Tomb Raider Chronicles
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Tomb Raider Chronicles
Developed by Core Design Published by Eidos Interactive Level Design: Richard Morton & Andy Sandham Lead Animator: Jerr O'Carroll Music by Peter Connelly Engine: Custom: Tomb Raider Level Editor Platforms Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows and Mac Release date(s): 21 November 2000 Rating: ESRB: T
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Tomb Raider Chronicles is the fifth game in the Tomb Raider series, and the sequel to Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. It was developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, and was released in November 2000 for the PlayStation, Dreamcast, PC, and Mac.
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Storyline
Tomb Raider Chronicles opens just days after the events of The Last Revelation. Lara is still missing and presumed dead. A memorial service at Croft Manor brings together three old friends of Lara: Winston, Charles Kane and Father Patrick Dunstan. While the rain outside is pouring down, the three reminisce about four of Lara's earlier adventures. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away in Egypt, Werner Von Croy coordinates a frantic dig searching for Lara deep within a vast desert.
Characters
Gameplay
The gameplay of Tomb Raider Chronicles is closely tied to that of The Last Revelation. In terms of movement, the only new additions to Lara's skills are the ability to walk on a tightrope, the ability to grab and swing on horizontal bars, and the ability to drop from a ledge forwards while crouching. Several weapons from the previous game have disappeared but a modified version of the MP5 submachine gun from Tomb Raider III, and the revolver from The Last Revelation have returned. A new tool takes the form of the grappling hook, which is used to latch onto certain areas of the ceiling and swing across vaults. Only one vehicle (of sorts) appears: a high tech diving suit designed to penetrate deep waters. This controls exactly the same as Lara does when she's under water, with only on exception that is she can fire chaff flares ahead, to distract enemy subs.
The game consists of four sub-adventures and takes Lara to Rome, a Russian submarine base, a haunted island called the Black Isle in Ireland, and a high-tech building in New York. Secrets in Tomb Raider Chronicles are represented by a golden rose (much like the dragons in Tomb Raider II). In total there are 36 scattered throughout the game and each time the player finds all of the secrets within one of the four adventures, a special feature is unlocked and, such as concept art, storyboards, and in the PlayStation version, a short trailer for Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (then known as Tomb Raider: Next Generation).
Scenario
The game consists of four separate scenarios spread throughout Lara's life.
Rome : Lara travels to the Italian capital in search for the legendary Philosopher's Stone. Meanwhile she is constantly stalked by Pierre and Larson, enemies that were first seen in the original Tomb Raider. Lara eventually recovers the stone. The Rome part of the game consists of three levels.
Russia : Lara seeks the Spear of Destiny and a sunken German U-Boat. After discovering, recovering and eventually having the artifact taken from her, she escapes the boat. The Russia part consists of four levels, and is longest part of all game. It has medium hard difficulty.
Ireland : A young Lara and Father Patrick Dunstan investigate the supernatural activities of the Black Isle. During the trip, Lara finds The Bestiary. Eventually, Father Patrick is attacked and kidnapped by a dark rider, and Lara must rescue him. The Ireland part consists of three levels.
Von Croy Industries (VCI) : Lara uses the aid of ex-VCI employee and technical IT genius Zip, to infiltrate Von Croy Industries, and steal the Iris artifact. After doing so, she then escapes the building. The New York part consists of three levels.
Level Editor
The PC version of Tomb Raider Chronicles features Tomb Raider Level Editor, a flexible editor that allows users to create their very own Tomb Raider levels, or even full-length games, for the first time.
Reception
Tomb Raider Chronicles received mixed reviews, ranging from bad to average. Most critics complained about the lack of innovation, as the game features no new weapons or vehicles, and only a few new moves for Lara. The storyline and soundtrack were also described as weak by most players. However, the difficulty, which is easier compared to previous Tomb Raider titles, was praised, as well as the graphics. The level editor was also widely praised. Also, Tomb Raider Chronicles sold relatively well, with over 1.5 million copies sold worldwide.
Although graphically praised as one of the best instalments in the series, the game was subject to numerous criticisms, primarily due to its lack of originality. Reviewers complained that the series were out of touch with contemporary game development.
The PC version of the game is notoriously problematic with level bugs. In the last stage, "Red Alert", loading certain save points may cause key items to disappear. Sometimes specific events will not be triggered at all. The game even felt old as the original Tomb Raider engine, and its “grid system” of level design, definitely showed its age.
Some of the puzzles were also criticised, although trying to have a more modern approach than the typical Tomb Raider puzzles including elements such as pushing blocks, some of which were extremely hard due to how well Lara can interact with the environment not being made clear at all, Lara could perform new moves but they varied and players of the game were not told and they had to somewhat figure them out while stuck on a puzzle. Items one had to find were also more hidden, blending in with the environment, and due to some of their small sizes, extremely hard to find. An example of this is in the level, "Old Mill", where there is a coin that has to be picked up from a spot with a yellow background; it blends in almost completely and the player cannot progress until it is picked up, but if the player goes forward a short distance away from the coin a cutscene occurs (that cannot be skipped), and Lara is spawned in a different location, confusing players and due to such problems some parts of the game are extremely difficult without a walk-through or a player with a good sense of locating items. On the same level, a stick to light a fire with is in a dark room and the stick is of a brown colour, it makes it almost completely impossible to see and is very well hidden.
