It seems that the sneaky spies of the gaming world have struck again and this time, it's the former-Eidos, now Square Enix Europe, that's been hit. Earlier today, the first images from the new Tomb Raider game. Suposed concept arts for the new iteration, the images definetly could be real: firstly, Eidos' president has alrady anounced work on the new advntures of Lara, which is said to "Reinvigorate the franchise." Secondly, Crystal Dynamics are already recruiting for a triple A franchise - both actions which prove the existence of this new version of Croft's bountiful adventures.

Information was also released along with the images, and read like this:

"When a sudden storm destroys her research vessel, a young and inexperienced Lara Croft finds herself stranded on a mystrious and remote island hidden off the shores of Japan. Despite sevral signs of various inhabitants the island is oddly deserted, and an uneasy feeling settles on as strange sounds emerge from the shadows. With only her determinatiobn, inner strength and resourcefulness to help her, Lara must overcome the challenges of a harsh and unforgiving journey that will take her across a vast island wilderness and deep into the claustrophobic and menacing underground tombs from th island's past. As she struggles to prevail through brutal combat encounters and tracherous exploration, Lara will be pushed to her limits and forced to adapt to her situation to order to survive and escape from the lethal predators that stalk her very move.

The developer doesn't seem to be keeping any secrets, as all this (as if it wasn't enough) was accompanied by a list of features which the new game is supposed to include.

- Hunt or be Hunted: Evade, outsmart, track and kill the mysterious enemies that hunt you as prey.

- Survival Action: Brutally attack and defend as you fight to survive through visceral one-on-one melee combat.

- Strategic Weapons: Gain an advantage in combat by finding an array of different melee and ranged weapons including a variety of guns and the hunter's ultimate weapon, the bow.

- Creative survival - React and adapt to the island by using only that which you can salvage from the environment like climbing axes, rope, and machetes that can be used to unlock bew traversal and combat gameplay options.

- Free Movement - Scramble up a vertical cliff wall, sprint and leap across a huge chasm, steer mid-air to land a misdirected jump. There is no right way to traverse, survive, and explore the harh environment of the island.

- One Cohesive World: The diverse multi-region island is an open playground alive with creatures, weather and natural events.

- Origin Story: This new Tomb raider concept reboots the franchise by exploring the origins of Lara's transformation into a hardened advnturer as you unravel the story behind the island's mysterious past."

Although I can't provide you with the images, as Crystal Dynamics' lawyers have swooped in and asked everyone to take the images down, I can assure you that they look more like somthing out of F.E.A.R rather than Tomb Raider! Could the franchise be heading into the horror game district? From these new screens and information, it certainly looks that way. With an open world and dynamic gameplay options, this new Tomb Raider could be heading to save the series.

Keep an eye on Gamer's Guide to Life for any more information on Lara. That should keep our male, teenage readers hooked to the site until the game is released.

Jacques

Labels: Jacques Hulme, Leaked, Tomb Raider

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