Developer - Crystal Dynamics
Publisher - Eidos Interactive
Release Date - 18th November 2008 (North America) and 21st November 2008 (Europe)
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2
Official Website -
tombraider.com
For generations, stories have been told of the fearsome weapon of the Norse god Thor. Legend holds that he who wields the hammer has the power to smash mountains into valleys and the strength to destroy even the gods. For more than a thousand years it has existed only as a myth…until now. In an ancient ruin on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea, Lara Croft uncovers proof of the Norse underworld and the mythical hammer. As she attempts to unravel the secrets behind these myths, Lara’s perilous journey leads her toward a forgotten power that, if unleashed, could lay waste to all civilization.
Graphics Engine and Environments
Lara Croft Model
Lara's body reacts to the weather and environment - if it is hot, she will sweat. If it is raining, the water will trickle down her body. If it is muddy, dirt will cling to her and gradually wash off due to the rainfall. Her clothes will also react to changing environmental conditions. Lara interacts with environmental foliage, sweeping it away as she passes through it.
Crystal Dynamics have introduced motion capture for the first time in a Tomb Raider game. Motion capture brings increased realism and fluidity to Lara's movements. CD have hired an olympic gymnast to provide animations for Lara.
Lara will have high quality facial animations and lip-synch.
Environments
- TRU uses a realistic and dynamic weather system including torrential rainpour, thunderclouds and lightning. Each level will have its own weather system.
- An improved physics engine means that the whole world is reacts to Lara's presence and has memory. Lara leaves footprints in the mud. Debris and bodies will no longer vanish, providing valuable markers of where the player has been in the massive game world.
An innovative lighting system moves beyond simple dynamic lighting to create stunning and realistic environments. A new piece of lighting technology called Spherical Harmonics is being used to make Lara appear connected with her environment; if she walks through green foliage, for example, her skin will take on a subtle green cast.
The game is more open-ended than ever before, giving players the choice of how to tackle puzzles.
Crystal Dynamics travelled on location to photograph the Mayan tombs ensuring a realistic look to the ruins.
All cutscenes are made using the in-game engine.
An overhauled camera system dynamically follows the action with theatrical angles to show off moves and provide directional hints.
Moveset, Acrobatics and Combat
Combat
- Lara can now perform close quarters combat and melee moves. These moves are focused on repelling enemies so she can shoot them with less risk to herself.
Multiple targets can be shot, with one gun focusing on one target while the other gun focusses on another.
She can shoot while clinging from ledges and hanging onto ropes.
Environmental objects like spears can be used as weapons against enemies.
Adrenaline Moment are an alternative to the button matching mini-games from Legend or Anniversary, which causes a flash of slow motion, giving Lara a split second to evade dangers.
Moves
- Crystal Dynamics' philosophy for TRU is 'what could Lara do?'. They claim that anything you want Lara to do or feel she should be able to do, she can!
- Lara can now perform more free-form rock climbing similar to Assassin's Creed. She can grab and climb most surfaces.
- Lara can perform a sprint move which enalbes her to get from one point to another much quicker.
- The handstand is back.
- Lara can balance on beams and vault and backflip along them.
- Lara can rappel down vertical surfaces, perform wall kicks and melee kicks.
- Lara can now bounce between 2 close wall surfaces to reach higher places.
Weapons
Grenades. Lara has traditional hand grenades and also sticky grenades which can stick to enemies before they blow up.
Spear gun for use underwater.
Tranquiliser gun for knocking out enemies.
Dual Pistols (which also work underwater)
Environmental objects (spears and lances)
Uzis
Shotgun
Gear
Lara will have numerous costume changes throughout the game with more available as unlockables. Lara will have traditional tomb raiding gear consisting of classic shorts and tank top. For underwater levels, Lara will have a wetsuit complete with respirator.
Environmental objects can be used in a variety of different ways, both as weapons and tools to aid climbing. Lara can pick up spears and lances and use them to jump over gaps.
The grapple hook tool is back and will have a major role in puzzle solving as it did previously. Grapple hooks are much less noticable and blend into the environment.
A Personal Light Source (PLS) will be attached Lara and can be used to light up dark passage ways.
Lara has a new sonar map. Lara can send out sonar pings and the reflected sound waves create a 3D map revealing hidden doors and clues. The sonar system isn't just for underwater use and works just as well on dry land.
Lara now carries a camera with which she films her discovery. She'll often speak into the camera as she films, cluing players into the path that lies ahead. In a similar way, Lara can now take pictures of her exploits - there's even a ten-second timer on her camera so she can set up that insane action shot as she leaps across a gap. These images will be uploadable to the Internet, so players can share their adventures and advise other gamers about secret locations and hidden pick-ups.
Minimum System Requirements
OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft Windows XP/Microsoft Windows Vista
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3+GHz or AMD Athlon 2.5+GHz
RAM: 1GB (Windows XP) / 2GB (Windows Vista) system memory
GRAPHICS: NVIDIA GeForce 6 series 6800GT (or better) / ATI 1800XT (or better)
SOUND: Direct X 9.0c compatible sound card and drivers
DVD-ROM: DVD-ROM drive
HARD DRIVE: 8 GB Free Space
INPUT DEVICES: Keyboard and mouse
Recommended System Requirements
OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft Windows XP/Microsoft Windows Vista
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or Athlon 64 X2 4400+
RAM: 2 GB system memory
GRAPHICS: nVidia GeForce 9800 GTX or ATI HD4800
SOUND: Direct X 9.0c compatible sound card and drivers
DVD-ROM: DVD-ROM drive
HARD DRIVE: 8 GB Free Space
INPUT DEVICES: Microsoft Xbox360 Controller
Game Trailers
Tomb Raider Underworld Official Trailer
Tomb Raider Underworld Launch Trailer
Tomb Raider Underworld
Originally Posted by dharsam
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