Big plans are in motion to expand theTomb Raiderfranchise’s reach dramatically. Not only has the mobile rogue-like gameTomb Raider: Reloadedbeen recently released, but fans can clean the Croft Manor in thePowerWash SimulatorDLC and track the development of the upcomingTomb Raidertelevision series being made by Amazon Studios. Among these exciting projects, developer Crystal Dynamics is creating a newTomb Raidergame. Within the realm of new video games released in 2023,Forspokenarguably has the most similarities to theTomb Raiderfranchise. Its underwhelming performance is a great learning opportunity for futureTomb Raidercontent.
Forspokenwas widely anticipated because of the promise of an expansive open world and a story that featured a female protagonist of color wielding extraordinary abilities. Unfortunately, the game was critically panned, with players citing the game’s slow start, clunky combat mechanics, and awkward dialogue as flaws. While Square-Enix no longer controls theTomb Raiderfranchise,Forspokenwas a major Square-Enix titlewith the potential to rival Lara Croft’s next adventure if done well. Given the similarities, there’s quite a bit to be gleaned fromForspoken’scritical reception.
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A New Tomb Raider Game Needs The Dynamic Storytelling, and Open World Forspoken Couldn’t Provide
One of Forspoken’s most compelling initial selling points was a character-focused, dimension-hopping story combined with a unique location. Unfortunately, the game never entirely delivered on either. For instance, throughout the game, and compelling character development thatForspokenprotagonist Frey receives is undercut by slow progression and frenetic storytelling. Frey is thrown into combat inthe barren and loreless world of Athiabefore the player knows what’s at stake. This continues throughout the game until any potential meaningful environmental or character storytelling is lost.Forspokentries to fix this using oddly-timed conversation prompts with a talking bracelet Cuff, but it’s not enough.
SinceTomb Raidergames are also focused on magical elements and exploration, the upcoming title should learn fromForspoken’slack of focus. Storytelling should be dynamic, using the game’s environment as a catalyst for change, growth, and destruction.Shadow of the Tomb Raiderdoes this well, using the flood of Cozumel to push Lara as a character. Of course, this future character growth needs to feel earned - especially as the next game is rumored to feature an older, more mature Lara Croft. WhileTomb Raidergames have never been entirely open-world, it would be incredible to see a future game allow for that kind of fluid progression experience.
Forspoken’s Clunky Combat and Traversal Mechanics Can Be Inspiration For The Next Tomb Raider Game
Among the various gameplay issues that plaguedForspoken,one of the most insidious was the oddly designed and executed combat mechanics. Frey fights Dragons, Athian soldiers, and more using a mix of offensive and defensive spells, similar tothe magic system inHogwarts Legacy.Unfortunately, combat never quite seems balanced, turning what could be an elegant magic system into a frustrating, button-mashing fiasco. PastTomb Raidergames have sometimes suffered from a lack of cohesive combat, focused more on errant gunfights and hack-and-slash combat over meaningful encounters. Instead, the futureTomb Raidergame can integrate proper flow into Lara’s fighting, using a game likeGhost of Tsushimaas an example.
One of the more impactful aspects ofForspoken’sgameplay was the use of Parkour-style traversal, giving players super-speed and magical climbing abilities. Although, Frey’s movement often feels slow and heavy, like an unwieldy aircraft instead of the sleek, magical arrow the game wants her to be. The 2013Tomb Raidergame also suffered from similar issues.Forspokenalso included traversal as an element of skill progression, causing players to have to “earn” efficient movement through the game. Hopefully, the nextTomb Raiderinstallment will leave traversal out of the skill progression trees, allowing Lara to explore and move in a way that feels good to the player from the get-go.
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