Angry Video Game Nerd Season 12 Episode 4 Tomb Raider Games

The Angry Video Game Nerd Season 12 Episode 4 takes a look back at the Tomb Raider video game franchise, specifically the older games which were released on PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, PC, and other platforms back in the early 2000s.

The episode begins with the AVGN introducing the series and the main character of Tomb Raider, Lara Croft. He talks about how Tomb Raider was one of the most popular video game franchises of its time, with millions of fans around the world. He also mentions that the series had a few ups and downs, with various games receiving mixed reviews and criticisms.

Next, the AVGN dives into the first Tomb Raider game, released in 1996. He talks about the gameplay mechanics and how revolutionary it was at the time, with its 3D graphics and puzzles. He also praises the game's level design, story, and character development. However, he does criticize the game's camera angles, which could be frustrating for some players.

Moving on to the sequel, Tomb Raider 2, the AVGN discusses some of the changes made to the game, such as the addition of vehicles and new weapons. He also talks about the game's infamous "Venice" level, which is notoriously difficult and frustrating. He praises the game's soundtrack, which is composed by Nathan McCree and really adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.

The AVGN then talks about the third game in the series, Tomb Raider III. He mentions that the game was released just a year after the second game and thus, there wasn't much time to make significant improvements to the gameplay or graphics. However, he does praise the game's new levels and puzzles, which were interesting and challenging.

Next up on the list is Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, which the AVGN acknowledges is an improvement over the previous game. He compliments the game's graphics, which were a huge step-up from the earlier games, and the gameplay, which was smoother and more polished. He also mentions that the game's story was well-written, with a lot of suspense and drama.

Following this, the AVGN talks about Tomb Raider Chronicles, which was released in 2000. He notes that the game was shorter than the previous games in the series and that it reused a lot of assets from earlier games. However, he does commend the game's attempt to tell more of Lara Croft's backstory, which was quite interesting and added some depth to the character.

The episode concludes with the AVGN discussing Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, which was released on PlayStation 2 and PC in 2003. He admits that he was excited to play this game at the time, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment. He criticizes the game's clunky controls, bland level design, and overall lack of innovation. He also notes that the game received poor reviews from critics and was a commercial failure.

Overall, the Angry Video Game Nerd Season 12 Episode 4 is an entertaining and informative look back at the Tomb Raider franchise. The AVGN's commentary is both amusing and insightful, and he offers some interesting insights into the various games in the series. While the episode does have some criticisms of the games, it also acknowledges the franchise's impact on the video game industry and its enduring popularity among gamers.