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A Tomb Raider Revival Is Just Around The Corner – And Here’s Why…
This month saw the return of E3, the world’s premier event for computer, video and mobile games, to a packed convention centre in Los Angeles. Many of the gamers in attendance were brimming with anticipation at getting a first glimpse of Square Enix’s latest instalment of the Tomb Raider franchise – Shadow Of The Tomb Raider.
Unfortunately for any die-hard Lara Croft fans out there, all that anticipation turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Compared with previous years, Square Enix had a relatively quiet E3 and chose to announce just one major new game in the form of Life Is Strange: Before The Storm, a prequel to the original Life Is Strange released back in 2015. But while the official unveiling of this new title was met with positive reactions, inevitably much of the talk about Square Enix’s showing turned to the absence of Tomb Raider.
Before we jump straight into what we know about Shadow of the Tomb Raider, let’s take a second to recap the progression of the rebooted series so far…
Two tough acts to follow
If you think back to all the hype surrounding the rebooted Tomb Raider series when it was first announced back in late 2012, it was always going to be difficult to match the momentous impact of the original 90s series released on Playstation. As it turned out, the decision to reconstruct familiar elements from the original and dig deeper into Lara Croft’s backstory, rather than setting out a whole new storyline, proved to be a masterstroke. You’d have to say that 2013’s Tomb Raider lived up to all the hype – and then some.
A couple of years later saw the release of the follow-up, Rise of the Tomb Raider, which was also met with plenty of critical acclaim among gamers and reviewers alike. The second instalment continued to build on the key elements that had made its predecessor so successful, including similar gameplay and adding a fresh variety of environments, combat options and weapons in the process. That can only be a good thing, right?
The game also drew plaudits for its graphic design and characterization of Lara Croft. In fact, if you look at the entire Tomb Raider series as a whole, Rise of the Tomb Raider gives Croft unprecedented depth, humor and self-deprecation, which all serve to make an already beloved character even more endearing.
The truth will out (especially in the digital age)
It used to be the case that major annual events (like E3) were the first place to find out about huge game announcements, and that surprises remained surprises until then. How things change, especially now that people can take upload photos or documents or other leaked materials to the internet within a matter of seconds.
The Tomb Raider franchise seems to have suffered this fate towards the start of November last year, in very similar circumstances to the widely publicised leak of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag a few years back. In both cases, a member of the development team was spotted working on a laptop presentation for the new game on public transport. This time, key details appear to have been captured in a photo taken by a passenger on a Montreal subway train, who sneakily snapped an image of a Powerpoint presentation with full Shadow of the Tomb Raider branding. It’s now widely presumed that this will be the final instalment in the rebooted trilogy.
Of course, it’s always possible that the photo was faked for whatever reason but, as with Black Flag, it’s widely expected that this will soon lead to an official announcement from Square Enix themselves. And that’s not all. Since then there’s been yet another leak, this time by American marketing firm Takeoff LA who recently posted branded logo treatments and a series of storyboard illustrations on their website’s ‘Previous Work’ section as a provisional case study.
The images were hastily taken down, though not before one NeoGAF user managed to capture a high-quality screenshot of the page. Perhaps most intriguing are the illustrations, which give a very strong hint as to where the new game will be set. We can clearly see pyramids in the background, which indicates it could either be Egypt or, as many fans believe due to the shape of the pyramids, Central America.
If you weigh up the consistencies between both separate leaks then it’s hard not to think that Shadow of the Tomb Raider is all but confirmed, albeit unofficially for the time being. It’s also why so many fans were expecting there to be some sort of announcement at E3 this year. Surely before next year?
Getting your Lara Croft fix in the meantime
However you look at it, all the talk around the next game has certainly got us chomping at the bit for some quality Tomb Raider action. While we wait with baited breath for Square Enix to release more details on Shadow of the Tomb Raider (or, in fact, to confirm its existence in the first place) it’s a perfect time to reignite our love affair with Lara Croft across all available platforms – and there are probably more ways to do just that than you might think.
Of course, you could always go back and play the original Playstation series and relive the wonder of locking your butler inside the infamous walk-in fridge. But the franchise has now expanded its reach to almost every conceivable platform, and oversees more spinoff games than ever before.
Fans of iGaming now have the option to combine their affinity for high octane archaeology with quality online casino action. The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider online slots game is a prime example hosted over at Casumo, an online casino known for their regular joining offers. The Tomb Raider slots game combines a standard 5-reel format with mysterious artefacts, deadly tombs and plenty of other elements from the original Eidos Interactive video game series.
Or, as you might expect with the mobile gaming industry currently growing rapidly year after year, there’s a bunch of Tomb Raider spinoffs currently available to download from the Apple and Google app stores. Perhaps the most popular example is Lara Croft Go, an engaging mobile puzzle game that has had plenty of glowing reviews since its release in 2015. Here, players have the opportunity to venture through tombs in search of treasure, and eventually find a way to get back out alive. Again, it fits well as part of the wider Tomb Raider universe, and enables you to get your Lara Croft fix while on the move.
And now we wait…
Even outside of gaming, we were delighted to hear that Warner Bros. have confirmed a new Tomb Raider film already in the making. The film will star Swedish Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander in the leading role, taking over from Angelina Jolie, and focuses on Lara’s search for her father in the years after his disappearance off the coast of Japan. It’s due to be released in 2018, though a precise date has yet to be confirmed.
With so much activity going on in the Tomb Raider camp in general, it’s difficult not to feel that there’s a sense of revival in the air. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, in particular, is shaping up to be a big hit whenever it is released, and it will be interesting to see how the developers choose to sign off the trilogy.
Will we see a darker side to Lara Croft? Will she find out more about her father’s disappearance, or her own origins? Or, heaven forbid, will she decide to give up all this tomb-raiding business once and for all? Hopefully not the latter, but right now all we can do is weigh up all possible eventualities just in case. Whatever happens, it’s going to be very interesting indeed.
Are you tired of playing video games all day long? Why not take a break and watch some video game-based movies on Hulu in NZ? With its vast collection of movies and TV shows, Hulu is the perfect platform to satisfy your gaming cravings.
From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, we would recommend you to get Hulu in NZ, because Hulu has it all. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top 7 video game-based movies that you must watch on Hulu in NZ.
Assassin’s Creed (2016)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Justin Kurzel
Major Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
The first on our list is the movie adaptation of the popular video game franchise “Assassin’s Creed.” Starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, this movie follows the story of Callum Lynch, who discovers he is a descendant of a secret society of assassins. With stunning visuals and breathtaking action scenes, this movie is a must-watch for any Assassin’s Creed fan.
Rampage (2018)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Director: Brad Peyton
Major Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
If you’re a fan of monster movies and video games, “Rampage” is the perfect movie for you. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, this movie is based on the classic arcade game of the same name. The movie follows a primatologist who teams up with a genetically modified gorilla to stop two other genetically modified animals from destroying the city. With its over-the-top action and humor, “Rampage” is a fun-filled ride from start to finish.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Jeff Fowler
Major Cast: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
For all the Sonic fans out there, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a must-watch movie. Starring Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, this movie follows Sonic as he teams up with a human cop to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. With its fast-paced action and lovable characters, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a movie that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Simon McQuoid
Major Cast: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson
Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
If you’re a fan of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, you won’t want to miss the 2021 movie adaptation. With its gory fight scenes and iconic characters, this movie is a love letter to the fans of the game. The movie follows a group of fighters who are recruited to participate in a tournament to determine the fate of the world. With stunning visuals and non-stop action, “Mortal Kombat” is a movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Warcraft (2016)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Duncan Jones
Major Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Based on the popular MMORPG game, “Warcraft” tells the story of the battle between humans and orcs. Starring Travis Fimmel and Paula Patton, this movie follows a group of human heroes as they try to stop the orc invasion. With its epic battles and stunning visuals, “Warcraft” is a movie that will transport you to a world of magic and adventure.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Roar Uthaug
Major Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Based on the popular video game franchise of the same name, “Tomb Raider” stars Alicia Vikander as the iconic Lara Croft. The movie follows Lara as she sets out on a dangerous journey to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance. With its intense action scenes and captivating storyline, “Tomb Raider” is a movie that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Resident Evil (2002)
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Major Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Last but not least, we have the classic zombie horror movie “Resident Evil.” Starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, this movie is based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The movie follows Alice and a group of survivors as they try to escape from an underground research facility infested with zombies. With its tense atmosphere and pulse pounding action, “Resident Evil” is a must-watch for any horror or action movie fan.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the top 7 video game-based movies that you must watch on Hulu in NZ. From the high-flying action of “Assassin’s Creed” to the terrifying zombie outbreak in “Resident Evil,” each movie offers its unique take on the beloved video games that inspired them.
Whether you are a die-hard gamer or a movie enthusiast, these movies are sure to satisfy your craving for pulse-pounding action and adventure.
Hulu in NZ offers a fantastic selection of movies and TV shows that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. With these top 7 video game-based movies, you can immerse yourself in the world of your favorite games and enjoy them on the big screen.
Fighting games have been a major sub-genre of the industry since the dawn of gaming. While the original fist-fighting game came out in 1976, the genre arguably peaked in the 1980s. Dozens of franchises came smashing down arcades, from Mortal Kombat to Tekken.
But gamers do not need to visit the local gaming center anymore to get in on the action, as platform fighters and hand-to-hand combat have long gone mobile. So, are you up for a brawl? Whether you’re into brutal MMA fights or formidable superhero battles, let’s round up some of the best fighting games to play on Android.
Marvel Contest of Champions
While movies and comic books are still at the core of its extended universe, Marvel has also expanded to the gaming medium. Much to mobile gamers’ dismay, though, exhilarating brawler games like Marvel’s Avengers and massive crossovers like Marvel vs. Capcom never made it to smartphones. But Marvel Contest of Champions is more than epic enough to make up for it.
Developed by Kabam, this versus-fighting action game features a pretty strong line-up comprising virtually every Marvel character in the book. Beloved heroes like Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Hulk are all set for battle throughout iconic Marvel locations, such as Asgard, Stark Tower, and Wakanda. Yet players may as well pick supervillains to pit against the good guys. So, assemble the strongest super-heroic team and combine each champion’s unique set of devastating attacks and special abilities. Better yet, this mobile Marvel game allows for competitive multiplayer fighting.
Skullgirls: Fighting RPG
Skullgirls is a solid contender for best mobile fighting game out there. This fighting RPG by Autumn Games has got some incredibly responsive battle animations going for it, and just enough grind to keep players engaged for hours on end. Fun special moves and combos take fast-paced combat to the next level, serviced by colorful background visuals and a jazzy soundtrack that may feel out of place but gives the game that much more flavor.
And all kicking and pummeling aside, Skullgirls has much in the way of the story, too. In an original twist on the genre, this 2D RPG features an all-female cast of quirky yet fierce hand-animated characters. Players may even customize their fighter while searching for the elusive Skullgirl and stopping her from destroying the city of New Meridian.
Mortal Kombat
Alongside Capcom’s Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat is probably the best-known fighting franchise in the world. The series stemmed from the idea of making a video game starring action movie superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme. Funnily enough, JCVD would eventually play center stage in the live-action adaptation of Street Fighter. Still, Mortal Kombat spawned countless installations, TV series, and feature films.
And gamers can now experience the visceral fighting and trademark Fatalities that made the franchise so infamous straight on mobile. Mortal Kombat shows off a whopping roster of over 130 warriors, who level up through challenges of increasing difficulty. Teaming up fighters with matching synergies, mobile players can tackle ferocious enemies in online competitive mode or all on their own. This mobile version of the legendary game also includes a card collection feature.
EA Sports UFC
The intensity of the Octagon translates superbly to the gaming medium. Released by Electronic Arts on multiple platforms, EA Sports UFC quickly became the go-to title for gamers with a knack for mixed martial arts. And the mobile version doesn’t disappoint, pitting up to 97 UFC fighters against one another in heated fashion – and even martial arts legend Bruce Lee as an unlockable bonus. EA Sports UFC may thus be the perfect mobile game to dive into while waiting for the next big superstar comeback.
Meanwhile, prominent fighters like Valentina Shevchenko and Nikita Krylov will keep fans on the edge of their seats in upcoming UFC events. And MMA enthusiasts can even spruce up the experience with a gamble. Reviewers like SBO have laid down the most profitable online bookies for punters to explore. The best sportsbooks offer a range of betting options on MMA, ranging from method of victory to total rounds. Lofty bonuses and welcome packages also await newcomers. And online punters can make bank out of even more sports, from the ultra-popular to the niche.
Fighting games are as old as time. But with improved gameplay and ever-so-striking aesthetics, they’ve remained fresh throughout the decades. And players can now get their fists to do the talking on mobile, from retro titles to inventive entries.
The 21st century has been a great time for gaming and online casinos. We’ve seen explosive growth in both sectors, with new technologies and platforms emerging constantly. The following 10 years promise to be even more exciting, as we’ll see even more innovation and growth in the gaming industry, as well as the online gambling industry.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the trends that we think will shape the next decade of gaming and online casino development. So whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gambler, read on to find out what the next 10 years have in store for you!
The increasing popularity of online casinos and gaming
With many people stuck at home, they turned to digital platforms for entertainment, including gaming and slots sites. As a result, these sectors have seen explosive growth over the past few years. With the increasing popularity of technology, games have moved from physical pieces to digital pixelated ones, allowing for even more immersive and engaging gaming experiences.
With the online world ever-growing, it was only a matter of time before gambling followed suit. Nowadays, casinos are looking for ways to pull in more business through rewarding online slots promotions, as opposed to the regular operations in brick-and-mortar casinos. In addition, advancements in technology have allowed for the development of online slots, poker rooms, and other casino games that are not only secure and safe to play but also offer a level of quality that is comparable to land-based casinos.
Although we have made a lot of progress, especially with online casinos and online slots games, there is still more to come. Here are some of the changes we predict for this billion-dollar online casino industry in the next ten years:
The increasing legalization of online casinos globally
As online gaming becomes more and more popular, we are seeing an increased push for the legalization of online gambling in countries all around the world. With more people playing on digital platforms and experiencing the benefits of online casinos, governments are recognizing this trend and moving towards changing laws to allow for wider access to these online gambling sites.
For example, in the United States, more states are beginning to implement legal gambling solutions due to the US federal government softening its regulations. And this trend will likely continue in the coming years, as more countries begin to recognize the benefits of legalizing online casinos which include increased tax revenues and a better way to regulate gambling in the digital age.
Virtual reality gaming
With the rise of virtual reality technology, we can expect to see casinos offer more immersive gaming experiences. Players will be able to experience realistic casino environments and games through VR headsets, allowing for an even more realistic gaming experience. Game developers are constantly releasing new concept games to online casinos, and we can expect these same sorts of fun, attractive experiences to be available in the next few years.
Blockchain Technology for Transparent and Fair Gambling Systems
Another major trend that we will see in online casinos and gaming over the next decade is the use of blockchain technology. With this technology, players can rest assured that they are getting a fair chance to win while enjoying secure transactions and transparent gambling systems. Blockchain technology allows for all casino transactions to be recorded on an open ledger, making it difficult for casinos to manipulate the outcomes of games. As a result, players can enjoy more trust, transparency, and fairness in their online gaming activities.
Game development
When visiting an online casino, it is essential to find an operator that provides a good variety of games. For instance, slots games are very popular in the digital environment, finding a provider with a good variety of slots games will chance your experience. You could find different slots themes and choose the slot game you like the most. In the next ten years, we could be expecting new games integration with better graphics, creative and fun. Game developers will have a higher demand and they will be providing cool slots themes and other casino games.
Top of the line Live Dealer Games
Finally, we will also see more sophisticated live dealer games in online casinos and gaming over the next decade. With the rise of 4K and 5K resolution cameras, online casino providers have been able to offer gamers a much more realistic viewing experience.
These live dealer games can be streamed from various locations, allowing more people to join and play different types of online games. With a more advanced streaming quality, players can now interact with real dealers in real time and enjoy a variety of table games such as roulette, slots, blackjack, and baccarat. With so many exciting changes coming our way, we can look forward to even more engaging gaming experiences in the years ahead!
In Summary
Overall, it’s clear that the gaming and online casino industries are undergoing major changes as we look toward the future. Whether you’re an avid gamer or just a casual player, there are exciting developments on the horizon that will shape how we interact with these platforms – and how they affect our daily lives. So if you’re looking for the best possible experiences from the gambling and casino industry, in particular, be sure to keep an eye out for these exciting online casino trends as well as online slots promotions that suit your playing style.
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