understanding how it could be used to create fantastic levels full of possibilities.
Also, please come back soon Lara. I miss you.
And woah, it's incredible!
I've replayed TR2 recently and I didn't quite enjoyed it that much. I thought it showed its age and I'm not one to ever say that about games. Yet, surprisingly, I don't feel the same way about the first Tomb Raider at all. Yes, it can be frustrating and slow and imprecise sometimes, but it's still a fantastic experience. I'm getting close to the end of Egypt and I keep getting awestruck by how great the levels in this game can get. There are some really big levels with amazing vertically and a lot of opportunities to explore. It's truly is the Dark Souls of Tomb Raider in terms of backtracking and getting back to the point you started.
I've also heard a lot about "feeling of isolation" and yadda yadda, and generally I think these things tend to go over my head. Yet in this game I did feel that. I did feel like I was alone in this vast place where every corner could reveal something new and interesting. And I have to say, there were some scary moments here and there that would be a match for its contemporary Resident Evil. The only thing I can't understand is why some people think Anniversary isn't a proper remake of this game. The more I play it the more the remake feels a fantastic modernization.
All that said, it brings me to the question in the OP. Tomb Raider is a long running franchise and certainly one of the most relevant ones in all of gaming, with Lara Croft the most successful female protagonist in videogames. Yet I'm not sure there is a game in the series that would be overwhelmingly considered a masterpiece, or a landmark as I put it. Except maybe the first game? Which came out in the early days of 3d graphics and I think it already did a fantastic job in understanding how it could be used to create fantastic levels full of possibilities.
Also, please come back soon Lara. I miss you.
