Difference between revisions of "Tomb Raider"

From Sega Retro
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On the other hand, the PlayStation version lacks perspective correction and has issues with texture warping and polygon seams, whereas the Saturn's [[wikipedia:Texture mapping#Forward texture mapping|forward texture mapping]] provides some perspective correction, its bilinear approximation reduces texture warping, and higher polygon accuracy results in almost seamless polygons. The Saturn version also has refractive water surfaces, which both the PlayStation and PC versions lack.
 
On the other hand, the PlayStation version lacks perspective correction and has issues with texture warping and polygon seams, whereas the Saturn's [[wikipedia:Texture mapping#Forward texture mapping|forward texture mapping]] provides some perspective correction, its bilinear approximation reduces texture warping, and higher polygon accuracy results in almost seamless polygons. The Saturn version also has refractive water surfaces, which both the PlayStation and PC versions lack.
  
−
The Saturn version also had smoother Gouraud shading, whereas the PlayStation version had color banding, when running on original PlayStation models released from 1994 to early 1997. The color banding was eventually eliminated in later improved PlayStation models, from the SCPH-7000 (late 1997) onwards, which improved the hardware. The PlayStation version is thus able to have smooth shading when running on newer post-1997 PlayStation models, despite the PlayStation version originally not having smooth shading upon the game's release in 1996. The new PlayStation's improved shading still has fewer shades than the Saturn, however, but the PlayStation version's full-screen [[wikipedia:Dither|dithering]] can give the illusion of smoother shading, when running on post-1997 PlayStation models. (See ''[[Sega Saturn/Hardware comparison|Sega Saturn: Hardware comparison]]'' for more technical details.)
+
The Saturn version also had smoother Gouraud shading, whereas the PlayStation version had color banding, when running on original PlayStation models released from 1994 to early 1997. The color banding was eventually eliminated in later improved PlayStation models, from the SCPH-7000 (late 1997) onwards, which improved the hardware. The PlayStation version is thus able to have smooth shading when running on newer post-1997 PlayStation models, despite the PlayStation version originally not having smooth shading upon the game's release in 1996. The new PlayStation's improved shading still has fewer shades than the Saturn, however, but the PlayStation version's full-screen [[wikipedia:Dither|dithering]] and higher brightness levels can give the illusion of smoother shading, when running on post-1997 PlayStation models. (See ''[[Sega Saturn/Hardware comparison|Sega Saturn: Hardware comparison]]'' for more technical details.)
  
 
Pre-rendered videos are slightly smaller in terms of resolution, although the Saturn's D-Pad is regarded as being more suitable to this game than the PlayStation's. Sound effects are sampled at a lower bit-rate than on the PlayStation too.
 
Pre-rendered videos are slightly smaller in terms of resolution, although the Saturn's D-Pad is regarded as being more suitable to this game than the PlayStation's. Sound effects are sampled at a lower bit-rate than on the PlayStation too.

Revision as of 03:38, 8 December 2016

n/a

TombRaider title.png

Tomb Raider
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Eidos (US/EU), Victor Soft (JP)
Developer:
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (56 tracks)
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥5,8005,800 T-6010G
Sega Saturn
JP
(Satakore) 		¥2,8002,800 T-9113G
Sega Saturn
US 		T-7910H
Sega Saturn
EU 		MK81086-50
Sega Saturn
BR 		193516

Tomb Raider is a highly successful video game developed by Core Design and published by Eidos in 1996. It was the first in a long line of Tomb Raider games.

Victor Soft developed an enhanced Japanese version of the game. They published the game in Japan, pluralizing the title to Tomb Raiders (トゥームレイダース).

Initially developed with the PlayStation in mind, the game was ported to the Sega Saturn (whose version shipped six weeks earlier than the PlayStation due to a licensing deal with Sega) and PCs, becoming Core's most successful video game project to date and a video game icon.

Gameplay

At the time of release Tomb Raider was considered a revolutionary title, combining platforming, puzzle solving and action sequences together in a 3D environment, something that, until this point, had not been done before. It was often said to be a 3D alternative to Prince of Persia (until, of course, 3D Prince of Persia games were released). Tomb Raider was also notable for starring a female protagonist, Lara Croft.

History

Development

Tomb Raider was one of the first true 3D titles to be undertaken by Core Design, following a trip to the States in which producer Jeremy Heath-Smith caught wind of Sony's PlayStation console and asked the company to come up with ideas for 3D games. Tomb Raider was put forward by BC Racers animator Toby Gard, who did the bulk of the design work surrounding Lara Croft and her in-game animations.

Eidos and Core signed a deal with Sega to ship the game six weeks early as an exclusive title on the Sega Saturn

Legacy

Tomb Raider II was planned for release on the Saturn, but was eventually cancelled for the platform.

With the Saturn's failure to attract the greater market share, development for the sequels were focused on Sony's console, and Lara Croft became an unofficial mascot for the system. The Tomb Raider series would not see a return to Sega platforms until Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation on the Sega Dreamcast.

The original Tomb Raider was re-made in the 2007 release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary.

Versions

Western version

Despite being the target platform for the game, the Western Saturn version of Tomb Raider is considered to be the weakest version, primarily due to not being optimized for the way the Saturn hardware handles 3D graphics. On a technical level, the VDP2 is rarely used in the game, with the vast majority of work being handled by the VDP1, thereby using only a fraction of the Saturn's power. There are also minor differences to level layouts (specifically some secret areas) because the Saturn version was rushed to launch three months before the PlayStation version.

The Saturn Tomb Raider runs faster than its PlayStation counterpart in some situations, but while the PlayStation targets and largely maintains a 30FPS refresh rate, the Saturn struggles to maintain 20FPS. The Saturn version also lacks reflections on the save crystals as well as alpha transparency, and the game is unusually dark in comparison.

On the other hand, the PlayStation version lacks perspective correction and has issues with texture warping and polygon seams, whereas the Saturn's forward texture mapping provides some perspective correction, its bilinear approximation reduces texture warping, and higher polygon accuracy results in almost seamless polygons. The Saturn version also has refractive water surfaces, which both the PlayStation and PC versions lack.

The Saturn version also had smoother Gouraud shading, whereas the PlayStation version had color banding, when running on original PlayStation models released from 1994 to early 1997. The color banding was eventually eliminated in later improved PlayStation models, from the SCPH-7000 (late 1997) onwards, which improved the hardware. The PlayStation version is thus able to have smooth shading when running on newer post-1997 PlayStation models, despite the PlayStation version originally not having smooth shading upon the game's release in 1996. The new PlayStation's improved shading still has fewer shades than the Saturn, however, but the PlayStation version's full-screen dithering and higher brightness levels can give the illusion of smoother shading, when running on post-1997 PlayStation models. (See Sega Saturn: Hardware comparison for more technical details.)

Pre-rendered videos are slightly smaller in terms of resolution, although the Saturn's D-Pad is regarded as being more suitable to this game than the PlayStation's. Sound effects are sampled at a lower bit-rate than on the PlayStation too.

Against the PC DOS version, the Saturn (and PlayStation) versions of the game offer more varied music (the PC opting merely for ambiance due to disc space restructions) and higher colour colour depths (the PC restricted to 8-bit colour (i.e. a palette of 256 colours) due to the use of a software renderer). The PC version does, however, have the option to run in a 640x480 mode (and a lower 320x200 mode), though in 1996 this was only achievable with high-end hardware. By 1998, PC versions of Tomb Raider had been adapted to multiple 3D graphics cards to address some of these graphical concerns, and fan-made mods allow the game to benefit from modern systems.

Japanese version

The Japanese Saturn version, released in 1997, was enhanced by Victor Soft, with more detailed environments, higher texture quality, longer draw distance, improved water effects, higher resolution, and higher frame rate.

Production credits

Western version

  • Created By: Neal Boyd, Paul Douglas, Toby Gard, Heather Gibson, Jason Gosling, Gavin Rummery

Japanese version

  • Programming: Paul Douglas, Gavin Rummery, Jason Gosling
  • Graphics: Toby Gard, Heather Gibson, Neal Boyd
  • Sound Effects: Martin Iveson
  • Music: Nathan McCree
Victor
  • Software Evaluation: Ryo Misawa
  • Directer: Gaku Sato
  • Assistant: Inazou Urano, Hiroki Takasu PTW
  • Lara: Megumi Ogata
  • Natla: Michie Tomizawa
  • Larsen: Wataru Takagi
  • Pierre: Yasuhiro Ishii
  • Baldy: Masaru Sasahara
  • Cowboy: Yuzi Ueda
  • SkateKid: Kousuke Okano

Magazine articles

Main article: Tomb Raider/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • JP flyer

  • FR print advert

  • GR print advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #87: "October 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
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Print advert in EGM² (US) #29: "November 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
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Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #89: "December 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #91: "February 1997" (199x-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #95: "June 1997" (1997-0x-xx)
also published in:
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Print advert in Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) #1997-03: "1997-03 (1997-02-14)" (1997-01-31)
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Print advert in Saturn Power (UK) #1: "June 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
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Print advert in Ultra Player (FR) #39: "Janvier/Février 1997" (199x-xx-xx)
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Print advert in Sega Magazin (DE) #40: "März 1997" (1997-02-12)
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Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
100 №181, p74-76[2]
78 №424, p31
95 №49, p34/35/36/37
94
94 №50, p28-33[6]
90 №69, p85/86/87
93 №86, p40/41/42/43
92 №13, p70/71[7]
67 №1997-02, p222[8]
90 №, p9[9]
Sega Saturn
 89
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
90
[10]
CD Consoles (FR) PAL
100
[11]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
100
[2]
Digitiser (UK)
93
[12]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
78
[13]
Fun Generation (DE) PAL
100
[14]
Gambler (PL)
83
[15]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
90
[16]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
78
[17]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
86
[18]
Hacker (HR)
94
[19]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
94
[20]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-U
100
[21]
Joypad (FR)
92
[22]
Level (TR)
75
[23]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
89
[24]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
94
[25]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
90
[26]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
94
[6]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
100
[27]
Player One (FR)
98
[28]
Power Up! (UK)
88
[29]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
76
[30]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
70
[31]
Saturn+ (UK) PAL
97
[32]
Secret Service (PL)
90
[33]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
93
[34]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
92
[35]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
67
[36]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
90
[9]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
97
[37]
Total Saturn (UK) PAL
97
[38]
Videogame Advisor (US) NTSC-U
100
[39]
Sega Saturn
 90
Based on
33 reviews

Tomb Raider

Saturn, US
TombRaider Sat US backcover.jpgTombRaider Sat US cover.jpg
Cover
TombRaider Sat US disc.jpg
Disc
Tombraider sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
Tomb Raider Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
TombRaider saturn eu cd.jpg
Disc
Saturn, JP
TombRaiders Saturn JP Box Back.jpgTombRaiders Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
TombRaider Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
TombRaider Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Tomb Raider Sega Saturn Japan Manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, JP (Satakore)
TombRaiders Saturn JP Box Back Satakore.jpgTombRaider Sat JP Satakore cover.jpg
Cover
TombRaider Saturn JP Spinecard Satakore.jpg
Spinecard
TombRaider Saturn JP Disc Satakore.jpg
Disc
TombRaider SS jp manual Satakore.pdf
Manual
Saturn, BR
TombRaider Sat BR cover.jpg
Cover
TombRaiderSaturnBrManual.pdf
Manual

References

  1. ↑ File:CVG UK 180.pdf, page 49
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 File:CVG UK 181.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 181.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ Ultra Game Players, "January 1997" (US; 1996-12-31), page 54
  4. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1997" (US; 1997-0x-xx), page 78
  5. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1997" (US; 1997-0x-xx), page 89
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 File:MeanMachinesSega50UK.pdf, page 28 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega50UK.pdf_p28" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ File:SSM_UK_13.pdf, page 70
  8. ↑ File:SSM_JP_19970131_1997-02.pdf, page 224
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Saturn no Game wa Sekai Ichi~i~i~i!: Satamaga Dokusha Race Zen Kiroku, SoftBank Publishing, page 11 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SnGwSISDRZK Book JP.pdf_p11" defined multiple times with different content
  10. ↑ Ação Games, "Março 1997" (BR; 1997-xx-xx), page 26
  11. ↑ CD Consoles, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 84
  12. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1996-11-06)
  13. ↑ Famitsu, "1997-01-31" (JP; 1997-01-17), page 1
  14. ↑ Fun Generation, "12/96" (DE; 1996-11-13), page 82
  15. ↑ Gambler, "1/1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
  16. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 12: December 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 20
  17. ↑ GamePro, "January 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 112
  18. ↑ Game Informer, "November 1996" (US; 1996-1x-xx), page 12
  19. ↑ Hacker, "12/1996" (HR; 1996-xx-xx), page 57
  20. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1996" (ES; 1996-xx-xx), page 68
  21. ↑ Intelligent Gamer, "December 1996" (US; 1996-1x-xx), page 85
  22. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-1x-xx), page 82
  23. ↑ Level, "5/97" (TR; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
  24. ↑ MAN!AC, "12/96" (DE; 1996-11-13), page 72
  25. ↑ Mega Force, "Novembre/Décembre 1996" (FR; 1996-1x-xx), page 78
  26. ↑ Mega Fun, "12/96" (DE; 1996-11-20), page 44
  27. ↑ Next Generation, "January 1997" (US; 1996-12-17), page 182
  28. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 85
  29. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, November 16, 1996" (UK; 1996-11-16), page 1
  30. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 2" (JP; 1997-01-17), page 187
  31. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 5" (JP; 1997-02-28), page 98
  32. ↑ Saturn+, "Issue 5" (UK; 1996-12-19), page 7
  33. ↑ Secret Service, "Styczeń 1997" (PL; 1997-01-01), page 62
  34. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-10-24), page 40
  35. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "November 1996" (UK; 1996-10-17), page 70
  36. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1997-02 (1997-01-31)" (JP; 1997-01-17), page 224
  37. ↑ Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Two" (UK; 1996-09-30), page 32
  38. ↑ Total Saturn, "Volume One Issue Four" (UK; 1996-12-29), page 60
  39. ↑ Videogame Advisor, "Volume 2, Number 10: October 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 41
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