It’s funny how snap judgments can alter the course of your tastes for years, and actually end up causing you to deny yourself things you otherwise might enjoy. That’s pretty much all I have time to say today on the subject of the two Tomb Raider games I’m currently playing through, though I will bend the physical laws of time/space/reality long enough to add: I should have been playing these games since 1997.
When I related this revelation to one of my chums on AIM, he informed me that he recently had a similar experience with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Which was like, shit, there’s another series I’ve never touched that would very likely fill me with a warm, loving glow.
What other action/adventure games are out there that can be described as “exploring is fun, platforming is wicked fun, combat is stupid but easy”? And I’ll preempt your recommendation of Shadow of the Colossus by pointing out that I already own it, but its naked disc has never been anywhere near my PlayStation.
What the hell is the matter with me?
Oddworld series, haven’t played the third and fourth game, but the first two are amazing.
Kya: Dark Lineage for PS2.
Flashback might be good as well, it’s basically the precursor to Tomb Raider.
Did you play the freeware Knytt and Knytt Stories games?
Also, early Sucker Punch games, maybe? Rocket: Robot on Wheels for N64, Sly 1-2 for PS2 – though those are *mostly* platformers. Definitely above the crap they make now.
And the whole Turrican series might be of interest to you – it’s the European homage to Metroid, missing on some of the things that made the original so good, but still, kind of neat.
Both of the PS1 Oddworlds are amazing, and yeah, I played the absolute hell out of Knytt.
Funny, I also own a copy of Shadow of the Colossus that I haven’t played yet. I’ve been saving it for a rainy day, or just a lull in my current gaming focus, I guess.
I should probably just go ahead and play it.
You should definitely get Sands of Time. I’ve played it, and I can pretty safely say that it’s much much better than any Tomb Raider game. No real puzzles though, which might be a detractor in your case.
Otherwise…
Spyro the Dragon is a wonderful exploration/collection platforming series with simple combat.
Sly Cooper is apparently a rad platforming series too, but I’ve only ever played the demo of Sly 2 so you might wanna check with some other guys first.
Sands of Time is so good. It’s the game that got me to try the Tomb Raider games (Which are essentially the same except not done as well.)
Beyond Good and Evil was pretty good, too.
Sands of Time is so good. It’s the game that got me to try the Tomb Raider games (Which are essentially the same except not done as well.) Beyond Good and Evil is another good platformer, but not so focused on acrobatics.
P.S. Don’t forget to play Shadow of the Colossus. It’s amazing!