PixlBit

I agree with some of your points here Jesse. I wish Uncharted did have some of this game's more open-ness and wave combat scenarios aren't fun in either. I do think this TR's combat suffers from more limited battlefields, so it doesn't always have more options than Uncharted does in it's mini-sandbox type arena fights where there are a ton of places to move around and ways to approach the combat. Weapon upgrades and abilities were another big success in this latest TR that Uncharted might indeed want to look at. I also loved Uncharted 2's early multiplayer before the patched it into a much less desirable setup, but TR's is certainly subpar. So I disagree with your last point to some extent.

Having said all that, ideally, these wouldn't be such comparable products. Uncharted was never a modern-gen update to TR like you mentioned. Their gameplay focuses were just too different and if it weren't for the similar treasure-hunting backdrop I doubt anyone would find them all that similar (pre-reboot of course). I hope TR learns a bit from its own series going forward. I wrote a blog on my wordpress about it recently. I think if they can combine the old aspects of this series with some of the new things the reboot brings we might have something much more special.That is obviously a whole other topic though.

Do we have a lot of games that focus on platforming and puzzle-solving like TR did? I mean what games currently bring what CD's recent entries (prior to this one) to the market. Prince of Persia and Mirror's Edge are it and neither is exactly getting new entries lately. Yes combat has always been a part of the game but a minor part. The balance with the new game is the issue more than anything else. You seem to be responding more to criticism of the narrative dissonance which isn't my issue, so maybe I'm jumping in where I shouldn't. My issue is that the platforming and puzzles are so easy and in the case of puzzles a seeming afterthought in this game.

You seem to be in these same comments lumping those who want a challenge from a series that have always provided one in those areas into one pile based on someone's troll comments which is unfortunate because as someone who feels similarly it's a little insulting. CD's games weren't the most challenging games to be honest. This game is on a whole other level lower as far as difficulty. That is the issue. Some of the stuff you are slinging down there is a joke.

Edit: I see you wrote a blog on this Broken so I will read that and try and understand where you are coming from here. I am obviously reacting to part of a comment I disagree about and probably going overboard.

Hey man. Good to see you here! Nice that you are back in the US too.

I will pick up NG3: Razor's Edge at some point. I too passed on the original and am now very glad I did. I think the demo for this new version has some issues still. Still feels like it has input delay which I never had issues with in 1/2. And their idea of encounter design seems to be just throw a bunch of enemies at you plus three guys with rocket launchers. But there are few games like Ninja Gaiden. And having all the girls playable is a great big plus. Momiji and Ayane were a blast in Sigma 2 and I look forward to Kasumi as well. Anyway, I look forward to your impressions on this game if you snag it at release.

On the one hand, I think this game works really well when looked at as just an action/adventure game. I had a lot of fun and while I was playing I couldn't help but enjoy it. It has a nice balance between combat (the series best to date) and exploration with great presentation and I think they did a good job with this new version of Lara. The new ability system is also cool if not pushed far enough at times.

But I feel it got too far from what makes the series special and unique: challenging platforming and puzzles. I see you don't really mention the platforming. Probably because traversing the environment has become so ridiculously easy. And the puzzle-centric tombs seem like an afterthought and are so short it is kind of absurd.

I get that it is a reboot, so changes are in order, but I feel they kind of threw the baby out with the bathwater here. And it seems like they could have easily kept in some of the challenging platforming and puzzles in the main adventure instead of some of the setpieces while still adding all the good things this reboot brings to the table. I think it stinks particularly since there really isn't a series delivering that kind of stuff anymore (Prince of Persia seems to be on hiatus and Mirror's Edge is the only other recent game to do it).

Anyway, don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed the game, but I can't help but feel they got too far away from the uniqueness of the series. A sequel that combines old and new though could be really really special. I hope they bring some of that great platforming and puzzling the series is known for back to the forefront in the sequel.

I got the US CE which has a bit of different stuff. Happy with my purchase. The figure in particular is really cool.

I'm still a little torn on this. I really love the overall package here. There are a lot of things I think need to be tweaked, but I had a lot of fun playing this game. On the other hand, it gets too far away from what makes the Tomb Raider series special to me. I think a sequel that brings back the classic elements and integrates them with some of the new stuff would be a truly special game though.

Still my favorite Vita game. Great game.

Definitely one of my favorite games this gen, but at the same time everything is too easy in it. They seemed kind of afraid to challenge the player. Still a blast and a very well-rounded action/adventure game though.

I am very impressed with this game so far. It's definitely too easy. The platforming needs to be harder like the series is known for and there aren't enough puzzles either. Still enjoying it a ton so far. Very fun. Very beautiful. Everything works well thus far.