There’s no doubt that Microsoft stole the show at Gamescom with the announcement of a timed exclusivity deal that brings Rise of the Tomb Raider to Xbox platforms first.
However, despite the countless headlines and endless discussion concerning that news, we’re forgetting that Sony announced a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 4. And quite frankly, I think it’s more compelling than the new Tomb Raider.
I say that even though I loved last year’s Tomb Raider reboot. I got 100% complete on that game ‘cuz it was so much fun, and I can’t wait to see the upcoming sequel. But gamers have very short memories when it comes to hype and anticipation; had Heavenly Sword not come out so long ago, these two announcements would rival each other.
Yeah, remember Heavenly Sword? It was pretty awesome
As far as many are concerned, Ninja Theory’s excellent PS3 exclusive was one of the first must-have titles for that particular platform. When it debuted in 2007, it gave us a glimpse of the future in more ways than one. There’s a reason fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since, and why the name “Heavenly Sword 2” would’ve received far more attention than the new IP title, Hellblade. That all being said, the successful Tomb Raider reboot just came out in 2013, so of course, Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s timed exclusivity announcement garnered far more attention.
Before that reboot, would anyone really have cared that much? Prior to last year’s Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider was sort of nowhere. It barely registered on the interest meter due to a long series of average installments. Crystal Dynamics did a great job in returning that franchise to former glory. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that last year’s entry was the very best in the entire series.
That’s why this news was so huge. And unfortunately, Heavenly Sword has been out of the limelight for seven years.
Ninja Theory is an elite developer in my eyes, and Hellblade will be a significant accomplishment
This is a studio that hasn’t been properly rewarded for their achievements. This is what I firmly believe. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was underrated and under-appreciated, and DmC: Devil May Cry got plenty of critical acclaim but once again, a solid Ninja Theory effort just didn’t sell as well as it should’ve. They have yet to let me down, plain and simple, and I’m really hoping Hellblade is their breakout game.
Besides, it’s a new IP (even though it looks suspiciously like Heavenly Sword), while we know exactly what we’re going to get with Rise of the Tomb Raider. I’ve no doubt the latter title will be fantastic. It might end up being better than Hellblade; I don’t know because I can’t predict the future. However, given Ninja Theory’s history and what this new IP could mean for the PlayStation 4, I can’t understand why more people aren’t talking about it.
I guess it’s just another example of Ninja Theory failing to get the recognition they so richly deserve.
Published: Aug 18, 2014 08:40 am