In one of the few genuinely interesting announcements at this year's Spike VGX Awards, we learned that Crystal Dynamics' reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise would be getting an updated re-release for the PlayStation 4. Touted as the "definitive edition", this new version sports improved physics and a complete graphical overhaul.
To demonstrate these enhanced visuals, IGN has released a video comparing the PS3 and PS4 editions of the game. The clip sees executive producer Scot Amos detailing the process that the developer went through to refine its existing graphical engine. He also spends a great deal of time discussing how the team got Lara's skin to look just right. So, uh, there's that.
It still strikes us as odd that Square Enix would be interested in putting so much effort into a re-release of a game that, according to its accounting team, didn't sell nearly enough copies to meet financial projections. That said, we absolutely loved the Uncharted-esque reboot, and if this footage is anything to go by, it'll look terrific on Sony's new machine. Hopefully we'll soon get a few more details on that totally new next-gen Tomb Raider title, too. Will you be hunting down this updated version, or have you already confronted the violent residents of Yamatai? Raid the comments section below.
[source ign.com]
Comments 17
It does look way better - just the number of effects on screen really add to the atmosphere. I'm really not keen on Lara's new face, though.
@get2sammyb But Sammy! They've put so much effort into making sure her skin looks perfect! Seriously though, that part of the video make me just a little bit uncomfortable - as does her new face design. It's just a little bit too far into the uncanny valley for me.
@k_andersen Her eyes and hair look amazing graphically, but the design has slipped back into 'supermodel' territory. I quite like that she looked more natural in the PS3 version. Meh, I guess I feel weird for overanalysing a character model, too...
While I don't think it really looks next gen, it does appear they've done a good job upgrading the previous version. It looks more like a PS3 exclusive now haha.
It may not look next-gen, but on the other hand I don't think it is intended to. Seems to me an opportunity to further the developers' original vision, which was probably hindered by 8 year-old hardware.
Dang, when you compare the new and old faces, the old one almost looks like that of a plastic doll.
The thing is, they are throwing all of these graphical updates at as big thing while conveniently not mentioning that the game is still the same game. If you have already played it, there is nothing new beyond better graphics. Not sure if I want to pay full price for the same experience.
Im unsure why they are doing this. It Doesn't seem financially viable, are they releasing it on Xbox one aswell? I may buy it when its pre owned, I wouldn't pay 50 quid for a re release.
It's not meant for people how already own the game for the PS3, but for people who skipped it and/or didn't have a PS3 or sold it to buy a non-backwards compatible PS4 I guess.
It does look considerably better, I'd play it, as I didn't play much of it on last gen, I'll only buy it if it's cheaper or there's a trade in deal, however.
@RyoHazuki @Jaz007 I think the new one looks more plastic?
@get2sammyb: I too prefer the old look. I like the coloring of the new model (for me she looked to pale) but the old look she looks younger and more how do I put this ordinary. Plus with the older look she doesn't look as confident which I like since this is the first game in this new series and it tells us how she became the Lara we know.
Still I will be picking this up since I never owned it and I did really enjoy this game.
Probably wouldn't rebuy. Loved the game but improved graphics doesn't justify paying $60 again. They didn't do anything to improve Multiplayer or the Trophies so there is really no point. Definitive Edition will be a solid rent. Or at least wait a bit and the price will drop fast.
Sure it looks better, but when they flashed the PS4 version across the screen after the PS3 version, I was astounded at just how close they are. How close these two generations are. I'm buying the game, for the simple reason that I never played it on PS3, and need something to play on PS4. They're lucky there isn't any games out for PS4 at the moment though. Cause if this were a year from now, there's no way I'd even remotely consider pre ordering this game for $60.
It's kind of sad we're discussing what for all intents and purposes is an early 2013 game when we have two new consoles on the market. Feb. and March with Thief, inFamous, Titanfall and potentially DriveClub can't get here soon enough.
I rather they spend their time making a TR2 really or remake the original PS1 TR for the PS4
@Grieva They're doing it to get a feeling of how the new hardware behaves, what they can get out of it and to familiarize with it, pretty much what Nintendo did with Wind Waker HD.
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