Crystal Dynamics' Karl Stewart spoke with Giant Bomb at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last week about Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
According to Stewart, the goal was to try something new and hopefully appeal to a wider audience, while simultaneously raising the bar on what an arcade title can be.
He also discussed the differences between the co-op and single-player games and stressed that along with fun and challenging two-player action, the developers are striving to "bring that sort of solitary experience that some Tomb Raider fans absolutely love." So in the co-op game, you really do need to cooperate in order to succeed. "In the single player experience," Stewart explains, "you get different equipment and we use physics throughout the world to be able to give you new puzzles. So it's almost like playing two different games within in the same world."
Check out the full interview here:
March 13, 2010
More Guardian of Light Details
In a presentation to journalists at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this week, Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics has revealed a few more details about Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, due out this summer.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the game will be released as a digital download only (no CD/DVD version). Crystal has now confirmed that it will be available for PS3 through the PlayStation Network, Xbox 360 through Xbox LIVE marketplace, and Windows PC for around $15.
The press info also includes a little backstory:
"Two thousand years ago, an epic battle was waged between the armies of good and evil for a powerful artifact, The Mirror of Smoke. The fearless leader of the Army of Light, Totec, rose against all odds to defeat the evil overlord Xolotl and gain control over the item. Wielding the great power of the Mirror of Smoke, Totec banished Xolotl from the world. Now known as The Guardian of Light, Totec entombed himself with the mirror in The Temple of Light with to prevent it from ever falling into sinister hands."
In the game, Lara Croft teams up with Totec to retrieve the mirror and vanquish Xolotl. Along with a single-player mode, gamers can team up in either on- or offline co-op mode, with one player controlling each character. Guardian of Light features a fixed isometric camera view, but the developers promise huge levels and fast-paced gameplay focusing on exploration, puzzle-solving and combat, with multiple paths and solutions possible in each level. Enemies will include hordes of undead, as well as a number of challenging boss battles.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the game will be released as a digital download only (no CD/DVD version). Crystal has now confirmed that it will be available for PS3 through the PlayStation Network, Xbox 360 through Xbox LIVE marketplace, and Windows PC for around $15.
The press info also includes a little backstory:
"Two thousand years ago, an epic battle was waged between the armies of good and evil for a powerful artifact, The Mirror of Smoke. The fearless leader of the Army of Light, Totec, rose against all odds to defeat the evil overlord Xolotl and gain control over the item. Wielding the great power of the Mirror of Smoke, Totec banished Xolotl from the world. Now known as The Guardian of Light, Totec entombed himself with the mirror in The Temple of Light with to prevent it from ever falling into sinister hands."
In the game, Lara Croft teams up with Totec to retrieve the mirror and vanquish Xolotl. Along with a single-player mode, gamers can team up in either on- or offline co-op mode, with one player controlling each character. Guardian of Light features a fixed isometric camera view, but the developers promise huge levels and fast-paced gameplay focusing on exploration, puzzle-solving and combat, with multiple paths and solutions possible in each level. Enemies will include hordes of undead, as well as a number of challenging boss battles.
March 8, 2010
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Announced
Well, it's not exactly the big news you've all been anticipating, but here's a ray of sunshine for Tomb Raider fans: a new game, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, is slated for release this summer as a digital download.
Guardian of Light concept art
(click for larger image)It features both single- and co-op arcade-style action, in which players control Lara and a new Mayan tribesman character as they fight their way through ancient tombs and temples in pursuit of—you guessed it—a mystical artifact. As the screenshots below suggest, there are hordes of enemies, traps and puzzles galore, and naturally plenty of challenging platforming.
Players who prefer a more traditional raiding experience needn't worry. Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that another Tomb Raider—the next in the series of immersive action-adventure games we've come to know and love—is in development concurrently. Guardian seems to be a smaller side project designed to take the series in some new directions and maybe even draw in fresh fans from other genres. Notice the conspicuous absence of "Tomb Raider" from its title.
It may not be Lara's next big adventure, but Guardian of Light looks like a fun way to fill a few hours while we wait for it.
Links:
You'll also find more LCGOL links and info at tombraiders.net.
Guardian of Light concept art
(click for larger image)It features both single- and co-op arcade-style action, in which players control Lara and a new Mayan tribesman character as they fight their way through ancient tombs and temples in pursuit of—you guessed it—a mystical artifact. As the screenshots below suggest, there are hordes of enemies, traps and puzzles galore, and naturally plenty of challenging platforming.
Players who prefer a more traditional raiding experience needn't worry. Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that another Tomb Raider—the next in the series of immersive action-adventure games we've come to know and love—is in development concurrently. Guardian seems to be a smaller side project designed to take the series in some new directions and maybe even draw in fresh fans from other genres. Notice the conspicuous absence of "Tomb Raider" from its title.
It may not be Lara's next big adventure, but Guardian of Light looks like a fun way to fill a few hours while we wait for it.
Links:
- GameSpot First Look
- IGN Preview
- GamePro First Look
- rundlc Preview
- EuroGamer Preview
- Gamasutra.com's Leigh Alexander interviews Crystal Dynamics' new GM Darrell Gallagher
You'll also find more LCGOL links and info at tombraiders.net.
Guardian of Light Screenshots (31 images)
March 2, 2010
OT: Raiding of a Different Kind
After a month with no posts, I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and well. I've just been busy with another project. Last weekend I launched BrickRaiders.net, a walkthrough site for the LEGO Indiana Jones game series. Although the games are quite different, there's quite a bit of overlap between the Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones fan bases—Lara having been inspired by Indy, after all. So I thought you guys might be interested.
If you're into shooters, then you probably won't find much to connect with in the LEGO games. But if you enjoy the exploration and puzzle-solving aspects of the Tomb Raider series and have a playful streak—or have kids who are still a little too young for Lara's adventures but want to play with mom or dad—then LEGO Indy might be right up your alley.
P.S. I'm planning a great Tomb Raider contest with some awesome prizes. Details will be announced within the next few weeks, so stay tuned. Until then. . . take care and raid on!
If you're into shooters, then you probably won't find much to connect with in the LEGO games. But if you enjoy the exploration and puzzle-solving aspects of the Tomb Raider series and have a playful streak—or have kids who are still a little too young for Lara's adventures but want to play with mom or dad—then LEGO Indy might be right up your alley.
P.S. I'm planning a great Tomb Raider contest with some awesome prizes. Details will be announced within the next few weeks, so stay tuned. Until then. . . take care and raid on!
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