TheTomb Raiderreboot could have been quite different
Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have been celebrating 25 years ofTomb Raiderthis year, and today, they showcased something a little different. A few videos shed light onTomb Raider: Ascension, the project that eventually became the 2013 reboot, and how different it could have been.
Tomb Raider: Ascensionwas the name for a project that would eventually become 2013’sTomb Raider. In a new video highlighting early footage fromAscension, you’re able to see both the similarities and stark contrasts from Lara’s eventual journey across Yamatai.
It is very, very survival horror. Rather than gruff dudes with guns,Ascension‘s Lara is dealing with supernatural monsters. The first part of the footage is all set in a cave, dimly lit by the glow of Lara’s torch. Later, she can be seen lighting creatures ablaze with an improvised flamethrower, using her bow, and even riding a horse as a massive monster gives chase. Am I wrong, or did that part have someShadow of the Colossusvibes?
As the YouTube description notes,Tomb Raider: AscensiontookTomb Raiderdeep into the survival horror side of things. It was made during the exploratory phases of what would eventually becomeTomb Raider (2013). And it was throughAscensionthat the team honed in on both an origin story premise.
you may also see the familiar camera angles, animations, and other aspects that made Lara’s new adventures stand out. Two other videos were also uploaded, showcasingbrandingforAscensionand some earlyAscensionconcepts. It’s a surprisingly transparent look at how much work went intoAscension, and fascinating to see just how theTomb Raiderreboot emerged from this project.
Of course, it’s not hard to look at this and dream a little wistfully about a survival horrorTomb Raidergame. It would fit really well, especially with where the reboots left off with Lara. And while there are supernatural aspects to these games, one that focuses even more heavily on the scary monsters could be cool.
If anything, I’m just trying to stay hopeful for moreTomb Raider. With Crystal Dynamics working away on bothMarvel’s Avengersand now assisting onPerfect Dark, and Eidos Montreal closing in on the launch ofMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, who knows when that day might come. But in the meantime, thisAscensionfootage gives us some fascinating insight into the process behind the reboot, and some interesting “what-if’s” in the process.
