tomb-raider-underworld posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Former Tomb Raider director discusses highs and lows of Underworld

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 2nd 2009 at 10:00PM }

Meant to conclude the trilogy that began with the franchise's crucial and critically well-received reboot, Tomb Raider: Underworld ended not only Lara Croft's search for her mystically misplaced mother, but Eric Lindstrom's stint as creative director at Crystal Dynamics. He's spoken out on some elements of Underworld's development before -- particularly with regards to its two DLC expansions -- but a postmortem published on Gamasutra features a complete account of his work on the game.

While Lindstrom points out many of the game's successes in terms of design and play mechanics, he admits that several unforeseen factors took a significant bite out of time that was initially set aside for polishing. Getting a shared technology base in place proved unexpectedly difficult, and "acts of god" seemed to target the team, tragically taking the life of the lead level designer during the first half of production.

Eidos may have expressed disappointment in Underworld's sales, but the now Square Enix-owned publisher is rumored to be at work on a new direction for the franchise, overseen by original Tomb Raider designer Toby Gard.

Lara's Underworld adventure goes budget in the UK

by Richard Mitchell { May 22nd 2009 at 4:15PM }

According to Tomb Raider Chronicles, Eidos has announced that Tomb Raider Underworld has become part of the Xbox 360 Classics range as well as PS3 Platinum Hits in the UK. The upshot here is that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions should now be available for a mere £19.99. We've contacted Eidos to see if the new price applies to all PAL regions and if North America will see any budget love.

Considering Eidos was disappointed in the game's sales in North America and the game enjoyed relative success in the UK, we're not holding our breath.

Trophies: Tomb Raider Underworld

by Andrew Yoon { May 22nd 2009 at 3:45PM }

The Tomb Raider Underworld Trophy patch is finally coming! You can expect it on Thursday, May 28th, worldwide. Check out the Trophies after the break.

[Thanks, Daniel!]

View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal

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Joystiq Review: Tomb Raider Underworld: Lara's Shadow (DLC)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 18th 2009 at 9:05PM }

Acting as a cracked mirror, reflecting the obsession and ruthlessness that has come to envelop Lara Croft in her most recent adventures, the Doppelganger makes for an interesting choice of protagonist for Tomb Raider Underworld's second downloadable expansion. As Lara's shadow so curtly explains, she's an exact duplicate of Tomb Raider's lithe leading lady -- minus all the flaws.

Unfortunately, Lara's Shadow is anything but, serving only to highlight and exacerbate one of the biggest problems that has plagued the Tomb Raider series since its inception. It's vaguely appalling that developer Crystal Dynamics has managed to introduce even more combat this time around, even after removing most of Lara's guns.

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'Lara's Shadow' out today, new trailer heaps on the drama

by Randy Nelson { Mar 10th 2009 at 2:30PM }

Hot on the (high) heels of last week's developer documentary, Eidos has released the first "official" trailer for Tomb Raider: Underworld's second -- and, presumably, final -- 360-exclusive DLC expansion, "Lara's Shadow." The add-on mission is out today for 800

($10) and the rest of this post is one big spoiler, so turn back ye who do not wish things ... spoiled.

The footage -- dubbed the "final trailer," despite being the only trailer, but whatevs -- shows a whole lot of the main game (Lara's doppelganger blowing up Croft Manor, their battle in Helheim) along with plenty of talking before getting to the goods: the titular Shadow in action, slowing down time -- speeding up time! -- and kicking enemies. Lots of kicking. Well, and running up walls. Actually, just the one wall. So, will you be slapping down the points for this one, or are you all Lara'd out?

Look for our review of ~~Lara's~~ the doppelganger's adventures tomorrow.

Trivial Pursuit, Tomb Raider and FEAR 2 receive free DLC

by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 10th 2009 at 11:00AM }

Major Nelson of the clan Hryb sends word that free DLC is available on XBLM for three very different types of games.

Trivial Pursuit: Hundreds of new questions for movie buffs.
Tomb Raider: Underworld: Designer costume pack, created by designers and voted for by Tomb Raider fans.
F.E.A.R. 2: "Toy Soldiers" Map Pack, where players are inches tall and battle in a "pinball machine, a hospital lab room, and a playground sandbox." OK, that actually sounds cool.

Go ahead, grab those and get to thinking, dressing and killing.

'Lara's Shadow' exposed in new Underworld DLC footage

by Randy Nelson { Mar 5th 2009 at 9:50PM }

Wrongly thinking it could slip past us unnoticed, the first glimpse of Tomb Raider: Underworld's upcoming, Xbox 360-exclusive "Lara's Shadow" DLC on video has ventured ... out of the shadows. Narrated by members of the add-on episode's dev team, the footage features Lara Croft's doppelganger, a.k.a. the character you'll be playing as should you download the content in question.

She's stronger and faster than Lara, according to the devs, who've decided to focus more on hand-to-hand (and foot-to-face) combat for the Shadow's turn in the spotlight. The doppelganger has the ability to speed up and slow time, as well as amplify the power of any weapon she's carrying. The episode appears to be quite platforming-heavy; watch for snippets of Lara's look-alike running up walls and shimmying along ledges with inhuman speed. (Maybe because she's ... not human?)

Joystiq Review: Tomb Raider Underworld: Beneath the Ashes (DLC)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Feb 24th 2009 at 6:50PM }

Sometimes, I worry about Lara Croft. Sure, the bloody vendetta against endangered animals and that egregious contempt for ancient pots were both neon-lit warning signs, but the writing on the walls has never been so clearly etched as on those found in her latest raid-worthy tomb. It's not the fact that she's willing to clamber, crawl and cartwheel through the decrepit crypt, her collapsed mansion as its gravestone, that makes me fret about her mental health. It's that she's willing to do it all in a camo bikini.

Unsurprisingly, the gaudy garment, no doubt picked up at a tacky souvenir shop on Normandy Beach, represents the more adolescent additions offered by Tomb Raider Underworld's first DLC episode, Beneath the Ashes. The rest of it -- a large, unexplored environment, a new enemy and some fresh puzzles -- should appeal to those who see beyond Lara's figure and appreciate a game of clockwork exploration and platforming.

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Tomb Raider 'Beneath the Ashes' DLC now on XBLM

by Richard Mitchell { Feb 24th 2009 at 2:15PM }

Archaeology buffs take note: New Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC is now available. Entitled 'Beneath the Ashes' the DLC has Lara Croft exploring yet more expansive caverns and crypts conveniently buried under Croft Manor. In addition to the new playable content, the DLC includes six new outfits for Ms. Croft and 125 achievement points to earn. Should you wish to explore 'Beaneath the Ashes,' the price of admission is 800

Eidos confirms 'Beneath the Ashes' price, playable character in second DLC pack

by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 23rd 2009 at 11:05AM }

Eidos has finally confirmed that Tomb Raider Underworld's Beneath the Ashes pack -- releasing tomorrow -- will cost the expected 800

($10). Lara's exploration of what existed beneath her 12-room (2-bath), fully furnished wine cellar is the first piece of DLC, to be followed by Lara's Shadow, which offers a "new" playable character.

Given the disappointing sales of TRU, we're going to guess that quite a few haven't played the title yet. As this playable character is a spoiler, we'll place that info after the break.

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Tomb Raider's 'Beneath the Ashes' DLC coming Feb. 24

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Feb 19th 2009 at 4:10PM }

After an "unexpected technical issue" delayed her basement expedition, Lara Croft is back on track for her Xbox 360-exclusive Tomb Raider Underworld add-on, Beneath the Ashes. According to an official forum post by Eidos' head of mastering, Jason Walker, the download has cleared Microsoft certification and should be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace next Tuesday, February 24. We've reached out to Eidos PR for additional confirmation.

A title update addressing several game bugs (fixes listed after the break) will be released alongside the download, which is expected to weigh in at 948MB. The second downloadable chapter, Lara's Shadow, still retains its original March 10 release date and promise of a "new" playable character. Expect each pack to cost 800

($10).

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Trophies to be patched into Tomb Raider: Underworld

by Randy Nelson { Feb 16th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Lara Croft may be a treasure hunter, but she came up empty handed in her quest for Trophies in the PS3 version of Tomb Raider: Underworld. This is to be remedied by way of an upcoming patch, says an Eidos community manager.

According to a post on the game's official forums, Crystal Dynamics originally desired to have Trophy support included in the shipped game. "The guys at Crystal have been looking into this for a long time because they really wanted to include it," a community rep wrote. "The good news is that I can confirm that a patch for the PS3 version of Tomb Raider: Underworld is being worked on that will enable Trophy Support."

We've contacted Eidos for comment on the patch and an expected release date. We'll update as soon as we receive word.

[Via CVG]

Hey, you got Mirror's Edge in my Tomb Raider!

by David Hinkle { Feb 11th 2009 at 3:52PM }

Lara and Faith have a lot in common. Both are strong, female protagonists, and both find themselves relying heavily on their ability to effectively navigate the environment around them. Now, they have another thing in common: they've both been the subject of weird mods. Check out the video past the break, which shows what Lara's world would look like had it taken inspiration from Mirror's Edge.

[Thanks, M]

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Tomb Raider Underworld 'Beneath the Ashes' DLC delayed

by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 9th 2009 at 1:57PM }

It appears Lady Croft will have to explore her basement at a later date, as Eidos has once again delayed Tomb Raider Underworld's DLC. StrategyInformer received word from the publisher that the hold up is being caused by an "unexpected technical issue." There is currently no new release date for the DLC.

We wonder if this "technical issue" would have been dealt with by now if Crystal Dynamics still had its staff intact? We've contacted Eidos with questions regarding this delay and will update if we hear anything.

Update: An Eidos rep. has responded to our questions by reaffirming the delay and stating a new launch date will be revealed as soon as it's confirmed.

Watch Lara explore her basement in 'Beneath the Ashes'

by Randy Nelson { Feb 3rd 2009 at 8:05PM }

Eidos has released a developer diary video talking up the soon-to-be-released, Xbox 360 exclusive "Beneath the Ashes" episode for Tomb Raider: Underworld. For those just joining us, the new level sees Lady Croft discovering that her home's basement has ... a basement. And that, in addition to being very large, it's also chockablock with traps. We're guessing her realtor wasn't big on total disclosure.

The video offers up our first good look at the DLC, with principals on the project revealing that it contains puzzles even more ... puzzling than those in the retail game. It's also quite "creepy," "spooky" and "scary" -- as the viewer is told, oh, a dozen times or so. See for yourself ... unless you scare, spook or get creeped out easily.