[Jellex]

Color me impressed.

I loved the original Tomb Raider (the Saturn version of course ). I tried TR II, but it didn't have the magic of the original and I lost interest before finishing it. TR III I only played briefly and knew it wasn't for me. I'm not sure how many TR games have been released between then and now, but it doesn't matter because if this demo is any indication of the overall game then Laura is back!

I love the level design. I love the logic behind the puzzles. I love the new gameplay mechanics.

The controls felt a bit awkward at times - it was difficult moving crates when I was near a wall and when jumping from a chain to a passage in the wall, Laura didn't seem to want to jump I was pointing her. But overall the controls felt great.

The graphics are good and the frame rate is smooth. There's some nice lighting and shadowing at work. I didn't see anything that screamed "OMG Next-gen graphics dude!", but maybe I'm just spoiled by Oblivion. I am happy that TR:L looks good and maintains a smooth frame rate. Hopefully this is true throughout the full game.

One neat thing I noticed: You know how in rally car racing games, the cars get dirtier as the race progresses? I think something similar has been implemented for Laura in this game. About half way through the demo, the camera swung around and gave me a close-up on Laura's face and it looked like her face was dirty and had streams of sweat. I didn't notice this when the level started (yes, I gave Laura a once over at the beginning of the level - I'll admit it! ). I meant to check again towards the end of the level to see if the effect had increased, but it ended before I realized what was happening.

I also like Laura's attitude as presented in her character's spunky dialogue.

I have reserved my copy at GameStop.

[Justin]

Tomb Raider has finally redeemed itself! I love the demo and if it weren't for Oblivion, I'd be all over this game. I didn't think they could do it, but it finally controls really good. It's also beautiful to play, and I found myself wondering what all the bitching was about with the whole 30fps/60fps thing. It certainly has a better framerate than Oblivion. This looks like one very well done action/adventure game!

[segadc]

I would like to see a Xbox/Xbox 360 video comparison just for fun...

Anyway...glad to see I am not the only one who enjoys this demo. I have a little over a month to start saving up for 360!

[Team Andromeda]

This game is simply amazing and thats just the demo. This is just as good as the TR 1 and II and is a must buy 30 fps or not. Shame I'm skint I'm off up a mate house this weekend , otherwise I would have got it tomorrow

[segadc]

I wonder how fast TRL PC demo is....I know it will be different for each PC.

[tripwire]

I tried the Tomb Raider demo and didn't like it very much. Poor camera, and very poor controls IMHO. It was not fun fighting both the control and the camera. Graphically it looked alright. Not spectacular but there were moments of brilliance and you really felt you were going through the ruins. Rare moments though. I did like the blur/focus trick they did w/ the binoculars though.

Anyway, the shoddy controls IMHO was ok back in the Saturn era, but Ninja Gaiden was so smooth and intuitive. It really felt like I was playing sthg optimized (control wise anyway) for the PC with very little fine tuning done for the pad.

And is it me or is it really dumbed down now? W/ large "A" or "Y" icons to tell you what you can do w/ the environment. I think some visual cue is good, but seeing the "A" and "Y" show up did not immerse me so well in the environment.

[Bigg Russ]

I showed my wife the demo last night. She liked it too. TR was THE reason we purchased a PSX. When she said she liked what she saw, I knew the series had returned.

[Ross]

I liked the demo Aiming is kind lame overall. Puzzle at the end was fun, had me be fuzzled for a few minutes.

[batman]

TR demo is very cool. Although, the camera system is ehh and the control aren't Ninja Gaiden. It's cool to be playing TR again on a NON-Sony product.

I do hope the can lock the framerate at 30fps. As for the 30fps vs. 60fps?

Who told you guys that developers don't care about 60fps? This maybe the Hd era but, it's not the 60fps era...YET.

[BriannaHaskins]

Quote

One neat thing I noticed: You know how in rally car racing games, the cars get dirtier as the race progresses? I think something similar has been implemented for Laura in this game. About half way through the demo, the camera swung around and gave me a close-up on Laura's face and it looked like her face was dirty and had streams of sweat. I didn't notice this when the level started (yes, I gave Laura a once over at the beginning of the level - I'll admit it! ). I meant to check again towards the end of the level to see if the effect had increased, but it ended before I realized what was happening.

I dunno about her getting dirtier, but I did notice she would be dry one minute before jumping into the water, and then wet right after coming out of the water. Oddly enough I didn't remember seeing any water dripping from her body for a while after she came out, which would've been so much better.

[Jellex]

Amped 3 demo is now available in the marketplace.

[whippingboy]

Re: Amped 3 demo- better late than never. Does the demo have any of the humour of the game I wonder? That IMHO is the tipping point in justifying the purchase. Very unique- and welcome to the series/genre.

Tomb Raider- yes- it's back to the TR1 game...not sure I see that as so much a good thing, we're exited for next gen BOX moving puzzles?? Why couldn't they have more ingenius puzzles that we've yet to see? (PS: camera was fine till I had to move those boxes- YUCK- gave me a headache.) I too felt jumping from chains had odd controls- you can't always jump depending on position relative to the camera- but relative to your position- much like Resident Evil-(ie: down on controller = backwards for Lara) not sure I like that, as I'd prefer more of a true POP control scheme.

[GunnerX]

For Bankshot Billiards owners, the 3D Update is now available. You can choose the D Pad to change camera angles. This is how the game should be from the start!

[Jellex]

A demo for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is now available.

whippingboy, regarding next gen box moving puzzles in Tomb Raider Legend - I have the game and there is very little box moving involved. Yes, there is some, but the gameplay focuses more on maneuvering, exploring and combat.

[Jellex]

I took one shot, got a hole in one and the Tiger Woods demo was over.

[Justin]

Jellex, on Apr 15 2006, 06:23 PM, said:

I took one shot, got a hole in one and the Tiger Woods demo was over.

hmm, and here I was with high hopes that I might try it out and it wouldn't be as bad as everyone says. Hearing this just confirms all I've heard. Hope they fix the problems for 07 and actually make it more like a Sim.

[RMF]

As bad as everyone says? Who's everyone? Almost everyone on my friends list has it including myself and I've yet to hear anyone say it's a bad game in any way. It's great, it just doesn't have as many courses as the xbox version.

[Justin]

RMF, on Apr 15 2006, 06:57 PM, said:

As bad as everyone says? Who's everyone? Almost everyone on my friends list has it including myself and I've yet to hear anyone say it's a bad game in any way. It's great, it just doesn't have as many courses as the xbox version.

I've heard the putting is pathetically easy, you can get a hole in one way too easy, and that all around the game is just too damn easy that it practically plays itself. So, I went ahead and downloaded the demo, and I was seriously disappointed how I didn't even have to do anything but just swing the club to get a birdie on the first hole without any practice whatsoever. EA seriously needs to make some changes to this franchise because the last couple have really been sad.

[thengodisseven]

GunnerX, on Apr 11 2006, 11:20 AM, said:

For Bankshot Billiards owners, the 3D Update is now available. You can choose the D Pad to change camera angles. This is how the game should be from the start!

You said it! The game is immediately playable and fun now. Thought I wasted my money on that one until this update.

As for Tiger Woods, have the real game, and the default settings had a magnet for the fairway and the hole. There was some way to crank up the difficulty to make the game worth playing, but who knows whether the demo supports it.

[whippingboy]

No idea why EA waited till now for a demo of Tiger Woods...way wayyyy too late. I'm more interested in that golf controller game just released...or golf on the Revolution...

Bankshot Billards for $15 on live? Considering any live Arcade game does not have NEARLY the modes, graphics or effort of a standalone title- I think for them to charge $15 is a CRIME. That's what I'd pay to download say a Fable greatest hits title to play on my 360... ($20 geatest hits - $5 for the lack of packaging/distribution costs)

So help me if Street Fighter on Live is $20...

This post has been edited by whippingboy: 18 April 2006 - 11:35 AM