Crystal Dynamics: Tomb Raider Isn't Like Uncharted

After Crystal Dynamics released the first gameplay footage for their Tomb Raider reboot, they heard a lot of comparisons to Uncharted. However, Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher says that there's plenty of differences between the two action-adventure games.

We're one of many sites to make the Tomb Raider and Uncharted comparison. It's a pretty easy parallel to draw. After all, we're talking about two games about treasure hunters that mix platforming, shooting and puzzles. The Raider reboot's incorporation of a cover system, melee takedowns and more seamless platforming makes the comparison even simpler.

It would be inaccurate to say that Tomb Raider is simply an Uncharted rip-off, though. Gallagher says the gameplay differences between the Uncharted series and the TR reboot will become more clear once more of the game has been revealed.

"In terms of the gameplay, we have a resourcefulness to Lara, right, that you start seeing in some of the demos we've given, which I think is again a different thing to Uncharted. Also, our game structure. I think we have some wider areas. I think our hubs, which we've not necessarily shown yet. I think they're a really big differentiator. Our ability to re-traverse. The ability system on the island. Hunting. The ability to go and take deer and other animals on the island."

He also notes the tone of Uncharted and Tomb Raider is different. Based on what we've seen so far, the latter definitely seems darker. While Nathan Drake and Lara Croft are both adventurers who find themselves in way over their heads, Drake's a lot more composed. He's always got this "oh geez, what now?" attitude toward danger, like he's so experienced that the threat of death is just sort of an everyday nuisance to him. The rebooted Lara, by comparison, is a young girl fighting for her life. It's her first adventure and it's turned out to be a lot worse than she expected.

While I think Tomb Raider may turn out to be a very different game than Uncharted, I still feel like our review (and everyone else's) will probably mention Nathan Drake at some point. The intent is not to simply say "this game is ripping off this other game." Comparing a game to another similar title on the market is just a good starting point for explaining and evaluating it.