Core Design's Tomb Raider game (still) is a bunch of weird ones. After a key success in the original trilogy, Aspyr brought a strong re-issue last year, Tomb Raider: Tomb Raider did a great job, Then Chronicles and Angel of Darkness collapsed the IP (and studio) until Crystal Power emerged. However, Aspyr said the plan was always to remake all of this with the Tomb Raider IV-VI remake.
We'll talk to it Jordon Reese, Product Manager, Aspyrto learn more about the company’s approach to the second set of games, and the vision behind the entire effort. So far, we are quite confident that the second remade collection will be as well-crafted as the first one.
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The following questions and answers have been edited, trimmed and rearranged for clarity and cohesion.
“From the beginning, we always envisioned a complete classic Tomb Raider for fans, covering all six original core design games. But the overwhelmingly positive response to Tomb Raider i-iii really consolidated the After our commitment to this vision, Rees explained. According to Embracer, last year’s Tomb Raider I-III remake exceeded expectations, which definitely explains the second series being fast tracked… and Soul Reaver 1+2 Remaster is centered around the excitement of returning to December.
Rees added that the reception “a powerful reminder of what these games really mean to this enthusiastic community”, which pushed the development team to “tell the full narrative.” While Aspyr admits that the fifth and sixth entries aren't as fond of it, the company also sees it as an opportunity to improve them as much as possible while keeping the original vision alive. “It doesn't feel like just going from re-made from tombstone I-III to tombstones that can only be made for IV,” the product manager added.
As we wait for the next Tomb Raider to be unveiled, all eyes are focused on Amazon’s upcoming TV show and this new remake series. Needless to say, OG Tomb Raiders fans are very protective of Lara Croft and the entire IP. In fact, many of them would argue that returning to the chronicle, the angels of darkness wasted the time of everyone involved. How does Aspyr plan to win their victory while inviting fresh newbie into Lara Croft’s “Darkest Adventure”?
Reese confirmed to us: “We feel pressure from ourselves when we try to bring these games back to the market for veteran gamers and gamers today.” If you’re familiar with Aspyr’s remake, they’re known for being very traditional. Star Wars: Jedi Forces is just the latest example, and it sounds like the company will stick to a predictable approach: “Our main focus on retaining the original look and feel while giving gamers something to update Excited by graphics and features.”
Of course, the core design is no longer, but what about crystal dynamics? Did they borrow a hand to ensure consistency of all Tomb Raiders games in all new and old games? Aspyr acknowledged it was “a collaborative effort throughout the process”, which showed that communication was smooth from beginning to end, including Tomb Raider I-III Remasters.
“We worked closely with Crystal Dynamics to ensure we are true to the original vision of the game while also adding enhancements wherever possible. Keeping these original classic visual tones and styles is crucial for IP holders to help ensure we achieve This mark. “This also includes the Embracer Group, the current rights holder, while Crystal Dynamics is the studio that actively develops Lara Croft's new upcoming adventure.
Veterans fans may remember that even though they didn’t replay these installments multiple times as many times as the first three installments, things got really weird and encountered many as they brought a more modern sensibility into a retro game challenge. This affected the overall level and character design, and I asked Rees about this difficulty. Is the right secret? Adjusting back and forth on many elements until everything blends together: “We spent a lot of time fine-tuning the colors, lighting, atmosphere and loyalty, so the experience we offer is what people have experienced all these years ago.” However, you know, less blocky and pixelated.
The entries about these three revisited will actually be actually played in 2025, and we haven't experienced the results for ourselves yet, but considering how Aspyr's past cults have improved the medium version (we're talking about other IPSs in the past here), due to the Ms. Croft’s second trip, optimistic about the positive reassessment of the chronicle and the dark angel.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered will be available on PC (Steam, Epic Games and GOG), PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S Plus 1 and Nintendo Switch on February 14.
