Author Topic: Tomb Raider Underworld demo! (Read 9238 times)

demi · « **on:** October 28, 2008, 06:00:47 AM »

SURPRISE OF THE DAY

1.3 GB

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2008, 06:32:49 AM »

Y helo thar ms croft

i think it is time to leave work early

demi · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2008, 06:40:56 AM »

This game is sick... Uncharted obliterated...

demi · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:06:44 AM »

I beat it. Pretty short demo considering the filesize.

Game looks GREAT environmentally

Lara herself is extremely iffy. The Uzis on her back are just sad. But she's extremely flexible, especially when you jump around while shooting. Love the motion blur. Couldnt figure out how to trigger headshots or adrenaline mode.

They also seemed to remove the "quick shimmy" that you could do by tapping the A button.

Also, huge hardon for the story because it involves NATLA

NATLA!

(the atlantis chick from Anniversary / TR1)

It also seems to be the sequel to Legend because it involves her talking about Amanda (the chick from Legend) and Avalon

I'm stoked, do want very much.

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:34:40 AM »

we have downloady!!!!!!!

bork · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:36:12 AM »

89%, can't wait! Loved Legend and this is looking better.

Powerslave · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:05:07 AM »

Tomb Raider just wasn't the same anymore after part 1

Bildi · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:15:09 AM »

I'm downloading, but I'm going to save it for tomorrow night.

Can't wait to see the new environments - they look jaw-droppingly good in everything I've seen thus far.

cool breeze · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:38:51 AM »

I'll download when I come back home. If it's good, then this is another thing to add to my list of things to go broke on.

dark1x · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:49:25 AM »

How is the framerate? The 360 version of Legend ran like shit in 720p (constant slowdown). TRA was also pretty awful, from what I've heard. Does this new installment actually maintain a solid framerate?

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2008, 09:06:03 AM »

Quote from: dark1x on October 28, 2008, 08:49:25 AM

How is the framerate? The 360 version of Legend ran like shit in 720p (constant slowdown). TRA was also pretty awful, from what I've heard. Does this new installment actually maintain a solid framerate?

you're WELL into self-parody now dude

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:08:22 AM »

HOLY FUCK THIS LOOKS AWESOME

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:21:57 AM »

MCD · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:25:32 AM »

her back looks weird.

Sho Nuff · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:32:00 AM »

OK the controls are not good. There are problems here:

-- Overall fiddly control
-- Fully manual camera, so no "hinting" at where you're supposed to jump, you kinda have to hunt
-- The chimney jump sucks
-- Not enough "fudging" with jumps, you really have to be dead on

But...

++ Fuckmazing graphics
++ Amazing selective motion blur
++ Assassin's Creed style climbing
++ Lots of animation blending (Lara pushing trees out of the way etc)

Needs a lot of work but looks VERY promising

edit: Oh shit it's coming out in November, I don't think they're gonna fix this

dark1x · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2008, 12:40:19 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on October 28, 2008, 09:06:03 AM

Quote from: dark1x on October 28, 2008, 08:49:25 AM
How is the framerate? The 360 version of Legend ran like shit in 720p (constant slowdown). TRA was also pretty awful, from what I've heard. Does this new installment actually maintain a solid framerate?

you're WELL into self-parody now dude

Indeed I am. Doesn't mean I'm not serious, though.

TRL ran like shit on 360. You can't deny it.

Quote

OK the controls are not good. There are problems here:

Have you played the previous two Crystal Dynamics titles? How does it compare?

Darunia · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2008, 12:58:48 PM »

the controls feel slippery and the camera is terrible. Mortal sins in a platform heavy game

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2008, 01:00:54 PM »

hopefully its on psn this thursday

my 360

archie4208 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2008, 01:06:51 PM »

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on October 28, 2008, 01:00:54 PM

hopefully its on psn this thursday

my 360

Demo is 360 exclusive, lol.

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2008, 03:39:41 PM »

I loved Legend and this shit rocks even harder. Absolutely gorgeous looking.

ManaByte · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2008, 05:03:39 PM »

Quote from: archie4208 on October 28, 2008, 01:06:51 PM

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on October 28, 2008, 01:00:54 PM
hopefully its on psn this thursday

my 360

Demo is 360 exclusive, lol.

It can't handle the wowsomeness of Uncharted rawr!

Bildi · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2008, 05:33:47 PM »

Quote from: Hitler Stole My Potato on October 28, 2008, 03:39:41 PM

I loved Legend and this shit rocks even harder. Absolutely gorgeous looking.

Gonna try this tonight.

Bebpo · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2008, 06:00:01 PM »

+Looks nice
+Character-only motion blur is sex
+Big environments
+New platforming mechanics add more depth to the platforming

-Camera is fucking terrible. Worse than Legends or TRA. Real jerky and in small areas it closes up on you and there were several times I COULDN'T SEE THE PLATFORM I WANTED TO JUMP TO. I know I'm going to have a lot of deaths due to this camera.
-Framerate is stable when platforming, unstable when shooting
-New jump kickoff move is a little spotty, could cause a lot of deaths. Might need to just get used to it though.
-Doing 45 degree jumps on a STRAIGHT beam is wrong.

Will still probably pick it up but enthusiasm has been dampened because of the camera. Maybe it's just me, but my experience with the demo was the worst fighting the camera I've had in a game since Ninja Gaiden. And when you're making precise jumps where one wrong angled jump means redoing an entire portion, shit camera is shitty.

Probably will be better than Legend. Doubt it'll be better than TRA.

Bebpo · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2008, 06:25:55 PM »

Quote from: mojovonio on October 28, 2008, 06:20:23 PM

Oh god, the self shadowing

Yeah the cutscene at the beginning with the jaggy mess shadows on her is pretty bad looking. It doesn't seem noticable in the gameplay though.

demi · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2008, 06:29:06 PM »

I dont think the Underworld model is as good as either Anniversary or Legend's - probably to compensate for her being more flexible and all the motion blurring?

CurseoftheGods · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:35:07 PM »

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on October 28, 2008, 01:00:54 PM

hopefully its on psn this thursday

my 360

The game is 360 exclusive. There's not even a PC version in the works.

cool breeze · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:15:23 PM »

The demo was good, but the way Laura moves seems so twitchy and fast. Camera is also really bad and the combat is still boring.

Bildi · « **Reply #27 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:23:12 PM »

Laura?!

I'm sorry swaggaz, hand in your nerd badge. You're no longer worthy.

cool breeze · « **Reply #28 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:25:48 PM »

whatever

I hated the games until Legend anyway, and by that time I never had to read her name once. Still, Anniversary and Legend are both awesome.

Bildi · « **Reply #29 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:27:37 PM »

I didn't like TR until those two games as well. I think they picked up a boatload of fans with them.

demi · « **Reply #30 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:34:33 PM »

Dummies, TR2 was the pinnacle

Tabasco · « **Reply #31 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:41:32 PM »

As I was playing I kept thinking I must have been in a bad mood or something, because I wasn't enjoying the game. Which was perplexing, because I loved Legend, and this game is seemingly similar. But the camera is just awful, and the controls felt janky all around. I'll rent this sometime next year during a drought.

cool breeze · « **Reply #32 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:46:29 PM »

Quote from: Kosma on October 28, 2008, 08:34:39 PM

Imo TR1 is still the highpoint of the series, and I guess that makes Anniversary the best too, although I never played that. Legends was cool too.

TR2 /demi

Anniversary is Tomb Raider 1 with good controls and a grappling hook.

demi · « **Reply #33 on:** October 28, 2008, 09:08:42 PM »

You cant honestly think TR2 is not better than 1. TR1 was the foundation, but TR2 just went over and beyond. TR3 is when they started adding all the gimmicky moves, and the levels werent as good.

CurseoftheGods · « **Reply #34 on:** October 28, 2008, 09:11:45 PM »

I liked TR2 too back in the day.

Bebpo · « **Reply #35 on:** October 28, 2008, 09:12:16 PM »

Quote from: demi on October 28, 2008, 08:34:33 PM

Dummies, TR2 was the pinnacle

This is true. I played TR1/2 back in the day when they came out and both were amazing. Played a little of 3 but never finished it and didn't play the ones after until Legend.

Legend was good except for the bike levels. Anniversary was awesome. Underworld is underwhelming from the demo.

Greatness Gone · « **Reply #36 on:** October 28, 2008, 09:29:35 PM »

This is a rent. Still pretty good though. I like how they copied Assassin's Creed's animation stuff. More games need to have Ass Creed's animation.

Darunia · « **Reply #37 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:47:14 PM »

2 was clearly the best TR game, come on people. Obviously unplayable now, but back in the day I was amazed at how it expanded on 1.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #38 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:49:33 PM »

downloading now

Powerslave · « **Reply #39 on:** October 28, 2008, 10:53:59 PM »

Quote from: Bildi on October 28, 2008, 08:23:12 PM

Laura?!

I'm sorry swaggaz, hand in your nerd badge. You're no longer worthy.

Seriously, you can't make that mistake, ever. It just goes against the rules.

Quote from: Darunia on October 28, 2008, 10:47:14 PM

2 was clearly the best TR game, come on people. Obviously unplayable now, but back in the day I was amazed at how it expanded on 1.

TR 2 has a couple of good levels but there is just too much contact with people and civilization. Tomb Raider should be about tombs, isolation and tension. None of the TR games had this on a consistent basis like TR1 had. It still is one of the most intense and scary games I have ever played.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #40 on:** October 28, 2008, 11:47:20 PM »

wow, lack of y-axis invert and slightly tetchy stick controls aside, this shoots its creamy hot nignog in my gaming mouth and anus. day fucking one. the graphics -- artistically and technically -- and animation shit on uncharted from a great height, and the ambient music just slays me with its conjure one-esque awesomeness. fucking hell. the combat motion blur effects are perfect. please tell me they don't shit this up with motorcycle or gun-heavy sequences/chapters.

Bebpo · « **Reply #41 on:** October 28, 2008, 11:50:20 PM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on October 28, 2008, 11:47:20 PM

wow, lack of y-axis invert and slightly tetchy stick controls aside, this shoots its creamy hot nignog in my gaming mouth and anus. day fucking one. the graphics -- artistically and technically -- and animation shit on uncharted from a great height, and the ambient music just slays me with its conjure one-esque awesomeness. fucking hell. the combat motion blur effects are perfect. please tell me they don't shit this up with motorcycle or gun-heavy sequences/chapters.

I know you hate Uncharted, but really this game has nothing on Uncharted visually. Maybe larger environments, but the animation, textures, framerate, and character models in Uncharted are leagues above this. Not to mention Uncharted has a GREAT chase camera that makes the game playable and TRU has a terrible player camera that makes the game a hassle.

TRA > Uncharted...sure. Legends probably not, and this demo no fucking way.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #42 on:** October 28, 2008, 11:57:16 PM »

they're both 30 fps, dude, but underworld doesn't tear like a mofo. underworld has nice, gradiated shader-produced character and detail shadows instead of nasty stencil shit. the animation, modeling and special effects are leagues above uncharted's ghoulish hyperencephalic look, hideous special effects, and horrible cariacatured hand animation. textures look roughly equal, although uncharted abused normal mapping in a sort of icky dx8-esque over-the-top way.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #43 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:06:55 AM »

well, okay, i just went through an indoor bit that lacked any real lighting model and had some kinda janky rail-to-rail jumping where it didn't seem to matter what direction you pushed, and that was kinda gay

edit: but then it opens up into a killer outdoor area with crazy lighting and detail

Bebpo · « **Reply #44 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:16:34 AM »

They're not both 30fps.

I was happy TRU was 30fps unlike Legend until I shot at some bats and it dropped to like 15fps. Going by the demo the framerate seems to drop when you get into fights because of the added effects.

I don't like defending Uncharted as the game is a solid 8/10 run n' gun overblown to hell by Sony kids, but I booted it up the other day to install the trophy patch and graphically it still looks pretty darn good. Probably still better than anything else on the PS3 so far.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #45 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:17:37 AM »

haven't seen that at all. i fought some tigers and it was 30 fps with some really slick looking motion blur. no reason simple frame buffer effects would kill the frame rate.

demi · « **Reply #46 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:29:03 AM »

In that level later on you fight Naga women

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #47 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:29:55 AM »

it didn't get that far for me in the demo, i pulled the pins on the "elevator" cables and then DEMO OVER

man, camera really needs some work

demi · « **Reply #48 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:32:07 AM »

No it doesnt happen in the demo, but I read it on wiki

Quote

According to an August 2008 preview by IGN, the second level will be located in Thailand where Lara encounters spiders, bats, tigers, and a race of lizardmen known as "Naga".[18]

drew · « **Reply #49 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:33:03 AM »

naga please

Bebpo · « **Reply #50 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:34:00 AM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on October 29, 2008, 12:29:55 AM

it didn't get that far for me in the demo, i pulled the pins on the "elevator" cables and then DEMO OVER

man, camera really needs some work

Yeah, don't get me wrong. TRU looks pretty nice. Better than Legend and I thought Legend looked pretty sweet, especially that climbing level at night in Shanghai or wherever.

It's just the camera in the demo was really janky and not only did I fall a bunch of times from it but I can totally tell from those falls that I will have countless deaths in the full game and waste a bunch of time redoing stuff all because the camera either doesn't show me the area around me (real great when you are against a wall and can't look more than a few degrees left/right/up/down

) or because one second the direction I'm holding jumps in the direction I want and the next second when the camera has moved I jump and go in a different direction then I wanted.

Will still get the game as I'm enjoying these CD Tomb Raiders, but maybe not at full price now.

MrAngryFace · « **Reply #51 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:34:08 AM »

Prole: You want an unruly camera, play some Operation Darkness lol

Bebpo · « **Reply #52 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:36:12 AM »

Quote from: MrAngryFace on October 29, 2008, 12:34:08 AM

Prole: You want an unruly camera, play some Operation Darkness lol

Yeah, but it's hard to mess up a turn-based game with a bad camera. Just takes a little more patience in scoping out the area

I mean the camera was horrible in OD but it didn't kill the game for me (though I know it did for some other people).

demi · « **Reply #53 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:37:19 AM »

Thats cause they're STUPID and I 1000'd it cause i rock

Bebpo · « **Reply #54 on:** October 29, 2008, 12:59:27 AM »

Quote from: demi on October 29, 2008, 12:37:19 AM

Thats cause they're STUPID and I 1000'd it cause i rock

What killed the game for me was XBL deleting all my save games including my OD save 18 hours in. :'(

Too bad because I actually liked the game but I doubt I'll ever stick it in and do all that over again.

cool breeze · « **Reply #55 on:** October 29, 2008, 02:52:01 AM »

The basic character animation in Uncharted is much better than this. The animation in this game looks a bit janky when you aren't climbing things, and even the climbing parts look like a rough Assassin's Creed. TRU is still a really good game, especially with the subtle blurring as LARA does her kicks and flips and shit, but when just moving casually on ground it looks so weird.

My problem is that while I do want this game, Prince of Persia comes out a week later and basically will have the same style of platforming and it's a series I do like more. It helps that the new Prince of Persia looks incredible. Well, maybe if there are some urban levels in this game I would get it at launch. The brief urban areas in Legend were amazing.

duckman2000 · « **Reply #56 on:** October 29, 2008, 04:36:19 AM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on October 28, 2008, 11:57:16 PM

underworld has nice, gradiated shader-produced character and detail shadows instead of nasty stencil shit.

Uncharted has some of the cleanest fucking shadows seen in a console game.

duckman2000 · « **Reply #57 on:** October 29, 2008, 04:49:27 AM »

That is a clear bonus. The lack of wildlife hurt Uncharted a lot. What's the point of having a jungle without killer jungle animals, or a stream without electric eels and piranhas?

Bildi · « **Reply #58 on:** October 29, 2008, 07:23:57 AM »

Holy crap, this really is like Legend/Anniversary jacked up to the hilt. Damn it looks brilliant.

The platforming is really awesome - her Altair-style of climbing looks fantastic. Taking that style of climbing and combining it with typical TR puzzle platforming is great. I also love how they've managed to make the handholds and stuff not stand out so much and look so 'videogamey', yet they're all there if you look. I've always wanted this stuff to be a little more 'realistic' and not staring you right in the face.

The camera seems much the same as Legend/Anniversary which is fine - I always liked it. And she still controls the same, but a lot of the old moves seem to have a little more weight to them, like swinging on the grapple. Plus the new moves rock.

tiesto · « **Reply #59 on:** October 29, 2008, 10:21:40 AM »

Haven't played a TR game since 3 on PS1... I'll have to download this demo and give it a shot, game sounds pretty fun. Hopefully it has a lot of puzzle-platforming!

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Author Topic: Tomb Raider Underworld demo! (Read 9238 times)