For me location are not matched to game. Venice and Mediteranean sea are so long and boring. Altogether I like China and Tibet. My favorite is TR 3 'cause climate and story is so good but I believe remake will be made.
I've been bingeing your videos recently because I am coming to China but I decided to watch a good ol' TR video and it's the oddest thing to see your comment here.
Actually all 5 ps-1 series are awesome incuding the paraller editions like for : TR-1 Unfinished buziness : TR-2 The golden mask And i'm not sure but i think there's one more { if somebody knows let us know yeah why not :-) }
You are not alone, the spider bit scared me so much when I was little and first had the game - and then still did years later, but that and the monastery are the absolute best levels
Same here...this level was huge! The first time I played TR2 I think it took me almost 2 hours to complete The temple of xian. It was terrifying! :) best level in the game
Yeah temple of xian was like: try to survive while literally everything in your surrounding tries to kill you. I could almost hear the laughs of the traps. But if you actually survive you felt like it was really earned!
ABSOLUTELY NOT. The levels did not have the same sense of isolation and atmosphere. The locations were mostly also really unsuitable and boring for a Tomb Raider game. And the sequence of the underwater sunken missions were some of the WORST, if not THE WORST, I have ever experienced in a Tomb Raider game. Tomb Raider 2 is far from the best, actually.
@@arcticwolf6402I have to agree. I found the levels challenging but my problem was the location. Multiple levels outside, underwater, in the mountains but where’s the tombs ?
Never understood why so many people say these game has trash controls. The controls works perfectly how they are suppose too. Yes, they are restrictive, but in a way it works with the game's respetive design, and creates a unique experience you just can't get in any other 3D action adventure game (the closest thing i can think of it's the old Prince of Persia games. Funny i never saw no one complaining about it's controls). The Crystal Dynamics games were good, i like'em preety much, but the new "updagred" mechanics just didn't had the same apeel to me as the old games. Sure, Core Design made a mistake by milking the franchise and launching lot's of games that were very similar to each other, wich makes lots of people get tired of the franchise, but still, at least, in my opinion, they're Tomb Raider games were the best. PS: I also liked the reboot version. It's just not Tomb Raider, but it's a good game. Unfortunately it's sequel just fucked with Lara's character, turning her into a moaning biatch wich just couldn't shut up and do her things right. Lara was aways kind of a sociopat, but at least she wasn't irritating.
To be completely honest, controls in TR2 felt better then TR3, Last Revelation and Chronicles (and we don't talk about AoD...) Not because they were better overall, there still was _some_ jank here and there, but those controls were simple enough. Gotta remember especially on PC, that you only play the game with your keyboard, which is already unintuitive to most. The more you woul add the harder it would be to get used to it. Like with TR3, Revelation and Chronicles with sprinting, crouching, rope jumping and so on. Also the fact that movement was not really made to be fast and fluid, but _precise_ instead.
Agreed, the Crystal Dynamics games were very well made games but their oversimplification of... Well, basically everything mechanics wise made nothing really feel earned or satisfying. I've played and enjoyed every TR game, with the exception of anniversary (the original TR did almost everything better imo), but nothing has come close to capturing the feeling of momentum and rewarding platforming that the originals did for me. I wish games were still being made to feel different from others these days, but sadly, too many people just whine and complain about having to learn how the mechanics work for developers to take that risk anymore.
Interesting. 40 Fathoms is one of my favourite levels in any game to date. The entire underwater section of the game is my favourite as I find the environment really unsettling. I mean this game was literally the reason I have a phobia of fish and open waters 🙂
I remember before I got TR3 I heard you could go to London...that psyched me up so much and I couldn't wait to play those levels when I finally bought the game. I thought the London levels would be cosmopolitan...how wrong I was! You basically go around like a disposable maintenance worker for two large, dimly lit levels...
i subscribed because i enjoy these in depth reviews of the tomb raider games and your channel is pretty cool all around, keep up the good work my friend.
4:41 The PC version is a slightly earlier build compared to the PSX build as the latter was the lead platform. You’ll notice minor touches here and there on the PSX versions missing or just plain different on PC.
Brings back so many great memories! I found this game really tough to complete too at the time. Playing on my phone at the moment via Android and its really hard especially with touch screen controls! lol
I wish I got the download of TR2 for IOS back then! I only downloaded TR1 because I figured it would be too hard. 1 year later I actually beat it and couldn't believe it. Got hyped, went to download TR2, and found out it was removed from the app store :(
The most hilarious part of this video has to easily be quoting Riley from the Boondocks episode lampooning Scarface. The the quick cut ins of London and Donald Trump had me wheezing. Excellent video. 🤣🤣
Very nice analysis. I usually watch your videos after I've completed the game (or completed a nice chunk and I'll watch up to that point to avoid spoilers). I thought your comment on the Maria Doria level was spot on. It was such a badly designed level, took me forever. I just got to the Tibetan Foothills (so a little over half way done), and TR 2 to me feels a bit repetitive in this first half. I loved the first level (the Great Wall), especially if you go do the secret and fight the T-Rex down there. I felt like levels 2-4 in Venice could have been combined into 2 as there was just too much repetitive stuff. Similarly (and you mention this in your video), the 2 Rig levels probably could have been combined. In terms of the 4 water levels after the 2 rig levels, I absolutely loved the Deck. Visually and aesthetically very impressive, and just the overall verticality and the design of the level was one of the best. As for the other 3 water levels preceding that one, again, they probably could have done 1 or 2 instead of 3, as it just got so repetitive.
The Wreck Of The Maria Doria took some time for me to figure out, but I don't believe it was nearly as bad as you make it out to be. For starters, those blocks that you said have to be moved multiple times, are clearly designed to go in that useless hallway to the left. You just have to figure out how to get 2 of them in there. Once done, both of the hallways you need to access are open, and you never have to touch those blocks again. Also, the trap door was fairly obvious as well, since the trap door cutscene triggers when you walk on the tile where the fuse is, before you even pick it up. And the fuse was the way for the devs to highlight that tile. No need to make it a different color or texture.
Just played through for the first time.. I heard this level is one of the most difficult but it wasn't too bad aside from the excessive block pushing throughout the level. Liked the environment too. And I missed the last circuit breaker but just pulled the block through the last flame and used a couple medkits.
You can get auto pistol ammo in China and then find the weapons in Venice. Hence you'll be more prepared to use them liberally from the get go since you'll have more ammo.
I am a big Tomb Raider fan and i just bought this game on Android but I haven't started playing it yet. After this review, i can't wait to start playing it because it looks pretty good to me. Good review too.
You inspired me to play the Core design games. I only did a playthrough of TR2 and half of AoD so I’ll look forward to playing the rest of the old games!
Man I always come back to your reviews and binge watch them for a few days. TR 2 is definitely my favorite of all the classics, it feels more fast paced like you said making it more an action movie than an archaeological adventure like the first one. Even my less favorite levels (the rig and ship parts) aren't that obnoxious and the story makes a lot more sense than the other games
In offshore rig you are actually supposed to jump into the water going through a underwater vent. So you get on the platform with the button in the end. However rolling through glass or make the enemy destroy it is indeed much faster.
ok i get the bookshelf which really did hit me on the wrong spot... but the sunken ship? I mean for me it was clear that the tile was the trigger NOT the button O_o an NO the same texture in TR1 was not ONLY used as a trigger for doors... it was also sometimes used... for nothgin :D Also you do not have to shoot AT ALL at the monastery: the Monks can (strangely) defend themself pretty good
I didnt have an issue figuring out the floor triggers in Maria Doria. I think in remastered visuals the floor triggers are more distinct. And it was easy for me to figure out with the cutscene hint
18:58 this made me shake my head so much lol, you literally saw the trap door drop as soon as you stepped on the tile before picking up the item XD then complained about not being able to figure it out, made me laugh lol. Enjoying the reviews! Haha that part in lara's house.
I hated the Maria Doria level I got so frustrated I would just end up skipping this level by cheating but back then I was like 7/8 then I later replayed the level when I was around 13/14 and I still couldn't figure this shit out I would either take my Uncles saved game or cheat lol.
The ending rant was perfectly timed and contrasted against your normally low key delivery. I cannot think of a way you could improve on it. Great video, will sub.
I love searching something new and finding a small channel whose become an authority on the topic. Great series man. Picked up the original trilogy and anniversary
This used to be my favourite Tomb Raider but now I think it's probably my least favourite classic just because the underwater levels always bore me senseless. Forty fathoms and Living Quarters are so drab and dull and Maria Doria is just dragged out and JESUS there are too many blocks to push. The Deck is a great level but by that point I'm just waiting to get to the Tibetan levels which I love. So the middle section really is a drag for me :(
Yeah for me to...still is my favorite TR but indeed those levels are a little fuckt up...sometimes I cheat skip them just to enter the Tibetan foothills :D wich I love so much
@Don Capone Well everyone is different, thank god. The worst Tomb Raider levels for me are when it feels claustrophobic. Lara isn't as fun to control when she can't jump around. That's why a lot of chronicles I didn't enjoy much because it was basically Lara running through corridors.
The ship was broken in half and you leave from the one upside down to the other in the beginning of the living quarters. Thats why you leave the ship from the water
I was surprised to see the Opera house curve jump skip, never managed it myself... But I'm disappointed you didn't show the railing jump skip in the previous level! I never found the fireplace block as a kid and honestly always thought that was the "official" way to go...
ME TOO!!!! First time I played I got frustrated and jumped off the balcony...on my next playthrough I realized there was a block I could push...I was in shock lol.
Good job man great stuff man . Wish I played with u .. the middle part of the video where u started screaming . I feel you it's hard when u don't know wtf ur supposed to do lol
Haha that giant ladder does remind me of Metal Gear Solid 3 giant ladder. I got all the classic tomb raider games last year on PC. I beat tomb raider 2 as a kid once & I remember it being confusing. It's a lot easier if you beat it once or twice though. I agree though; the game was often perplexing because of how the levels were designed. PC version is WAY better graphically. Nice review. The Temple of Xian was such a complex level full of variety & the final level in Lara's house was awesome.
I remember mario 64 rocked my little world, and stirred my imagination, but THIS game was even more important to me. I t was the first time I got lost in a "realistic game world".
I remember getting a PC magazine with a demo disc with some games on it. The demo game for Tomb Raider two was on it and I thought it was really neat. When I actually got the game, I only passed it once. I thought the PC version was tougher than the ps version.. I only had a PC to play it on.
Good job bringing up Toby's (her creator) departure but it's always worth also mentioning why he left. As it's the most noble tale in game dev history. He was not happy with how she was being marketed by Eidos as a sex object and felt it was a cheap sullying of the character. Eidos basically told him to get lost and he threatened to walk and they didn't think Laras creator would walk away from the series and it's future was huge at that point and he did. He threw everything away purely on principle. WHAT A BOSS
I return to say your reviews are still my favorite. Oddly I have the pc version of the entire franchise but still prefer emulation on my tablet. I might move to mods for a slightly updated experience.
4:07-4:25 Where is this? Is it Unfinished Business? I wish I could play that again but my disc no longer works and Steam doesn't sell it for some reason.
Do you know if there's a way to respawn the zip line (first one) in floating islands. I accidently went over bridge and fell and zip line area doesn't have handle bar
Ma Lambo is blue niggahhh 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I’m black and I die laughing every time I hear that. I honestly come back and listen to your reviews time and time again.your personal reactions to the game make the review much more authentic and original. I only come here for tr tho. Keep it up
The Game Statistic 😂 re4 is right up my alley, along with silent hill, all classic RE, deadspace and more even into the Dreamcast era. So I’ll be tuned in. And I agree that tomb raider has lost its way.
My tr2 disc was scratched so i could only ever use it to watch the opening cutscene or throw it in the cd player to listen to tracks 35 and 42. (Classical kusic and snowmobile track)
@@2TheEndzOfTime That one sucked to me after the first two and I started playing the Tomb raider series for the first time and loved the first two and hope the fourth game is good like those two were or better
I've lost my ENTIRE Tomb Raider collection when I moved. Watching those reviews alleviates the pain just the tiniest bit. Do you know if it's possible to find the games online, somewhere?
I always thought The Deck was a universally disliked level and basically the worst level in the game. I actually like the Maria Doria a lot, personally I never had any problems with the level, however, I can still understand your points. It's really funny to listen to your rant. Overall, a really good and detailed review!
I always preferred the first game. I felt the jump right into ancient tombs in TR 1 was just perfect for this kind of game, and the game's blocky look fits in there. The first stages always turned me off of this title. I get they were playing up variety in locations despite the same engine with refined mechanics and objects, but when this game attempts realistic familiar locations like a city, it really shows it's age. And having her fight a bunch of men makes her feel more like a mercenary than a treasure hunter. The animal or mythical enemies with a few boss humans felt much more theme-appropriate in the first game, but this edition starts Laura's habit of killing lots of people. However, once I got to the second and third acts of the game, I enjoyed it a lot more. Tomb or ruin-like environments well return, and the enemy fighting begins to make more sense. Seeing that Laura can protect in game characters as well as fight adds depth, and the mafia cult's efforts to unleash a world-dangerous dragon help show they are terrorists - something not readily evident on the earlier stealthier mission in Venice. Also, I have a lot of praise for your thorough reviews. I also had trouble with the bookcase in Venice and the hidden platform switch on the ship, where I nearly gave up as well. The only real complaint I have at this point is after playing through TR 1 and 2, I couldn't just continue on to 3 because the games have too much repetition. It is exciting how many reboots she's had since then. Finally, I really do appreciate Laura's independent, classy, athletic, and adventurous spirit in a culture that often still expects a woman's worst problem in life is not tearing her dress while chasing the kids around. She is incredibly inspiring and entirely validates female gamers.
tomb raider 2 is too far great...awesome levels , u knew exactly how many the secrets are(very helpful) death-spikes hilarious, not extremely hard game and the music incredible, venice or snowmobile themes..the last 2 levels were so dark and atmosheric, my best for sure..i only get stuck twice i guess, one was in a big room with a pit with spikes in a behind corner and u should look inside the pit so u see a gap down to grab and also some secrets were so well hidden like the invisible bridge-path u should walk after u had moved a dam casual-texture-block
I did not mind the snow mobile controls actually. Use the d-pad and it’s very manageable to control it precisely how you want it to. But yea that ramp blocked by a slab is just cruel level design 🙄
i've been playing this with the ios hd textures and a psx controller, i'm currently in the catacombs of talion and so far it's been an amazing new experience
The Game Statistic i've set it up on pc but it took me about an hour to do it, you need a program called AHK Injector, and then a set of textures uploaded by AOD fan
hmm not sure what a "Tylon" is. it's pronounced Tal-e-on. Also 110% not a yeti lol it's the guardian of the Talion and he's clearly a large bird of some kind.
Great review, I liked your focus on the level design and how you noted explicitly where it succeeded (I completely agree), and where it failed. I was waiting for you to mention the saving as this was for me the ultimate flaw in this game. With TR1, the save gems being placed specifically throughout the level made it so that the designers were fairly limited in what they could demand of the player before they were able to save, and I believe that this limited what they could put into the levels. The ability to save wherever you want in TR2 meant they could through a lot more at the player as they could just save whenever they want. This meant dying a lot for me, and saving after every dangerous encounter which just completely killed the flow of the game (10/15 seconds of saving every few minutes sometimes). I laughed when you mentioned NO SAVE RUNS lmao; it seems that this isn't a concern for you, but for mere mortals such as myself it really made the game seem flawed. I actually think that TR1 is a more successful game, though I think TR2 is a better game if that makes sense. I think it's an interesting comparison because the level design and scope in TR2 is so much better, but ultimately I often found it frustrating. I do think it's a great game but I will never play it again lmao. I think the devs took note of this too, as I believe the save gems come back in TR3??? (I've not played it yet so plz correct me if I'm wrong.) Don't know if anyone else has any thoughts on this subject? (Other than git gud.)
I played Tomb raider when it first came out and immediately became a fan of the franchise. just love the game (loved, since the new games are trash) and Tomb Raider II is one of my favourites to play, still to this day. I have to say, your review of the wreck of the Maria Doria's stage brought me to tears laughing!! Loved all your Tomb Raider reviews, basically :D
A lot of the things you're "supposed to do" to progress are not what you're supposed to do, just alternate, unintentional routes. 1.) Like in Bartoli's hideout with the ladder that is just at Lara's jump height.... you're supposed to jump on the ramp next to it, then jump again to climb onto the balcony nearby. Then jump again... push a block... yadayada. 2.) And with the part where Lara loses her weapons, youre supposed to jump in the water and swim through an underwater ventilation area to get up to where those windows are. 3.) The level after Maria Doria, where you say you have to jump up to the crack next to the furnace... you're supposed to do a run and jump from the slope nearby.
Huh. i just found that stuff after looking around. since it worked i assumed thats what they wanted. even other videos of gameplay had people doing the same things though its highly likely they were just doing time saving strats. And thats the way ive been clearing these levels for like a decade. its always cool to find more of these details im wrong about, cause in retrospect yeah...why would they put a ladder just barely at your max height like youll just guess that?
I love the Maria Doria stages. They feel very annoying at the end like: cmon..... pls give me some different scenery. But all in all the level design of the ship is pretty awesome. Despite the block - moving stuff, the puzzles are very complex and enjoyable. But : My favourite stage will forever be the monastery of Barkhang :DDDD
“I murdered a dragon today, and you’re gonna try to assault me with a club?”
Still the best Tombraider. Fantastic review. Was going to play through again, but this thorough review was more than enough.
For me location are not matched to game. Venice and Mediteranean sea are so long and boring. Altogether I like China and Tibet. My favorite is TR 3 'cause climate and story is so good but I believe remake will be made.
laowhy86 lol it's weird to see a big youtuber in the comments
Right?
I've been bingeing your videos recently because I am coming to China but I decided to watch a good ol' TR video and it's the oddest thing to see your comment here.
I like randomly finding C-Milk in the comment sections of old video game reviews.
You're an easter egg m8
still today the best tomb raider ever
agreed
yea...along with TR3:) i cant decide
Agreed too :-)
Actually all 5 ps-1 series are awesome
incuding the paraller editions like for :
TR-1 Unfinished buziness :
TR-2 The golden mask
And i'm not sure but i think there's one more { if somebody knows let us know yeah why not :-) }
TR-3 is also awesome and the most difficult though !!
the ending lol. you've got the best tomb raider videos on the entirety of RUclips, awesome work
don't you think you've seen enough?
When I beat the Temple of Xian I was soooo proud lol that level was amazing and crazy and super hard.
You are not alone, the spider bit scared me so much when I was little and first had the game - and then still did years later, but that and the monastery are the absolute best levels
Same here...this level was huge! The first time I played TR2 I think it took me almost 2 hours to complete The temple of xian. It was terrifying! :) best level in the game
Yeah temple of xian was like: try to survive while literally everything in your surrounding tries to kill you. I could almost hear the laughs of the traps.
But if you actually survive you felt like it was really earned!
I think Tomb Raider 2 has some of the best levels ever in the PS1 series
ABSOLUTELY NOT. The levels did not have the same sense of isolation and atmosphere. The locations were mostly also really unsuitable and boring for a Tomb Raider game. And the sequence of the underwater sunken missions were some of the WORST, if not THE WORST, I have ever experienced in a Tomb Raider game. Tomb Raider 2 is far from the best, actually.
ABSOLUTELY SO!
@@arcticwolf6402 calm down mate, everyone's allowed to have an opinion.
@@arcticwolf6402I have to agree. I found the levels challenging but my problem was the location. Multiple levels outside, underwater, in the mountains but where’s the tombs ?
I love how angry you are during the Maria Doria. It's makes my day every time I watch this review. Thanks for being kick-ass!
That home sweet home segment.....lol
I really love how these reviews go in depth and have some funny bits pertaining the experience. Super consistent stuff
31:00
Never understood why so many people say these game has trash controls. The controls works perfectly how they are suppose too. Yes, they are restrictive, but in a way it works with the game's respetive design, and creates a unique experience you just can't get in any other 3D action adventure game (the closest thing i can think of it's the old Prince of Persia games. Funny i never saw no one complaining about it's controls). The Crystal Dynamics games were good, i like'em preety much, but the new "updagred" mechanics just didn't had the same apeel to me as the old games. Sure, Core Design made a mistake by milking the franchise and launching lot's of games that were very similar to each other, wich makes lots of people get tired of the franchise, but still, at least, in my opinion, they're Tomb Raider games were the best.
PS: I also liked the reboot version. It's just not Tomb Raider, but it's a good game. Unfortunately it's sequel just fucked with Lara's character, turning her into a moaning biatch wich just couldn't shut up and do her things right. Lara was aways kind of a sociopat, but at least she wasn't irritating.
"Mmm Hmm" - Lara says, as she picks up your comment
actually core design didnt milk it, the publishers did. they killed her off in TR4 but edios wasnt happy with it and made them make chronicles
To be completely honest, controls in TR2 felt better then TR3, Last Revelation and Chronicles (and we don't talk about AoD...)
Not because they were better overall, there still was _some_ jank here and there, but those controls were simple enough.
Gotta remember especially on PC, that you only play the game with your keyboard, which is already unintuitive to most. The more you woul add the harder it would be to get used to it. Like with TR3, Revelation and Chronicles with sprinting, crouching, rope jumping and so on.
Also the fact that movement was not really made to be fast and fluid, but _precise_ instead.
Agreed, the Crystal Dynamics games were very well made games but their oversimplification of... Well, basically everything mechanics wise made nothing really feel earned or satisfying. I've played and enjoyed every TR game, with the exception of anniversary (the original TR did almost everything better imo), but nothing has come close to capturing the feeling of momentum and rewarding platforming that the originals did for me.
I wish games were still being made to feel different from others these days, but sadly, too many people just whine and complain about having to learn how the mechanics work for developers to take that risk anymore.
Interesting. 40 Fathoms is one of my favourite levels in any game to date. The entire underwater section of the game is my favourite as I find the environment really unsettling. I mean this game was literally the reason I have a phobia of fish and open waters 🙂
This guy hates movable blocks
who doesnt?
Rhys Whittington someone who loves movable blocks
LOL the comedic rant during the home invasion sequence
Hahaha, loved the Riley Freeman reference during the final mission.
Maria Doria the worst level of old TR games?
TR3s London would like to have a word with you...
Bad for different reasons. Aldwych is a nightmare. This is a different kind of grind.
You don't even have to say Aldwych. Mention "Tomb Raider" and "London" in the same sentence and players will groan already! 😂😂
No! I love all those levels! Maria Doria is gorgeous and Aldwych has the best atmosphere.
Half of the tr3 levels were ridiculous in concept or bad in design
I remember before I got TR3 I heard you could go to London...that psyched me up so much and I couldn't wait to play those levels when I finally bought the game. I thought the London levels would be cosmopolitan...how wrong I was! You basically go around like a disposable maintenance worker for two large, dimly lit levels...
i subscribed because i enjoy these in depth reviews of the tomb raider games and your channel is pretty cool all around, keep up the good work my friend.
4:41 The PC version is a slightly earlier build compared to the PSX build as the latter was the lead platform. You’ll notice minor touches here and there on the PSX versions missing or just plain different on PC.
I also wonder how the cult members carried him through the floating islands to the dragon's lair
Brings back so many great memories! I found this game really tough to complete too at the time. Playing on my phone at the moment via Android and its really hard especially with touch screen controls! lol
I wish I got the download of TR2 for IOS back then! I only downloaded TR1 because I figured it would be too hard. 1 year later I actually beat it and couldn't believe it. Got hyped, went to download TR2, and found out it was removed from the app store :(
Have to say I looooved the Catacombs, Ice Palace, and Temple of Xian levels. Such amazing level designs imo
The most hilarious part of this video has to easily be quoting Riley from the Boondocks episode lampooning Scarface. The the quick cut ins of London and Donald Trump had me wheezing. Excellent video. 🤣🤣
Very nice analysis. I usually watch your videos after I've completed the game (or completed a nice chunk and I'll watch up to that point to avoid spoilers). I thought your comment on the Maria Doria level was spot on. It was such a badly designed level, took me forever. I just got to the Tibetan Foothills (so a little over half way done), and TR 2 to me feels a bit repetitive in this first half. I loved the first level (the Great Wall), especially if you go do the secret and fight the T-Rex down there. I felt like levels 2-4 in Venice could have been combined into 2 as there was just too much repetitive stuff. Similarly (and you mention this in your video), the 2 Rig levels probably could have been combined. In terms of the 4 water levels after the 2 rig levels, I absolutely loved the Deck. Visually and aesthetically very impressive, and just the overall verticality and the design of the level was one of the best. As for the other 3 water levels preceding that one, again, they probably could have done 1 or 2 instead of 3, as it just got so repetitive.
30:30 Lol, dude. Just f*cking Lol. You win the internet!
The Wreck Of The Maria Doria took some time for me to figure out, but I don't believe it was nearly as bad as you make it out to be. For starters, those blocks that you said have to be moved multiple times, are clearly designed to go in that useless hallway to the left. You just have to figure out how to get 2 of them in there. Once done, both of the hallways you need to access are open, and you never have to touch those blocks again.
Also, the trap door was fairly obvious as well, since the trap door cutscene triggers when you walk on the tile where the fuse is, before you even pick it up. And the fuse was the way for the devs to highlight that tile. No need to make it a different color or texture.
oh i def jumped the gun. London TR3 was worse
Just played through for the first time.. I heard this level is one of the most difficult but it wasn't too bad aside from the excessive block pushing throughout the level. Liked the environment too. And I missed the last circuit breaker but just pulled the block through the last flame and used a couple medkits.
"NOT DIE TO A FUCKING SQUID HIDDEN IN A COVE" LMAOOOO
31:00
"A big day for doing whatever the hell we wanted!" That should come up at the end of every classic TR game! XD
a guy drops the auto pistols in the starting area of venice, you don't pick them up in china
You can get auto pistol ammo in China and then find the weapons in Venice. Hence you'll be more prepared to use them liberally from the get go since you'll have more ammo.
The Game Statistic ah hah!
TR1 has the best Lara personality wise. I like the cutscenes but TR2 has the best opening level.
Am I the only one that actually loved those pushing/pulling blocks puzzles? Really cool review though
Venice,Tibet and the wrecked ship were my favorite levels :)
29:45 "And finally a FUCKING DRAGON!" 😂😂😂😂
My favorite Tomb Raider game. Excited for the remaster collection coming out next year.
I am a big Tomb Raider fan and i just bought this game on Android but I haven't started playing it yet. After this review, i can't wait to start playing it because it looks pretty good to me. Good review too.
John Vu lol android good luck with that
Laurits Kennet You turned out to be correct on this.
You inspired me to play the Core design games. I only did a playthrough of TR2 and half of AoD so I’ll look forward to playing the rest of the old games!
This channel is a good one. Good game and review! Happy all round.
Man I always come back to your reviews and binge watch them for a few days. TR 2 is definitely my favorite of all the classics, it feels more fast paced like you said making it more an action movie than an archaeological adventure like the first one. Even my less favorite levels (the rig and ship parts) aren't that obnoxious and the story makes a lot more sense than the other games
In offshore rig you are actually supposed to jump into the water going through a underwater vent. So you get on the platform with the button in the end. However rolling through glass or make the enemy destroy it is indeed much faster.
ok i get the bookshelf which really did hit me on the wrong spot... but the sunken ship? I mean for me it was clear that the tile was the trigger NOT the button O_o an NO the same texture in TR1 was not ONLY used as a trigger for doors... it was also sometimes used... for nothgin :D
Also you do not have to shoot AT ALL at the monastery: the Monks can (strangely) defend themself pretty good
Yeah, I'm replaying this again and just finished the Maria Doria yesterday. That cutscene clearly triggers when a player stands on that tile.
I didnt have an issue figuring out the floor triggers in Maria Doria. I think in remastered visuals the floor triggers are more distinct. And it was easy for me to figure out with the cutscene hint
18:58 this made me shake my head so much lol, you literally saw the trap door drop as soon as you stepped on the tile before picking up the item XD then complained about not being able to figure it out, made me laugh lol. Enjoying the reviews! Haha that part in lara's house.
Damn. Binge watching these reviews. You're amazing!
Don’t we all
From 29:46 to 31:06 it's my favorite part of the review I laughed so damn hard in that part 🤣🤣🤣
This is the funniest review i have ever seen on RUclips Keep up the good work sir.
I hated the Maria Doria level I got so frustrated I would just end up skipping this level by cheating but back then I was like 7/8 then I later replayed the level when I was around 13/14 and I still couldn't figure this shit out I would either take my Uncles saved game or cheat lol.
The ending rant was perfectly timed and contrasted against your normally low key delivery. I cannot think of a way you could improve on it.
Great video, will sub.
I love searching something new and finding a small channel whose become an authority on the topic. Great series man. Picked up the original trilogy and anniversary
My favorite vintage tomb raider.
This used to be my favourite Tomb Raider but now I think it's probably my least favourite classic just because the underwater levels always bore me senseless. Forty fathoms and Living Quarters are so drab and dull and Maria Doria is just dragged out and JESUS there are too many blocks to push. The Deck is a great level but by that point I'm just waiting to get to the Tibetan levels which I love. So the middle section really is a drag for me :(
Yeah for me to...still is my favorite TR but indeed those levels are a little fuckt up...sometimes I cheat skip them just to enter the Tibetan foothills :D wich I love so much
@Don Capone Well everyone is different, thank god. The worst Tomb Raider levels for me are when it feels claustrophobic. Lara isn't as fun to control when she can't jump around. That's why a lot of chronicles I didn't enjoy much because it was basically Lara running through corridors.
It's the worst PS1 TR for me
The wreck of the Maria Doria should have renamed himself "the wreck of Block Puzzles"
The ship was broken in half and you leave from the one upside down to the other in the beginning of the living quarters. Thats why you leave the ship from the water
I was surprised to see the Opera house curve jump skip, never managed it myself...
But I'm disappointed you didn't show the railing jump skip in the previous level!
I never found the fireplace block as a kid and honestly always thought that was the "official" way to go...
ME TOO!!!! First time I played I got frustrated and jumped off the balcony...on my next playthrough I realized there was a block I could push...I was in shock lol.
Good job man great stuff man . Wish I played with u .. the middle part of the video where u started screaming . I feel you it's hard when u don't know wtf ur supposed to do lol
Cracking up over the snow mobile section. I died so much there
The ‘ahh fuck’ when you miss the jump always gets me lmaooo
The controls are so perfect, you can be so precise.
Haha that giant ladder does remind me of Metal Gear Solid 3 giant ladder. I got all the classic tomb raider games last year on PC. I beat tomb raider 2 as a kid once & I remember it being confusing. It's a lot easier if you beat it once or twice though. I agree though; the game was often perplexing because of how the levels were designed. PC version is WAY better graphically. Nice review. The Temple of Xian was such a complex level full of variety & the final level in Lara's house was awesome.
I remember mario 64 rocked my little world, and stirred my imagination, but THIS game was even more important to me. I t was the first time I got lost in a "realistic game world".
Oh my god im dying at your distain for the block puzzles and unhighlighted pressure pads hidden within the basic geometry loool
I remember getting a PC magazine with a demo disc with some games on it. The demo game for Tomb Raider two was on it and I thought it was really neat. When I actually got the game, I only passed it once. I thought the PC version was tougher than the ps version.. I only had a PC to play it on.
Good job bringing up Toby's (her creator) departure but it's always worth also mentioning why he left. As it's the most noble tale in game dev history.
He was not happy with how she was being marketed by Eidos as a sex object and felt it was a cheap sullying
of the character. Eidos basically told him to get lost and he threatened to walk and they didn't think Laras creator would walk away from the series and it's future was huge at that point and he did. He threw everything away purely on principle.
WHAT A BOSS
And then he came back for TR Legend which rewards you for finishing it 100% by gifting you a...bikini outfit
The Wreck of the Maria Doria is my favorite TR2 level, fight me.
Tomb raider 2 and angle of darkness are my favourtie. Very cool levels and great music. Nice and hard and challenging
I return to say your reviews are still my favorite. Oddly I have the pc version of the entire franchise but still prefer emulation on my tablet. I might move to mods for a slightly updated experience.
one of these days. shadow will be done 🙃
4:07-4:25 Where is this? Is it Unfinished Business? I wish I could play that again but my disc no longer works and Steam doesn't sell it for some reason.
That Boondocks reference at 30:54 had me dying for a solid minute straight. Superb review!
31:00
Only watched your reviews of one and two so far, brilliant content. Subscribed!
This is the game they need to re-master for current gen. It was to the Tomb Raider series what Uncharted 2 was to that franchise.
I love this video man thank you for sharing
Do you know if there's a way to respawn the zip line (first one) in floating islands. I accidently went over bridge and fell and zip line area doesn't have handle bar
Gagz Gaming if its towards the end of the stage you shouldnt need one. which sections of the stage does it link?
The Game Statistic it's the one about a third of the way. I just restarted the level and now all good!
Ma Lambo is blue niggahhh 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I’m black and I die laughing every time I hear that. I honestly come back and listen to your reviews time and time again.your personal reactions to the game make the review much more authentic and original. I only come here for tr tho. Keep it up
Here i am. wasting my life with RE4 until i have to stomach shadow :/
The Game Statistic 😂 re4 is right up my alley, along with silent hill, all classic RE, deadspace and more even into the Dreamcast era. So I’ll be tuned in. And I agree that tomb raider has lost its way.
My tr2 disc was scratched so i could only ever use it to watch the opening cutscene or throw it in the cd player to listen to tracks 35 and 42. (Classical kusic and snowmobile track)
I was just looking up reviews of roms I wanted to download and this review was a pleasant surprise. Hope the rest of your stuff is as good.
uh...depends on how sensitive you are. welcome aboard!
@@TheGameStatistic I think we'll get along just fine
Wait till you get to TR III
@@2TheEndzOfTime That one sucked to me after the first two and I started playing the Tomb raider series for the first time and loved the first two and hope the fourth game is good like those two were or better
Long ass video but had some laughs! Good job Bruh
I've lost my ENTIRE Tomb Raider collection when I moved. Watching those reviews alleviates the pain just the tiniest bit.
Do you know if it's possible to find the games online, somewhere?
Evelina Voltolini If you have an iphone/android you can get them off their respective stores. They are also available on Steam and ps3.
I bought mine in the PlayStation store on the Ps3 they were super cheap. :)
on GOG
I always thought The Deck was a universally disliked level and basically the worst level in the game. I actually like the Maria Doria a lot, personally I never had any problems with the level, however, I can still understand your points. It's really funny to listen to your rant. Overall, a really good and detailed review!
greatest review btw , moving to your other videos
2:48 you do? what controller did you use? i only played it with the keyboard.
I always preferred the first game. I felt the jump right into ancient tombs in TR 1 was just perfect for this kind of game, and the game's blocky look fits in there. The first stages always turned me off of this title. I get they were playing up variety in locations despite the same engine with refined mechanics and objects, but when this game attempts realistic familiar locations like a city, it really shows it's age. And having her fight a bunch of men makes her feel more like a mercenary than a treasure hunter. The animal or mythical enemies with a few boss humans felt much more theme-appropriate in the first game, but this edition starts Laura's habit of killing lots of people. However, once I got to the second and third acts of the game, I enjoyed it a lot more. Tomb or ruin-like environments well return, and the enemy fighting begins to make more sense. Seeing that Laura can protect in game characters as well as fight adds depth, and the mafia cult's efforts to unleash a world-dangerous dragon help show they are terrorists - something not readily evident on the earlier stealthier mission in Venice. Also, I have a lot of praise for your thorough reviews. I also had trouble with the bookcase in Venice and the hidden platform switch on the ship, where I nearly gave up as well. The only real complaint I have at this point is after playing through TR 1 and 2, I couldn't just continue on to 3 because the games have too much repetition. It is exciting how many reboots she's had since then. Finally, I really do appreciate Laura's independent, classy, athletic, and adventurous spirit in a culture that often still expects a woman's worst problem in life is not tearing her dress while chasing the kids around. She is incredibly inspiring and entirely validates female gamers.
tomb raider 2 is too far great...awesome levels , u knew exactly how many the secrets are(very helpful) death-spikes hilarious, not extremely hard game and the music incredible, venice or snowmobile themes..the last 2 levels were so dark and atmosheric, my best for sure..i only get stuck twice i guess, one was in a big room with a pit with spikes in a behind corner and u should look inside the pit so u see a gap down to grab and also some secrets were so well hidden like the invisible bridge-path u should walk after u had moved a dam casual-texture-block
'nother great review. I really liked the end bit.
I did not mind the snow mobile controls actually. Use the d-pad and it’s very manageable to control it precisely how you want it to.
But yea that ramp blocked by a slab is just cruel level design 🙄
i've been playing this with the ios hd textures and a psx controller, i'm currently in the catacombs of talion and so far it's been an amazing new experience
I've seen what the ios version does for the visuals. and if there were a way to emulate it on PC i probably would've. it looked way better.
The Game Statistic i've set it up on pc but it took me about an hour to do it, you need a program called AHK Injector, and then a set of textures uploaded by AOD fan
damn. well too late for that now. :/
the boondocks ending xD 10/10 review!
Finally some one with a little class. ;)
The Game Statistic loving all your TR reviews!
I know I'm nitpicking here but you don't need to use the fire tile to grab that ledge in living quarters, you can use the ramp to jump to it.
Nitpick away. it's fun.
Did you played TR2 with a controller or with the keyboard?
hmm not sure what a "Tylon" is. it's pronounced Tal-e-on. Also 110% not a yeti lol it's the guardian of the Talion and he's clearly a large bird of some kind.
It’s a Garuda which is in Buddhist and Hindu lore. It’s a protection deity
Great review, I liked your focus on the level design and how you noted explicitly where it succeeded (I completely agree), and where it failed. I was waiting for you to mention the saving as this was for me the ultimate flaw in this game. With TR1, the save gems being placed specifically throughout the level made it so that the designers were fairly limited in what they could demand of the player before they were able to save, and I believe that this limited what they could put into the levels. The ability to save wherever you want in TR2 meant they could through a lot more at the player as they could just save whenever they want. This meant dying a lot for me, and saving after every dangerous encounter which just completely killed the flow of the game (10/15 seconds of saving every few minutes sometimes). I laughed when you mentioned NO SAVE RUNS lmao; it seems that this isn't a concern for you, but for mere mortals such as myself it really made the game seem flawed. I actually think that TR1 is a more successful game, though I think TR2 is a better game if that makes sense. I think it's an interesting comparison because the level design and scope in TR2 is so much better, but ultimately I often found it frustrating. I do think it's a great game but I will never play it again lmao.
I think the devs took note of this too, as I believe the save gems come back in TR3??? (I've not played it yet so plz correct me if I'm wrong.) Don't know if anyone else has any thoughts on this subject? (Other than git gud.)
on 40 fathoms I got the signals but I played later and not the full game when was a kid and don't think I would have got that then
X'D OMG the ending of this was so damn hilarious!!
30:40 onward was unexpected but certainly a welcome surprise😭
Are you reviewing the Cristal D. games as well? by the way, great review! Sub
All of em. Da whole shebang
The Game Statistic Cool! Love the HQ videos. Subscribed!
I played Tomb raider when it first came out and immediately became a fan of the franchise. just love the game (loved, since the new games are trash) and Tomb Raider II is one of my favourites to play, still to this day. I have to say, your review of the wreck of the Maria Doria's stage brought me to tears laughing!! Loved all your Tomb Raider reviews, basically :D
and yeah, I got stuck on that stage too! that trap door... damn!
it's been 3 years? damn!
what a time to be alive
A lot of the things you're "supposed to do" to progress are not what you're supposed to do, just alternate, unintentional routes.
1.) Like in Bartoli's hideout with the ladder that is just at Lara's jump height.... you're supposed to jump on the ramp next to it, then jump again to climb onto the balcony nearby. Then jump again... push a block... yadayada.
2.) And with the part where Lara loses her weapons, youre supposed to jump in the water and swim through an underwater ventilation area to get up to where those windows are.
3.) The level after Maria Doria, where you say you have to jump up to the crack next to the furnace... you're supposed to do a run and jump from the slope nearby.
Huh. i just found that stuff after looking around. since it worked i assumed thats what they wanted. even other videos of gameplay had people doing the same things though its highly likely they were just doing time saving strats. And thats the way ive been clearing these levels for like a decade. its always cool to find more of these details im wrong about, cause in retrospect yeah...why would they put a ladder just barely at your max height like youll just guess that?
12:20 The design of the main hall is tightly designed
Yo we heard you liked designs so we put designs in your design
But how exactly was it designed?
@@TheGameStatistic We don't know, just the design was tightly designed.
@@toprak3479 That's some fucking tight design.
@@TheGameStatistic Fuck yeah it is.
I love the Maria Doria stages. They feel very annoying at the end like: cmon..... pls give me some different scenery.
But all in all the level design of the ship is pretty awesome. Despite the block - moving stuff, the puzzles are very complex and enjoyable.
But : My favourite stage will forever be the monastery of Barkhang :DDDD
I really like the levels atmosphere as well. its really just the hassle to figure a solution out with all the blocks :/
@@TheGameStatistic Seems sometimes very complicated to solve all the stuff in the right order, especially in the last stage of the ship.
@@diekrahe7151 once you know its not much. but when youre thinking through it and looking around its a pain.
Lara Croft throughout TR2 - "Look ye to yonder field wherein I sow mine fucks and see that it is barren."
Opera house . Coming from war in 99 going to Canada watcjing my bro and my cousin play It. Damm
That Wreck Of The Maria Doria level was pretty good...
Oh my god you said nigga 5 years ago I'm so gonna tweet about this
he’s black dumbass