People discuss the underappreciation of Tomb Raider games, rumors of an Xbox Switch, and the budget for Immortals Of Aveum in the Games Inbox.

The Wednesday letters page discusses predictions for Xbox's upcoming podcast and a reader's excitement for Dragon's Dogma 2.

February 14th 2024.

People discuss the underappreciation of Tomb Raider games, rumors of an Xbox Switch, and the budget for Immortals Of Aveum in the Games Inbox.
I couldn't believe it when I read the review for the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered collection. It was a pleasant surprise, especially after the lack of promotion from Embracer. It seems like they didn't have any money left for marketing! But now, I'm excited to get my hands on it and dive into the games over the weekend.

I completely agree with the reviewer's point that these games are underappreciated. Not only did they have a huge influence on the gaming industry, but they were also high-quality games in their own right. I remember playing the first Tomb Raider and being blown away by the third person 3D gameplay. It was groundbreaking at the time.

Although I wouldn't say I hate the reboot trilogy, they definitely don't hold a candle to the original games. They've become just another action-adventure game, completely different from the slow-paced puzzle platformers we fell in love with. I understand that the gaming industry has changed, but it would have been nice to see a compromise between the old and new styles.

I hope that this remastered collection will bring some well-deserved respect back to the Tomb Raider franchise. It's more than just the game that launched Lara Croft into superstardom. These games deserve recognition for their impact and quality.

Moving on to another topic, I'm thrilled to hear that the Tomb Raider remasters have received high scores. As a self-proclaimed fan of the franchise, I haven't played the original games in years. But now, with the updated graphics, I can't wait to jump back into the world of Lara Croft.

However, I can't help but worry about the future of the franchise. With the cost-cutting measures at Embracer, I fear that the upcoming game, Dragon's Dogma 2, may be affected. It wouldn't surprise me if they sold off the license and development team to make a quick profit. But I hope that a company that truly wants to invest in the game will take over and bring it back to its former glory.

Moving on to the current state of the gaming industry, I was shocked to learn that EA spent $40 million on marketing for Immortals Of Aveum. And that's the best name they could come up with? It's no wonder the game didn't do well. From the reviews, trailers, and even just the concept, it didn't seem appealing to me at all. It's decisions like this that make me question the common sense of those in charge of the gaming world.

Speaking of common sense, as a parent and a gamer, I've struggled to find a balance between my responsibilities and my hobby. Modern games require a significant time investment, making it difficult to enjoy without neglecting important things. But I've found that games like Fall Guys and Fortnite, where I can play with my children and jump in and out of the game, are the perfect solution.

On a different note, I find it hard to believe that Sony will go through the entire year without releasing a single first-party game. It's a drastic change from their usual smooth release schedule. The only explanation I can think of is that they have all hands on deck working on live service games or remakes. It's a shame to see such a successful company in such a state.

Finally, as a prediction for the upcoming Xbox podcast, I believe we'll hear about Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea Of Thieves, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. I wouldn't be surprised if Blade becomes available on multiple platforms, but I think they'll hold onto Indiana Jones. And if they have a sense of humor, they'll announce Redfall for PlayStation 5, which would surely appease Xbox fans.

But regardless of what is announced, I doubt we'll get a full disclosure from Phil Spencer. It's clear that Xbox has been surprised by recent rumors and speculation, and it's their own fault for not addressing them sooner. But I have a feeling that this won't be the end of the speculation, and we'll continue to scrutinize any future exclusive announcements from Xbox.
The news of the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered collection has taken the gaming community by surprise, and the discussions are in full swing. Fans are eagerly waiting for the upcoming Xbox podcast, trying to predict what will be revealed. One reader, in particular, is excited for the potential announcement of Dragon's Dogma 2.

Many were apprehensive about the remastered collection, given the lack of information leading up to its release. However, the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with some even dubbing it a "bang-up job." It seems that the game's publisher, Embracer, has not invested much in marketing, but the game's quality speaks for itself. Fans like Gregor are now looking forward to playing it over the weekend.

The reviews also bring up an important point - the Tomb Raider games are not just influential but also of high quality. The first game was groundbreaking, with its third-person 3D gameplay that left players in awe. It was a significant moment for those who did not own an N64, as it was their first experience with such a game. While the reboot trilogy may not live up to the originals, they still have their own charm. However, it's a shame that they could not strike a balance between the slow-paced puzzle platformer style of the original and the fast-paced action of the reboot. It seems that Embracer made the same mistake with Tomb Raider 3 and the reboot trilogy, trying to turn it into a mindless action game.

Gregor urges everyone to give Tomb Raider the respect it deserves, not just as the game that launched Lara Croft's career, but also for its overall contribution to the gaming world. He feels that the game is underrated and underappreciated, and hopes that the remastered collection will change that.

Logi is also excited about the remastered collection and is looking forward to playing it after years of not picking up the PS1 games. However, they are unsure about the future of the franchise. They fear that Embracer's cost-cutting measures may affect the quality of the upcoming game, or worse, lead to its cancellation. Logi believes that Lara Croft deserves better and hopes that the remastered collection is a sign of a return to greatness for the franchise.

The discussion then shifts to another topic - EA's recent investment of $40 million in marketing for their game, Immortals Of Aveum. The name alone did not inspire much interest, and the reviews and trailers did not help either. Hammeriron feels that this is a classic example of throwing good money after bad. They also criticize the lack of common sense among gaming executives, who can no longer rely on spending their way out of problems.

Piecez brings up a new question - how do gamer parents or mature gamers find time to play games? They share their own experience of owning a Wii in 2012 but giving up gaming because modern games required too much investment. Even the Nintendo Switch, with its supposedly lighter games, has not made a significant difference. Piecez feels that games like Fortnite, which can be played with children, are the way to go.

Supes steers the conversation towards Sony and their lack of first-party game announcements or releases this year. They cannot fathom how a company that had a smooth release schedule at the launch of the PlayStation 5 is now struggling to announce any new games. They believe that the only explanation for this is that Sony has every developer working on live service games, with the exception of Insomniac and Naughty Dog, who are making remakes.

Finally, Anon shares their prediction for the upcoming Xbox podcast. They believe that games like Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Microsoft Flight Simulator will be announced, with the possibility of Blade being multi-platform. They also suspect that Xbox's recent acquisition spree may be to strengthen their case against the FTC. Anon is curious to see how Xbox will handle the ongoing rumors and speculations surrounding their exclusivity deals.

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