And should we be okay if it isn't?
The original
Tomb Raider was extremely important.
Zelda in 3d,
Prince of Persia in 3d, hell... most any action adventure game in 3d owes a great deal to the original
Tomb Raider released back in 1996. I cannot imagine Team Ico even existing without the birth of this series.
The last three games in this franchise were all good, and
Tomb Raider Anniversary is probably the best
Tomb Raider game I have ever played. The problem with low sales is not quality. Yeah, this last game could have used a few more months of polish, but the game was still great. Better than any
Prince of Persia game I have played, better than
Uncharted, and even
Mirror's Edge in certain areas.
Tomb Raider can't be fairly compared to those games though.
The sad part of all this is that Tomb Raider really is, after 12 years, still a unique experience. 3d
Zelda is probably the closest I get to the
Tomb Raider experience these days, and those don't come around very often. Don't say
Uncharted. Don't say
Prince of Persia. Those games are nothing like
Tomb Raider. If people know of any under-the-radar gems that can give me the sense of exploration and puzzle solving like in this series, please let me know.
And a personal note to Eric Lindstrom and Crystal Dynamics: You were right. Right about the two very different types of
Tomb Raider fans. They made developing
Tomb Raider games difficult and often contradictory. But guess what? The ones that both you and I really dislike deep down -- the ones who only want to run around shooting stuff with a big breasted woman... they don't care anymore. They have moved on to play
Gears of War and now rely on internet porn for their personal needs. Start making the hardcore
Tomb Raider that the true fans want. Make your own
Tomb Raider Anniversary without all the bullshit. Make it long and difficult. Fuck the combat. Do
Tomb Raider better than the original team did it back in '96. The mainstream has given up on the series, so it's time to give up on them. Bring respect back to this franchise, as it's the only way that this is going to work.
And to Eidos: Shut the fuck up and let them make the Tomb Raider game that needs to be made. That or sell the IP to a publisher that can. And quit putting the game out on every fucking console known to man. It never helps the reputation of a series.
As of now I could care less if
Tomb Raider is never again a mainstream success. I'm just worried about the desperate lengths Eidos will go to try to revive the un-revivable.
Does anyone know November NPD sales for
Tomb Raider: Underworld?
Brad
Most entries have been played. Quite a few really awesome levels.
They say you haven't really joined the human race until you've had your heart broken. From my experiences, I strongly believe that. Until you understand how it feels to lose someone romantically, I don't think you can understand more than half of the songs in the world. This is by no means an invitation to just go out there and haphazardly toss your heart around. But also don't be afraid to have your heart ripped out. It's part of life and as painful as it is, if you can find a way through it with a smile, you'll be better off than most.
For the people who have entered. Check your emails. I will be playing the levels on Sunday afternoon. 
So in 2008, I became known for getting flack from David and Brad about playing and enjoying games like Turok and The Bourne Conspiracy... So what game is coming out in 2009 that will earn me the same kind of attention on the Podcast? I'm ashamed to admit it, but the game known only as "WET" re-emerged today after being dropped by Activision-Vivendi and is still slated for a 2009 release. I'm not sure who the new publisher is or if this game can be any good.... but I intend to find out. Move over Turok, WET is gonna be the source of my suffering this year. Let the jokes begin Brad. Bring it David. 
And should we be okay if it isn't?
Nick traded in Alone in the Dark for Xbox 360 so he could buy Alone in the Dark: Inferno for PS3. Looks like there will be a whole lot more where that came from.
So real quick here's last week's show.
