Welcome back to another instalment in PSU’s on-going retrospective of classic gaming moments, where we examine some of the finest moments of interactive entertainment that are forever embedded on our aging brains. Last time around we recalled the time we first explored Silent Hill’s foggy streets as doomed dad Harry Mason; and promptly grasped a fresh pair of underwear in the process.
Our latest entry once again recalls those pixelated 32-bit glory days, and a game that defined the PlayStation era – Tomb Raider. Lara’s ambitious debut may seem dated now, but back in the day it managed to drop our jaws on more than one occasion, especially the time Miss Croft stumbles across the misty Lost Valley and its sharp-toothed inhabitants.
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After a fairly mundane first few levels of shoving blocks around and capping bats and bears, Lara’s quest for the Scion really heats up with the third level – The Lost Valley. After a high-dive into a pool and clambering over a few rocks, the voluptuous explorer stumbles across a small opening in the cave wall, accompanied by the skeleton of some poor chap who succumbed to attackers unknown. Looting his medi-pack, Lara ventures forward, and the cave opens up into a massive, vibrant valley ripe with vegetation and a few unexpected surprises. Things are deathly quiet at first, and from the look of things the whole valley is deserted. No such luck.
Take a few steps forward, and Lara is set upon by a group of vicious raptors, who judging by the many skeletons dotted throughout the place appear to have been chowing down on unfortunate treasure enthusiasts for years. Whipping out your Shotgun for a bit of close-quarters action, you dispatch the hungry critters, though not before they take a few chunks out of Miss Croft’s not particularly meaty figure. Danger over (for now at least) and the coast clear, you venture forward, eager to explore despite the presence of more carnivorous critters. Just as you’re about to explore the left side of the valley, Tomb Raider pulls out one of its most iconic moments – a lumbering T-Rex stomps into view, its giant footsteps shaking the screen.
Of course, the beauty of repeated playthroughs has equipped us with the proper knowledge on how to deal with this lumbering lizard, but out first time – though a fuzzy memory now – definitely involved Lara getting chomped to bits by her giant adversary. With only a crummy pair of pistols and a Shotgun that’s only really good at close range (against a T-Rex? No, just no), we found ourselves legging it back to the start and out of harm’s way. And that’s the beauty of this stage; it takes you completely by surprise, and throws you right in the deep end after letting your defences down during the introductory levels.
Unfortunately, repeated attempts to capitalize on this iconic shock entrance in latter instalments didn’t quite have the same impact, though there’s no denying that the T-Rex remained a formidable opponent throughout Lara’s future exotic excursions.
For sheer shock value though? You can’t beat The Lost Valley.