Comparing All Tomb Raider 1 Games
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
- This was inevitable! A comparison of Tomb Raider 1, Tomb Raider Anniversary Edition, and Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Perhaps one day I'll expand this when we eventually get to play the missing levels / Atlantis!
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Play TRAE yourself:
www.tombraider...
Good luck!
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Follow along at:
/ raidercastpod
/ chriscarpineti
/ raidercast
/ chriscarpineti
Core was really nailing the lighting and atmosphere, but Crystal really made everything feel grand and massive.
Precisely this. It really became apparent to me that Core were going for 'feeling' and Crystal went for size. I remember them talking about it, along the lines of "We went back and these places weren't as big as we remembered, so we increased the size so they were more impressive".
I kind of feel that that backfired. Because all rooms are so huge in TRA, none of them feel massive in comparison. They just feel like 'yet another room'.
@@Raidercast A good example of that is the waterfall in Lost Valley. TRAE is still the best but the TRA one is on equal footing with TRAE for a change there, especially with the vertical cliff face up the waterfall, Lara's little cannonball when riding the falls like a flume and those ye olde Incan high rise apartments whose windows you clamber on to reach the way to the valley proper.
It was one of the few changes to the better remake (TRAE) & TR1 that was good, others being the playable FMV sequence in Caves and the climb above the valley (linearity notwithstanding), being iconic enough that Teeth's TRAE tribute mod TRA Retold used the TRA falls as inspiration but had the cog puzzle and valley floor of TRAE (sans volcano in the skybox).
@@lionocyborg6030 We don't know though if they had started changing some levels for a possible Indiana Jones or National Treasure game or if they were planning something else for some of them.
@@Raidercast it would be great, if at the time! there was a version for the PS2 and other platforms (Eidos). And an exclusive version for the PSP! People who had PSP at the time, were older and liked something classic, different from the consumers of DS and consoles! more younger.
I honestly don’t get the hate that I see in the online community for anniversary. While it wasn’t the best game in the franchise, I personally liked that game a lot.
I really love this game. It's a perfect remake for me. Of course, I respect all tastes, but in my opinion Anniversary is A LOT better than Anniversary Edition.
Same. it's actually a masterpiece and a really loyal remake even with all the things that were missing (not very much tho) TRA is 10/10
the only thing i dont really like is the lack of colors but everything else was amazing for a remake!
@@hanconnor this can be easily fixed with custom filters for the pc version :D
I absolutely love Anniversary and I always feel sad at the hate it gets in the TR community. It was a beautiful game, and that Troels Brun Folmann score 👌✨
The original is still a masterpiece.
Remakes don't look very good though the "Tomb Raider Anniversary version" suffers way more then the "Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary cancelled version".
Lol nostalgia is blinding you, Anniversary is a million times better. Not even going to argue about this one.
@@holliswilliams8426 as someone who first started the franchise with tomb raider anniversary, I prefer the first game.
Ehh, designers barely reached half the potential they had.
It's very linear without too much to do, it wasn't that exciting.
Peru was too easy, too easy.
Greece was a bit of a step up But still mostly easy.
Egypt was interasting But the puzzles were ordinary.
Atlantis(particulary the last two levels) was where it actually got interasting, But it was rather short.
I'm not trying to hate on the first game, I'm just tired of people saying the first game is excellent.
I am not comparing it to anniversary, rather to tr3's design.
Not excellent design, But still "Good".
What you drew as a child vs. What it looked like in your head vs. What the adults tell you it should look like
Looking at these direct comparisons, it shows how uncolorful Crystals Anniversary actually was, its very subtle, gorgeous in a different way, but not as magical as Cores vision was.
I see what you're saying and I agree. However, I think Crystal's is more rooted in realism from an architectural standpoint. Core with being limited by the technology of the day had to rely more on those bolder colors to create the atmosphere that it gave off. That is certainly not bad though. I think Crystal kept the spirit of the game even though they are vastly different. I am so glad to see more of Core's Anniversary version too.
Yeah I think core has real fashion sense while crystals is just a boring tech guy. Core makes it look like modern art.
I feel like Anniversary more closely resembles TR1's color palette, which reflects how limited the bulbs were in the first two games. But Anniversary Edition has those saturated bulbs we're used to from TR3 and 4 that really made those games pop. Two totally different styles, but I have to agree that I like the diverse colors a lot more.
You're right. I played both games once. The first one more than 20 years ago. And I still remember those stages so vividly. And I almost don't remember anything from TRA.
One thing Anniversary really has over the original is the acting and the way they dealt with Lara never having killed anyone before. Especially the scenes where Lara is reluctant to point her guns at Larson and you can really feel that internal struggle. Also the way her voice quivers when she says “If you don’t want to end up like Larson, get out of my way”. Brilliant performance again by Keeley, makes me annoyed she’s not still the voice actress
@Bruno Oliveira Sounds like you're looking for stuff to dislike about the game instead of looking for real cohesion like she stated xD
Yeah, she was my favorite Lara. I hope in the future, we'll get another complexly human Lara. I kinda miss her being a badass. The new ones still have her seeming like a Babe in the Woods, who sadly doesn't seem to grow from it. Keeley could bring emotion and struggle to the character, but you could feel her growing from it.
TRA was more solid on scenarios, but TRAE really ate those lighting, color and shadows... Core Design was a legend on visuals. But both look iconic and TR1 forever a classic of course
I, for one, am glad we're at a stage where all three are available, wich is what we wanted in the first place. Once TRAE is more polished, we can finally enjoy the best of all of them can offer. That is, until Crystal decides it's time to revisit Lara's first adventure once again. And when that time comes, I'll be thrilled for sure.
I do love the different interpretations of the levels by both Core & Crystal. Core's feels like a more elevated and fantastical remake, where as Crystal takes a more muted yet realistic approach.
Core's reboot had a volcano in the lost valley. Bless them
I love how all three games have their own distinct art styles. I will always love TR1's look the most for nostalgic reasons, but TRAE's coloring just looks stunning. TRA is obviously the most realistic art style, and while very grey and muddy it also has some beautiful moments.
I don't understand why they went for the realistic look for the enviroments while making the characters look really cartoony (Natla especialy, she looks like a disney villian).
Hmm, imagine CD’s level design with Core’s colour/ lighting palette...
If CD brought Lara more into the middle of the room and platforming instead of having her clung to the outside walls so much, I'd be all for it.
With a few more waterfalls splashed in here and there. ;)
CD's level design is the most uninspired, uncreative and dull I've ever played. Follow the white ledges and level's over.
@@Raidercast I definitely agree with you in that regard. The constant attachment to the side of the also feels like they're holding your hand due to the lack of decaying elements and overexposed edges.
@@j20green you can set the game to hard for no-hand-holding esp in the platforming section. CD did a great job imo
Anniversary to this day is still one of my most favorite TR games. I just love it, and the soundtrack the video started with is also one of my most fav game soundtracks! So much nostalgia in it! Love everything about Anniversary! Amazing comparison! The 10th anniversary of Core looks amazing too. They seem to have gone directly for redesign of many things, while Anniversary seems to stay accurate in most casers to the original. But I'd say both have very good representations, right on spot, while other spots they really redesigned in both remakes.
Core had an amazing colour palette and lighting, while Crystal is muted and dull and lifeless. Love the video.
Anniversary is more technically proficient, but it has the dull saturation of a Zack Snyder movie. TRAE color palette and lighting scheme is absolutely beautiful.
That's so true.
Anniversary is okay but I would say that 10th edition is the one that feel more like a tomb raider , all those rooms give what is means " Tomb raider vibes " core style was always my favorite . Yes crystal games are good but they never impressed me more like the firsts games.
(Specially this game is has such beautiful stages I can tell how much I love them)
I can not wait to see this game fully developed with the help of the tomb raider community great people who do outstanding work !
Omg, what you did is amazing!!!
Btw, I love Anniversary, it's my favorite game of Crystal, but... but it's so colorless :( Anniversary Edition looks much much better but in the same time it's not technologically so advanced as Anniversary.
Thats exactly what I just posted, I never realised how colourless Crystals was. Its a shame they got rid of the glorious green in the egypt levels. It does look rather bland in comparison. but its still a great game.
To think Core's anniversary was still a prototype by the... Imagine if it were a fully developed game!
I wish both TRA and TRAE could have existed together. Imagine if Core handled the portable versions of the game while CD took care of the main console titles? That would have been the dream.
maybe other way around??? or maybe core overseeing more. Cause with our technology they can achieve so much more with her as a character.
Anniversary visual style is more realistic. The grey and brown color pallet is accurate to how tombs like that look. Particularly Egypt, in real life everything is brown with faded murals and carvings.
It's super realistic, and they completely leaned into that. Which is fine. It's sharp, has an atmosphere all of its own, and is graphically pretty impressive! But I just personally find those greys and browns very visually uninteresting, unfortunately. TR:AE lighting seemed to follow on from the wonderful lighting seen throughout Angel of Darkness / Hall of Seasons / Trap rooms. It's warmer, more inviting, more mysterious.
Agree. I’m doing a re play through of the original on PS1. So classic in the bright look of everything.
@@Raidercast I don't know man. As much as I loved Core design I felt like they just weren't up to par with the next gen systems. The franchise started to lose steam after TR3 with any real innovation like they had at the start and even Core themselves said they didn't want to work on TR anymore. I think it was the right time to pass it on to someone else.
It's a shame that we haven't got that version of Lara since but CD have proved they're more competent at making games at technical level atleast.
i have a special place in my heart for anniversary because of how fucking COMFY the soundtrack is. and beautiful.
It does sound so nice! The Gorilla theme is my fave.
Core's Anniversary Egypt is just breathtaking. that atmosphere!!! I hate what Crystal did to it
Bro don't say like that Crystal also did a great job. I personally like the atmosphere of Egypt in Anniversary.
But I still respect you're opinion.
Your love for Tomb Raider is impressive
I remember finally playing the first TR back in 99 while I was housebound with a car accident injury. I eventually really got into video games 3 years later with gen 6 but i loved this game. Those environments were awesome. We all love that feeling of isolation this game brings. Eventually played Legend and Anniversary Ed. and got the new ones on my PS4. Hope we get another remake for this.
St Francis Folly is my favourite level of gaming history. The original is just so impressive and fun for its time. Anniversary was also fun, but the AE version looks INCREDIBLE. The Cistern too! Omg.
The original has such a simplistic beauty. For all my gripe about changes Crystal dynamic anniversary did, it absolutely nailed the look of the cistern in the shots above, keeping the simplistic beauty without adding too much.
Also, I much prefer the look of the Core’s anniversary lava. It looks thick and slow, like it should be. Crystal dynamic’s makes it seem like water.
And the spatter fireballs are straight from Angel of Darkness which had the best lava in the series next to Tomb Raider 3 (Meteorite Cavern) and alongside TR3 is one of the best lava effects/textures in gaming next to Marathon 1, Doom Eternal and Sonic 2006 & its TRAOD 1.5 counterpart for PC, Sonic P-06.
The TRAE spatter is just missing the AOD one's iconic whooshing sounds. You know the one's I mean if you've played the Sanctuary of the Flame level.
It is really strange that in some parts, CD stuck more to the original design and Core experimented more like the central tower in St. Francis´ Folly has round edges and there´s lava in Sanctuary in AE, but in other parts like the giant lion head spitting water is more accurate in Core´s version, while CD has just a pipe there. I also never realized how dull can TRA appear in comparison to the vibrant colours of the original. TRAE looks more eye candy in this regard! Thanks for the comparison!
Looks like it's a difference of interpretation. The original area has elements of a Roman cistern, but also some palace like decorations. The Core remake tries to keep it looking a bit regal, but in TA, it's a sewer.
I love how AE looks more imaginative then both TR1 and Anniversary . Another great vid!
The very first seconds of the video from the anniversary tune always brings happy chills. 😁 especially the original. Epic chills.
I'm a big fan of the Core style. It would be dishonest not to admit that the scenarios of the Core edition seem simpler and smaller than those of Crystal, but Core manages to make this still very intriguing, it makes you want to explore. Cristal certainly created grandiose scenarios in terms of size and complexity, but the monochromatic colors and monotony of constant wall climbs did not value the scenarios. Core does not win in all parties, (the staircase of St Francis, for example, although beautiful, looks very simple in the Core version, more simple than the original version) but certainly most scenarios are much more attractive in Core's version
I think the plan for the chapel tower in the Folly might have involved climbing around on the walls around the tower past traps to hit switches in order to open the doors, but don't quote me on that if I'm wrong. While it is similar to TRA in that regard, that's one idea to do it and to show off Lara's Core TRAE exclusive moves, like pulling down a lever as a swing bar or her Free Running style climbing wall jumps. Maybe Core will explain stuff like this in Ash's developer stream of the game, at least I hope they do.
I think the environments from the Crystal Dynamics release were actually better than the unreleased one, but I feel the Lara dynamics/movements from the unreleased version are better and add more nostalgia than the one we got.
I absolutely love her animations in the unfinished one!
@@Raidercast I do for nostalgic reasons, but it feels very clunky and not of the time when you compare it to what we got in the end. Very very nostalgic though. Not a criticism, I would play all versions again if I had the time ! Thanks for the vids also - they are amazing
Thank you for this. This is a great content: pure architecture, perspectives and level design comparison, made for fans, no extra useless things. Only some of the greatest titles of the franchise, no cam, no rough explanations. Thanks!!
No worries! I really wanted to present them all without bias, side by side, to show everything as best as possible.
TRAE should have been the Anniversary we all got. Instead we got the practically greyscale anniversary. Don't get me wrong, it looks gorgeous in some places, but TRAE is more true to the original.
All three are beautiful, but the environments and color palettes born from system limitations of the original are really unmatched. Creativity comes from constraint :)
I hope someone gets the Atlantis TRAE levels working. I'd love to see those!
Me too. The Atlantis section was always my favorite in the original 😊
Does anyone know if they were actually in the files already? Most of what I've seen (that was the closest) so far were from natla's mines, I would really love to see Atlantis!
I love Tomb Raider and I can't wait for the next Tomb Raider game. I just wish they'd include the original theme as an easter egg maybe, I get goosebumps when I hear it. Btw I really like Anniversary.
Another stunning presentation, loved the comparisons balanced with the music, just showcases how good Core's Anniversary edition was looking, there level design was second to none and greatly missed in the world of gaming today.
Anniversary will forever stay my favorite Tomb Raider game ❤❤❤ I wish the game play lasted longer, I can't get enough of the game 🥺😔
For me, I think there would be a mix of both Anniversary games/styles/visuals that would make my perfect Tomb Raider.
The original will always be close to my heart, it was the one that started my love for all things gaming, wish they would do a current gen version, a top notch reskin of the original please
Beautifully made video, thanks for this. Great to see them compared like this.
Really gives it some perspective doesn't it? It's amazing to see the different styles.
@@Raidercast They all have their best sides too! Although I'm only familiar with the Core 10th Anni. version this last week thanks to your videoes!
So many similarities and differences, all these titles are amazing! My top favorite is TR1 but still love other TR games as well :)
While i think its an amazing moment we finally get to see what AE wouldve been, it makes me a little sad to see how many people use it as an opportunity to hate on TRA ;;
Anniversary was the first TR game i played after only having seen classic games a little in my childhood, its the only TR game i put in the effort to 100% and im forever so glad we got this game, it is my favorite still of the entire series and i dont get why we always only can like one, all three games are amazing in their own ways and we should simply celebrate having AE now and not use it to bash other entries.
That being out of my system, awesome video! Seeing these comparisons is amazing!
Well said! Each one has very special things about it.
I didn't know AE even exists, i'm just happy there's another Tomb Raider to play :D
Tomb Raider Anniversary is awesome in my opinion, and had the same feel and magic as the original. Level similarities are a big part of it like St. Francis' Folly and the challenges reaching the bottom of the chasm. Tomb Raider Anniversary was a remake done right! Now if they'd only remake Tomb Raider 2 in the same fashion my life would be complete!
This was straight fire!
All three games shared a lot similarities, but yet still different in a lot of ways.
The original would be the original/classic
The 10th AE would be the remastered... in a way, but still close to the original
And, the new anniversary would be more like a Remake, marrying both the original and the 10th Anniversary Edition.
Either way, I love all three games. I would definitely like a see a remake or remastered of the entire Tomb Raider classic games one day. 🤞🏾🤞🏾🙏🏽
Get video bro!
Personally i loved anniversary, it looked more realistic, yes ok it was all very grey but well a lot of the areas are caves made of stone, they are going to look grey. And the controls were excellent, I don’t think anyone wanted a repeat of angel of darkness.
great game, way better than the original.
I'm literally watching all your videos in one day (I just found out your channel) and I am so glad you share a new video!
Hope you’re enjoying everything! 🙌
@@Raidercast Oh absolutely, thanks for your work
Never clicked so fast before and its 3 midnight in my country.
I prefer the black 'night-time' sky for the lost Valley level. It makes the T-rex scarier when it appears out of the abyss.
I have never realised how dull TRA looks... colourless!
Mind you, I LOVE TRA and now I am replaying it on my Xbox One... but wow, look at how beautiful TRAE looks!
I would have bought the portable version and still enjoyed TRA.
I think CD should have spent more time polishing their game in a way that it had more colours.
I don't remember it that way when I played it on the PS2, but the XOne version truly looks disappointing though it is an HD version...
I play it for the memories, and especially that waterfall music, absolutely incredible.
It just comes to show that not every vision is realisable. Core had a truely beautiful approach to TR, giving it a new breath while keeping the same old feeling of Tombs, and also Raiding...
And I truly encourage fans to work on TRAE to complete it, and we, as fans, should fund it to see the full products. We can use the OST of TRA, would be fine, or tweak it a bit.
We surely can if fans worked on TR2 remake with those beautiful graphics and care. :)
Been doing a replay of the original on PS and it’s among the greatest games of all time for me. The size and scope of the levels feels emmence and immersive. The colorful palette and still somewhat ‘doom looking’ levels enhance it.
Thank you, Chris, fantastic video! I never noticed until now, but Anniversary pales in comparison to AE when it comes to the colors and the lighting.
Just rediscovered this channel with your 10th anniversary vids but it turned out that I used to watch your TR shitposts obsessively when I was in high school. Glad you're still making content for the community
Really can't wait for this to be finished! A tiny bit of constructive criticism, I think few fans (myself included) might miss the overgrowth in the bear room in Caves. I notice the vines, but I've always loved the green overgrowth around that room. It's only a small nit pick though and I know it's still very much a work in progres; nothing opinion changing if it isn't featured.
4:17 Am I the only one getting Harry Potter (PS2) dungeon vibes from this? Really gorgeous! The Cistern has never been a favourite of mine in either the original or Anniversary, so I'm glad this version doesn't look so dull & saturated.
it won't be finished unless they reverse engineer the engine and get some voices into the game and the gameplay mechanics too are terrible because it wasn't complete
Wow, just look at the potential the core design for "Tomb Raider Anniversary" had, the detail in design outlet, lights, water effects. 😍
What Anniversary lacks in color, it makes up for in ambiance. The vibrant colors of tombs and ancient sites aren't always preserved. Some have been infiltrated by the elements despite being sheltered - the colors of frescoes and statues being washed out or faded due to exposure or damage. Many have also been constructed with just stone and rock, lending them a mostly a muted palette. I think Anniversary captures this well
I know this video is a few months old but just gonna say it.
Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) is a reimagination of the original Tomb Raider and not a remake
The games were so original and fun which the newer games dont have
Man I love Anniversary, aside from some gripes I've always had with it, I honestly consider it an amazing remake of an old classic, but this video really makes me realize one aspect I hate about it..... its a damn CRIME how colourless and dull everything looks, they took the life out of any area in the game, everything looks so muted and BORING. That said I do have to forgive it a bit on this aspect because at the time of Anniversary's release dull colourless "realism" was all the rage in videogames, and this art direction is moreso a product of said times.
I quite agree, I only play Anniversary with that TR1 texture pack. It works wonder in making the experience more bearable. I hope now we can have a TRAE texture pack too.
They totally leaned into the realism with TRA, in terms of lighting and colour. Which is fine, it's a big stylistic choice. Personally I prefer the visuals presented in TR:AE because of the colour and warmth. There's a lot to be said for colour psychology!
I feel that they (Crystal Dymanics) completely missed the mark with that village level, it looks way too European for my liking almost like they forgot it takes place in Peru and not in a cave in Britian somewhere. That said I think their interperation of the waterfall in Lost Valley was more spot on like you had to seal off or reduce water flow just to get past that waterfall, in the TRAE version expect people of reasonable fitness to be able to swim through that waterfall like nobody's business.
@@felipe258929 where can I find that? Sounds great
Crystal Dynamics' Anniversary was actually a well thought-out remake, as their concepts have been explained in the unlockable commentary crystals found throughout the game. I like how the CD version is a nice mediation between modern physics-based gameplay, classic TR exploration, and item management. IN the Legend/Underworld trilogy, Anniversary is the most classic Tomb Raider experience out the three. However, Core Design has always been quite masterful in using lighting and color to create immersive and atmospheric sceneries, and a great example would be the PS-era The Last Revelation. If time can go back, I really wish the two team could collab together to create a unique contemporary remake of TR1.
On the bright side, I am glad that at least in the new reboot, some of the old gameplay features have been reintroduced in the newest (Survivor) trilogy. For example, I think the limited ammos/inventory system and the relics system in the newer games were taken from TR Anniversary? (In TRA, cultural relics are the main, hidden unlockable of certain levels).
Both of them are just so perfect, i can't decide which i prefer, in the doubt i will love the 3 equal.
1:45 And then, suddenly... Unexplained volcano!
Love this!!
I’ve dreamt of this coming out for so long and I didn’t even consider it a possibility a build of it could leak online. Absolutely love what I’ve seen; I can only get Caves to load and it crashes right when I get to the docks but I love the updated feel of Core’s classic controls. Anniversary is my favorite out of the LAU trilogy and I don’t have much love for the reboot trilogy so this just feels like a dream come true. I can’t wait to see where the community takes this and thank you for making this comparison video!
Glad you're enjoying it! If you make use of the latest patch (found in the original Archive post) it'll fix many issues, including inserting sound effects, and those crashes like the one at the Caves docks.
Beautiful comparison 😍 it's true some of the original textures look ridiculously old in today's standards 😆 but, hey, who can judge that? It's the beginning of all...
I love all 3!!
OK let's be honest... 10th Anniversary Edition wins almost every time! :D
Of course ctistals anniversary looks great they lost a little by cutting of stuff and make story childlisch when original tr1 was little bit more mature. I always wanted to see anniversary edition cause I know they wouldnt cut out stuff instead of this they would ADD like reaident evil remakes 123 did. I wish tomnr raider would be remaked this way.
That music at the beginning gets to me every time😀
8:45 perfect timing for that horn
I must say i took a look in the core tr anniversary. In my opinion it feels so old-fashioned even for 2006 standards. I like it but it feels like an older game. It comes back with the old clunky controls and so on... I still prefer the released anniversary a lot more, but it is nice now to have more content to really compare the versions (and i know is unfair to compare an alpha to a finished product but thats what we have). I think they did the right decision to do it again with tomb raider legend controls and for ps2. I love the classics but the controls and the evolution in the tomb raider legend era was really great technically speaking. Core is great but they should have tried a little more to do more technical improvements over their previous releases.
What? Trae controls are not tank
@@danielponces3565 I didn't say anything related to tank controls. Perhaps you thought tank controls and clunky controls are the same thing? I like classic resident evil "tank controls" btw, and yeah trae controls have nothing to do with tank. I meant that the control system in this game is somewhat player unfriendly like TRAOD (but better than traod though...) . Just a matter of taste anyway...
I do wish instead of instead of basically trolling Core design, Eidos took this approach:
Make anniversary into a competition.
Core design gets to make their vision of it & Crystal dynamics makes their vision of it.
Both teams are given the same budget and the same time to develop their vision.
Both games individualy would cost 30 euroes/dollars.
The one who receives higher score in reviews and sells more copies of their game, wins.
To boost the publics opinion about Core design, to not think they would fail once more, edios could make a statement, saying consumers who had bought Core designs vision of that game, would be given a full refund and would be given a week to get their refund if it turns out to be like AOD.
If both teams get good scores and sell a good amount of copies, Crystal gets to finish their trilogy(without anniversary serving as a remake and a sequel), while Core design can be their primary team which would make games like before(before last revelation, chronicles & aod).
Then again, Eidos is the same publisher which wanted an annual New title of Tomb raider, regardless how that New title turned out. Meaning setting a competition would be too expensive For them.
Very interesting comparison
Anniversary on the whole looks superior in the graphics department, but seeing all those out of place white ledges reminds me why I hate the game so much. It's also worth noting that Core's game is unfinished, so I would imagine that with more polish, the game would have looked just as great graphically. Gameplay on the other hand, all Anniversary had to offer were linear and simplified puzzles in between all the ledge hopping. Core's game looks more creative and above all, faithful to the original.
Exactly. Core Design's remake was intended to be like Black Mesa once it was finished: use the old level design but remodel each and every room into HD, brand new/expanded or completely different versions of themselves while saving the cutting things out for specific occasions only.
Lara's moves in this build don't seem to showcase all her planned ones revealed in animation test videos and/or the design doc & the book 20 years of Tomb Raider, such as pushing switches while hanging on a ledge/ladder/climbing wall, pulling wall levers down to use as swing bars, sprinting, crawling and the Free Running style sprint jump. So there's no way they'd simply leave much if not all the rooms and puzzles exactly the same when they could tailor them to her planned full TRAE moveset instead.
Other changes to TR1 planned for TRAE were new traps like the trapdoor spider (presumably intended for Tomb of Tihocan, as Chris guesses in the Greece excavation), water jets to shove Lara off ledges and other traversal paths, lava falls like the ones in the new Atlantis shaft (not this build's Great Pyramid as that one wasn't yet updated it seemed), toxic gas and "bladed pendulums" which implies the swinging axes would appear more. Traps and baddies were rearranged for a few areas to keep the player guessing even if they played the original game, just like Black Mesa (especially the Xen levels).
To quote the book mentioned above, "The (TRAE) team went room by room and revaluated potential improvements for each, determining how best to modernise puzzles or add special events, such as more dramatic enemy reveals or grander puzzle presentations. Enemies that populated each level were also given a refresh: AI improvements let wolves climb ledges, bears slash while standing on their hind legs and raptors hunt in packs while using distraction techniques. Lara could no longer use the time tested strategy of finding high ground and picking off wildlife from above. New baddies were added too, such as giant trapdoor spiders, scorpions, piranha, swarms of rats, skeleton warriors, gladiators and a variety of new Atlantean foes."
She would even get guns from later games too like duel wielded desert eagles (you read that right), a sawn off shotgun (super shotgun?) and her harpoon gun. A good example of more dramatic enemy reveals and puzzles is the T-Rex: Lara would hide behind a tree in a cutscene and watch it destroy the bridge to get at some raptors crossing it. When the player gets control after it spots her, she would have to stun it like mutant Dr Willard by shooting it, then constructing or at least setting up a spear trap by the temple steps to lure it into.
Then of course we have TRAE's counterpart to Black Mesa's Xen: the brand new post Great Pyramid final level called Escape from Atlantis and the war machine extra boss piloted by Natla, which looks like the Pod from Boaz Returns crossed with the final boss of Sonic 3 & Knuckles: steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/792000187951599293/8301556CC0A669F962E7B0200AF975171E41B0D5/
That last part was planned and designed, but not actually implemented at time of cancellation so you won't find Kyodai Natla Robo or at least its level anywhere in the build.
I really liked Anniversary edition we received. I remember my brother and I staying up two full days straight to play and finish it.
4:12
Ps1: Amazing for the time!
Core: Beautiful
Edios: Ughh....
Funny how crystal Dynamics Anniversary is much more faithful to the original that Core Design's. Thank you for editing this.
Sometimes it is, sometimes TR:AE is! What I find bizarre is people complaining "TR:AE is a 1:1 remake!" (when it isn't) and then praising Crystal's Anniversary for being more similar to the original than TR:AE.
I played the original Tomb Raider yesterday and man, that game have a lot of platforming. Crystal's Anniversary lacks a lot of that. The perfect combination in my opinion is: Core's level design and beautiful colors and Crystal's level size. I know Aniversary Edition went for classic size and that's ok, but I don't feel the fear I have everytime I fell to death in Crystal's Anniversary.
I've noticed TRA lacks any color whatsoever (so evident in Egypt levels and in Greece) but in the TRAE the colours and lighting are so dynamic! Like damn, its so fun to look at. I wish TRA could've stepped up their game a bit when it came to lighting and colors but I guess they wanted to go for the more realistic option... which isnt bad per se but its a bit bland when you compare it to what could have been...
I see a lot of comments here about how dull Anniversary looks. But it's the effect of the era, I bet. With new engines and techniques, the games could be more realsistc, and that was the style "gritty and realistic" with fifty shades of brown and grey. Even so, TRA looked pretty good. But if they'd wanted to be more realistic, they should've gave Lara a flashlight and make the tombs pitch black :D
Also that the original is so vibrant... But as I remember, at the time it was running on 256 colors. So there were not many varied shading. In every game the colors were this vibrant. Looks like a children's coloring book. :)
The Core design look for anniversary is pretty, but a bit cartoonish for me now.
Realism is overrated, to be honest. I prefer the magical atmosphere of the Core Design one. With today technology it would've look cooler too.
Thanks for the video, i didn't even know Anniversary Edition exists. I got the complete Tomb Raider collection from Steam on discount and i thought i have everything (except the Osiris Temple, Light Guardian and GO which i didn't want) But it's a nice surprise there's another Tomb Raider waiting for me to play :) Right now i'm playing the 1st original and i think it has the best atmosphere. Maybe i'm biased and i like it better because of nostalgia, i was few years old when i watched my brother play and i have good memories from it. But there's something about the 1st game that others don't have, it's very mysterious, gloomy, eerie, beautiful, melancholic and trippy. I would say it's almost like a psychedelic experience while playing TR1.
Also i've been taking many screenshots from the game, and i see in the video the angles are almost the same. I'm glad we got attracted by the same view, those places are amazing.
I feel like core was really up to something awesome with TR1 remake. It looks dead gorgeous and it takes the thing to a whole new level!
It's really sad to see they forced them to stop and abandon it. I honestly believe it would be the best version of TR1. Even better than my favourite anniversary.
I’d actually like to see a mix of the 2 anniversaries I think that would be an awesome game idea
OG - low poly
TRA10E - Cartoonish
TRA - Realistic
I appreciate the CD vision was unfinished, but TR:A looks stunning in this, so I’m glad we got the version we did. Looks faithful to the original, which if they hadn’t done so, would have been given a lot of flack for.
Something I've noticed is there are some people demeaning TRAE for being a 1:1 copy (when it isn't) and then praising TRA for being 'more faithful to the original'. And you're right, they would've been given flack if they'd made it super super different, it's just a strange double standard I've noticed. (Not aimed at you btw!)
@@Raidercast I fully agree!
Great comparison video. To be honest, this highlights a lot of the decisions that turned Lara Croft into the Tomb Raider we all know and love today, which, I will admit, do make the Crystal games feel less dated as overall experiences. While I will admit that Core's Anniversary remake looks amazing, and I would have loved to play it, I can also completely sympathize with what Crystal ended up having to do. Yes, the color palette isn't as bright, but that's consistent with reality in a way that Core was able to achieve much better in the first three games than in their remake. What I loved about Core's designs as a kid was their ability to turn the environment itself into a central part of the puzzles, but Core's biggest downfall was their failure to acknowledge the limitations of what their engine could accomplish, and Angel of Darkness was the final nail in the coffin. This kinda reaffirms to me that Core was not headed in the right direction with the franchise, and Crystal really did need to step in to save Lara.
Excellent work. :) I still look forward to new updates and patches to TRAE. None so far since Patch 3 but here's hoping, especially given how fast the community has worked since the alpha's release.
I’d buy it if it would come on the ps Vita. It looks better than Anniversary because they focused too much on making everything realistic.
The Core version of Anniversary was best, I'm convinced.
Original and Anniversary are the best!
I really don't want to hate on Anniversary because I do love that game, but it's so bland in comparison. Where's the flavor?
WHERE'S THE LAMB SAUCE?
right??
I personally love TR: Anniversary! For me, the only missing element was the vibrancy in colour. A lot of the stages looks monochromatic… Other than that. Was a really fun and solid instalment and still captured classic Lara. A kinder Lara, yes, but better than the Reboot Lara in my opinion.
I really enjoyed Crystal Dynamics' envisioning for the anniversary although it felt unpolished and very rushed. What always felt awful to me was its combat system, as if it didn't belong to the series. Unluckily, they focused on combat furthermore ever since Legend. I really hope that for the next revamp they revisit TR1 to understand what made the series so great when it was first launched.
Imagine if some of the graphics crystal used (water reflections on the wall) the lighting used for the water and physics was also incorporated into the anniversary edition game
What i don't like is what Crystal did with the story of TR 1. Lara actually hunzs the Scion for Sports and Fame but in Chrystals version it's about her parents. I didn't like the idea at first place because Lara seems to me as a independent person who does what she wants.
Apparently this Cancelled Remake was planned to involve these crystals.
Which crystals?
@@Raidercast There are like these glowing crystal things shown in the Cancelled Remake.
Although the newer ones are technically better in terms of textures and lighting, I just *prefer* the sparser graphics of the original. They have an atmosphere and grit that I find endearing.
Love this video comparison, thank you for making. Sorry but what is the first song that plays in this video? I know it's the Tomb Raider theme of course, but from what game or is it a fan cover? I don't think it's from the Tomb Raider Suite right..
It’s from Crystal’s Anniversary game!
@@Raidercast Thank you ! I've yet to play their version. I must say it's very beautiful.
Suprised to see so much negativity towards Anniversary.
While it's color palette is more laid back, it still looked gorgeous to me, there was still plenty vibrancy, light and color.
It definetly was no where near the other ''brown, gray and realistic'' looking games of that era, 2013 reboot leaned way more into that area.
Anniversary looks very dull. I prefer the more mysterious atmosphere, it really feels like Tomb Raider.
If you manually turn up all the contrast and colors anniversary starts to look good.