Tomb Raider debuted in 2nd place in the Sega Saturn top 10 chart, but it couldn't make it into the Compact Disc (all formats) top 10 chart.
UK Week 43, 1996.
Mr T approves
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Tomb Raider is 20 years old, Lara debuted on the Sega Saturn Oct 25th 1996 in the UK!
- Thread starter MrCunningham
- Start date
Mr T approves
Played the Saturn version st launch with my college roommate. That holiday I then bought the PS1 version to replay a second time to experience the much improved visuals. Absolutely adored the game and it's sequel. Never did play TR3 and it's sequels until Chronicles on DC(buggy as hell!),
TR Anniversary is still my favorite entry in the entire franchise, but I do love what CD had also done recently with 2013 and Rise.
TR Anniversary is still my favorite entry in the entire franchise, but I do love what CD had also done recently with 2013 and Rise.
gar3
Member
I still replay Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, and Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. Those three are "forever" games to me. I play 'em on Saturn, PSX, and PC [Steam/GoG]. Years ago I bought the JPN versions on the consoles for something "different" to play/experience, heh. In fact the JPN PlaySta version of Tomb Raider II is infinitely easier versus the US one which is good for me because I find there's a bit too much "action" involved in the second title.
EDIT - And a big "shout-out" to greybeard over at the games' message boards on GameFAQs. That dude has been over there for 15 years straight helping people with all the classic Tomb Raider games. If you have a question or idea or anything chances are greybeard has the answer.
EDIT - And a big "shout-out" to greybeard over at the games' message boards on GameFAQs. That dude has been over there for 15 years straight helping people with all the classic Tomb Raider games. If you have a question or idea or anything chances are greybeard has the answer.
ImBarryScott
Member
I miss Digitiser. Biffo's doing a great job with Digitiser 2000 but the nostalgia I feel for the old days is strong.
J_ToSaveTheDay
Member
Glad it's hit the milestone! Happy 20th, Tomb Raider!
I briefly owned Tomb Raider 1 and 2 for my PlayStation back in the day, probably about a year after 2 came out. I could never get into the classic franchise because I never had any patience for the controls, and the first game I liked in the series was Tomb Raider: Legend on the 360, which I played the demo of and then ended up buying a bit later. I passed over on anything else in the franchise (except the Guardian of Light spinoff) until the reboot came out.
Have loved both reboot games so far. I do think they both have really weak stories and I also think Lara as a character isn't super compelling, but I do think they're fun and very technically marvelous games for the most part.
I briefly owned Tomb Raider 1 and 2 for my PlayStation back in the day, probably about a year after 2 came out. I could never get into the classic franchise because I never had any patience for the controls, and the first game I liked in the series was Tomb Raider: Legend on the 360, which I played the demo of and then ended up buying a bit later. I passed over on anything else in the franchise (except the Guardian of Light spinoff) until the reboot came out.
Have loved both reboot games so far. I do think they both have really weak stories and I also think Lara as a character isn't super compelling, but I do think they're fun and very technically marvelous games for the most part.
raidergale
Member
She's technically 40 in Underworld if they still used Core's year of birth, even though she doesn't really look like it other than a few wrinkles on her forehead. I didn't really like Underworld either way :/
_
20 years today? I guess it's time to replay the first game. Even though I was quite young when it came out (... yeah, well, I was 2.) I did end up growing up with the classic games thanks to my father so they really hold a dear place in my heart.
I like the newer games as well, I just don't think they're "Tomb Raider" enough.
I'm also waiting for the 20 Years of Tomb Raider book, but it's been stuck on "We need time to estimate a delivery date" for 5 days now even though it's back on stock on Amazon. I hope everything goes smoothly
Whether it's really hit the milestone is debatable. As far as I'm concerned, Tomb Raider died when it was taken away from Core Design in 2003 (or at the very least when Core's 10th Anniversary Edition was cancelled in 2006).
My queen. This game was and is a landmark of 3D level design and tightly integrated puzzling and platforming. Forget that it would go on to launch one of the most famous digital characters ever...it was just so freaking cool. I have the first level emblazoned in my memory and will never forget it.
The game reminds me of the era when teams of 15 people could shock the world. It's just so special.
The game reminds me of the era when teams of 15 people could shock the world. It's just so special.
Dr Zhivago
Member
Got knocked down I think. I read somewhere that there was a blue plaque on the wall that went missing.
eot
Banned
Heh, I was in Moshi just a few months ago
Bloodporne
Member
I really wish we could see gameplay and level design like this in a current gen game with no punches pulled and the focus entirely on the environmental puzzle traversal. I absolutely loved this game's focus on that in lieu of shooting action and still replay it for that reason quite frequently.
I haven't found anything in recent gens that comes close to the feeling of weight of the traversal and the amazing level designs. Anyone have any recommendations if so?
Always liked her character back then as well. Outsmarted everyone, out-skilled everyone and all that.
This game was such a big deal when it came out and I wish the recent reboots weren't just me-too TPS games with a creepy BDSM undertone.
Bloodporne
Member
They completely nailed these moments to instill a sense of wonder in you with the soundtrack, architecture and so on, it's fantastic. THAT'S epic, always loved these parts. TRII had some absolutely lovely stuff like this as well.
-shadow-
Member
It's still such a weird idea that despite the series starting on the Saturn that Sony was the one who ended up being associated with the character so closely. But still really interesting version, some small changes and you can't actually complete the game. One of the secrets is inaccessible which I believe has never been fixed in other regions.
Got this day one on the Saturn and loved every moment. Exploring the 3D worlds, the random traps, dangerous animals, and especially the music all produced an amazing experience.
Was so disappointed when Sony purchased exclusive rights to the sequel but I ended up purchasing a PS1 anyways.
Was so disappointed when Sony purchased exclusive rights to the sequel but I ended up purchasing a PS1 anyways.
Pop-O-Matic
Banned
No Man's Sky was only a couple of months ago...
……forgetit
Member
Huh....tomb raider came out on my 4th birthday. Neat
The Core design will always be my favorite ever. Tomb Raider 2 was probably the most important game for me growing up in the PS1 era. I've loved all of the titles in their own ways, I felt like Crystal Dyanmics' redesign with Legend/Anniversary/Underworld was where I wanted the series to continue with a puzzle/platforming focus. But I've enjoyed the gritty reboots also, just wish that combat wasn't the focus.
aygomyownroad
Member
I got this on launch day fro Saturn. So amazing.
I was 12.. My god..
I was 12.. My god..
Schopenhauerian
Member
Recent posts on this subject from RagnarokX and Messofanego were nice.
Loved it. Still one of my favourite games, large portions of it are seared into my brain forever.
They got the sense of isolation just right, a combination of graphics and ambient sounds and those wonderful, glorious musical stings - it was all so quiet, just the sounds of the tomb, the crushing weight of the rocks overhead, the echos, Lara's fooststeps and grunts....and then a sight revealed; the top of the Aquaduct in Palace of Midas for example and this haunting orchestral score kicks in for a few seconds. The gunplay was very occasional, brief, incidental. The animals were genuinely concerning - those Gorillas creeped me out, as did the lions. The controls were spot on and reliable - no highlighted ledges, just a cleverly disguised grid of blocks and a run/jump combo that was predictable and satisfying.
Just glorious in every way.
Its a game that wouldn't get made now I guess; not enough going on, not enough noise and BANG and SHOOT and CRUMBLY LEDGE WHOOOA!
Much as I enjoy new Tomb Raider, its really not what I want to play. I wish some Indie Dev would do a modern take on Tomb Raider and actually understand what made it special.
They got the sense of isolation just right, a combination of graphics and ambient sounds and those wonderful, glorious musical stings - it was all so quiet, just the sounds of the tomb, the crushing weight of the rocks overhead, the echos, Lara's fooststeps and grunts....and then a sight revealed; the top of the Aquaduct in Palace of Midas for example and this haunting orchestral score kicks in for a few seconds. The gunplay was very occasional, brief, incidental. The animals were genuinely concerning - those Gorillas creeped me out, as did the lions. The controls were spot on and reliable - no highlighted ledges, just a cleverly disguised grid of blocks and a run/jump combo that was predictable and satisfying.
Just glorious in every way.
Its a game that wouldn't get made now I guess; not enough going on, not enough noise and BANG and SHOOT and CRUMBLY LEDGE WHOOOA!
Much as I enjoy new Tomb Raider, its really not what I want to play. I wish some Indie Dev would do a modern take on Tomb Raider and actually understand what made it special.
Mato
Member
Used to play the original with a friend on mine on his PC. Great game. Then I went on to buy 2 and 3 for PS1. The original gameplay style is better than the linear, cinematic gameplay of the more recent entries. I don't miss the tank controls but the overall game and level structure is more appealing to me.
aygomyownroad
Member
Yeah think the part with the Dinosaurs was a wow moment especially as there was no internet to spoil it. Also the beginning of level 2 (I think) you have the massive pillars and need to get out of the way of the bears I think they were. Brutal and fun.
And lets not forget trapping the butler in the freezer (Although that may not have been the first one)
I missed this game back in the day and played it on my Saturn for the first time yesterday.
The intro has an amazing sequence where Lara climbs up a rope to push a button to open a door. When the door opens she needs to get down quickly and to do that she pulls out a knife and cuts the rope off above her. I laughed for about a minute straight.
The game is near unplayable though. Whether you can grab ledges seems completely arbitrary, it's so muddy looking that it's hard to see anything, and the framerate is terrible. I've decided against playing more of this game.
The intro has an amazing sequence where Lara climbs up a rope to push a button to open a door. When the door opens she needs to get down quickly and to do that she pulls out a knife and cuts the rope off above her. I laughed for about a minute straight.
The game is near unplayable though. Whether you can grab ledges seems completely arbitrary, it's so muddy looking that it's hard to see anything, and the framerate is terrible. I've decided against playing more of this game.
Well WipEout isn't that weird a case at all really. Both were late ports on Saturn (a year late in 2097's case), and then when they were ported they felt completely different (i.e. ruined) and didn't have any of the licensed music that pretty much defined the games. Even Wipeout 64 still had acts like Fluke and Propellerheads.
I still have my Saturn copy.
I finished the game on the Saturn.
I think it might be one of my best achievement to this day. I still remember the joy of looking at those limitless jaggies to try and find where I had to go next. It was bloody hard just to see where the tunnels where. Kind of like a mini game in itself.
I finished the game on the Saturn.
I think it might be one of my best achievement to this day. I still remember the joy of looking at those limitless jaggies to try and find where I had to go next. It was bloody hard just to see where the tunnels where. Kind of like a mini game in itself.
Bloodporne
Member
I'd also like to throw out that as an OCD-ish precision type of person, I love the super weighty 'tank' controls in the early games.
I find them incredibly precise, yes to a fault to most people, and satisfying. They're unforgiving and make the traversal so cool and a large puzzle essentially. Figuring out where you can and can't go, what angle will make you slide off and so forth is a huge part of the fun for me.
I've never actually played the fourth one, Last Revelation, how is it? Need to get that one on PSN I think. I did just recently replay TR1 however and it's still fantastic.
I find them incredibly precise, yes to a fault to most people, and satisfying. They're unforgiving and make the traversal so cool and a large puzzle essentially. Figuring out where you can and can't go, what angle will make you slide off and so forth is a huge part of the fun for me.
I've never actually played the fourth one, Last Revelation, how is it? Need to get that one on PSN I think. I did just recently replay TR1 however and it's still fantastic.
MrCunningham
Member
So basically it was like the Xbox One release of Rise of the Tomb Raider. then? Only on a shorter exclusive time scale?
I used to subscribe to Game Fan magazine back in the day, and I remember them hyping up the Saturn version of Tomb Raider quite a bit in their magazine. But at that time I was really confused as to what type of game Tomb Raider would be, as Game Fan loved to show images from the pre-rendered videos that Core would send out for promotional reasons. Back then, I assumed Tomb Raider was going to be a weird pre-rendered Myst like adventure staring some woman named Laura Cruz.
But when Game Fan Magazine went to review Tomb Raider, they scored the Saturn game in the high 70's and low to mid 80's, while the PS1 game was scored in the high 90's from the across the board. But I still ended up getting the Saturn game anyway, because that was the only 32bit console I had. I also had a PC too, but I ended up picking up the Saturn game instead. I didn't get around to buy Tomb Raider Gold on the PC until a year later.
At the time, I was more than happy with what I was seeing in game. Especially when previous games like Daytona USA looked like a mess on the Saturn, Tomb Raider actually looked quite competent on a technical level for a Saturn game. It was technically one of the most impressive games on the Saturn when it was released. At the time it really felt like Tomb Raider was the next best thing to Mario 64.
Though in retrospect, I have read a lot of comments that the developers had a pretty hard time working with the Saturn hardware to make Tomb Raider happen. I know the modelers struggled with the quads of the Saturn when rendering triangle objects. The original Lara model was based on the chunky quad Saturn version, but for Tomb Raider II, they smoothed Lara's model out quite a bit when switching to triangle polygons for the PS1.
Tomb Raider Anniversary is still a great remake of the original game. It is a good alternative to the original for those who don't want to get acquainted with tank control's of the original game. It is a solid alternative.
With that said, I still love Tomb Raider Gold on the PC with Voodoo acceleration. I think the controls in the original Tomb Raider are fine, but they work on different principals from modern third person adventure games.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
Dont any one get any falsehoods in here about the gameplay: im on my phone and cant do my link. But I will when I can!
But yeah, the level design and atmosphere are incredibly strong in this one; even the next two suffered erosion on those fronts.
A triple dose of Your Ass Gettin Old. Whew.
But yeah, Nathan McRees ost is a big reason for that immense atmosphere. So Amiga CD it hurts.
But yeah, the level design and atmosphere are incredibly strong in this one; even the next two suffered erosion on those fronts.
A triple dose of Your Ass Gettin Old. Whew.
But yeah, Nathan McRees ost is a big reason for that immense atmosphere. So Amiga CD it hurts.
eot
Banned
The lack of a flip move in TR1 is really quite annoying. I think the controls from the second game onward are quite a lot better.
Bloodporne
Member
Adam_Vania
Banned
i had this on PC. was super impressed. Mario 64 did not wow me like this game did.
i had been 3D gaming for years with DOOM and DOOM II but Tomb Raider on PC could run in hi res (640x480?) at 60fps for me and that was just incredible.
i had been 3D gaming for years with DOOM and DOOM II but Tomb Raider on PC could run in hi res (640x480?) at 60fps for me and that was just incredible.
grandwizard
Member
Happy birthday TR and Lara. What a great series this was. To me it is one of the landmark titles that defined 3D video games. The environments and level design were able to invoke realistic locations even as simple as they were, and really gave you the feeling of isolation and discovery that I didn't really feel again until the Souls series many years later.
The first few TR games are classics. The series has had it's ups and downs but anything making it 20 years in this industry deserves respect and congrats.
The first few TR games are classics. The series has had it's ups and downs but anything making it 20 years in this industry deserves respect and congrats.
allintospace
Member
Tomb Raider 1 and 2 hold a special place in my 90s gaming memories, though I never played 3, 4 or 5 back in the day. Is 3 really the only other classic Raider worth playing?
Also, are there any good informative let's plays of the originals?
Such a wonderful series.<3 I only played TR1 earlier this year, but it still is so damn good in many ways. I actually going through TR3 now, which is very good so far and tough, through it going to be hard to be beat TR2 (my favorite in the series).
Looking forward to picking up the book too, which sounds like Meagan Marie did a really awesome job with.
Recently replayed that this summer, and even after experiencing TR1 I still look fondly on it, beside some sad butchering of some levels (Palace Midas and Atlantis T_T).
Looking forward to picking up the book too, which sounds like Meagan Marie did a really awesome job with.
Recently replayed that this summer, and even after experiencing TR1 I still look fondly on it, beside some sad butchering of some levels (Palace Midas and Atlantis T_T).
b&jy77VjiKn$#F
Member
The 4th one (Last Revelation) has a special place in my childhood, alongside Road Rash and StarCraft.
D
Deleted member 57681
Unconfirmed Member
I actually remember 3 receiving quite a bit of backlash back then for being too open and diverging too much from the "tomb raiding" (also it's by far the hardest one of the classic TRs). 4 went back to the roots with Egyptian tombs out the wazoo, and I think it's the best TR game made so far.
Though 1 and 2 will always have a special place in my heart. My dad was so blown away by TR2s graphics lol.
Cave Johnson
Member
My first ever Saturn game and god does it feel so right to see the logo of Saturn right next to Tomb Raider even if the PSX was the superior version.
Ha my Dad did too.
He enjoyed watching me struggle though it and always complained how the puzzle solutions made very little sense. Lots of trial and error and or guessing, I never had a problem with it.
Berserking Guts
Member
I remember getting Tomb Raider back in the day, and remembering how hard it was. Tomb Raider was always intimidating, isolating, and somewhat scary to me back in the PSX era. And because of that I was never brave enough to go through them without cheats.
It wasn't until fairly recently that I re-discovered how much I love those old games when I decided to go through 1, 2, and 3 to completion. 3 was the hardest. I had to force myself to get through the london area because it was too dark to see anything. But god damn if those games don't simply ooze atmosphere. And the controls are so tight and precise. (you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise if you watched the giantbomb crew play them like it's the first time they've ever touched a controller) Once you've wrapped your head around Lara's gridded movement style and animation priority, it all clicks in place.
It's too bad unorthodox games like these are looked down upon these days.
It wasn't until fairly recently that I re-discovered how much I love those old games when I decided to go through 1, 2, and 3 to completion. 3 was the hardest. I had to force myself to get through the london area because it was too dark to see anything. But god damn if those games don't simply ooze atmosphere. And the controls are so tight and precise. (you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise if you watched the giantbomb crew play them like it's the first time they've ever touched a controller) Once you've wrapped your head around Lara's gridded movement style and animation priority, it all clicks in place.
It's too bad unorthodox games like these are looked down upon these days.
I also played Tomb Raider on Saturn first. Later, played 2 and 3 on PSX, played 4 on DC I think. I was tired of it all by then.
I'd like to see comparisons of the Japan Victor Soft optimized TR for Saturn, against the North American Saturn and the Playstation versions. According to what is written, the Japanese port was significantly enhanced for Saturn hardware. Any links to video or screenshot? (not compare against the Euro version video - the PAL framerate vs Japanese NTSC makes it hard to judge).
I'd like to see comparisons of the Japan Victor Soft optimized TR for Saturn, against the North American Saturn and the Playstation versions. According to what is written, the Japanese port was significantly enhanced for Saturn hardware. Any links to video or screenshot? (not compare against the Euro version video - the PAL framerate vs Japanese NTSC makes it hard to judge).
Any Questions
Member
Tomb Raider debuted in 2nd place in the Sega Saturn top 10 chart, but it couldn't make it into the Compact Disc (all formats) top 10 chart.
UK Week 43, 1996.
That is bloody amazing. Teketext! Good times.
TheJollyCorner
Member
I was 16. :/
Got money for Christmas, walked into an Electronics Boutique, and knowing practically nothing about it, snagged Tomb Raider for the PS1. I think the only thing I knew was it was one of those "games to keep an eye on" blips in a magazine. I saw it on the shelf and was shocked, thinking it was going to be a '97 game or something.
I was blown away within the first few minutes. Lara's range of movement, the climbing, flipping, shooting while flipping, free-control camera... fantastic.
I had gotten Legacy of Kain and Final DOOM as gifts that year, but Tomb Raider dominated my Christmas break. Best blind buy ever.
Got money for Christmas, walked into an Electronics Boutique, and knowing practically nothing about it, snagged Tomb Raider for the PS1. I think the only thing I knew was it was one of those "games to keep an eye on" blips in a magazine. I saw it on the shelf and was shocked, thinking it was going to be a '97 game or something.
I was blown away within the first few minutes. Lara's range of movement, the climbing, flipping, shooting while flipping, free-control camera... fantastic.
I had gotten Legacy of Kain and Final DOOM as gifts that year, but Tomb Raider dominated my Christmas break. Best blind buy ever.
MrCunningham
Member
Woah, really? I never knew this. The Japanese NTSC version is actually better than the NA NTSC version of Tomb Raider? As in a better frame rate and performance?
I would like to know if this is true as well. I am only really familiar with the US version of Tomb Raider on the Saturn.
Looking at a video play through of the Japanese version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFvP__lvT1Y , the framerate does look a little more responsive than what I remember. But it is also hard to say because I am still looking at a YouTube video.