Some of my greatest gaming memories come from the Tomb Raider series. Though I almost immediately hated the sequel, I spent many hours and did multiple playthroughs of the Tomb Raider 1 (the game only having one save probably had a lot to do with all of that). Solving the puzzles, experiencing the story, and running through the huge 3D world meant a lot to me at the time.
My personal favorite was Tomb Raider Legend. It was a bit of a series reboot, as well. It simplified the controls, gave us some epic boss battles, boosted the graphics to what, at the time, was near the industry's very best, and still maintained some brain busting puzzles. Play Tomb Raider Legend and then play Drake's Fortune and it is obvious how much Naughty Dog was influenced by it.
Tomb Raider Legend was followed by the remake of the original (Anniversary) and the puzzle filled Tomb Raider Underworld. Both were editions worthy of the Tomb Raider Name. The problem is, as great as those games were, they never did the kind of numbers expected of such a big name franchise in this day and age. Just like Resident Evil 5 before it, some big changes are being made to do what video games are supposed to do--make money.
Now, I'm adaptable. I can play a gameplay heavy title like Mark of the Ninja or 'Splosion Man and have a blast. I can play a puzzle heavy game like Fear Effect and get a feeling of great accomplishment. I can play a cinematic feeling game like The Walking Dead or Heavy Rain and greatly enjoy it. I can play an action heavy game like Gears of War and Uncharted and be totally satisfied. Looking at this Tomb Raider (and I admit that I purposely avoid almost anything pertaining to it--I want to be surprised), I don't know where it's going to fall. I just know that, if it does whatever they set out to do and it does it very well, I will enjoy it.
Starfox Adventures was a great game but it was a shitty Starfox game. I'm okay with that. This game could be a shitty Tomb Raider but if it's still a well done game and it is successful, I am fine with that, too. The way we used to game back in the day is almost extinct. Tomb Raider has to evolve or fail to exist, too. I hope the game does succeeds.
