Joystiq

Select Tomb Raider games 75% off on Steam this weekend

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:30:00 EST

From now until 10 a.m. Pacific time on Monday morning, the PC versions of Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Underworld are all 75 percent on Steam, meaning that each game can be had for less than a fiver. That is, provided you're able to circumnavigate an elaborate series of traps, deadly animals and vicious, armed ne'er-do-wells hell-bent on preventing you from acquiring the treasure you seek.*

*Some or all requirements listed may be a complete fabrication. Joystiq, AOL Media Inc. and The Huffington Post Media Group are not responsible for any injuries sustained while attempting to purchase computerized video-machine games off of digital distribution platforms such as Steam. Today's lucky number is "three." If Lily has six apples, and a different girl also named Lily has twelve apples, why are you still reading this?

Select Tomb Raider games 75% off on Steam this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Big Square Enix Xbox Marketplace sale includes Deus Ex, Lara Croft

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

Square Enix is holding a sale this week on the Xbox Marketplace, taking half off DLC for Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Just Cause 2, along with discounts on several of Lady Croft's adventures and its associated DLC.

The highlights of the sale are certainly the Deus Ex's Missing Link DLC and co-op adventure Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for 600 MSP ($7.50). There's also some attempted discounts on full downloads of Battlestations: Pacific, Just Cause 2 and Tomb Raider: Underworld; but chances are you can find better in your local bargain bin.

Another game worth checking out is updated original Tomb Raider: Legend: Anniversary, available in two chunks at 400 MSP ($5) apiece (caveat is you'll need to own TR: Legend since it's the DLC). So, try the first two levels before you buy the whole thing. Find the full list of discounts after the break.

Continue reading Big Square Enix Xbox Marketplace sale includes Deus Ex, Lara Croft

Big Square Enix Xbox Marketplace sale includes Deus Ex, Lara Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider celebrates 15th anniversary with Steam sale this weekend

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:30:00 EST

Has it really been 15 years since we shared in Lara Croft's obsessive lust for artifacts and her undying vendetta against endangered species? Heck, the creatures of the earth aren't even safe after they've become extinct -- she's killed plenty of dinosaurs too.

To commemorate fifteen years of robbing graves, dodging traps and accidentally swan-diving into neck-crunching granite, Steam is offering the post-reboot Tomb Raider series at a magnanimous rate until Monday, 10AM Pacific. Tomb Raider: Underworld is the most expensive of the lot at $6.79, with Tomb Raider 1 remake Anniversary going for $3.39. Crystal Dynamics' first stint with Lara, Tomb Raider: Legend, is available for $5.09.

At under $16 in total, it's a trilogy to be treasured. Err, right before next year's reboot, of course.

Tomb Raider celebrates 15th anniversary with Steam sale this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider PS3 trilogy pack confirmed, details to follow shortly

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Lady Croft's latest adventures -- excluding the downloadable Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light -- are getting bundled up in early 2011 for a Tomb Raider Trilogy pack on PlayStation 3. Karl Stewart, global brand director for Crystal Dynamics, confirmed this weekend's leak on his Twitter account. He noted that a full announcement would be made shortly.

If the Amazon listing is accurate, the Blu-ray compilation will include Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary, both of which will be available for the first time on the console, along with 2008's Tomb Raider: Underworld. You'll also get male and female avatars for PlayStation Home and an XMB theme.

This looks to be the last send-off for the obsessive and occasionally mean Lara introduced by Crystal Dynamics in 2006. She'll experience another reboot in Tomb Raider -- just "Tomb Raider" -- next year.

Tomb Raider PS3 trilogy pack confirmed, details to follow shortly originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider Trilogy combines HD Legend, Anniversary and Underworld on PS3, retail listing says

Andrew Yoon — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

The PS3 may be home to yet another HD collection. Amazon.de has a listing for Tomb Raider Trilogy. According to the listing, the Blu-ray will include Tomb Raider Legend, Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider Underworld. The first two games will get an HD makeover (and will likely look similar to the Xbox 360 versions), and all three games will offer PlayStation Network trophies. In addition, the collection will unlock special male and female avatars for use in PlayStation Home.

While Square Enix has yet to officially announce the collection, we find it a rather likely prospect. It would be a fitting way to close the book on Lara's previous adventures before the upcoming reboot. Oh, and everyone else is doing it too.

[Thanks, Jose M.!]

Tomb Raider Trilogy combines HD Legend, Anniversary and Underworld on PS3, retail listing says originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Steam selling Tomb Raider: Anniversary for $5

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST

Has your recent playthrough of Tomb Raider: Underworld left you curious about Lara Croft's roots? No, not like, her hair (though she's obviously not a natural brunette) -- her history. Well, there's no better way to brush up on your Croftian comprehension than to check out Tomb Raider: Anniversary, the 2007 remake of the original Tomb Raider -- and thanks to Steam's current weekend deal, there's no better time to pick it up.

Valve's download platform is offering the updated grave robbing sim for just $5 until the end of the weekend. Sure, you could just as easily purchase a foot-long sandwich with that kind of cash, but we find double-pistoled tiger homicide to be much more fulfilling in the long run.

[Via Big Download]

Steam selling Tomb Raider: Anniversary for $5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Europe getting exclusive PSP Tomb Raider two-pack

Majed Athab — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST

Eidos announced today that Lara Croft's two adventures on PSP will be merged together into one package. The Tomb Raider Double Pack is exclusively available in Europe and will feature both Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary (uh, the only TR games released on the system).

Tomb Raider Double Pack is set for release next week, on April 10. A price hasn't been set yet, but we suspect it won't break the bank. Punchline: You won't have to raid any tombs to pay for it.

Europe getting exclusive PSP Tomb Raider two-pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GameTap Thursday: Splinter Cell: CT, Tomb Raider: Anniversary free for one week

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC, Online

It's a decent enough week for GameTap as Sam Fisher sneaks in and explains chaos theory through action. Also, Lady Croft gives it away for free.

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (Windows) - Pre-emo Sam Fisher is out to save the world in this third installment in the stealth-action series.
Ocean Express (Windows) - Sounds intriguing, right? Well, it's a Tetris hybrid clone.

This week sees the addition of Tomb Raider: Anniversary as a free-to-play title for one week. The full list of gratis titles can be found after the break.

Continue reading GameTap Thursday: Splinter Cell: CT, Tomb Raider: Anniversary free for one week

GameTap Thursday: Splinter Cell: CT, Tomb Raider: Anniversary free for one week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2007

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Features, PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Wii)

Though its puzzles may occasionally infuriate, the real source of frustration regarding Zack & Wiki stems from the fact that nobody bought it. Every year has its share of titles that deserve an audience yet never find one, and in this regard, Zack & Wiki is easily one of the most tragic games to put an uncontrollable smile on your face. Relentlessly charming and beautifully presented, the debut of Capcom's choc-chomping pirate and his simian sidekick challenges the mind and warms that cynical, meh-spouting lump in your chest. How refreshing it was to overcome obstacles and bosses by choosing the power of the mind over an impossibly large bazooka.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2007

Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider: Anniversary now on XBLM

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live Marketplace

Hungry for more tomb raiding? Have you squeezed out every possible ounce of entertainment from Tomb Raider: Legend? Have you suddenly developed an aversion to disc-based media? Well then, do we have a deal for you. Seemingly out of nowhere, the previously promised downloadable version of Tomb Raider: Anniversary is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The game has been split into two significantly more than bite-sized chunks, each of which will run you 1200 MS Points or, in the common vernacular, $15. Put them both together and the game costs as much as its PS2 counterpart and actually $10 less than the retail Xbox 360 version. Just make sure you still have a Tomb Raider: Legend disc lying around, as the downloadable Anniversary requires it.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary now on XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider: Anniversary now on Xbox Live Marketplace

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

Lara Croft's superb re-quel, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, has finally clambered onto the Xbox Live Marketplace after being unearthed in June and delayed from an initial September release. If you missed it on the PlayStation 2, the PSP, the PC or even the Xbox 360 (in ancient disc format), now's your chance to relive the iconic grave robber's best adventure in the form of two downloadable chunks. The catch, of course, is that it functions as Tomb Raider: Legend DLC and will require you to have that disc handy.

Each half of the game will set you back roughly 1.5GB in bandwidth and 1,200 MS Points ($15) -- in combination, that puts it on par with the PS2 version and $10 beneath the disc-based Xbox 360 version. If this still isn't the opportune moment to explore Lara's treasure-laden crevices, you still have the hands-on Wii version to try out (it's out in the UK too this December).

Tomb Raider: Anniversary now on Xbox Live Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gametap's 'Re\Visioned' animated series concludes first season

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:15:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC

Concluding with Jim Lee's take on Lara Croft, "A Complicated Woman," the first season of Gametap's animated "Re\Visioned" series is now available in its entirety on the download service. Aside from the rather annoying use of a backslash in the title, the show's first ten-episode stint was marked by several interpretations of the Tomb Raider heroine from artists such as Peter Chung, Michael Stackpole and Warren Ellis.

Gametap has also announced a partnership with The Hero Initiative -- a non-profit organization helping out comic book creators -- that will see a second six-episode season of Re\Visioned released in December. The focus is to be placed on the "golden age" of Activision, with stylized takes on Kaboom, Pressure Cooker and Pitfall promised from writers like Mark Waid (Flash, Kingdom Come, Legion of Superheroes), John Ostrander (X-Men, Punisher, Star Wars Republic) and Paul Jenkins (Spectacular Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, Civil War: Front Line).

Gametap's 'Re\Visioned' animated series concludes first season originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Official Tomb Raider: Anniversary release date

Dustin Burg — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

After going through the trauma of being lied to about Tomb Raider: Anniversary's release date (September anyone?) Eidos has again taken the podium and announced official release date details. Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be available on retail shelves in the US this October 23rd and in the UK a few days later on October 26th. Then, later in November, the Anniversary episodes will be released to the XBLM as two separate purchasable downloads for those who would rather buy the content in digital form. Pricing for the DLC version has yet to be announced.

There you have it Lara Croft lovers ... your Anniversary dates are now confirmed, official and your content will be available in two distinct flavors. Go ahead and crack a smile already.

Official Tomb Raider: Anniversary release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider Anniversary ready for European release on October 26th

Jem Alexander — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider Anniversary is almost ready for its European debut on the PSP. The remake of the original PS1 game will be available on shelves on October 26th. If you don't fancy waiting for the PSP version, however, the PC and PS2 versions are already available, with Xbox 360 and Wii versions to follow later this year. Still, if the opportunity for some portable Tomb Raider action is there, then why not go for it? The game has been available in the US for quite a while already, so if you're really impatient then you could always import it and get it a week or so early.

Tomb Raider Anniversary ready for European release on October 26th originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Retailers list 360's Tomb Raider Anniversary for Oct. 23 release

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

If numerous online retailers are to be believed, the Xbox 360 version of Tomb Raider: Anniversary is set to arrive in the US next week on October 23rd. "But wait," you rudely interject, "wasn't there another version for that console?" Indeed, you quite clearly recall that Eidos announced its intention to digitally distribute Lara Croft assets -- that would be the game split into five separate episodes -- on the Xbox Live marketplace. The online chunks, functioning as add-ons to Tomb Raider: Legend, would amount to 2400 MS Points ($30) in total, a good $10 cheaper than the price retailers are currently appending to the standalone disc.

As the online episodes were initially scheduled for release in September, it inescapably follows that they've been delayed. The question is, "Until when?" While Eidos assures us that they're still in the pipeline, it's "still confirming dates for both versions and will release information on this asap." We'll keep you informed if and when we receive this mysterious asap containing the information.

Retailers list 360's Tomb Raider Anniversary for Oct. 23 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Joystiq hands-on: Tomb Raider Anniversary (Wii)

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Adventure

Some things are obvious about Lara Croft. But Crystal Dynamics's Morgan Gray wants you to focus on Lara's more subtle assets, like her intelligence. The late-coming Wii version of Tomb Raider Anniversary focuses on Lara's actual career: babe, er, 'archaeologist'.

There's "over three hours" of Wii-specific content promised, and the majority of it comes in the form of motion-sensitive mini-games. There's Lara with a pick axe unearthing clues; Lara digging for buried treasures; and Lara taking charcoal rubbings for her journal. All use the Wiimote's pointer, mimicking what you'd normally find in a DS game (think: psuedo-archeology game Spectrobes). It's gimmicky, yes -- but there are times where the physicality adds an appreciable amount of depth to the experience. In one segment of the game, we had to uncover symbols, hidden away under some dust. With those symbols in mind, we had to draw them in sand to unlock a door. Drawing with the Wiimote added a whole new layer to what was originally a very simple puzzle. Thankfully, the system is forgiving enough to recognize even the shakiest of gestures.

Not only has Lara's "intelligence" been expanded upon for Wii, combat has received a major overhaul as well. For the first time in the franchise, players will aim and shoot freely while moving. Players will have to use the pointer to manually aim at the various enemies on the screen while performing Lara's signature dodges. It can be awkward at first, but Crystal Dynamics is so confident in their battle system that they won't give players the option to switch to more traditional controls. "All or nothing," as we were told by Gray. To ease away potential frustrations, there is an overly generous hit detection system that requires only a marginal amount of accuracy. Harder difficulties, we're told, will require a much steadier shot.

Gallery: Tomb Raider Anniversary (Wii)

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Tomb Raider Anniversary (Wii)

Joystiq hands-on: Tomb Raider Anniversary (Wii) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

See how Tomb Raider Anniversary uses Wiimote

Justin McElroy — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Action, Video

When imagining ways for the Wiimote to be incorporated into the Wii release of Tomb Raider Anniversary, you probably let your evil imagination wander to some ... unfortunate situations, and we want you to know that we're personally very disappointed in you. Lara Croft uses the Wiimote for science, mister, and don't you forget it.

As you can see in the video, the Wii is incorporated into all sorts of archeological pursuits, from column turning to dust brushing and, lest you begin to flashback to 9th grade history class, shooting bears. Only about 25 percent of the activities shown here look tacked on or contrived, which, all things considered, is fairly impressive.

[Via CVG]

See how Tomb Raider Anniversary uses Wiimote originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Features, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Adventure

Jacqueline Natla is quite obviously the villain in Tomb Raider: Anniversary. In the 1996 original, the only initial clues to her evil nature resided in a somewhat condescending tone of voice and a far too serious haircut. The opening moments of the Crystal Dynamics remake, however, show a more conniving woman with flowing blond hair, almost alien facial features and suspiciously long fingers. Still a bit of a condescending hag, though.

"My company has recently turned its focus on the study of ancient artifacts, and I am lead to believe that with the right incentive, you are just the woman to find them for me," she says, addressing one of gaming's most iconic characters, Lara Croft. "I'm afraid you've been mistaken," comes the decorous reply. "I only play for sport." Ah, but Natla's done her research. "Which is precisely why I've come to you Miss Croft. This is a game you've played before..."

Though trusting the words of a noticeably vile video game character is generally not advised, they're true in this case. Tomb Raider: Anniversary is indeed a game you've played before, at least if you had the good sense to play Tomb Raider at some point in your fulfilling life (replace "fulfilling" with "miserable" if you haven't). The reworked puzzles, contemporized controls and modern presentation may set Anniversary apart from the groundbreaking effort by Core Design, but beneath those layers lies the same game with the same ideals. Either Tomb Raider was nearly eleven years ahead of its time, or the games we play just haven't changed all that much.

Continue reading The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft

The B[ack]log: Happy Anniversary, Miss Croft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider: Anniversary episodes hitting Xbox 360 in September

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:40:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

Eidos UK has officially announced Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the Xbox 360, confirming almost all of the theories originating from the ESRB listing we unearthed earlier this month. We say "almost," because one of said theories had the game being distributed via antiquated catapult. That's clearly and unfortunately not the case, as Anniversary will initially arrive on the Xbox 360 as a set of four downloadable episodes incorporated into Tomb Raider: Legend. The publisher notes that this marks the first occasion of a full game being serialized on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

As suggested in the earlier article, the episodes should be split across the various locales Lara Croft explores and inevitably desecrates in the Crystal Dynamics remake of the 1996 original. Lady Croft's manor will be offered as a free download, while the complete set of episodes will cost 2400 MS Points -- $30 and on par with the cost of the already released PC and PS2 versions.

Eidos promises to release Episode 1 and Episode 2 in September, with the final two episodes following "shortly afterwards." Those bemoaning the fact that they've since traded in Tomb Raider: Legend (understandable!) or never bothered to pick it up (unacceptable!) can wait for a retail version of Anniversary to be released on Xbox 360 "later in the year."

Tomb Raider: Anniversary episodes hitting Xbox 360 in September originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ESRB: Tomb Raider Anniversary bound for 360, possibly as DLC

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:50:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board is probably due for a shiny PETA trophy by now. The organization's online ratings database has let many a cat out of cruel prison bags, with today marking the release of gaming's most agile feline. The website currently lists not one, but five separate entries for an Xbox 360 version of Lara Croft's latest romp, Tomb Raider: Anniversary.

More interestingly, each entry specifies a locale featured within the Crystal Dynamics remake. Peru, Lost City, Greece, Egypt and Croft Manor are all listed and rated, leading us to conclude that Anniversary could very well be making its way to Microsoft's system as downloadable content. Whether it would be offered as downloadable content for Tomb Raider: Legend (which utilizes the same graphics engine as Anniversary) or as episodic titles on the Xbox Live Marketplace is a matter of pure speculation. Certainly, a cost of $5 per level would compare well to the $30 PS2 and PC versions released yesterday.

ESRB: Tomb Raider Anniversary bound for 360, possibly as DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New games this week: Tomb Raider Anniversary edition

Justin McElroy — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

It's weird isn't it? It's like seeing an old flame that you heard got fat so you forget about them, only to find out that they're apparently hot again. Also we're not sure if we're talking about a Tomb Raider game being the top release or the fact that it's on PS2.The whole week is weird like that. Let's get to it.

PlayStation 2:

Tomb Raider Anniversary

Gallery: Tomb Raider Anniversary

Continue reading New games this week: Tomb Raider Anniversary edition

New games this week: Tomb Raider Anniversary edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider and Anniversary comparison video

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:59:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Adventure

Next week sees the release of Tomb Raider: Anniversary, where Lady Croft goes to the salon and fixes her roots. The video above shows the transformation of the original Tomb Raider into Anniversary. Tomb Raider: Legend (now playable for free on GameTap) reawakened the joy for many in Tomb Raider and reinvigorated the franchise. We're hoping that Anniversary is a fitting tribute to the original but, and this was part of the design behind Anniversary, puts some modern concepts into the gameplay for gamers who are just joining the series post Legend.

We're definitely looking forward to E3 and seeing how far along the Tomb Raider: Legend sequel is. Although not half as painful of a cliffhanger as Halo 2, the ending to Legend (which came about 8 hours too early) was excellent and we were ready to put down the cash for the sequel right there. If Anniversary continues the solid gameplay trend of the new Lara Croft, the future looks bright again for the series.

Tomb Raider and Anniversary comparison video originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Croft's Anniversary gains Steam

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:40:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action, Adventure

Lara's throwing her big Anniversary bash and it looks like every conceivable outlet who can sell or run the game is invited to the party. We've got typical retail, GameTap and now Steam is in there too. Everyone into the pool on June 5 for Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Just make sure you take a buddy, because you might drown from all the people crowded in there.

We can't help but wonder if this is the nature of things to come. This is the first explicit moment of a trifecta release. Retail, digital distribution (Steam) and subscription service distribution (GameTap). That's just for PC. The PS2 and PSP editions come in their standard box at retail format. We still find it strange that the game still hasn't been announced for the Xbox 360. If it gets announced for XBLA, that's it, we'll have officially entered a new era of game distribution.

[Via Press Release]

Croft's Anniversary gains Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 23:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii to celebrate Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Action, Adventure

In news that is sure to set tongues wagging and arms waggling, IGN reports that Lara Croft will soon raid a more modern tomb -- your Wii's game shelf. In a press release issued by an international Eidos branch, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is stated as being in development for Nintendo's popular console. Previously, the remake was only slated for release on the PC (including GameTap), PlayStation 2 and PSP.

With Eidos holding out on costly PS3 releases until 2008 and with no Xbox 360 version of Anniversary in sight, it seems the Wii is benefiting for once by being lumped in a similar technological bracket as the PS2. It makes for a quick and financially sensible port, it's only challenge being the ~~tacking on~~ implementation of unique motion controls. We're hoping for an ice-cold virtual hand to poke Lara into position for those tricky jumps.

No Anniversa-Wii date has been set, but other platforms begin festivities on June 5th.

Wii to celebrate Tomb Raider: Anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider: Anniversary, day and date on GameTap and more

Jared Rea — Tue, 01 May 2007 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Online, Business

Referred to as May Day on their design blog, Turner's buffet-esque gaming service, GameTap, has some huge announcements today. The headliner of which is a real doozy. Through a deal with Eidos, the upcoming Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be made available on the service come launch day, June 5th, and at no extra cost to subscribers. The title will also be available to non-subscribers via their upcoming digital distribution store as well.

GameTap has been offering brand-new, original titles at no extra cost for a while now (see: Sam & Max, Myst Online), but to take this trend and run with a third party is huge.

Closing out May Day is May 31st where GameTap will crack open its doors a bit with a new free-to-play portal. Not regulated to chump titles, the new service will launch with games such as Metal Slug, Bust-a-Move and Tomb Raider: Legend. This will be made possible with their new three-tiers of membership and a handy-dandy chart to explain these tiers (two of which are free, by the way) has been made available after the break.

In other GameTap news, both the press release and blog have mentioned the Metal Slug and King of Fighters series coming to the service. Nice.

Continue reading Tomb Raider: Anniversary, day and date on GameTap and more

Tomb Raider: Anniversary, day and date on GameTap and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider

Zack Stern — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Action, Adventure

Some of us have been jonseing for each successive Tomb Raider adventure ever since Lara Croft decided that messing up archaeological sites wasn't just for Indy. (Where were the interns and study? No, Kurtis Trent and Short Round don't count.) The June 5 launch of the original, remade with updated graphics (and we can only hope controls), as Tomb Raider: Anniversary is just around the corner.

The tombs aren't going to just raid themselves; our video pick is the latest trailer for the back-to-her roots game. We don't see much that we didn't already know -- surprise, the game has "mild suggestive themes" -- but we're sure fans will appreciate the latest look at Lara. See the video after the break.

Continue reading Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider

Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tomb Raider: Anniversary set for June 5th (don't forget!)

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Action, Adventure

Those longing to don a pair of unreasonably tight pants, shoot up ancestral tombs and mow down innocent bears (without getting arrested) would be wise to circle the date of June 5th, 2007 on their official Rhona Mitra calendars. This day marks the release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a Crystal Dynamics remake of the adventure that put the grave-robbing heroine on the map, the coffee mug, the magazine cover and the unfortunate t-shirt which proclaimed, "I raided Lara's tomb."

Hearkening to a time (1996!) when Tomb Raider regularly induced drool as opposed to debilitating nausea, Anniversary sees reworked puzzles, improved controls and enhanced graphics injected into one of the greatest games of all time. Play it on your PS2, PC or PSP while you wait for a sequel to last year's surprisingly superb Tomb Raider: Legend to arrive -- and don't forget to do a graceful swan dive straight into a boulder. That's always good for a laugh.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary set for June 5th (don't forget!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary labyrinth [update 1]

Christopher Grant — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Action, Adventure

Curmudgeon Gamer gets curmudgeonly about the nebulous state of the Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary Edition PSP release. Don't know what we're talking about? Head on over and read the scandalous, hyperlink-encrusted tale of dual developers working clandestinely on separate versions of the same game, and the evil publisher who pulled the plug ... but on which one? After much compiling, Curmudgeon Gamer's jvm peels the gum from his shoes, removes his deerstalker cap, and lights up his trusty pipe, before breaking down the whole tawdry affair:

"For reasons unknown, Core and Crystal Dynamics were working independently on the same 10th anniversary game. Perhaps Core had been given a green light to try and after the SCi/Eidos merger, no one remembered that detail. Meanwhile, Crystal Dynamics successfully launched Tomb Raider: Legend and was considered by the management, especially in North America, to be the obvious team for the new game."

We've embedded the video for Core's version after the break. If anyone can track down the Crystal Dynamics video, we'll post that too and we can tear ourselves apart arguing over which one would have -- undoubtedly -- been the better game.

[Update: Curmudgeon Gamer has updated their analysis writing, "According to the SCi/Eidos press release verifying that Crystal Dynamics would produce the game, it will be published not just for the PlayStation Portable but also for Windows and the PlayStation 2. The current Tomb Raider: Legend engine supports all three of these. That changes my reading of the situation."]

Continue reading The Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary labyrinth [update 1]

The Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary labyrinth [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments