This is the part of my site dedicated (more or less) to bringing you the latest on what could be
Plot: "After her adventure with the Dagger of Xian, Lara Croft, the fulfiller of dreams, has something bigger on her mind: the Comet of Vermuelin. Scientists believe that a comet hit earth 64 million years ago. It was then split into four pieces and sent to four different locations around the world, hopefully never to be found again. The people of the ancient town of Turella say that the comet will tell the story of the past and even the future of earth-a whole gateway to evelution of man and the world they live in. If you know Lara, there's a good opportunity to find the treasure. She must set off to search the globe to find the pieces of the missing comet.(note from ed.: Sounds like a pretty lousy plot to me. Why does Lara want this comet? Ever notice how Lara never wants the stuff she finds for what they're used for? She didn't want the scion for its power or the dagger to turn into a dragon; she just wants a nice decoration.)
I found this somewhere else:
On a voyage of exploration in centuries past, British sailors discovered a meteor
buried deep in the earth. Unwittingly, they looted four artifacts placed with the
meteor. One of these sailors kept a journal as they headed back to England. He
was the only one to make it home alive.
Present Day, Antarctica
A research company begins to excavate something
buried deep in the ice. Readings taken from the rock
indicate traces of a previously unknown material. The
material appears to have the potential to multiply and
alter hock genes - the genes which determine the
make-up of living organisms. These alterations are
capable of evolving a greater diversity of life. Within the
rock are the next most important findings in genetics and
evolution since Darwin.
On their dig, the researchers discover the body of a European, perfectly preserved
in the ice. Scratched on his tombstone is the name of the boat he sailed on.
Following this information, they locate a shipmate's journal and set about searching
for the artifacts lost by the sailors?
Meanwhile, Lara is in India searching for one of these
artifacts. Unaware of its true history, she only knows that
in local beliefs it was supposed to hold great powers and
has been revered by tribes there throughout the years?
And so the adventure begins? Tomb Raider III unfolds
in a much more non-linear fashion than Lara's previous
adventures. Lara will once again span the globe from the
arctic pole to the islands of the South Pacific. But this
time gamers will be able to choose their own destiny by
selecting the order in which they play each of the 4 main
levels. The levels are also more open, with multiple
routes to the same end – so choose wisely. Or replay each level, or you might miss
part of the adventure.
Enemies:
Improved AI, enemies don't just run up and attack.
New bosses!
More enemies than TR1 and TR2 COMBINED!
This time, you have to rely on speed and stealth even more than gunplay.
The T-Rex acts more like he does in Jurassic Park. He can't see you if you stand still, and he will chase after thrown flares.
Enemies are more mutanty than animal now.
India: tigers, monkeys, piranhas, cobras, and vultures.
London: merecenaries, guards, construction workers, sewer mutants, rats, bats, alligaters.
Area 51: guards, scientists, guard dogs, vultures, and hyenas.
South Pacific: natives, dinosaurs (new breeds), mercanaries, crocodiles,and jellyfish.
Antarctica: guards, scientists, mutants, killer whales.
Weapons:
A new particle system to create better-looking flames and smoke from the barrel.
Shell casings fly around.
Bullet holes in walls.
Most of the old weapons are back, including a newly improved grenade launcher.
Desert Eagle.
A manual aimed rocket launcher, with a realistic blast radius.
She might be able to take a flame thrower from some of her enemies.
Levels:
The levels are less linear, bigger, and can have more than one route to follw.
India is always the first level, but you can play the rest in whatever order you want!
India:
Rain and mist effects.
A quad bike sequence.
London:
Wears a cat-burgler outfit.
Visit famous locations like Thames and the London Bridge.
Envirements like tube stations, bomb shelters, and sewers.
Area 51:
More quad bikes.
Lara steals a stealth bomber at the end!
South Pacific:
Dinosaur-infested!
A canoe ride through white-water rapids!
Antarctica:
Snowmobiles.
Lar can freeze to death if she stays in one place too long.
A rollercoaster race through a frozen underground mine!
More "secret lost city" levels at the end yet to be revealed!
Outfits:
A catburgler outfit for London.
Camoflage pants and a bright orange jacket for Antarctica.
Shorter version of her original outfit for the South Pacific.
Dark tanktop and camo pants.
Vehicles:
Parachutes.
Quad bikes.
Underwater propulsion unit.
Boat.
Jeeps.
Canoe.
Mine cart.
New moves:
Lara has a stanima bar so she can quickly dash. She can do a dive in mid-dash for extra distance.
Monkey swing.
Crawl.
Stealth slide.
Duck.
Swing on ropes like Tarzan.
Release date: Around November 20 or 21.
Engine:
Particle system for better flames. There is also smoke, and you can even see Lara's breath in the cold.
Triangles are used instead of squares for a less blocky look. It also causes the atmospheres to look appear more complex and oganic. You can also use it to make domes.
Multi-colored lighting.
An improved texture palette for more detail.
16-bit colors so there is transpanency without a 3D card.
There are leaves blowing in the wind, and birds and bats flying in the air.
Lara creates footprints in snow and sand.
More features:
There will be dificulty levels to choose from (FINALLY!).
The programmers are planning on using savegames for easier difficulties, and save gems for harder ones.They are also toying with making save gems pick ups so you can use them later.
Lara has ears!
Expected PC requirements:Windows 95, DirectX 5 or 6, Pentiun 133 or 166, 16M RAM, 4x CD-ROM, 100% Windows 95 compatible sound card, any DirectX supported graphics card,
Pics
That's all I know about the game now, but look for updates!