In keeping with a steady release of clips showcasing the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Square Enix has delivered an introduction to the title’s new climbing mechanics. The short clip named ‘Treacherous Traversal’ briefly sheds light on the revamped techniques Lara’s uses to navigate a hostile world.
In previous iterations of developer Crystal Dynamics’ acclaimed overhaul of the Tomb Raider franchise, climbing was often a case of triggering an animation by running towards an obstacle. The team behind Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Short bursts of wall running, creative use of Lara’s iconic grappling hook, ledge hanging, and vine swinging acrobatics are among the new mechanics. The video also shows the ability to use a rappel to abseil down and across cliff faces, and a rather dangerous looking hanging rope feature. The arsenal of moves at Lara’s disposal are varied and look to be responsive to player input.
As you’d expect, the collapsible scenery, unstable rooftops, and the ever-present chance of crumbling decor are still part of the mix as depicted in the video with Croft falling through a rickety tiled shelter. Obstacles such as ancient spinning plinth traps made of sharp serrated edges also make a comeback, though the new climbing should allow players to navigate them in more creative ways.
In previous videos, the semi-open world of Shadow of the Tomb Raider was on display with an HQ based in the vibrant fictional South American city of Paititi where players can trigger quests, trade with local merchants through bartering, and interact with a rich swathe of local NPCs to glean story and missions details. In addition, the E3 trailer showed off the almost photo-realistic jungle scenes, ancient temples, and errant wildlife we are set to experience. The detail is simply astounding. We also learned that Lara’s adventure centers around a mysterious dagger.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is scheduled for release on September 14 on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.
