Many years ago, I heard about a game that sparked my interest from the moment I knew its name. Almost every computing magazine that I bought and read had reviews of this game, together with mouth watering screenshots that showed virtual worlds that were, at the time, hitherto unseen. I was intrigued and fascinated by the design of the game, its puzzles, its graphics, and its immersive sounds. The game was called "Tomb Raider" and it changed my home computing forever.
It required a faster processor, and that in turn required a new motherboard and memory. I had to research these products myself, buy them myself and fit them myself. I also bought a new graphics card - a Matrox Mystique, for which the game had a patch that enabled all sorts of wonderful eye candy. I had to install this patch and troubleshoot it. So you see, this Tomb Raider game was partially responsible for getting me into upgrading and patching my own machine.
Was the game worthy of the time, attention and expense I had to give it in order to play it? Absolutely. I'd spend hours tackling its puzzles, or talking with friends about where I was stuck, where they were stuck, and what the hell we were going to do about it to keep on playing and enjoying this wonderful and innovative game.
Now that game is ten years old, and creator Eidos Interactive Ltd plans to celebrate its anniversary with the release of the latest title in the Tomb Raider game series, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary. This is a totally new game and new adventure for Lara, which remains true to its roots whilst at the same time utilising an enhanced 'Tomb Raider Legend' game engine and all sorts of other goodies. The game is due to launch next year and will see Lara once again seeking the mythical Scion. It will be available on PS2, PSP, and PC.
"Lara Croft is more than just a video game character – she is a digital- celebrity and icon for the video game industry, as well as a strong, powerful character that people of all ages connect with," said Director of Marketing Matt Gorman, Eidos. "We are re-telling an incredible story using today's technology, we've taken all of the key moments from the original game and put them into the context of a brand new Tomb Raider adventure."
The new puzzles in the game are now more in depth and incorporate environmental interaction and physics driven solutions, whilst the style and atmosphere of the game attempts to invoke the nostalgia of the first Tomb Raider adventure.
I'm very excited about "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary" and I know that you will be too.