Core Design’s Tomb Raider video games had been (and nonetheless are) an odd bunch. After the crucial success of the unique trilogy, which Aspyr introduced again with a robust remastered re-release final 12 months, Tomb Raider: The Final Revelation did nicely sufficient, after which Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness crashed the IP (and the studio) till Crystal Dynamics got here alongside. Nevertheless, Aspyr says the plan all the time was to refresh all of them with Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.
We talked to Jordon Reese, Product Supervisor at Aspyr, to study a bit extra in regards to the firm’s strategy to a bumpier second set of video games and what the imaginative and prescient behind the complete effort was. Thus far, we’re pretty assured this second remastered assortment shall be each bit as fastidiously crafted as the primary one.
The next Q&A has been editorialized, trimmed, and rearranged for readability and cohesion.
“From the beginning, we all the time envisioned giving followers the entire basic Tomb Raider expertise, encompassing all six of the unique Core Design video games. Nevertheless, the overwhelmingly optimistic response to Tomb Raider I-III Remastered really solidified our dedication to this imaginative and prescient,” Reese defined. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered exceeded expectations final 12 months in response to Embracer, which positively explains this second assortment being fast-tracked… in addition to the thrill surrounding the Soul Reaver 1+2 remaster that arrived again in December.
Reese added the reception was “a robust reminder of how a lot these video games actually imply to this passionate group,” which pushed the dev group “to inform an entire narrative.” Whereas Aspyr acknowledges that the fifth and sixth entries aren’t almost as beloved, the corporate additionally determined this was the right the chance to enhance them as a lot as doable whereas conserving the unique imaginative and prescient alive. “It simply did not really feel proper coming from Tomb Raider I-III Remastered to solely do IV,” the product supervisor added.
Whereas we look ahead to the following Tomb Raider to be unveiled, all eyes are set on the upcoming TV present from Amazon and this new remastered assortment. For sure, the OG Tomb Raider followers are extraordinarily protecting of Lara Croft and the IP as an entire. In reality, a lot of them would argue returning to Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness is a waste of time for everybody concerned. How does Aspyr plan to win them over whereas inviting contemporary newcomers into Lara Croft’s “darkest adventures”?
“The stress that we really feel is self-imposed as we’re making an attempt to deliver these video games again into the marketplace for each veteran players and players in the present day,” Reese confirmed to us. In the event you’re acquainted with Aspyr’s remasters, they’re identified for being fairly conventional. Star Wars: Jedi Energy Battles is barely the newest instance, and it feels like the corporate shall be sticking to that strategy for the foreseeable: “Our main focus with these titles is to each protect the unique feel and appear whereas giving players one thing extra to be enthusiastic about with up to date graphics and performance.”
Core Design is, in fact, no extra, however what about Crystal Dynamics? Have they lent a hand to make sure consistency throughout all Tomb Raider video games, outdated and new? Aspyr admits they’re “a collaborative effort all through,” suggesting communication has been fluid from begin to end, and that additionally consists of the Tomb Raider I-III remasters.
“We work carefully with Crystal Dynamics to ensure we’re conserving true to the unique imaginative and prescient of the sport whereas additionally including enhancements the place we will. It is of the utmost significance to take care of the visible tone and elegance of those unique classics so working with the IP holder helps be sure we’re hitting that mark.” This additionally consists of the Embracer Group, the present rights holder, whereas Crystal Dynamics is the studio actively creating Lara Croft’s upcoming all-new journey.
Veterans followers may also bear in mind, even when they have not replayed these installments as many instances as the primary three, that issues get very bizarre very quick, presenting various challenges throughout the transformation into retro video games with a extra fashionable sensibility. This impacts degree and character design throughout the board, and I requested Reese about such difficulties. The key to getting it proper? Going backwards and forwards on many parts and tweaking issues till all of it comes collectively: “We spend many hours fine-tuning shade, lighting, ambiance, and constancy so the expertise we’re offering is the expertise folks bear in mind from all these years in the past.” However, you recognize, much less blocky and pixelated.
On the matter of how these three revisited entries will really play in 2025, we have but to expertise the outcomes for ourselves, however contemplating how Aspyr has improved middling releases with a cult following previously (and we’re speaking about different IPs right here), we’re optimistic a couple of optimistic reevaluation of Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness because of this second journey down reminiscence lane with Ms. Croft.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is coming to PC (Steam, Epic Video games, and GOG), PS4/5, Xbox Collection X/S plus One, and Nintendo Change on February 14.