Lara Croft GO, a gorgeous turn-based puzzle game for mobile devices and tablets, was released yesterday on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone/PC/Tablet. I've started on a walkthrough which you can access here:
Stella's Lara Croft GO Walkthrough with Screenshots
If you don't own a compatible device, it's possible to buy and play the game on Windows or Mac using the BlueStacks Android emulator. Check out my BlueStacks video. This shows the setup for Lara Croft Relic Run, but GO works the same way.
UPDATE: A few players have informed me that this game does not save correctly in BlueStacks. So you may want to hold off on trying this method for now. I'll post an update here if I discover a solution.
8/30/15: No solution to the BlueStacks issue yet, but the ever-resourceful Roli from TombRaider.hu has informed me that the Andy Android emulator runs the game perfectly, saves your progress, and even syncs with your other devices if you choose. Windows 8/10 users may also want to try the Windows app. Apparently it doesn't run on every device, so check the reviews. I have had no trouble so far running it on a Windows 8.1 PC.
Lara Croft GO was developed by Square Enix Montréal, creators of the critically acclaimed Hitman GO, as well as the new Hitman Sniper. I may post a review at some point, but overall I am very impressed with the game and am enjoying it immensely. I encourage you to check out my past Lara Croft GO coverage and have a peek at the short launch video below. If you're playing the game or have beaten it, I'd love to hear what you think. Please post (spoiler-free) comments below, or Tweet me @Stellalune.
August 28, 2015
August 10, 2015
Rise of the Tomb Raider Gamescom 2015 Coverage: Prophet's Tomb Demo
We've heard they're putting the tombs back in Tomb Raider. Now we can see for ourselves. This gameplay demo, featuring Lara's discovery of the Prophet's Tomb in Syria, was originally shown at Microsoft's Gamescom briefing last week.
For those concerned about spoilers, the video definitely contains a few, but although it has been described elsewhere on the internet as a "walkthrough," I disagree. The 13-minute clip begins with a cinematic sequence, and the gameplay portion does not show the entire tomb, just Lara's entrance and harrowing exit. The developers have said they want players to discover the puzzles for themselves. That said, the demo definitely gives a feel for the exploration space and showcases some new game mechanics.
I, for one, am definitely liking what I see. What do you guys think?
As always, you'll find more Rise of the Tomb Raider coverage here and on Tombraiders.net.
This Gamescom Rise of the Tomb Raider demo features Lara's discovery of the Prophet's Tomb in a remote area of the Syrian Desert
UPDATE: Adding a transcript of the dialogue for anyone who wants to translate from English to other languages. Thanks to Lodair Junior for this.
Guide: Hey, we're heading into a war zone now; you'd better be sure about this.
Lara: We're close. There should be an oasis in the canyon just ahead.
Guide: You are wasting your time. There's nothing out here.
Lara: Just keep driving, please.
Guide: It's your money.
Lara: Something isn't right.
Guide: Oh, that's just local militia.
Lara: You told someone, didn't you?
Guide: They paid better than you! Shit! They weren't supposed to shoot at us!
Lara: Get us out of here!
Guide: Shit! Shit! Oh, no, no!
Lara: No, no, no!
(GPS: Arrived)
Lara: No turning back. It has to be here.
Lara: There was something in dad's research about this.
Lara's dad (on tape): "It was said that the Prophet's Tomb was hidden in the cliffs above one of the forgotten cities. Legend speaks of an oasis where the prophet was laid to rest."
Lara: Something is here.
Lara: Could this really be it?
Lara: Incredible! Some kind of marker... Can't quite make out the translation of this word...
Lara: Prophet! This is it! Dad was right.
Lara: Okay, he's shown here performing healing miracles. Dad's notes mention this.
Lara: A secret entrance.
Lara: It's amazing. If only dad could've seen this.
Lara: Oh no. They're already here. Got to get inside.
Lara's dad (on tape): "The order of Trinity pursued the prophet and his people relentlessly until finally confronted them in the hidden oasis."
Lara: A way through. Dammit, come on! Ah!
Lara: There was a battle here. Armed soldiers against religious pilgrims. The order of Trinity.
Lara: Dammit, that was too close.
Lara: They're blasting their way in.
Lara: Let's hope this works.
Lara: Stunning. We made it, dad.
Lara: Found you.
Trinity soldier: Hey, she's down here!
Trinity soldier: Set the charges!
Lara: Move, dammit, move!
Lara: Almost...there.
Lara: What's this?
For those concerned about spoilers, the video definitely contains a few, but although it has been described elsewhere on the internet as a "walkthrough," I disagree. The 13-minute clip begins with a cinematic sequence, and the gameplay portion does not show the entire tomb, just Lara's entrance and harrowing exit. The developers have said they want players to discover the puzzles for themselves. That said, the demo definitely gives a feel for the exploration space and showcases some new game mechanics.
I, for one, am definitely liking what I see. What do you guys think?
As always, you'll find more Rise of the Tomb Raider coverage here and on Tombraiders.net.
This Gamescom Rise of the Tomb Raider demo features Lara's discovery of the Prophet's Tomb in a remote area of the Syrian Desert
UPDATE: Adding a transcript of the dialogue for anyone who wants to translate from English to other languages. Thanks to Lodair Junior for this.
Guide: Hey, we're heading into a war zone now; you'd better be sure about this.
Lara: We're close. There should be an oasis in the canyon just ahead.
Guide: You are wasting your time. There's nothing out here.
Lara: Just keep driving, please.
Guide: It's your money.
Lara: Something isn't right.
Guide: Oh, that's just local militia.
Lara: You told someone, didn't you?
Guide: They paid better than you! Shit! They weren't supposed to shoot at us!
Lara: Get us out of here!
Guide: Shit! Shit! Oh, no, no!
Lara: No, no, no!
(GPS: Arrived)
Lara: No turning back. It has to be here.
Lara: There was something in dad's research about this.
Lara's dad (on tape): "It was said that the Prophet's Tomb was hidden in the cliffs above one of the forgotten cities. Legend speaks of an oasis where the prophet was laid to rest."
Lara: Something is here.
Lara: Could this really be it?
Lara: Incredible! Some kind of marker... Can't quite make out the translation of this word...
Lara: Prophet! This is it! Dad was right.
Lara: Okay, he's shown here performing healing miracles. Dad's notes mention this.
Lara: A secret entrance.
Lara: It's amazing. If only dad could've seen this.
Lara: Oh no. They're already here. Got to get inside.
Lara's dad (on tape): "The order of Trinity pursued the prophet and his people relentlessly until finally confronted them in the hidden oasis."
Lara: A way through. Dammit, come on! Ah!
Lara: There was a battle here. Armed soldiers against religious pilgrims. The order of Trinity.
Lara: Dammit, that was too close.
Lara: They're blasting their way in.
Lara: Let's hope this works.
Lara: Stunning. We made it, dad.
Lara: Found you.
Trinity soldier: Hey, she's down here!
Trinity soldier: Set the charges!
Lara: Move, dammit, move!
Lara: Almost...there.
Lara: What's this?
August 6, 2015
Art Contest Celebrating Lara Croft GO's August 27 Launch
It's official. Lara Croft GO, the new turn-based mobile puzzle game first announced at E3 will be released for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone August 27.
To celebrate, Square Enix Montréal and Crystal Dynamics have announced an art contest to benefit Child's Play Charity. Artists are invited to submit original Lara Croft GO-themed artwork by August 21. A panel of judges will choose 10 entries, which will then be showcased in a gallery during a special event during PAX Prime. Prints of the top 3 finalists will then be sold at auction, with all proceeds benefiting Child's Play Charity.
For contest details, see the Official Tomb Raider Blog.
To celebrate, Square Enix Montréal and Crystal Dynamics have announced an art contest to benefit Child's Play Charity. Artists are invited to submit original Lara Croft GO-themed artwork by August 21. A panel of judges will choose 10 entries, which will then be showcased in a gallery during a special event during PAX Prime. Prints of the top 3 finalists will then be sold at auction, with all proceeds benefiting Child's Play Charity.
For contest details, see the Official Tomb Raider Blog.
Rise of the Tomb Raider Part of a Trilogy, More Gameplay and Screenshots from Gamescom
Earlier this week at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, Crystal Dynamics presented a new Rise of the Tomb Raider stage demo featuring an extended combat sequence, glimpses of enticing exploration spaces, and an enhanced gear and skill upgrade system. The devs also let slip that the game is in fact part of a trilogy.
This Gamescom Rise of the Tomb Raider demo features stealth and skirmish combat, plus a few lovely tombs
A few weeks ago, Crystal announced projected release dates for the PC and PlayStation versions of the game. We now know that Rise of the Tomb Raider will be out on Windows 10 in early 2016. PS4 gamers will have to wait until late 2016, a full year after the November 10 Xbox debut.
In an interview with The Examiner, Phil Rogers, Square Enix CEO for the Americas and Europe, acknowledged fans' disappointment with the Xbox exclusive, saying, "I hope fans know that it wasn't an easy decision. I think any sort of partnership at this level is a decision that took a long time for us to get to. The decision at a studio level, we took very, very seriously. We knew it would, in the short-term, disappoint fans." He also emphasized the "passion" Microsoft has brought to the game's development. Rogers clearly wants fans to understand the level of support and exposure Microsoft brings to the table, though it's still unclear whether his—and Microsoft's—enthusiasm will carry over to the fanbase.
In a separate conversation with Gamespot, Rogers let slip that Rise of the Tomb Raider will be part of a trilogy that began with the TOMB RAIDER reboot in 2013. This comes as no surprise to fans who've followed the games. Lara Croft is clearly on an extended journey of self-discovery, and the ancient mysteries she is investigating will not easily fit within the framework of a single game.
For more info check out these links and visit the Rise of the Tomb Raider page on Tombraiders.net.
This Gamescom Rise of the Tomb Raider demo features stealth and skirmish combat, plus a few lovely tombs
A few weeks ago, Crystal announced projected release dates for the PC and PlayStation versions of the game. We now know that Rise of the Tomb Raider will be out on Windows 10 in early 2016. PS4 gamers will have to wait until late 2016, a full year after the November 10 Xbox debut.
In an interview with The Examiner, Phil Rogers, Square Enix CEO for the Americas and Europe, acknowledged fans' disappointment with the Xbox exclusive, saying, "I hope fans know that it wasn't an easy decision. I think any sort of partnership at this level is a decision that took a long time for us to get to. The decision at a studio level, we took very, very seriously. We knew it would, in the short-term, disappoint fans." He also emphasized the "passion" Microsoft has brought to the game's development. Rogers clearly wants fans to understand the level of support and exposure Microsoft brings to the table, though it's still unclear whether his—and Microsoft's—enthusiasm will carry over to the fanbase.
In a separate conversation with Gamespot, Rogers let slip that Rise of the Tomb Raider will be part of a trilogy that began with the TOMB RAIDER reboot in 2013. This comes as no surprise to fans who've followed the games. Lara Croft is clearly on an extended journey of self-discovery, and the ancient mysteries she is investigating will not easily fit within the framework of a single game.
Gamescom exclusive Rise of the Tomb Raider screenshots
For more info check out these links and visit the Rise of the Tomb Raider page on Tombraiders.net.
- Game Director Brian Horton talks player choice, combat, and tombs at Gamescom (video)
- IGN: ROTTR Gameplay Walkthrough with Brian Horton (video)
- IGN: Gamescom 2015: I Raided A Tomb in Rise of the Tomb Raider (article with video)
- The Examiner: Square CEO on Rise of the Tomb Raider Xbox One exclusivity & Microsoft's passion
- Gamespot: Rise of the Tomb Raider Follow-Up Teased, Not an Xbox-Only IP
- Gamespot: Square Enix Weighs in on Rumored Rise of the Tomb Raider Sequel
August 1, 2015
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris Free for PlayStation Plus Members in August
Heads up! Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is one of the free games available to PlayStation Plus members in North America and Europe this month.
Also part of the August 2015 PS Plus lineup are the cute but oh-so-gory puzzle-platformer Limbo (PS4), one of my personal favorites, along with God of War: Ascension (PS3), Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones (PS4, PS3 and PS Vita), Castlestorm Complete Edition (PS3 and PS Vita), and Sound Shapes (PS4, PS3 and PS Vita). Check out the PlayStation Blog has details.
If you've never been a PlayStation Plus member before, visit the PlayStation site for a 14-day free trial membership.
Also part of the August 2015 PS Plus lineup are the cute but oh-so-gory puzzle-platformer Limbo (PS4), one of my personal favorites, along with God of War: Ascension (PS3), Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones (PS4, PS3 and PS Vita), Castlestorm Complete Edition (PS3 and PS Vita), and Sound Shapes (PS4, PS3 and PS Vita). Check out the PlayStation Blog has details.
If you've never been a PlayStation Plus member before, visit the PlayStation site for a 14-day free trial membership.
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