I'd like more exploration too. But most of the posters here are ignoring everything that looks amazing about this game, and focusing on only the bad. We don't really know how much exploration the game has yet, and we don't really know what the puzzles will be like.
Tbh i don't see a lot that i would consider "amazing".
All i see is an Uncharted wanna be, without the same level of polish and variety (so far) and that is not exciting.
And we're at square one with the puzzle thing: SHOW US.
If there really is something Tomb Rider-y in this game, show it to us, or are we supposed to be excited based on mere brand recognition?
And there is no Tomb Raider fan consensus that said less combat is what everyone wants. So far this Tomb Raider has generated more interest than the last couple combined. All I'm saying is that people should keep an open mind, think of the series long term and what they could accomplish in future games, and maybe try it or read a review before completely making up their mind.
I visited several Tomb Raider communities over the years, being a fan of the franchise myself, and that's what i've almost always seen, over and over.
Those who wanted more shooting and scripted stuff, already moved on to Uncharted for their fix.
And sure, this game has generated more buzz being pushed as the grand reboot, with CGI trailer, new Lara design etc etc, of course it would move more interest than the more mundane sequel that was Underworld.
I mean i'm the first to admit that the series was getting stale and needed a big refresh, but that doesn't mean *
any* refresh would do.
I have certain elements of Tomb Raider i love, and those are the elements that made me a fan in the first place and kept me coming back to it; those elements seem to have been thrown out the window, so far.
I keep an open mind, i always try to do that, but that doesn't mean i have to swallow everything they'll do with the franchise; so far it's doing basically all the wrong things, to achieve what i consider is an ideal Tomb Raider.
People are just trying to tear this game down for sport now after a string of over-inflated bad publicity. A lot of it is just irrational mob hatred and bandwagoning. Tomb Raider was hardly a sacred series before this game.
I can't answer for other people, but i assure you that i'm well past the "rape" debacle and the "protect Lara" jokes.
The things that worry me, are all gameplay and game design related.
EDIT: And to be clear, i was very excited for this reboot, up until a bit before E3, when more details started to creep out.