Uncharted Vs Tomb Raider – The Imitation Game

"We have Sony’s best franchise Uncharted, up against the surprising majesty that is the Tomb Raider Reboot."

Ed from Gameondaily compares the Tomb Raider reboot against Uncharted 3 and decides upon a winner, albeit tentatively.

[Fro_xoxo]

I fell in love with Drake before I met Lara. However, It took me some time to appreciate Tomb Raider 2013 but I got there eventually.

Devs are inspired by one another, sometimes it's subtle, other times very evident.

I'm happy both games exist. We don't need a 'versus' because they can both coexist. There's room for both games.

[stuna1]

Great comment! More games for gamers to choose from IMO.

One has a woman in the leading role, the other has a man in the leading role plain and simple. Both are enjoyable, look good so why not play both!? So what some may have to wait a little longer to play one or the other dependent on the console you own perspective.

[MysticStrummer]

"There's room for both games."

Very true, but I would prefer two very different games over two somewhat similar games, especially when one of them used to be very different and I loved it.

[Relientk77]

I do think it would be kinda cool if we had Nathan Drake and Lara Croft team up for one game

IF they did it right

[Thatguy-310]

If they did I would love for them to use her old model since she had more charisma than the new one. The chemistry between them could be like Nathan's and Chloe's since the old Lara was a bug flirt.

[Volkama]

Nathan Drake on an adventure with 1990s Angu-Lara?

I didn't find her to be particularly charismatic on the Sega Saturn. Dead sexy though, right?

[gangsta_red]

That would be an awesome cross over.

It would have to be a massive type of game that would incorporate the best of both games. The Tomb Raider type of dungeon exploration and the action packed sequences found in Uncharted.

It would be interesting just to see how these two characters would act with one another.

[stuna1]

Sad to say I doubt that will ever happen. Simply because one character is exclusive to a console brand and the other is now a multiplatform character, a 3rd party developer against a 1st party developer.

Even if they tried to do something like that console exclusive, I think it would cause to much a ruckus with competing consoles.

[gangsta_red]

I actually think it can happen. Look at Smash Bros and Sega, Namco and Capcom lending their mascots to a game that is exclusive to one system.

There should be no reason why CD/Square could exclusively work with Naughty Dog to make a cross over game that is for the PS4 only. There is nothing holding them back besides creative control and how each character should be handled.

"I think it would cause to much a ruckus with competing consoles."

Now this I agree with, the developers wouldn't have a problem but fans would. We have already seen how fan(boys) reacted when TR was a timed exclusive for Xbox I can just imagine the meltdown if fanboys found out that Laura was now appearing in a game exclusive to one console.

[-Foxtrot]

Uncharted would win by miles. 4 main games along with 1 prequel shows us how NaughtyDog have managed to keep the overall series tone which the franchise is known for. They havent had to change something drastic to keep it fresh, they've always respect what Uncharted is supposed to be.

However the reboot of Tomb Raider could have been a brand new IP if it wanted to be. Instead of evolving Tomb Raider they decided to copy Uncharted making it into a full blown action game where Lara, like Drake, comes off as Rambo. It would be fine if they wanted to use the origin story of the original Lara Croft, the one we grew up with, where her plane goes down in the Himalayas killing her parents and fiancée but they decided to create something completely different. I mean how are we supposed to see how a "Legend is born" when it's not really "our" legend we grew up with.

I think I laugh more when some people try to defend the reboot and say something silly like "It's always been like that"...yeah sure it has ¬¬

[awi5951]

Tomb raider always had action with all the wild bears and tigers that would tear your face off. You had to dodge, jump, and spin like crazy or you would be dead real fast. I had more fun with the first 2 tomb raiders than the first two uncharted. They were deeper games with far harder puzzles.

[-Foxtrot]

That's not full on action though is it.

It's more survival then action

[Imalwaysright]

TR 2013 isn't full on action. It has platforming, exploration and puzzle solving just like the original TR had. It has these elements in less amount than the original but that still is the template that was set in 1996 for all action adventure by TR.

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

Yep let's compare it with U3 so the edgy people of the Internet declares TR winner because for some reason U3 sucked with a higher metacritic than TR...

[Thatguy-310]

But it did tho lol Uncharted 3 got a pass from a lot of sites. In no way was that game a 10/10. Just goes to show how strong the name itself has become. The thing Uncharted has over the competition is the ability to built a world with characters that you care about. Tomb Raider just focuses on Lara which shouldn't be the case. If you want a story to work you have to put effort to everything on it not just one character.

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

Few sites gave it a 10 while the other where mostly 9s, which is well deserved The game didn't suck, far from it. But I guess if that's Naughty dog in their worst days, then we can expect no less from them because U3 was still impressive

[SoapShoes]

I preferred 3 over 2. It didn't have as good a story but it exceeded everywhere else imo.

[miyamoto]

If you compare U3 to U2 yeah U2 should be 10/10 not U3. But to most games aside from U2, U3 is a technical masterpiece worthy of a 10/10.

but seriously U3 was a definite improvement on graphics, procedural computing, effects, animation, character designs, etc.
U2 trumps U3 in storytelling, ground breaking presentation, character chemistry, and creativity.

Harry Flynn > Cutter

[awi5951]

You never played the original tomb raiders have you. I played them when they launched. And they are 4 times bigger and longer and more interesting than any uncharted games. Those games took a while to beat and the puzzles were great and there was a since of fear in those games that uncharted lacks. They need to make HD remakes of the original tomb raider games to put uncharted in its place.

[The-Marb]

As the article explains, TR has been compared with UC3 as that was the most recent and it's inherently unfair to compare 1 game (Tomb Raider 2013) with 3 games (Uncharted 1-3). It's an attempt at a vaguely scientific method I suppose.

Uncharted 2 is my fave personally but 3 is still great.

[awi5951]

They are comparing it to the old tomb raider games no one cares about these new ones.

[SmokingMonkey]

1st party vs 3rd party?

1st Party wins...Fatality.....Every...ti me.

[ScorpiusX]

I pick Indy over these two cause that's who both are coping .

[Highlife]

Well we should stop making just about everything then. Stop halo scifi has been done before stop nba2k basketball has been done before. Everything pulls from something.

[ScorpiusX]

I've have always preferred original material over copies or works inspired by them .

[SaveFerris]

The character of Indiana Jones was likely 'inspired' by a number of earlier fictional adventurers such as Allan Quartermain and Doc Savage.

[Spotie]

Uncharted shares some basic themes with the Tomb Raider series pre-reboot. Those themes, though, are more from Indiana Jones than Tomb Raider, which itself is also inspired by this source.

The reboot? It and its sequel- said to be more of the same, though that's not inherently a bad thing- are HEAVILY inspired by Uncharted. This is much closer to what you'd call imitation than anything Uncharted has taken from Tomb Raider.

[Imalwaysright]

Basic themes? Uncharted shares the template that was set by TR in 1996.

Also, I have no doubt that it was Uncharted that prompted CD to update the gameplay mechanics in TR 2013 but if we're being 100% accurate TR took NOTHING from Uncharted.

Just like Uncharted it took TR 1996 template and just like uncharted it took gameplay mechanics like the cover system from other games like killswitch cover system and updated TR template with gameplay mechanics that fit today's standards.

[Davi123]

Before i playing Uncharted for the first time. I had this sensation: i will start playing a game based on Tomb Raider, like everyone else. But when i started. I realised, that doesn't exist almost any connection with TR.

[Imalwaysright]

@ BoyBigEyes

Aside from the fact that both are 3D TPS action games and have platforming, killing goons, swimming climbing, puzzle solving exploration and the treasure hunting theme you're right. Uncharted doesn't have anything to do with the game that set the template for all action adventure games in 1996: TR1.

[Davi123]

Wow!!! So God of War is a clone of TR too?!
And Zelda? And Jak and Daxter? Thief? Prince of Persia?
If you think a little about that, you will realize that are out there lots of games with of all that you mentioned! The only reason why Uncharted and TR started to be compared in the beginning, is because everyone (I included) when listen ND talk about Uncharted, think that they are doing a TR clone. Although they had said that they aren't doing that.

[Imalwaysright]

@ BoyBigEyes

YES!!!

Skip to 1996

http://www.bafta.org/herita...

TR was made in 1996 when 3D was taking its 1st steps. TR is the Wolfenstein of 3D action adventure games and was the game that set the template for pretty much every action adventure game that would follow INCLUDING Uncharted. Fact is, you won't find ANY game before it that had all those elements combined in a single game. Uncharted follows TR template period.

[Davi123]

lol Think in that perspective is just stupid. Humans, like me and you, don't have the capacity to live to part of the world. Your brain is a great machine, but isn't capable to imagine things that you didn't had seen yet. Look to the Pokemon for example, all of them are based on animals/objects that exist in the real world. If you look to the informatic history, that tries always put just one person responsible for one achievement, you will see that isn't true. Many others participated, to achieve that achievement. Or you see that someone before had do a achievement that were necessary to get a new achievement. Humans, work and learn all together, we have been made in this way.

[Imalwaysright]

Yes, yes whathever... Still, credit should be given to whom credit is due and Toby Gard and his team at Core Designs deserve all the credit for making one of the most influential games ever made. Don't understand why is it so difficult for people like you and Hicken to give it to Core designs.

[awi5951]

@BoyBigEyes Yeah the shooting and combat in tomb raider didnt suck.

[Davi123]

And what we say about those who made games on a very limited hardware, with climbing, platforming, killing, swimming, puzzle solving and exploration?
I'm not telling CoreDesigns do not deserve any credits.
But what they did, already have been made, but in 2D.
Like i said before is unfair, everyone that creates a new thing need to be thankful to those who started first. Because is the only way we learn, is been all together. If the person who invented the wheel dies and that knowledge dies too with her. Our society today would be completely different!

[Imalwaysright]

You won't find any game before TR that had all those elements in a single package be it 2D or 3D. That's why Core Designs is credited to create the template that countless action games follow. That's why Core Designs won a BAFTA award.

Look at Wolfenstein 3D. Not the 1st game to have first person view or the first games where you shoot enemies. Hell it's not even the first FPS (skip to 1974 in the link). No, what ID did with wolfenstein was to create the template that pretty much every modern FPS follows and as result is considered the "father" of the FPS genre. TR is the same for the TPS action adventure genre. That's why I can't help to laugh when I see someone saying that Uncharted doesn't have nothing in common with TR.

[Davi123]

The Action Button Fun Dumpster 2K15: 98

And if you search you will find more.

[awi5951]

@Imalwaysright

Well that is not exactly true i loved the prince of Persia sands of time game it was the only other that had those elements. Only the 1st one i didnt like the other ones at all. Also the original prince of Persia has a lot of those elements but in 2d though.

[Imalwaysright]

@ awi5951

I never played the original Prince of Persia but when Sands of time was released there were already atleast 5 TR games in the market all from the PS1 era. Also, Prince of persia 2D isn't a TPS action adventure game is it?

Edit: Just wanted to say that it's obvious that other games had some, not all, of the elements that TR has but what I'm talking about is the template.

TR template by combining the elements I stated above was genre defining. The cover system for example can be found in sandbox games like GTA, RPGs like Mass Effect, TPS like Gears or even in action adventure games like Uncharted. The difference is that all these games have different elements that put them in different genres. TR template was groundbreaking, it was genre defining and is the template that Uncharted follows.

[polow got sol]

Tomb raider has been displaying more quality as of late.

[izumo_lee]

Tomb Raider is a great franchise but over the years the quality of the series has faltered dramatically. The reboot is a good start to revitalize the franchise & the new game looks promising.

However there is one thing that sets Uncharted apart from Tomb Raider & that is Tomb Raider takes itself way too seriously from its tone & subject matter. Remember the reboot got so much flak for the 'intended' rape scene, stuff like that can get too over dramatic. Sure people can like this stuff but too much of it can get tiring which is maybe what happened with the franchise before the reboot.

Uncharted knows what it is & is not afraid to not take itself seriously. If Indiana Jones was to have a good game Uncharted would be it. The light hearted, over the top, comedic tones of the Uncharted series is what many love it for.

Both series are top notch but Uncharted has the upper hand cause just like with film a more light hearted film will get a bigger audience than a dramatic one.

[Imalwaysright]

"The light hearted, over the top, comedic tones of the Uncharted"

Doesn't fit what the Drake does and goes through in the game. One would imagine that the last thing on his mind after shooting 10 people in the head in a minute would be cracking up a joke with one of his buddies as if nothing had happened but that is exactly what he does.

TR tonne and Lara's personality are much more fitting to what Lara does and goes through in the game. She is a survivor that is constantly fight for her life and she is someone that has to kill in order to stay alive.

[Elda]

I really like the Uncharted seies.I just started to like Tomb Raider,tried to play all from the past from the first PS & PS-2 but could not get into them at all.Played the reboot on PS-3 & it was a blast to play...really enjoyed the game.One doesn't take itself too serious while the other does.

[76erz24]

I'd say if the Uncharted trilogy and Tomb Raider 2013 were to be ranked it would go:

1. Uncharted 2 - 10/10
2. Uncharted 3 - 9.5/10
3. Tomb Raider - 9.25/10
4. Uncharted: Drakes Fortune - 9/10

All for were truly awesome games, each one of the best of there respective years. I love the direction the Tomb Raider franchise is taking with ROTR and Uncharted 4 is of course going to be incredible. I expect ROTR to be a GOTY contender this year and Uncharted 4 next year respectively. Truly a great time to be a gamer if you love these type of 3 person adventure games.

[kotaku77]

Microsoft payed tons of money to have a short time exclusivity for this game cause they know how good Naughty's jewel is (atm we are talking about the best gaming studio in the world)...
This is damage control for the Xbox! Even Phil Spencer said that.
But anyway, soon enough I'll be able to compare them both 1st hand.

[PR_FROM_OHIO]

Uncharted for me but owning a PS4 means i get to have both LOL

[CrowbaitBob]

Uncharted vs. Tomb Raider?

I prefer Uncharted AND Tomb Raider.

[raggy-rocket]

Exclusive Xbox gamer here. Uncharted wins and I've played much more of Tomb Raider than uncharted so that says a lot.

[miyamoto]

Your comment has no logical sense.
You said you are an "Exclusive Xbox gamer" so that means you only play on Xbox console. So how can you have ever played Uncharted on your Xbox?

Is this thing common to exclusive to Xbox gamers?

[SaveFerris]

Could mean either 'plays exclusively on Xbox' or plays on an 'exclusive Xbox'?

[raggy-rocket]

I've played it on my friend's PS3 is what I meant, but didn't specify that so I get why it sounds weird.

[Realms]

At this point Uncharted series carries more weight. The fact is that the Tomb Raider reboot copied heavily from Uncharted, gamers that have played the older Tomb Raider games can attest to this. If I had to choose one it would be Uncharted, Tomb Raider reboot resembles more to Uncharted than it does to the old Tomb Raider games.

[MasterofMagnetism]

Uncharted for me.

[FN4GM]

"to anyone lucky enough to have both platforms"

Really only need one platform to play both titles, including the next Uncharted and Tomb Raider.

As to the article itself, its Uncharted, Tomb Raider franchise is great but it cant compete with the Uncharted series.

[alabtrosMyster]

I cannot say I disagree with their conclusion, however, I would give a bigger edge than they did for the story bit... You have to be drunk AND high to say that Thomb Raider 2013's story provides a good foundation for anything, it is horrendous and cringe inducing at every occasion, thankfully the rest of the game make up for it.

Uncharted 3 (or 2) it just held up together so well, it has no real down side to it... unless you prefer a really complex game with a million options (then even Thomb Raider 2013 won't do it for you).

[Khan613]

I love Uncharted for the same reasons I love Indiana Jones.

Good characters great adventure. Fantastic comedy. You actually give a shit about the characters and the story.

Not to mention a great A grade Hollywood production value feel for the final product.

This is only somewhat true with the last Tomb Raider. The story, writing and voice acting plays out like a B grade adventure you can find in a $2 dvd bargain bin at your local gas station.

Unfortunately I don't own a PS so I'm stuck with Lara.

[urwifeminder]

Never played an Uncharted game so its hard to compare it to Tomb raider video I have seen must say raider seems less like a cheese burger.

[Trekster_Gamer]

TR is more fun.
Uncharted plays out like a scripted movie...
no sense of exploration just Nate and his bromance,,,,

Tomb Raider may not have as much polish but it just more fun for me.

[Horseygamer]

i'd like to see Lara and drake in a cameo role in ether games or in a game together would be nice

[pyroxxx]

Production quality of Uncharteds (animations especially are light years ahead from Tomb Raider reboot - even the first one),.. but Lara's game was fun as hell,..Loved upgrading and farming everything,..

[Tzuno]

Diversity is good.

[NeoGamer232]

I love both franchises!

[Blackcanary]

Just give me Old Lara doing a back hand spring over Drakes head and taking her twin pistols out to kill some bad guys make it happen ND/Sony and CD/SE.