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Developer - Crystal Dynamics
Publisher - Eidos
Release Date - Q4 2008
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2
Story
TRU will take place after the events of Tomb Raider Legend. Lara's new adventure will take her around the world, exploring ancient underworlds and battling unearthly foes. TRU is set around the Mayan calendar, specifically the six lost days which open the gates to the Underworld.
Characters
Lara Croft
Lara is an adventurer, world traveller and archaeologist who seeks out relics and tombs, fuelled by an obsession to uncover the secrets of the great, ancient civilizations. She is a superb athlete, fluent in a dozen languages, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She has been hailed both as an Archaeological Wunderkind and a glorified Treasure Hunter. There are thousands of rumors surrounding Lady Croft's exploits, invariably involving the unexplained or outright unbelievable. Lady Croft continues to be the focus of wild speculation and intense debate. Idealized and vilified in equal measure, she is perhaps one of the fascinating and enigmatic figures of our times.
Zip
Zip is the tech guy of Lara's team, responsible for providing technical and logistical support for Lara's endeavors worldwide - he's the guy in the van or the server room at Lara's mansion, and Lara's constant remote companion via radio headset. A wisecracking guy who's part ultra-techno-geek and part street savvy. He used to be over-the-top, but a few years in prison toned him down a notch and increased his resentment toward all things established. A former computer hacker, he works with Lara for the challenge and the thrill of it. He's personally loyal to Lara, and it really is the most fun he can have without getting arrested.
Alister
Alister is Lara's research assistant, providing another mind filled with arcane historical information, someone to bounce ideas off of, and provide quick additional research while Lara's in the field. He's in this to test his theories, uncover secrets noone else can, and because it's the only place his eccentric knowledge is really useful. Alister is tense and takes himself much too seriously.
Locations
Southern Mexico
Lara explores ancient tombs where she attempts to gain entry into the Mayan underworld...
Graphics Engine and Environments
Lara Croft Model
Lara's body reacts to the weather and environment - if it is hot, she will sweat. If it is raining, the water will trickle down her body. If it is muddy, dirt will cling to her and gradually wash off due to the rainfall. Her clothes will also react to changing environmental conditions. Lara interacts with environmental foliage, sweeping it away as she passes through it. Crystal Dynamics have introduced motion capture for the first time in a Tomb Raider game. Motion capture brings increased realism and fluidity to Lara's movements. CD have hired an olympic gymnast to provide animations for Lara. Lara will have high quality facial animations and lip-synch. Environments TRU uses a realistic and dynamic weather system including torrential rainpour, thunderclouds and lightning. Each level will have its own weather system. An improved physics engine means that the whole world is reacts to Lara's presence and has memory. Lara leaves footprints in the mud. Debris and bodies will no longer vanish, providing valuable markers of where the player has been in the massive game world. An innovative lighting system moves beyond simple dynamic lighting to create stunning and realistic environments. A new piece of lighting technology called Spherical Harmonics is being used to make Lara appear connected with her environment; if she walks through green foliage, for example, her skin will take on a subtle green cast. The game is more open-ended than ever before, giving players the choice of how to tackle puzzles. Crystal Dynamics travelled on location to photograph the Mayan tombs ensuring a realistic look to the ruins. All cutscenes are made using the in-game engine. Moveset, Acrobatics and Combat
Combat
Lara can now perform close quarters combat and melee moves. These moves are focused on repelling enemies so she can shoot them with less risk to herself. Multiple targets can be shot, with one gun focusing on one target while the other gun focusses on another. She can shoot while clinging from ledges and hanging onto ropes. Environmental objects like spears can be used as weapons against enemies. Enemies include panthers, spiders and mercenaries. Moves Lara can now perform more free-form rock climbing similar to Assassin's Creed. She can grab and climb most surfaces. Lara can perform a sprint move which enalbes her to get from one point to another much quicker. The handstand is back. Lara can balance on beams and vault and backflip along them. Lara can rappel down vertical surfaces, perform wall kicks and melee kicks. Weapons and Gear
Weapons
-Dual Pistols
-Grenades
-Environmental objects (spears and lances)
Gear
-Lara will have numerous costume changes throughout the game with more available as unlockables.
-Environmental objects can be used in a variety of different ways, both as weapons and tools to aid climbing. Lara can pick up spears and lances and use them to jump over gaps.
-The grapple hook tool is back and will have a major role in puzzle solving as it did previously. Grapple hooks are much less noticable and blend into the environment.
-A Personal Light Source (PLS) will be attached Lara and can be used to light up dark passage ways.
Vehicles
Lara's motorbike will return and this time it will have a greater role in puzzle solving.