The rumors are no rumors, they’re real!

Game developer studios Crystal Dynamics confirmed the production of “Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light“, the next Tomb Raider sequel…

Tomb Raider 9 comes in 2010!

First the good news: “Tomb Raider 9 – Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light” will be released this year. This makes me believe that relevant news, screenshots, videos and art work will see the daylight soon.

Thinking about art and beauty the Tomb Raider series always was most eye-catching, especially since CD held the scepter.

But current information policy is very annoying and so we poor souls from the fanbase need to cross-read through magazine posts and try to catch a fact here and there…

If those new rumors are true i can also filter out some bad news:

Lara Croft is no Tomb Raider anymore!

The Tomb Raider series is now owned by some Japanese publisher, i forgot their name. I guess they have published some bonbon-colored pokemon playing cards before, or Manga puppies made from cheap plastic. Something that way, it doesn’t really matter…

The first thing the guys did to Lara was to take the term “Tomb Raider” away from her. Woot! This seems to be a part of their excitingly brilliant new strategy! Laugh out loud!

I’m not impressed. The new game will be called “Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light”. No Tomb Raider tale in the title. It’s only a little detail but i guess it originally was a “cool” idea of some market strategist or what-else economy expert – which would be a disturbing fact for emotional first-hour Tomb Raider addicts like me.

[Show as slideshow]

“Tomb Raider” 9 only downloadable!

Okay, i was a bit too harsh. Only a change of the title shouldn’t be enough to paint Lara in black.

But what really sucks is the fact that “Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light” (couldn’t they find a longer title?) will be available via Download only.

Nobody says it loud though it’s clear to see: The game formerly known as “Tomb Raider” is for consoles only!

Oh, i can be wrong here (i take any bet) but in case i’m right and Tomb Raider 9 LCATGOL is not for PC, then, who ever idiot is responsible for that: Fuck you!

Crystal Dynamics is not to blame!

Let me say it clear, i’m still trusting Crystal Dynamics. With “Tomb Raider Legend” they’ve created a fantastic comeback, “Anniversary” was so full of love and respect to the original game, and “Underworld” will always be one of my personal “best-ever” games.

The guys at Crystal Dynamics really are able to create high quality games and have proofed that they respect the icon Lara Croft very much.

They will somehow manage to create a cool game. If “Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light” will give you the be-loved Tomb Raider feeling again or not, if you still want to call it Tomb Raider 9… the future will tell.

I really hope that CD will stop the mysterious information strategy and spit out tons of relevant news very soon!

And i hope that my whole Tomb Raider 9 analyses is wrong and the big Lara Croft Sellout is only a nasty product of my fantasy.

Links:

Official Site: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light dot com

Image source: lushgrass.com, website of Tomb Raider artist Shao Wei Liu

It’s an old-fashioned single player action role-playing game for PC and XBox, created by Piranha Bytes, the same guys who also have made the famous “Gothic”-Series a few years ago.

Well, for me Risen is pretty much the same like Gothic 1 & 2, which is a good thing. The game has 100% the same feel, except the fight system which is much better than in Gothic.

I just finished my first round as bandit/sword fighter and already started a second round where i want to try the magician career.

But before i do so let me set up the free cam mode and visit some of my favorite places in Risen…

If you are planning to play Risen better don’t read this post, it contains a lot of spoilers. Click on the pics for better resolution.

Coast and Sara’s (first) Refuge!

The first important place in Risen is this deserted house not far from the beach where you and Sara were washed up. You leave Sara here because it’s too dangerous for her to move along… well, it’s also dangerous for you but, you know, she’s a woman… you’re a man :-)

Harbor City!

The main capital of the Faranga Island is simply called Harbor City. Although i’m missing the small alley ways of Khorinis (Gothic 2), it’s still a wonderful town with many quests to explore. Picture shows a part of the upper quarter.

Harbor District!

This is the harbor district in the evening light. Daytime-Lighting and weather changes are brilliant made in Risen.

Patty’s Bar!

At first Patty seems to be only a young, pretty – and little bit wayward – bar owner. But you will learn quickly that Patty is so much more. Definitely the strongest character (apart from Cardinal Mendoza and your avatar) in the game. And a very good companion.

Donna Sonja’s Brothel!

In Sonja’s whorehouse, located in the harbor district, you can have fun for 50 Gold and get information for 10 Gold. There’s also some work to do: Rescue the poor girls from brutal Erikson. A secret tunnel can also be found in this house of red light…

Marvin’s Hideout!

Not only that Marvin ran away from home, he also stole a ring from an undead lord who is appearing in terrible nightmares every night since then. But at least Marvin found this beautiful cottage in the dangerous east forest. It’s the perfect place when you need to rest from hunting.

West Coast Ruins and Jungle!

You can’t find a better place to build a luxury seaside hotel and vacation apartments. People will love to visit the west coast of Faranga; waterfalls, beaches, beautiful landscape… if there weren’t those armies of undead skeleton fighters and hordes of other beasts around. So grab your sword or better move over to Mallorca.

East Tunnel!

When you want to travel to the east you need to cross this tunnel. If you still got all your body parts once after you reached this entrance you can be lucky. If you are still alive after crossing the tunnel you’re probably in God-Mode. No, it’s not too hard and worth a few tries. And still the prettiest look into a cave in Risen.

Big Hanging Bridge!

This big hanging bridge connects the mainland with the mysterious east-peninsular where the Gyrger is doing mischief. Wooo! Are you afraid? You don’t need to because the excellent hunter Rupert will help you.

Gyrger Castle!

At the end of the east-peninsular you will find the rotten castle of the legendary Gyrger. You and Rupert have to fight a lot to stay alive. I remember this was the first underground level where i left happy thinking “Wow, that was cool.”

East Swamp Valley!

Next to the buried East Temple – another great place – is a huge swamp area. It looks nice on this screenshot but when i visited it the first time it was at night and the weather was bad. I couldn’t see much in the fog… and so i couldn’t see the attack coming… Bog-Bodies and gigantic Rottworms.

Volcano!

The volcano in the center of Faranga is the perfect place for some exciting adventure trips. Hiking, Cave Exploration, Hunting, whatever you want. Don’t miss to visit the volcano temple, the magicians will welcome you (no matter if you want or not)…

Volcano Temple!

The home of magicians, templars and the most powerful man in Risen: Inquisitor Mendoza. The temple keeps the holy fire and if you’re enlightened enough you can become a magician as well. Anyway, the day will come when you are even stronger than Mendoza.

Old Library!

I love staying in the old library below the volcano temple. It’s a great place for learning and studying magical formulas, you can even practice a few important spells. Tipp: In chapter 3 some ugly, brutal and overskilled Lizard-Fighters will teach you some lessons about pain.

Subterranean Lizard Village!

Deep down under the rocks of the volcano you need to free a contorted village from Lizard-Fighters. But the habitants don’t like to discuss the topic with you. You have to use other methods… killing, for example. When it’s done what had to be done have a look around and enjoy the silent beauty of the cave village.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you are interested to play Risen as well, have a look at worldofrisen.de or visit your local dealer.

Thanks for reading.

It seems that the game will feature a “rebooted” young Lara and tells how she became to be the well-known archaeologist, the tomb raider we know so well.

The problem is that the whitepaper seems to be released by accident. Neither the script nor the concept art is validated so far – but interesting to look at…

Open-World Adventure!

If the rumors are true, Tomb Raider 9 will play in a huge open-world for the first time in the history of the series.

It can be exciting to lead Lara through that scenario like in other adventure games. On the other hand it can destroy the typical Tomb Raider feeling easily.

The new Lara Croft! :-) Only kidding.

Though i love adventure games like the “Gothic” series or “Elder Scrolls” and i’m looking forward to “Risen” by Piranha Bytes i’m still not sure if i would like a Tomb Raider game in such style.

My feelings about this are fifty-fifty.

Where are Lara’s Boobies?

This point is clear. When the guys at Crystal Dynamics – who already did a great job with “Legend”, “Anniversary” and “Underworld” – decide to remove Lara Croft’s characteristic balloons and make them look like in the artwork, then my friends, we don’t need Lara Croft no more.

Pretty much old school torch and pretty small boobs - the next Lara Croft?

Don’t let Lara Croft look like a flat teeny! She is an icon, maybe the strongest icon of all, the queen of computer generated heroes. Stop cutting here and there. The body proportions of the Underworld-Lara were pretty nice. Come on, don’t be feminists!

More Sex would be nice!

The other ingredients of the recipe for Tomb Raider 9 are simple: More of everything.

More freedom, more violence, more monsters… even more sex? That would to good to be true.

Lara Croft riding on a horse and shooting at monsters with a bow. Very dynamic scene.

After all, i don’t know where the journey goes to. But i trust Crystal Dynamics, it’s a known fact that i’m a fan of the last 3 parts of the show. I think CD can make the trick to bring Lara’s future into the past…

The game will play before Tomb Raider 1, that’s what the “secret” whitepaper says.

Anyway, good to hear news about good ol´ Lara.