January 8, 2013

Tomb Raider Multiplayer Details Emerge

Official Xbox Magazine - February 2013
At the end of December Crystal Dynamics confirmed that the new Tomb Raider will include a multiplayer component in addition to the main, single-player game, with details to be revealed in the next issue of the Official Xbox Magazine. That issue came out today, along with a new segment of The Final Days of Tomb Raider, which also focuses on the multiplayer game. Here's what we know....

OXM Senior Editor Dave Rudden acknowledged the trepidation some of us long-time fans are feeling as the series ventures into such unknown territory, but he noted that "having spent considerable time with both the multiplayer and single-player components of the game. . . we can say the creation and execution are coming from the right place. Crystal Dynamics just might land this one."

He went on to describe some of the key features of the multiplayer game:
  • Team Deathmatch – Survivors vs. scavengers with each team attempting to reach a predetermined kill count (or score the most kills during a given time period) with environmental hazards, interactive traps, and destructible environments making things more interesting.
  • Rescue – Survivors must collect specific supplies and deliver them to drop points, while a competing team of scavengers attempts to rack up a certain number of kills during the same time period.
  • Additional adventure-based map types, including one called "Cry for Help," were hinted at by Crystal's Global Brand Manager Karl Stewart but not yet described in detail.
  • Characters for the multiplayer game will be drawn from the single-player campaign and will include Lara's companions and notable baddies, as well as a few surprises. (See the video below.) As you'd expect, each character will have his or her strengths and weaknesses.
  • Weapons include the bow, pistols, climbing axe, and a grenade-style projectile weapon. Earning XP in mulitplayer will enable players to unlock more advanced characters and equipment.

The article includes more details, as well as some exclusive screenshots and a chance to win a customized Tomb Raider Xbox 360 console. Look for the February 2013 isue of OXM on newsstands now. Or download a copy online via Google Play, Kindle, Nook, etc.

Episode 4 in The Final Hours of Tomb Raider documentary also focuses on the multiplayer game. Host Zachary Levi visits Eidos Montréal, Crystal's sister studio, where development of the multiplayer game has been underway in secret for about 2 years. Check it out. Then let me know what you think about the multiplayer game. Love it? Hate it? Wait and see? Please leave a comment below.

6 comments:

  1. I was hoping for a less traditional/generic form of multiplayer to be honest. The footage shown in the Final Hours seemed a little bit too action packed to me, and I fear it will end up in just full blown open warfare. I hope I'm mistaken, because the idea of a Tomb Raider multiplayer appeals to me. Working together with friends, exploring, resourcing, figuring out tactics, it would be really fun. I pray weapons and ammo will be scarce so that there will be large element of tactics, stealth and supply gathering involved :)

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  2. Honestly, I really can't be bothered to play multiplayer at all. I play games for the story and the adventure. Combat, FPS or TPS by itself does not interest me. This just feels like "every major franchise out there seems to have a mp component to their games, even the story based, so we have to have one to".

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  3. I love it. My friend and i always wanted to play TR together and now we have chance. She introduced me to the game in 2009. I would go to her place and she would play Legend and Anniversary. She gave me her collection to play. For me this is awesome and i love that is presented like an option. You can play the game as multiplayer or solo. New TR looks amazing! Can't wait!

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  4. I play very rarely multi-player games, I just prefer story-driven, puzzle-oriented games that usually don't work well with MP. Also, typical MP is very combat-oriented which really is not my cup of tea. However, I still hope for a more adventure-oriented MP mode in the new Tomb Raider and will keep an open mind :)

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  5. Just to be clear. The only mp-action in regular "story mode" in a story based game I have ever seen is actually Lara Croft and the guardian of light (does not mean that there is no more out there). Typical mp options to otherwise story driven games is just "kill or be killed action", as RardRaider said. The environment looks great though.

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  6. Btw, lcgol is of course more co-op mode than traditional mp.

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