The UK-based developer releases info about several of its upcoming PS2 projects, including Lara Croft\'s planned appearance on Sony\'s next-generation console.
At a recent press conference, Core Design openly discussed several of its upcoming PS2 projects. Among the games discussed was the next installment in the Tomb Raider series, which has reportedly been in development for more than a year.
Core was eager to inform the press that the next Tomb Raider game will be a marked departure from the last few games in the series, and it hinted quite strongly that the game will not carry the Tomb Raider title. Core also addressed the rumors regarding the episodic nature of the series, stating that while the games themselves won\'t be distributed online in episodes, certain game-related extras-- character bios, CG portraits, and such--will be. The developer also revealed some gameplay details; most significantly, GameSpot learned that the game will feature some light RPG elements, in the form of attribute development. Rather than allowing players to tweak the game\'s characters to their liking, certain actions--such as running and sprinting--will automatically become more effective the more a player performs them. This allows Core to include areas in the game that are accessible only by characters of a certain proficiency level.
Certain basic elements of the game will also be changed. Primarily, Core stated that it has moved away from Tomb Raider\'s traditional grid-based movement scheme, instead focusing on something more true to life. The effect, the developer stated, was that the game will move more fluidly and organically. More exciting, though, is the fact that the game\'s environments will be truly expansive and interactive. Lara and Curtis--a new playable character--will be able to explore the environments in earnest, accessing entire houses and even jumping out of windows, if they are so compelled.
Some light was also shed on the game\'s story. While visiting a friend in Paris, Lara is framed for a serious crime, forcing her to evade the law. Core stated that the game\'s themes will be much darker than what the Tomb Raider series has traditionally explored, though the company was suitably silent about exactly what that entailed. It\'s interesting to note that the game\'s first stage will have Lara breaking into, and possibly vandalizing, the famous Musée du Louvre in Paris. Though not much was revealed about Curtis, the game\'s other playable character, it was hinted that his motivations are similar to Lara\'s. The game will feature four large areas to explore--the first of which is Paris--and the gameplay styles will range from stealth-based to classic Tomb Raider-style exploration.
At its press event, Core also had a very early build of Thunderstrike III for the PS2. This continuation of Core\'s PC and PlayStation chopper combat game will feature huge environments, roughly measuring 30 square kilometers, in which players can act out pitched battles against computer-controlled enemies of all types, including infantry, artillery, and airborne. Though the game has an arcade feel, it will feature light strategy elements. Prior to each mission, you\'re able to select your backup forces and place them on the battlefield. Though what Core had on display at the conference was little more than a tech demo, the level of detail present in the game was quite impressive. The insides of the ****pit were ultradetailed, and the game\'s engine allowed for some drastic visual magnification of the activity down below.
GameSpot will have more about these games as they develop. In the meantime, watch our previews section for more information on Core\'s games early next week.
Topic: Core talks next-gen Tomb Raider, Thunderstrike (Read 572 times)