What do you think of Tomb Raider 1 (psx)

[teh_L0ki]

I'll preface this by saying there is almost never a game so terrible that I will stop playing it. Anyway I picked up tomb raider because it's a classic and it was always highly reviewed by the press at the time.

But my god, framerate problems everywhere, a fixed camera in a 3d platformer, and even if I could tolerate those things, the killer was the unresponsive controls. In a platformer mind you!

I'm just curious what this forum thinks of the first tomb raider game, nostalgia goggles off. I understand it was innovative because it had a female protagonist with big assets and was one of the early 3d platform games, but I still don't think that makes it a good game.

[cynicalhat]

I thought the game was awesome. A first in the genre to have large scale puzzles that made you satisfied when solved. Looking at it now though, uggg.... It didn't use dual analog sticks so the control was terrible. As with any 3d ps1 game, you could cut a steak with those polygons. graphics and controls aside, pretty damn innovative.

[Graham Mitchell]

I liked it alright when it was released. I remember getting frustrated with a puzzle and never finishing it. Honestly, it just wasn't all that compelling to me, but it was kind of fun.

The PS1/Saturn/N64-era 3D games did not age gracefully. (2-D games from the era, however, are gorgeous!) The industry was pushing soooo hard for something the consoles basically weren't capable of doing.

I played Ocarina of Time a few years ago after polishing off Twilight Princess and I was shocked. I didn't remember it looking so atrocious. Thankfully, the overall ambience is what that game is about, and the cruddy 3D models can't spoil it. Tomb Raider doesn't have nearly as much going for it.

Thankfully, you can always play the Anniversary Edition. It's the first game updated for newer consoles.

[Smashed Brother]

Well, back then, I remember being enamored with this game. It wasn't because of the female lead or her enormous....guns. This was the first truly 3D platformer for the PS1, as far as I can remember. I was jealous of Mario 64 and I really wanted to play something along those lines. This definitely wasn't it, but the game was large and expansive with plenty to do.

The controls were definitely atrocious. Most of the difficulty in solving the puzzles was due to wrestling with the controller and Lara's grid-based movements. You had to make sure you were lined up perfectly, otherwise you would fall to your death when you attempted to jump and grab a platform. You had to back up 3 or 4 'grids' to get a running start, otherwise you would fall to your death when you attempted to jump and grab a distant platform. You tap forward and she would move half-a-grid, you tap backwards and she would back up half-a-grid. It was annoying then and if I were to play the game now for my very first time, there's no way I would even make it through the first level.

[j_factor]

I like it, though I prefer the Saturn version because it has a better draw distance. :p

I don't consider it a platformer really; it's an action-adventure game. The game's greatness is in the level design and the puzzles.

I never found the controls unresponsive, though I do understand why many people don't like the "spin and move forward" aspect, as well as the tile-based movement. You could argue that this game demonstrates why purely digital controls just don't cut it. Although, Tomb Raider 3 did finally support analog, and it didn't work very well; I played the whole game with analog turned off.

[eskobar]

I'll preface this by saying there is almost never a game so terrible that I will stop playing it. Anyway I picked up tomb raider because it's a classic and it was always highly reviewed by the press at the time.

But my god, framerate problems everywhere, a fixed camera in a 3d platformer, and even if I could tolerate those things, the killer was the unresponsive controls. In a platformer mind you!

I'm just curious what this forum thinks of the first tomb raider game, nostalgia goggles off. I understand it was innovative because it had a female protagonist with big assets and was one of the early 3d platform games, but I still don't think that makes it a good game.


I remember quite well the year that TOMB RAIDER hit the shelves, I played it fist on my PC and absolutely loved the gameplay.

I have always liked adventure games and exploring is pretty much "my thing"; in real life I love to visit small towns, ruins and every place that is not populated ...

In the first minutes of playing I loved the emptiness of the place, like a real ruin is and controlling Lara was easy, I never had an issue with controls and you really need to be precise, but the timing is in your thumbs, any mistake is yours.

All the architecture was pretty impressive and had impressive detail for the time, the water played a role that few games at the time gave the importance to that factor and overall the level design was brilliant.

In fact, I purchased like 3 different video cards for my PC because they claimed the best look and performance .... I remember the Matrox Mystique because it was bundled with the game and was good, but 3Dfx was the best for TR.

After the PC I played all over again in the PS1 and again, the conversion was impressive and I loved the orchestral tracks that added in moments of tension.


I got nothing but great memories with this game. the same for TR2, the others were pretty weak ...

[understatement]

Well looks like I’m going to be in the minority with the OP, I disliked Tomb Rader for most of the same reasons another games with the same feel as TR that I didn’t like was Syphon Filter.

I really tried to get into these games back when they came out because of all the praise they received but I never could bring myself to go much farther than the first stage in both.

[megasdkirby]

Ironically, I was playing Tomb Raider a few weeks back, but for the Sega Saturn.

Graphically, I was shocked at how poorly it looked, and the movement...or frame rate, was "extreme choppy".

However, I still managed to get over the graphical portion of the game and to concentrate solely on the gameplay. The game still delivers ,which is a definitely good. It hasn't aged well, but at least it's still fun to play.

[iDub]

I still finish 1,2 and 3 every year after that everything was bad.. Except for the most recent releases those have really improved the series.

[gameofyou]

I have it for Saturn, and played through it again, just a couple years ago. I still think its an enjoyable game even today.

[sheath]

Tomb Raider is Prince of Persia, or really more like Flashback, in 3D. It achieved everything I imagined a third person 3D game could be for that generation (with the original controllers). I liked the block based 3D movement because it made the jumps predictable, something most other 3D games suffered from badly. 2D platformers with unpredictable jump physics were generally bad in my opinion. I liked the shooting scenes, even though they were essentially on rails if you flipped around and held the fire button.

I also liked the theme and the exploration/puzzle aspects way better than Mario 64 or Zelda 64. :onfire:

[Necron99]

I have to agree with most of the posters here. Tomb Raider 1was pretty bad. especially on the psx, When I got the game, I thought it would be really good, but I was wrong. laggy and poor controls, poor framerate, jagged edges everywhere. I tried to like this game but after a few hours of playing it I couldn't stand it anymore.

[Berserker]

I played the game on a friend's Playstation in 1996, and my first impressions were pretty negative. The graphics were fugly. The 3D was bad (I was playing Quake on PC at this time, so I think that raised my expectations for other games probably way past where they should have been). The camera was godawful. The controls felt like I was walking in molasses. And the draw distance seemed almost non-existent so I didn't really feel much of the whole "ruin" ambiance.

A year or two later I played a demo of the PC version that took advantage of the 3dfx card I had at the time, and I remember having a much better impression of it then. Never bought the game though for whatever reason. I think I'd probably be more tolerant of its quirks today.

[shinobimusashi]

Tomb Raider is Prince of Persia, or really more like Flashback, in 3D. It achieved everything I imagined a third person 3D game could be for that generation (with the original controllers).

Well put. I have never been a big fan of Tomb Raiders gameplay, but I do respect it for the well programmed game that it is.

I tried Flashback for Sega CD recently and was turned off by its "Tomb Raider" style of controlls.

[exit]

I remember playing both PC demos back in the day and absolutely loved it. I played the hell out of it when the game was finally released and I've always considered it a classic since. The series started to go down hill after that and now it's a complete mess.

[teh_L0ki]

I remember playing both PC demos back in the day and absolutely loved it. I played the hell out of it when the game was finally released and I've always considered it a classic since. The series started to go down hill after that and now it's a complete mess.

It seems that most of the positive experiences people are having in this thread are with the pc version. I wonder if I would think different of it?

[exit]

It seems that most of the positive experiences people are having in this thread are with the pc version. I wonder if I would think different of it?

Well in the PC version you can save at any time, which is something you couldn't do in the PSX version from what I understand. Also if you had a good enough computer at the time, there was an enhanced graphics mode that made everything look a lot cleaner. My computer at the time was able to run it decent enough, but I usually ended up turning it off when things got a little hectic.

Of course now there's fan made texture packs (http://www.tombraiderxtra.com/) out there that make the game look all the more better, so that may be worth looking into if you plan on playing it on the PC and want a bit of a graphical upgrade.

[Zama]

It was alright for its time :)

[Parodius Duh!]

Have always hated it since the playstation underground demo disc......Tomb Raider is crap, go play resident evil.

[kupomogli]

The first one was decent, but like others have already stated it has some framerate issues. Tomb Raider 2 has no frame rate issues and a much better game, though.

[QuickSciFi]

Lets not forget the order of release was:

1. Sega Saturn
2. PC
3. PS1

I own the game on both consoles and it's a must have for collectors. I must admit that the lack of analog interface on the Saturn made it a bit difficult to get used to, but having gotten it only recently, it reminded me very much of how I played it on my PC back in the 90s. It (Tomb Raider) also reminds me of the evolution of all the best and most memmorable Survival Horror titles (especially Resident Evil). The game itself (tomb raider) does have a bit of Survival Horror to it.

My two cents: I love it! :D

[Gentlegamer]

I played through it for the first time in 2007 for my own Tomb Raider Anniversary. It was great! The "grid movement" never bothered me, in fact, it made it easier and more 'intuitive' when figuring out the environments and puzzles.

The graphics didn't bother me, but then, I'm able to adapt my view to the era that the game belongs to. I do definitely agree that the PlayStation generation's 3D, at least in terms of number of polygons for characters and basic textures, has "aged poorly." I remember remarking on those issues back in the day, but accepted it as part of the transition to true "3D" gaming.

[pixelsnpolygons]

It had its moments - both good and bad. I've been meaning to play it again for a while just to see how poorly it has held up. I remember my biggest complaints were the controls and the graphics and, obviously, time won't have been kind in those areas. I did get some enjoyment out of the game despite that. I had fun with the exploration and puzzle elements. And for all of its faults it's the only Tomb Raider I recall seeing through to completion.

[Dangerboy]

I did a nice little break down of the SAT / PSX differences...

I can't stand the game personally...but it's a good game.

[kedawa]

Tomb Raider Legend is the first game in the series that I actually enjoyed.
I was never impressed by the original.

[Lerxstnj]

Skipped the whole NES/SNES/N64 gaming era. Tomb Raider on the PC is what got me back into gaming. After finishing it I bought a PS1 and Tomb Raider II. Loved both experiences, but never played TR1 on PS1.

[Zing]

I remember playing this game on my 3dfx card. I didn't get very far. I don't recall having any control problems, and I was playing it on a keyboard! I currently own it for the PSone but suspect I may never get around to playing it. I did notice that the PSone version had the same sound bug in the training area as the PC version, where her speech would suddenly cut off sometimes. I guess it was a faithful port.

[Haoie]

Hated it, and all the other 4 PS1 Tomb Raiders.

Sold them all about a year back.

[Mr Smith]

Tomb Raider is an awful game to play in modern times. It looks awful, the controls are hideous, but in context of it's release it could arguably be described as one of the most amazing gaming experiences ever.

The atmoshpere Tomb Raider created was amazing - the first time walking into the Hall of the Gods in St. Francis Folly, the music started playing and you had to gasp at the realisation you were actually supposed to leap into the centre of the room, over the huge abyss! After a lifetime of 2D titles, the potental fall into 3D darkness was terrifying and awesome.

Not since Ecco the Dolphin had I found a game to be such a rollercoster of emotion - certainly one of the greatest games of all time, but has aged worse than any I can think of.

[Scotterpop]

I'll second the awesomeness of the atmosphere this game creates, especially in the soundtrack and musical cues. The haunting sparseness of that opening tune is one of my favorite pieces of game music, and it really sets the tone for the rest of the game. Sure, the graphics and stiffness of the controls seem woefully outdated now, but that sense of wonder you feel while entering some vast new level, marveling at the architecture and scenery, scanning every platform and wall ledge to find the right path to proceed... it's one of the most immersive moments in gaming I've ever experienced. It's focus on exploration and problem solving rather than relentless action is it's primary strength. This game was the reason I bought a PS1 back in the day(along with Resident Evil). So nostalgia and technical shortcomings aside, I think Tomb Raider holds up really well and has a certain elegance to it, mainly because of its excellent yet minimalist musical score and its expansive level design.

[Steve W]

I've never played the PS1 or Saturn versions of the game, I bought the Mac version, and I loved it. I don't recall finishing it though. When the Nokia N-Gage came out the first Tomb Raider was ported over to it, and it's really not a bad conversion, but I found it more difficult to play with the controls on the N-Gage QD. I ended up not progressing too far in that version, just out of disinterest. Too bad my N-Gage is dead, I'd like to fire it up just to try it out again.

[HappyGilmore]

I'm gonna be honest. I avoided the game when it was initially released. By the time I had actually bought it around the time Tomb Raider 3 had come out, around '98 or so. I really didn't like it, but fortunately, didn't pay much for it, and after playing for a couple days, put it aside for a couple years before selling it, very cheaply. Disappointment, for me.

[retroman]

for the time..i loved it..even went and got it again when it came out for NGage, and then again when the PS2 remake came out.

[Kellhus]

I have fond memories of the Tomb Raider PSX games. I remember the controls being very bad though.

[Gameguy]

I really should get around to playing this, I have a copy for the PC that I got in a large bundle of PC games. I never really saw the appeal for it but maybe I'll give it a shot if I can find my copy again.

[Mr Smith]

To be honest, if you didn't play it when released all the novelties that made the Tomb Raider experience awesome will not apply, as 3D worlds are now the norm. The PS2 remake is pretty faithful to the original and great fun to play. The original will just seem blocky, cumbersome and ugly!

[Phantar]

I played the original Tomb Raider when it was released for the Saturn, and I almost instantly hated it. The graphics were ugly, the level design layed out in such a way that you constantly didn't know where you were supposed to be going, the controls felt cumbersome. It was one of the games that drove me back to PC gaming because I started to crave the better graphics and the more accessible mouse/keyboard controle computers had to offer. And I never could quite understand the odd fascination people had with Lara Croft, because I never thought here character model wasn't very attractive to look at.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

cant believe so many people had trouble with the controls and grid based movements, i personally loved it, tomb raider is still fun to play today, provided you stop after 2, tomb raider 3 & up all sucked to me, never played revelations tho

[Night Driver]

Tomb Raider Legend is the first game in the series that I actually enjoyed.
I was never impressed by the original.
This.

[Corey_GB]

I loved the original, but find it a bit hard to play today with all of the visual issues. Early PS1 games sure haven't aged as well as the games from the 2D era. Still, it was a ground breaking title and if you are looking for a visual update check out the PS3/Xbox 360 remake.

[Flack]

Tomb Raider was the game that let me know that it wasn't going to be first-person shooters that would give me headaches and make me sick to play or even watch. I never got very far in the game without getting dizzy and I remember hoping that this whole 3D platformer thing would only be a phase.

Ha ha, the joke's on Flack.

[Ninjamohawk]

At the time, I liked it. Playing it now is a nightmare.

The remake is excellent though.

[The Shawn]

I remember playing it...BRIEFLY. I had a freind who was into it at the time but also had an N64 and Goldeneye. After playing that I wondered why I ever even tried to play TombRaider.

[spongerob]

Is that the one with the butler? Who eerily follows you everywhere?

If so, LOCK HIM IN THE FREEZER.

[spongerob]

oops nm

[Oldskool]

At the time I was not too impressed. I thought that the dinosaurs was pretty cool. I hated the controls. The graphics didn't really even impress me much either at the time. Probably because it was PS1 3D graphics, which for the most part sucked.

I don't even want to try it now - I am not even going to go there.

[Nuxius]

I still enjoy the original Tomb Raider to this day. Even though it was one of the first 3D action/adventure style games released, it's expansive, non-linear level design still blows the pants off of pretty much any of the linear crap developers try to shove down our throats these days.

Although Anniversary definitely has better graphics and control, the level design doesn't even compare to the original. They pretty much destroyed half the things that made the original levels so great. Especially Palace Midas, that level is but a shadow of itself in Anniversary.

I still like Anniversary for what it is, but it's really more of a reimagining than a remake, and definitely doesn't take the place of the original TR.



I also liked the theme and the exploration/puzzle aspects way better than Mario 64 or Zelda 64. :onfire:


The atmoshpere Tomb Raider created was amazing - the first time walking into the Hall of the Gods in St. Francis Folly, the music started playing and you had to gasp at the realisation you were actually supposed to leap into the centre of the room, over the huge abyss!


Sure, the graphics and stiffness of the controls seem woefully outdated now, but that sense of wonder you feel while entering some vast new level, marveling at the architecture and scenery, scanning every platform and wall ledge to find the right path to proceed... it's one of the most immersive moments in gaming I've ever experienced. It's focus on exploration and problem solving rather than relentless action is it's primary strength. So nostalgia and technical shortcomings aside, I think Tomb Raider holds up really well and has a certain elegance to it, mainly because of its excellent yet minimalist musical score and its expansive level design.

Agreed with these comments 100%. :)




Is that the one with the butler? Who eerily follows you everywhere?

If so, LOCK HIM IN THE FREEZER.
That's Tomb Raider II. :p

[Haoie]

Who remembers those so called 'news stories' about Lara and her huge assets ruining marriages?

[Black_Tiger]

I like the Saturn version, although nostalgia definitely plays a role. It was a cool game when it came out, but even then it seemed very overrated since it was declared teh greatest game evar by all the mags.

I was never able to get into any of the sequels, although I tried.