September 12, 2011

Tomb Raider 30-Day Challenge Day 12: What are your thoughts on Kurtis Trent?

UPDATE: This month-long challenge has officially finished, but you're still welcome to post your comments below at any time. We'd love to hear what you think.

Love, hatred, indifference? Did he actually die in Angel of Darkness? Should he return in a future game?


Kurtis Trent by AshKa. More at Lara's Lost Photo Album.

23 comments:

  1. I thought he was an interesting character. A bit grungy for our gal Lara, but it was nice to see her taking an interest in someone other than just for target practice.

    From what I've read about Core's original plans for the AOD game and possible trilogy, he was supposed to have a deeper backstory and more effective psychic powers. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him return provided he was more fully developed as a character and wasn't so hard to control in game. Kurtis in AOD handled like an ice cream truck with a flat tire. ;P

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  2. I like Kurtis, shame they didnt finish the game, the hidden animations (which you can see using cheats) looks amazing :(

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  3. I once defended myself against the accusation of playing a "girl's game" by arguing that what I liked about Tomb Raider were the difficult puzzles, the combat, and the exploration. The protagonist's gender was irrelevant. But after guiding Lara through so many adventures while trying to keep her from falling, drowning, getting shot, burned alive, eaten, blown-up, electrocuted, cursed, perforated, squashed, poisoned, or otherwise killed, I've become quite attached to the character herself. So no offence to Kurtis, but I'd rather play Tomb Raider as Lara Croft.

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  4. I found having to play as somebody else apart from Lara in Angel of Darkness a bit annoying. Even if Eidos had allowed the game to be finished as originally envisioned, and Kurtis had had extra magic powers like controlling his frisbee and being able to see round corners, I'd still have wanted to play as Lara. As a character I think a lot more has been read into Kurtis than was actually there, but then that's true of other TR characters, so I'm not complaining. I think the idea that Lara fancies him or that he fancies Lara is probably something the fans have created. Personally I found Kurtis rather androgenous and the famous "frisk" scene could be interpreted as erotic or merely "alien" depending on your viewpoint. It's good, though, that Kurtis has inspired so many people and that there is a hardcore of Kurtis lovers. (KTEB, for example.) It's that type of thing that keeps the TR fandom varied and interesting.

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  5. Kurtis is an odd character. I liked the initial tension between him and Lara, and he was presented as another obstacle in Lara's journey. I think he was a good part of the story.
    In terms of gameplay, the levels you play as him aren't really the better. They belong to a Resident Evil game or something. And the enemies are creepy. Also, he should have different moves from Lara, since it just seems the same with slightly different animations.
    I liked the outcome of Kurtis in the game, since it left players in doubt, but it should really have continuation. I would love to see Kurtis again, and that we could play as him in some parts of the game, about 5 or 6% of the levels. And I believe that he didn't die. Look, he was attacked by boaz, and then dissapeared. It's clear that he left, he didn't evaporate. It's more than logical.

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  6. Firstly: good question.

    Secondly: I loved him. When AoD came out, I was 16 and definitely into grungy boys. But since I've read more about the character, and the trilogy as it was meant to be (as several people have mentioned), the more I wonder how things could have turned out.

    He's one of the few characters who really feels like an equal to Lara. I think although the first 5 games were amazing, she always did feel like the only really "special" character in the world. Evryone else she met was either humourlessly evil with a fatal flaw (usually being too ambitious and being overcome by the power of some artifact), a buffoon (Pierre, Larson) or just an ancilliary "helpful" character.

    Because he feels the whole time like someone who can match up to her, it makes the story and the game so much more interesting and also makes Lara feel more vulnerable, like she's not the most awesome person in the world, just a cool one.

    I always thought there was some chemistry between them, but like people on this thread are saying, that might be just the wishful fan in me.

    In recent years, I think Amanda plays a similar role: equal and opposite. Just as dark as Lara.

    One of my greatest gaming sadnesses is that e never saw the full AoD arc :(

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  7. I honestly never got past the 5th level of AOD because of the slow controls,I ended up giving my game to my little bro he loves it!

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  8. Kurtis is a cool character! I hope he does make a return, IN AN ANGEL OF DARKNESS SEQUEL OR REMAKE. I am waiting for that.

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  9. I really liked Kurtis, but I didn't like playing his AoD levels; he handled like a tank. All I wanted to say about him, I think Mary hit right on the nose. As for the chemistry thing, I think it was there, and it was one of the things that made me like him (I thought it was cool that Lara might have a potential in-game love interest). I'd love to see Kurtis make a return. I'm just not sure what the best way of placing him back into a game might be.

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  10. I barely remember him. That should tell me something… that said, I think it was cool for the team to try and stretch with that game, both in terms of story--what a great premise, and with gameplay-however, I don't think they should have tried to change three aspects of the game at once.

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  11. I like Kurtis. He was a nice add to the game and something new, without ruining the gaming experience. I don't think he died in AoD, you can see from Lara's face that she thinks Kurtis survived. I would so love if there was a sequel for Aod... :(

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  12. I like Kurtis very much. When I started playing Tomb Raider, Kurtis was not there, but after he appeared in the 6th one, I was totally excited and looking forward to him in the game. It kind of disappointed me, that he had only the disgusting part of the game with those mutants and stuff, but if he were in better surroundings and had more space, I would not mind at all, opposite. I like his mysteriousness, his special skills and would totally LOVE to play for him with chirrugai. I am sorry the TR-makers kept the chirrugai only for videos. It would be such an amazing weapon!

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  13. I don't think he should have been a playable character in the game. It's Tomb Raider ... not Tomb Raider & Friends!!

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  14. he should return...........really would love to see him again

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  15. I think that he had a lot of potential but the clunky-ness of AOD made it disappointing :( i think if it was done fully and completed then he would of been better :)

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  16. this has been a big blowoff for me. :( i havent beaten the game and i didnt know if he died or not. but overall, it is nice to play someone else's side other than lara's. maybe they should bring him back. they did natla, lol

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  17. Yuck. Just a distraction
    in an already flawed game.
    Part of the power of TR is
    Lara's independence!
    Playing KT was one of the
    lowest points in my TR experiences.

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  18. Loved him, and would love to see him back in the series as an NPC. He could come back in a role completely unrelated to the one he played in AoD, a sort of fresh start in which his personality/powers/chemistry with Lara remain intact. This is one of my fondest dreams.

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  19. He was cool. I haven't played AOD in a while, I forgot what his whole story was in the game. It would be cool if he returned to the game in the future. Also, I liked the way they set that up, it would be cool if they did something similar with Conrad Roth(I think that's the name) in the new Tomb Raider.

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  20. We, the fans of AOD deserve to know the continuation of the storylines. I understand that there were bad graphics, and the gameplay was a little clunky, but surely the could be a remake? There were so many questions left unanswered! Is Kurtis dead? What happened to Karel? How on earth did Lara go from a cool, gothic adventurer, investigating murders, turn into to a plastic, barbie type, animation? The old Lara was Lara. The new 'Lara' is a barbie. The storylines in Ledgend were boring. Too simple. The AOD story.. just, Wow! It's SUCH a pity it wasn't finished.. Please. PLEASE Edios, fire crystal dynamics and recreate the destroyed company of Core design. For the sake of Lara, continue the trilogy.

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  21. The only time I've attempted AoD, I quit before I finished the first level because the controls made me want to put my head through a wall. However, I'm determined to get through all of them, including the ones I've finished before, before the new one comes out. I'm not really looking forward to Kurtis. If I'm playing a TR game, I want to be Lara Croft.

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  22. I liked Kurtis, whether he was playable or not. Unfortunately, so much of his potential did not make it into the game, and Murti rather bitterly lamented about this. Perhaps he should have had his own game (which was partially speculated upon), and I think that would have been interesting to see. Imagine playing a game where Kurtis is more realized, and where you can make more use of his telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities, and learn about the strange gnostic (?) mystical path he followed. He definitely sees the world differently. He has an intriguing past that I would have been interested in learning more about. There's so much more to him than the "badboy" persona he seems to be consciously projecting.

    Now here's what he added to the game:

    First of all, he added to the initial mystery and suspense of the story. Who is this guy, what does he want, and is he on Lara's side or not?

    Second, he fleshes out some of the story's background and provides crucial information regarding Eckhardt and the Lux Veritatis etc.

    Third, he acts as a potential love interest for Lara, thus giving her more depth in this game. I thought this part was handled exceedingly well, at least enough to make me care, which surprised me. The game never hit you over the head with it, yet by the time they actually realized they're on the same side, it's quite clear that they compliment each other quite nicely. I was convinced of their chemistry more than I was convinced of the chemistry between Lara and Terry Sheridan (or whatever his name was--Gerrard Butler) in the second TR film. It's not based on something as silly and elementary as the attraction of opposites (though there is some elementary braid-pulling involved), but something as deep as the symmetry of souls. I believed that they really were more meant for each other than either of them realized.

    The game made it clear that Lara was attracted to Kurtis (just look at her body language during any of the scenes in which she interacts with him--it's fascinating) without Lara herself acknowledging this. Consider that she is quick to forfeit the macguffin to Eckhardt for Kurtis' life, which she had not done once in 5 games for anyone. And look at how protective she is of him when he falls into the pit with her. Also, look at how they instinctively have each other's backs, right in the thick of things, where very little communication between them is needed. All very nice and telling. As I've written elsewhere, this relationship is significant because it seems to be hinting at the belated flowering of Lara's better nature.

    And the game didn't sentimentalize any of this at all.

    The plot of AOD, despite it's numerous gaps and holes (some due to last-minute cuts, some not) always resonates strongly with me on an emotional level. It's as much about Lara's inner journey, IMHO, as it is about the Cabal and the Sleeper Nephilim etc.

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