I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this before; there's a fan-made update
to the original (1996) version of "Tomb Raider". I mean, a graphics
overhaul of an ancient DOS game? That's right up my alley! And yet -
though it's been around for a while - not only haven't I discovered it
until now, but I hadn't even considered such a thing existed. I must
be slipping.
Anyway, it's called "CroftEngine" and I recommend it to any fans of
the classic game.
file download here:
https://github.com/stohrendorf/CroftEngine/releases/
video preview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OZjvZ1CtE4
The mod does a good job straddling the need to improve the visuals
while still retaining the overall look and feel of the original (unsurprisingly, as it is mostly just improved lighting and resolution
rather than changes to textures or level designs). Too many games -
whether official or fan-made - go overboard with their changes,
transforming the remade game into something entirely new and different
from the original ("System Shock Remake", I'm looking at you).
Otherwise, the game remains fairly true to the original. Actually, I
do wish they'd tweak the controls just a bit, but at least you can
remap the keys. But some of those levels are more difficult than they
need be, simply because the controls are so stiff and unwieldy.
But on the whole, this is exactly the sort of upgrade of classic games
I like to see: good graphics, limited in scope, and made by fans for
the love of the game rather than to make a quick buck.
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