Is it possible for Tomb Raider to ever be a big seller again?

And should we be okay if it isn't?

The original Tomb Raider was extremely important. Zelda in 3d, Prince of Persia in 3d, hell... most any action adventure game in 3d owes a great deal to the original Tomb Raider released back in 1996. I cannot imagine Team Ico even existing without the birth of this series.

The last three games in this franchise were all good, and Tomb Raider Anniversary is probably the best Tomb Raider game I have ever played. The problem with low sales is not quality. Yeah, this last game could have used a few more months of polish, but the game was still great. Better than any Prince of Persia game I have played, better than Uncharted, and even Mirror's Edge in certain areas. Tomb Raider can't be fairly compared to those games though.

The sad part of all this is that Tomb Raider really is, after 12 years, still a unique experience. 3d Zelda is probably the closest I get to the Tomb Raider experience these days, and those don't come around very often. Don't say Uncharted. Don't say Prince of Persia. Those games are nothing like Tomb Raider. If people know of any under-the-radar gems that can give me the sense of exploration and puzzle solving like in this series, please let me know.

And a personal note to Eric Lindstrom and Crystal Dynamics: You were right. Right about the two very different types of Tomb Raider fans. They made developing Tomb Raider games difficult and often contradictory. But guess what? The ones that both you and I really dislike deep down -- the ones who only want to run around shooting stuff with a big breasted woman... they don't care anymore. They have moved on to play Gears of War and now rely on internet porn for their personal needs. Start making the hardcore Tomb Raider that the true fans want. Make your own Tomb Raider Anniversary without all the bullshit. Make it long and difficult. Fuck the combat. Do Tomb Raider better than the original team did it back in '96. The mainstream has given up on the series, so it's time to give up on them. Bring respect back to this franchise, as it's the only way that this is going to work.

And to Eidos: Shut the fuck up and let them make the Tomb Raider game that needs to be made. That or sell the IP to a publisher that can. And quit putting the game out on every fucking console known to man. It never helps the reputation of a series.

As of now I could care less if Tomb Raider is never again a mainstream success. I'm just worried about the desperate lengths Eidos will go to try to revive the un-revivable.


Does anyone know November NPD sales for Tomb Raider: Underworld?


Brad