Garrett Hawke
Member
What's the current best way to do it? Emulated PS1 ver? PC port?
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Best way to play Tomb Raider 1?
- Thread starter Garrett Hawke
- Start date
Narpas Sword0
Member
The remake, or don't
Emulated ps1 version for sure. From what I understand, the PC version took out save crystals, which in my opinion, makes the game way too easy. The save crystals add to the game significantly. If that doesn't matter to you, then I believe the PC port is pretty good.
Take that back!
Probably the PC version with a GLIDE wrapper.
Failing that, the Playstation version using the Mednafen RetroArch core will give you the most authentic experience.
I'm assuming you're not interested in the Anniversary edition remake, but it's probably less of a hassle than getting the PC version working.
Failing that, the Playstation version using the Mednafen RetroArch core will give you the most authentic experience.
I'm assuming you're not interested in the Anniversary edition remake, but it's probably less of a hassle than getting the PC version working.
Garrett Hawke
Member
I own Anniversary and 1 on PC, and TR1 on PS3/Vita. I just want to play the original but in the best quality.
I'm not going to complain about easier saving tbh 😂
Garrett Hawke
Member
Anniversary is just kind of bland to me tbh
KainXVIII
Member
Steam PC version with this patch (patched windows version, widescreen support, remastered fmvs, missing music, psx water color + unfinished business levels) for sure! I beat it not a long time ago (gamepad support through steam ds4 support, buuut keyboard is more comfortable for me) - it was a blast!
PS - my screenshot gallery
PS - my screenshot gallery
It really seems to have lost all of the atmosphere that made me love the original. I'd be all for a remake, but that just wasn't it.
I haven't played PC version in ages, but AFAIR in PC version you only saved at begining of each level, so without crystals it would be harder version.
How is steam/gog version handling lack of red book audio? It was used in cutscenes as well.
KainXVIII
Member
You can save anywhere and no crystals in pc version. About music read my post above.
shawnbuddy
Member
In Tomb Raider: Anniversary. The original has its charms, but going back to early 3D platformers just causes a ton of frustrations. It's not like it going back to 2D 16 or 8 bit games. The tech and systems just weren't mature yet because of hardware limitations.
Mr. Phellps
Member
Anniversary is not Tomb Raider 1. Why are people suggesting a wildly different remake to someone clearly planning to experience the original?
OP, if you're not bothered by the liberty of saving anywhere the PC version provides, then I think the PC version is the way to go. I got it on Steam, it runs on a DOS emulator, but it works perfectly and you can even set it to higher resolutions.
Otherwise, you might want to try the emulated PS1 version.
OP, if you're not bothered by the liberty of saving anywhere the PC version provides, then I think the PC version is the way to go. I got it on Steam, it runs on a DOS emulator, but it works perfectly and you can even set it to higher resolutions.
Otherwise, you might want to try the emulated PS1 version.
Garrett Hawke
Member
This seems perfect. Thanks!
poodaddy
Member
This is the correct answer. The first Tomb Raider is, and always was garbage. People loved it cause boobs but it was never a good game. Controls are shit, level design is kind of alright, and the art style is sinfully ugly.
Garrett Hawke
Member
The LAU TR trilogy controls like crap anyway so it's not like it's going to be noticeably worse. 🌝
toythatkills
Member
Anniversary is great, no idea what peoples' problem with it seems to be.
93xfan
Banned
Terrible version. Makes one of the best parts a cut scene.
anniversary isn't the same game at all, if you want to experience tomb raider then your only choice is to play tomb raider.
personally i'd go for the ps1 version. all of the music is intact and it has better sound quality than any other port. you can patch the music back in to the pc version (it didn't ship with any due to the average cd-rom drive speed of the time) and play with higher resolutions, but the sound effects will always be fuzzy and compressed. if one-time use save points are a deal breaker, then go for the pc version.
pc is hands down the way to go for tr2-5 though.
personally i'd go for the ps1 version. all of the music is intact and it has better sound quality than any other port. you can patch the music back in to the pc version (it didn't ship with any due to the average cd-rom drive speed of the time) and play with higher resolutions, but the sound effects will always be fuzzy and compressed. if one-time use save points are a deal breaker, then go for the pc version.
pc is hands down the way to go for tr2-5 though.
stanislavskov
Banned
This is bad post, plain and simple.
I suggest playing TR1 on a PS3 or a Vita (or emulated even). And, if you dig it, go after the Anniversary edition. It's a good game, and an interesting way to revisit the original, but TR1 is a much better game (except perhaps for the combat, though I never had a problem with it).
Also, I think TR1 is also available on Android platforms, and it's supposed to be a very good port, but I would only suggest looking into this version if you can play it with a controller.
CRT TV + OG Ps1
The lack of puzzles, atmosphere, and difficulty compared to the original. Liking the game is completely fine, but it's so different to TR1 that they aren't even close to the same game.
KainXVIII
Member
More the same with lots of enemies (and cheap deaths) and tight corridors, only for hardcore fans (especially Atlantis levels, which i hate even in original). But some Egyptian scenes are pretty good.
stanislavskov
Banned
It's a good game, but the atmosphere is completely different, the reliance on QTEs doesn't enhance the game at all and the puzzles and platforming just aren't as challenging as the original (and this has nothing to do with the controls).
Hah, just like Crash Bandicoot threads.
toythatkills
Member
How can you just say "the lack of puzzles" when the whole game is literally full of puzzles? I mean, what's the actual difference?
A genuine query, because I don't really understand why people think it's that bad a game. I enjoyed it a lot but if it's for whatever reason not the way to play Tomb Raider, then criticism would need to be a lot more specific than this.
Doesn't Retroarch have a core specifically for Tomb Raider? Isn't thst what OpenLara is for?
https://www.libretro.com/index.php/new-core-openlara-windowslinux/
Oh wait, it says the complete game isn't fully playable. But it's a potential option.
https://www.libretro.com/index.php/new-core-openlara-windowslinux/
Oh wait, it says the complete game isn't fully playable. But it's a potential option.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
Is not the same experience. TR PS era games are very unique games and that very unique vision wasn't replicated in Anniversary.
If someone asks for "best way to play TR1", certainly you wouldn't recommend a game that plays totally different from TR1.
Jimnymebob
Member
I always associated the games with PS1, but I played all 5 on PC back in the day, and they were all fun.
I'd probably only recommend the PS1 versions if you're playing on a CRT or emulator with a filter. I know most PS1 games look bad on a HDTV, but the Tomb Raider games are horrible looking.
I'd probably only recommend the PS1 versions if you're playing on a CRT or emulator with a filter. I know most PS1 games look bad on a HDTV, but the Tomb Raider games are horrible looking.
toythatkills
Member
Yeah but, in what way?
I'm not saying people are wrong, but all the criticism in this thread is just so vague that it's totally meaningless.
Sorry, I could have worded that a lot better. The puzzles in Anniversary feel a lot more in line with those from something like Uncharted. Again, this is pure preference, but in the original the puzzles felt a little more difficult, and I felt a sense of accomplishment figuring things out. I also don't just mean straight up mechanical puzzles. I was also thinking of environmental challenges like asking yourself where to go.
Have you played the original game? It's hard for me to try and explain it correctly.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
For me the biggest difference is how the plataforming feels and how it affects the exploration. The plataforming is more about precision than fulidity (it can be quite fluid), is about being meticulous in how you approach to it. It also means, along with how the levels are designed, you have to really think your jumps, and movements to reach the different areas/avoid traps.
This alongside the ambientation, use of music and other differences, makes for a very big difference in experience.
That's not to say Anniversary is a bad game, is just not the same game as Tomb Raider 1.
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
Anniversary is not a bad game. It has its fun moments and fun time trials. But it does not replicate or substitute playing the original Tomb Raider games, nor is it an improvement upon them. Its a different experience more directly comparable to Legend or Underworld.
Follow this advice OP.
HueyFreeman
Banned
For some reason, I recall arguments that the saturn version was superior as well, but it looks like direct comparisons refute that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgQP7JOqgsk
Saturn has worse framerate and lacks transparencies (such a big deal at the time!)
Melchiah
Member
The save restriction made the game pretty frustrating on PS1, especially towards the end. I'd personally go with the PC version for that reason alone.
I think the PC controls are far better than the PS controls, so I'll recommend the PC version (unless you can play the PS version with PC controls using an emulator?). Definitely do not listen to anyone suggesting that playing Anniversary is a proper substitute for playing the original. They're very different games with entirely different mechanics and honestly, Anniversary is a pretty boring game IMO.
Suburban Thug
Member
Nice hot take
Z..
Member
Saturn has better color palette and dynamic lighting. Framerate difference is barely noticeable, also.
I preffer PSX because I preffer the look of triangles to quadrilaterals in my polygons but both versions have their merits, really.
Shadow Hog
Member
Generally good advice, though it should be noted that the game is arguably a better value on GOG ($10 for the first three games vs. $7 for just TR1).
Garrett Hawke
Member
I got 1-6 on origin a while ago in deals and thankfully that automated fix works great on that version too. Playing it ATM!