The latest GameCentral inbox has ignited a passionate discussion among UK gamers, centring on the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis and its potential return to the franchise's roots. This comes alongside reader musings on Rockstar's eventful period and scepticism surrounding Bungie's Marathon.
A Nostalgic Leap for Lara Croft
The conversation was triggered by the first images of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft for an upcoming series, a look described as unexpectedly 'old school'. One reader, Grackle, noted the aesthetic was outdated even before the original film, marking a bold decision to return to the source material. This has led to broader questions about the impending video game remake, dubbed a 'reimagining'.
Gamers are pondering whether Legacy Of Atlantis will embrace classic gameplay elements. Will it feature the grid-based movement of the original PlayStation titles? While that seems unlikely, readers are curious if the title will revive the specific blend of rock-climbing platforming and Zelda-esque puzzles that defined early adventures. Combat was a minor component in the original games, with no stealth mechanics, leaving fans to wonder if Crystal Dynamics will resist modernising these aspects. The portrayal of Lara's character is also under scrutiny—will Sophie Turner provide the voice, and will she be 'quippy or boring'? With the game slated for release later in 2026, hopes are high that this could be the successful reboot the series needs.
Rockstar's Unusual Headlines and Industry Ripples
Another hot topic is the peculiar situation at Rockstar Games. A reader named Xane reflected on the shocking news of an explosion at Rockstar North's Edinburgh headquarters, an event initially met with alarming speculation. While confirmed as a boiler explosion, the incident adds to a tumultuous few months for the developer, following union-busting protests. Many now speculate that morale issues and these unforeseen events could increase the chance of a delay for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.
Separately, Nintendo's strategy is also being questioned. A correspondent, Housane, criticised the company's handling of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, arguing that ending support prematurely damaged consumer trust and missed ongoing revenue opportunities. This feeds into a broader concern about the Nintendo Switch 2's launch line-up, which readers feel currently lacks excitement, prompting calls for a revealing Nintendo Direct in February.
Marathon's Murky Future and Retro Reflections
The potential fate of Bungie's Marathon has drawn cynical analysis. Reader Tibbett observes a complete absence of hype for the title, suggesting it may be sent to die. A theory is posited that Sony, which now owns Bungie, might be allowing the project to proceed only for it to fail, providing a rationale for major restructuring at the studio. This stands in stark contrast to the warm sentiment towards Rockstar for granting a dying fan's wish, an act that showed a rare human side to the often-opaque company.
Finally, industry-wide issues are on the radar. One reader, Cranston, suggests that widely reported RAM shortages will affect current and next-gen consoles alike, potentially prolonging the current hardware generation and making consoles harder to find. This prospect has some looking back fondly to simpler, retro gaming times. The inbox closes with miscellaneous wonderings about the silence surrounding a rumoured Final Fantasy IX remaster and a reader's admission they may never try VR.
