The Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the new version of last year's hit reboot, recreated for next-gen platforms, but gamers balked when they heard the price. Asking a full $60 for a game that has already been out a year and is available for a deep discount does seem pretty ballsy for Square Enix, but they've been adamant that this is no mere port of the game. They've taken great pains to explain all the various tech improvements they've made to the game and to Lara Croft herself (and in particular, her skin), going so far as to say that this new model will represent Lara going forward.
Of course, it's one thing to say what you've done in interviews and quite another to show exactly what's been improved. Executive producer Scot Amos just took to Youtube with this tech video that shows all the improvements that have been made to Lara. It really does seem like they've completely redesigned her and the technology is pretty amazing stuff- check out the way her hair flows and the way that light actually permeates her skin. Her skin is a big focus becayse you're going to see so much of it, as was the liquid effects, seeing as she's constantly being thrown in rivers and covered in blood. Lara doesn't have a easy time in this game, no, and with these upgrades it might seem even worse for her.
But still, is this enough? You'll certainly want to own Tomb Raider if you don't- it's undeniably great, an example of a reboot attempt done perfectly. Sure, it takes a lot from Uncharted but Uncharted wouldn't have existed without the Tomb Raider franchise, so it's only fair. But for gamers that fell in love with it on the last generation machines, will a graphical uplift (and voice controls) be enough to warrant a double dip? Is $60 still too expensive? We'll see how it sells when it hits on January 28th for Xbox One and PS4. Check out the trailer below and steel yourself for all the fancy tech terms.
