REFLECTING ON TOMB RAIDER III
ADVENTURES OF LARA
[ 09 September 2017 ]
When the sailors reached the altar
where the meteorite was still locked into the earth,
they found and unwittingly looted the four artefacts
placed there. One of these sailors kept a journal as
they headed back to England. Only he was to make it
home.
Present day, and a research company
has started to make excavations deeper into the ice.
Readings taken from the rock indicated traces of a previously
unknown material. This material appeared to have the
potential to multiply and alter hock genes - the genes
which determine the make-up of living organisms. These
alterations were therefore capable of evolving a greater
diversity of life.
Within this rock were the next
most important findings in genetics and evolution since
Darwin - a progression that he ironically just missed
when they uncovered the body of a European, perfectly
preserved in the ice. Scratched on his tombstone was
the name of the boat he sailed on. Following this information,
they located the shipmate's journal and set about searching
for the artefacts lost by the sailors.
Lara Croft, meanwhile is in India
searching for one of these artefacts. Unaware of its
true history, she only knows that in local beliefs it
was supposed to hold great powers and has been revered
by tribes there throughout the years.
Tomb Raider III combines the best
elements of its two predecessors: Tomb Raider's atmosphere,
vast locations, puzzle-solving and exploration elements
and Tomb Raider II's action and use of vehicles. The
combination of these elements offers the player an environment
that features more of a 50-50 balance between exploration
and action elements.
Tomb Raider III's non-linear levels
present the player with more than one route to complete
each level. There is also a new structure for the order
of gameplay: Tomb Raider III contains 5 separate 'adventures'
which link together. After completing the first adventure,
the following three may be played in any order, before
the fifth level brings the game to its conclusion. A
new save-game system has also been implemented, offering
'easy' and 'difficult' options.
Improved artificial intelligence
allows more sophisticated combat techniques since enemies
react far more realistically - they may even run away
when initially approached. It is now possible to sneak
past some of the enemies and duck behind objects whilst
shooting.
As well as a completely new landscape
system that allows far greater detail than the previous
games, Tomb Raider III incorporates a variety of new
elements such as multi-coloured lighting, weather effects
and more realistic execution for flames, explosions
and water surfaces. All elements have been designed
to give the game more depth and the player more satisfaction.
Tomb
Raider III
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