#Tomb Raider II Gold

[nineties-pixels]

Tomb Raider II: The Golden Mask (The Cold War) enemy encounters.

[sweetmonsooncos]

I don't have a quote to go with this Lara outfit because this is actually a cosplay of one of her outfits from a bonus levelset!

In the Tomb Raider II Gold levels, if you got all the secrets in each level, you'd unlock a bonus level called Nightmare in Vegas, and this outfit is what she was originally going to wear in the level before it got changed. They brought it back for the remasters though so it lives on!

I am a massive lover of leopard print so this is a cosplay I am very excited to have 😂 I do need to adjust the top though as it's a little big and if I move a certain way, I will end up flashing people so I've got to fix that before I can wear this in public comfortably 🙈

CHARACTER: Lara Croft (Nightmare in Vegas Outfit)

FANDOM: Tomb Raider

[gaymer-hag-stan]

I found a Tomb Raider tier list format on Twitter by @Larasglasses featuring all variations of the games, from TR1 to Reloaded, and decided to share mine.

As always, this isn't necessarily my "favourites" list, otherwise Legend would be on top, but more of a "which games are the best" and offer the most fun experience type of list, trying to make it as least biased as possible. I'll include the link for TierMaker below in case you feel like making yours.

Note: I haven't actually beaten all of these but I've definitely played them long enough, at one point or another, to be able to form an opinion. The ones I currently have access to and replay at least once a year are the PS1 games, LAU, the Lara Croft spinoffs and the Survivor games, so these are always the most fresh in my mind, the rest have been kind of stuck in place forever and Reloaded is still fairly new so it may eventually move higher or lower.

1. Tomb Raider Gold (1998)

2. Tomb Raider, featuring Lara Croft (1996)

3. Rise of the Tomb Raider

4. Tomb Raider (2013)

5. Tomb Raider II, starring Lara Croft (1997)

6. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

7. Lara Croft GO

8. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary

9. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend

10. Tomb Raider II Gold, starring Lara Croft (1998)

11. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

12. Tomb Raider (2000)

13. Shadow of the Tomb Raider

14. Tomb Raider: Underworld

15. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword

16. Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft

17. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

18. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary (Wii)

19. Lara Croft: Relic Run

20. Tomb Raider: Underworld (Wii)

21. Tomb Raider: Underworld (DS)

22. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Prophecy

23. Tomb Raider: The Lost Artifact

24. Tomb Raider: Chronicles

25. Tomb Raider Reloaded

26. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend (GameBoy Advance)

27. Tomb Raider: Underworld (PlayStation 2)

28. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend (DS)

29. Tomb Raider, starring Lara Croft (2003)

30. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

Here's the link to make your own!

[thoughtsandbones]

Doth thy demons dwelleth in the darkness too, my belov'd Reaper?

🚨WARNINGS: Mention of mental health illness mention, profanity, scars, fluff, anxiety, medical inaccuracies, blood, gore and just getting the POV of our friendly neighbourhood masked menace.

I do not consent to any AI or anyone taking my work!

Plot: Doctor Ruhari Hari Kaur (OC is South Asian ☺️) joins the 141 again, but this time as their doctor. After the betrayal of Shepherd and Graves, Task Force 141 begins their hunt on his whereabouts and locating Makarov.

Word count: 6043K

Song inspo: Summer High - AP Dhillon, Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Club, Sinner - The Last Dinner Party, The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Legend soundtrack.

All rights reserved to the rightful owners of Call of Duty Modern Warfare.

spelling and some grammar mistakes as I am bad at times... :/

(FYI: bold sentences... that are like this... are supposed to describe redacted data/info to the plot... ;] .. )

Please do let me know how you all are finding this fanfic! :D

MASTERLIST

PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 15 I, PART 15 II and PART 16

Part 17

The tiny specs of dust floated amongst the surrounding atmosphere, highlighted in the beams of sunlight that penetrated your room. A few settled down on the frame still clutched in your hand, the gold frame sparkled from the light as you tilted it, staring deeper into the image of Simon. That mole on his jugular kept drawing you in, beneath the skin, the vein you thought for the past 13 years had been burnt to ash was actually flowing steadily. The deep crimson blood slithers from his brain back to his heart after all.

Could it honestly be that Ghost is Simon Riley... or Simon is Ghost... One in the same. You thought to yourself, you get up lay down on your bed, the framed photo at the tip of your round nose.

Time stood still for what felt like hours.

It would make total sense, he knew your old name. You recall the day you first met, when he said that name. The inscription of the former shell you shed. That person who you haven't been able to come to terms with. Unable to reclaim the innocence of not knowing the cruelty of mankind. The lust for war over land, oil, weapons or whatever it is people fight for nowadays...Unwilling to let go that guard you have down.

That mole drew you in again, displayed on the only available photo you have of him.

Did everyone else know...? Surely. Perhaps not... A supposed dead man displayed by a skull face was filled with irony. You couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Simon's smug face startling new and old people with this faux relic of his former self.

Checking your watch, you realise you spent perhaps too long wondering about the past. No time like the present to find out the answers to the questions that flushed through your synapses.

Gathering your selected files and papers, placing the gold frame on top, you put the lid back on the box and slide it back to its former spot. Placing the chosen contents in a spare tote bag, swinging it over your shoulder.

Glancing around your room you look at the knick knacks laying in their places. Collecting dust and time. The gemstones you once fiddled with when looking out the window laid dormant.

Heading back down, you meet Clarissa back in her car. Once back in the passenger seat, you feel a lightness overcome you.

If Ghost really is Simon Riley, then it means he had his own reasons to hide. After what brief knowledge you of have of his supposed death, a part of you understood. Yet there was a slight annoyance growing inside of you.

Clarissa noticed you pursing your lips and frowning as you lulled your head side to side with the smooth motion of the car. After contemplating whether or not to tell you about her encounter with Gaz, the cute sleauthe, to fill the quietness.

But she was reminded of your sudden snore coming from your mouth that you were a surgeon who dealt with an extremely serious injury, and then be ridiculed by the moronic Dr Jones.

As Clarissa drove up to the gate of base she called in a favour from a new friend, Kyle Garrick, to help with getting permission to drive up to the rear of building 2 so you could get back with ease to your quarters.

Clarissa was guided back to the emergency back entrance of Building 2, you woke suddenly with the familiar sound of a large tank thundering by. You rubbed the sleep from your eyes and blinked several times, trying to focus them to know your exact location.

"Go get some sleep" Clarissa said as she gazed at you as your rubbed your temple.

"Been a long day" You scoff slightly and then yawn again.

"I'm gonna talk to your Captain about Jones and get something done" Clarissa said

You had heard what she said and nodded, unable to move your jaw to let the words escape.

Exiting the car you to wave Clarissa goodbye and then make your way back up to your room. As your reach your dear you look down the corridor and see the rough outline of Ghost's door...

Taking a deep breath you open your door, the tote bag carrying the gold frame and your documents swung as you strolled into your room. Closing the door behind you, placing the tote bag on one of the hooks and then stripping off your scrubs and crawl back into bed. Gathering the strewn duvet cover from when your were first paged nearly 2 hours ago.

As you cocooned yourself your mind went back to Ghost - or Simon Riley. How 3 hours ago he was shrouded in mystery. But now... You have an idea of who he really could be...

I hope it is you Simon you plead quietly within the emptiness of your room. Your aching bones and flesh beg into sink into the mattress, sleep came quickly this evening as the heaviness of your strung out body shut down.

...

Simon took another deep inhale, his tongue became even more drier as it touched the roof of his dry mouth. Trying to moisten his mouth with saliva, he swallowed the little that came out down. He looked up and realised he had fallen asleep in the shower. The white light of the bathroom pierced his still tired eyes. Simon adjusted his body and sat up straighter, his back bracing the cold white tiles.

With his left hand he touched the now dry bandage and sighed with relief. As he got up, the wound pulsated with pain across his abdomen. Finally, he was feeling the full physical effects of the mission. Simon examined his pale naked body in the mid sized mirror.

Bruises began to appear, especially on his stomach and right shoulder. He could make out the thick red imprint of his gun strap. Brushing his fingers across his shoulder, he felt grains of sand roll against his skin. Simon resorted into having to wash himself with a damp towel and small splashes of water. All in order to avoid the bandage and the wound you stitched together from getting wet.

After feeling far more fresher, Simon wore his comfiest black joggers and socks that had a little German shepherds embroidered on the cuff. Slowly he put on a black vest and then a grey zip up hoodie, but leaving it unzipped. He laid down on his bed and took in the calm silence.

The ringing in his ears came back suddenly; tinnitus. An ever so common issue for soldiers, especially given close contact with flash grenades. Simon tried to forget the images of a bloodied Soap out of his mind, but they, along with the many demons, echoed within his mind.

Suddenly, there was a sharp rapid knock on the door, Simon knew all too well that it was Price. Gently getting up he reached for a clean skull balaclava and put it on and sliding on his trainers.

Ghost opened the door and saw Price, also showered and refreshed, not with his signature boonie.

"Alrigh' Price?" he mumbled, as he leaned against his doorframe.

"Not bad, Soap is awake" Price said, giving a slight grin, which grew as he noticed Ghost's eyes widen.

"How is he?" Ghost says grabbing his keys and moving out of his room, zipping his hoodie as Price moved out the way.

"Alive and well. You can see him, Gaz is there right now" Price said as he watched Ghost lock his door and then turned to face him.

"Let's go"

"Have a good rest?" Price asked

"Somewhat" Ghost gruffed "Can Johnny walk?" He asked

Price chuckled and gave Ghost a light pat on his shoulder

"More than that, he's dishin' out gossip to anyone who would listen" Price huffed

"Really?" Ghost said confused. Hours ago Soap was near the edge of death, and now he is gossipping.

"You have to see it for yourself" Price said

Both Price and Ghost made their way to the ICU where Soap was recovering. And recovering well Ghost assumed as he heard the sergeants laugh fill his body with ease; finally safe and alive.

Ghost approached the edge of the bed, Soap and Gaz finished their conversation before turning their attention to him. Gaz gave him a brief nod.

"Lt! You finally came!" Soap exclaimed his arms reached out, both which had ECG cables coming out him. Ghost saw the biggest grin he had ever seen coming from Soap's bruised and grazed face.

"Johnny.." Ghost mumbled

"Can yer believe that I am alive?!" Soap said, spitting out a laugh, lightly clapping his hands together "For sure thought I was dead" Soap laughed again finally resting his arms from excessive movement on his stomach.

Ghost narrowed his eyes at Soap and crossed his arms. He was acting like he had just had a small tumble and not got shot in the back.

"How's the legs?" Ghost mumbled moving closer over to Soap.

Soap gripped the blue hospital blanket, pulling it up slightly and revealing his wiggling toes. Ghost felt another wave of relief ripple through him.

"Alright Soap, put your stinkers away" Gaz said poking at Soap's feet with his charts that he was looking through earlier.

"Pfft, wanna gimme a sponge bath Gaz?" Soap grinned at Gaz who looked back him disgustingly at the thought.

"Come off it Johnny" Ghost said shaking his head at Soap.

"I was only jokin' Lt!" Soap chuckled

Ghost took in Soap's face and the shared moment of relief and serenity with Price and Gaz. The team was safe, wounded and shocked in places but back in familiar territory.

Gaz sat back down and continued to chat about who would give Soap a sponge bath, asking Price how much or what would it take... Price huffed and said something along the lines of not even if my right leg was blown off.

The conversations between the three faded as Ghost grabbed a chair and sat down, observing his comrades.

"Hey Lt, you hear about Doc?" Soap said, turning his attention to him

"Eh?" Ghost grunted looking up at Johnny with narrowed eyes

"Well, I was laying here, recovering, just woke up from the coma" He starts

'Wasn't a coma mate" Gaz said, Soap ignored him

"I hear a conversation slowly drift into my ears as I lay here recoverin'" Soap continued

"Ah he's telling the long version" Gaz interrupted and quickly went silent as Soap shot him an evil look.

"That Jones fella apparently paged Doc 999 - ICU.. Bless her soul, she must've thought I was dyin' again" Soap said sympathetically towards Ghost, whose eyes were still narrowed at him.

"Runs down here, and Doc notices my intubattery is out"

"Intubation tube" Gaz corrected stifling a laugh with his hand.

"Spit out the short version Johnny, I ain't got all day listenin' to fairy tales" He said sighing

"Pfft thought yer'd be nicer to be me since I am recoverin'" Soap spitted, point to his back.

"Basically, Jones paged Hari on the basis of doing an unauthorised surgery and said to show him her qualifications" Gaz summarised

"Oi, I was tellin' a story here!" Soap shouted, and flung a piece of apple at Gaz from his tray.

"Cut it out Soap" Price said and Soap promptly had a guilty look on his face.

"Wait, what?" Ghost said, straightening up in the chair

"Jones think she committed medical fraud" Price said

"But she saved 'im" Ghost said, throwing his hand out to Johnny

"Aye she did, oh forgot to mention the part Jones said she went psychotic at Foxham"

"Soap.." Price said sternly

"I didn't say anthin'" Soap exclaimed

"You say a lot shit Johnny" Ghost said "What you mean psychotic?" He added

"She apparently had a mental-" Soap started

"Alright, that's enough" Price stepped in "It's all been sorted" he added

"Is she leavin'?" Ghost asked, worry began to tremble through him.

What if you left before he could tell you who he was?

"No, she's staying." Price said

"Good" Ghost said aloud, then realised he said that aloud.

"Takin' a likin' to her ey Lt?" Soap said, giving him a mischievous grin.

Ghost looked away from Soap, he could feel his cheeks and neck getting hot.

"Not the only one" Gaz said, leaning back in his chair looking at Ghost and Soap with a grin. Both looked at eachother.

"I said she was pretty, I'm not in love with her" Soap shouted back at Gaz

As Gaz continued to tease Soap, Ghost got up and put the chair back

"You going?" Price asked

"Yeah" Ghost said moving closer to Price "Might see Doc, see if she's alrigh'?" He added

"She's knocked out at the moment, give her a till tomorrow" Price said and Ghost nodded.

"You goin-" Price started

"Give me 5 days." Ghost said looking straight at Price, who nodded and smiled, he gave him a light pat on the shoulder and let him go.

During the walk back to his room, Ghost made a promise to himself, to you.. 5 days, Ghost checked his watched, it was the 8th of October, 5 days would make it October 13th... He soon realised what day that was; the day The Captain died.

...

Finally after a good sleep, you were feeling slightly better. Yet the inner itch of anxiety trickled down your nerves anytime you heard the words Jones said to you...

"Heard you went psychotic whilst on shift."

Everytime that sentenced pierced your grey matter, your body shuddered, an attempt to rid the thought.

The hot droplets of water scattered across your naked body, taking your bamboo loofah, scrubbing your apple soap, creating a nice lather. You watch the bubbles accumulate as you scrub clean the sweat, the gunk trapped in crevices and bringing new life to the skin.

The fresh apple scent uplifted you, in combination with the hot shower, you felt like you could melt away...

But the oncoming thoughts of the revelation made the previous day flooded your thoughts.

Why would he take so damn long? You thought as you scrubbed over your knee and then down your calf.

But in your mind, you reasoned with yourself.. If you had been betrayed and then supposedly burnt alive you would keep that a secret. Anonymity was literally his name. Ghost

There... But not there really.

Getting out the shower, the cold morning breeze drifted into the bathroom, hitting your fresh skin.

After getting ready you made your way to the mess hall. As you locked the door, you gazed down the corridor to Ghost's room. Checking your watch it was 9:36 am, he would most likely be doing paperwork or something...

Heading down to the mess hall, it was there in the near empty hall you saw Ghost sitting alone on a lunch bench, a cup in front of him. As you both locked eyes, your mouth instantly curved into the biggest grin as you stared at the man hiding beneath the mask.

Your mischievous big grin made Ghost wary of you suddenly as he saw you walk in the mess hall, grabbing breakfast.

Something is up he thought to himself

Watching as you grabbed some breakfast, he kept his eyes on you until you sat right in front of him.

"Morning Lieutenant" You said, trying to not say Simon... Another grin appears.

"Mornin' Doc" He said, puzzled still by your big grin.

He watched as you slowly tilted your head to the side, strands your long brown hair falling too, as if you were analysing his inner workings. Trying to figure him out

"Is it your turn now doin' the starin'?" Ghost huffed, folding his arms

"Hmm perhaps" You replied

Ghost grumbled and looked down at his near empty tea in his mug.

"How's your injury?" You added as he remained silent, now it was his turn to stare at you.

"Fine. Better" He said.

"Good" You said, sucking in some air. You could feel some tension rising between you.

"Heard about Jones" He said, breaking the silence

You look at him, shocked at the bluntness.

"How did you-" You started

"Soap" Ghost said

"Soap?" You questioned "He's awake?!" You exclaimed

"Yeah, he's all good, you did a great job" He said, his eyes softened as he met your curious brown eyes.

"Good..." You say, taking a sip of coffee "What did he say about Jones?"

"Something happened at your old hospital" Ghost said, studying your face for any reaction.

"Yes..." You whispered, dreading the conversation that will follow.

Ghost took a deep breathe in.

"Tomorrow, we need to resume trainin'. Assume you've been doin' some since we've been away" He said changing the subject.

Shocked that he wasn't going to question you, you smiled briefly at him.

"Yeah, definitely, and yes, been training with the martial arts team on base too" You replied

"We shall see how well you can spar tomorrow" Ghost said.

He picked up his mug and said his goodbyes. He knew not to pressure you into giving him information he desperately wanted to know.

Within your own darkness, you seem to be hidin' your own demons too Ghost thought as he walked out.

...

It had only been a 3 days since Ghost, aka Simon Riley, had his deep wound stitched up, and yet he was persistent on picking back up the training, especially hand to hand combat training.

It was no surprise, the Simon you remember was proficient in unarmed combat. Now added with his Ghost persona, daunting others in his stride.

Each time you greeted each other in front of the training room he booked out, you'd ask him how he was.

"Alrigh'" He gruffed

That was his usual response. You didn't want to annoy him any further so you bit your tongue.

Finally, on the fourth day of training, you pinched a nerve with Ghost when you kept repeatedly asking if he was okay and if his wound be able to handle a beating or two.

"So far, I've overthrown you... 7 out of 8 times past three days" He snapped at you, blue eyes narrowed at you.

"Pretty sure it's 6" You replied bluntly as you recall the time you were jumping repeatedly to try and pull him over.

"7" Ghost retorted crossing his arms and stepping closer to you

"You are twice the mass of any normal combatant" You say rolling your eyes edging over to the mat.

"Well if you could knock me over, then it'd be easier knocking normal people" Ghost said following you onto the mat, and got into his ready position as you did the same.

He watched as your face changed, the fire suddenly lit behind the eyes as you narrowed your eyebrows. Waiting for your move, because he knew you would lunge first with a kick. And you did, he used his right arm to swat it away as if the oncoming kick was a fly. He took in satisfaction from your frustration at his easy block.

"Too predictable" Ghost muttered as he circled you slowly.

Taking a deep inhale you let out a deep sigh

"I don't have the upper body strength to take you down" You hurled back at him

"Just try it" He calmly said

Pulling your arms closer to your chest and face, jolting forward and giving a right punch. Ghost dodges.

Ghost decides to up the game and throws a punch, you duck and attempt to trip him with your legs again. He sighs and raises his leg in an attempt to kick you but you block with your right arm and side of the body, with your left arm you grab his thigh but Ghost quickly uses his upper arm to push you back - you stumble with the amount of force he put with such ease.

"Good attempt" He groaned as he stretched his neck and arms. where the muscles laid too defined under his scarred pale skin.

Meanwhile you were panting for air like anything. Walking off the mats you grab your flask and take a quick swig from it. The water replenishes the dryness of your mouth.

"Ready for another round?" Ghost asks, and you swear you heard a glimmer of laughter

Turning around placing the flask down in its own spot, wiping away droplets of water from the edge of your mouth, walking back up to the mats and face Ghost, getting back in your stance.

Lunging first again, you manage to hit Ghost and block one of his oncoming punches. Using his thigh as a stool, you jump up and twist round to his back and wrap your legs around his shoulders hooking your feet against his lower back, trying to use your core to tip him over, but you just ended spinning yourself to his front, feeling you slip, Ghost instinctively grabbed hold of your waist, keeping you from falling and snapping your neck.

"Ain't ya gonna listen to me and not use your legs?" He said gruffly

A small groan come out from your mouth.

His calloused fingers of his right hand grazed the brown skin beyond the edge of the joggers you wore. His grip around your hips tightened as he felt you relaxing your upper body, yet the grip with your legs over his shoulders remained.

He heard you panting slightly as you hung below him. Your tank top rose, unveiling more of the warm smooth brown skin. Like magnets, his eyes took in the vulnerability of your position as you hung casually.

You're gonna pounce he thought, planting himself and engaging his core, his wound although padded and nearly healed (Ghost thought) throbbed dully.

Yet you lay still. Ghost peered down at you again, his eyes laid on your breasts, between them he quickly looked at your chin and then the edge of your round nose. For a moment, he let himself glance at your breasts and then trailed up from your ribs to the protruding skin, a bronze glow as a beam of light bathed that region... Within his chest a ripple formed that gave him ease. His eyes wandered back up to the legs wrapped around his shoulders.

Taking your vulnerability to his advantage; Ghost grabs you right arm with his left and pulls you up and then over him. He heard you yell in disbelief as you were flung over him.

His right hand was no longer securely on your waist but now grasping your right inner thigh, making you lose grip over his shoulder.

Falling on your back you groaned with growing agitation as he threw you down.

"Was that necessary?" You groaned

"I ain't a damn tree" He snapped back, surveying you as you sat crossed legged down on the mat. The black tank top was perfectly fitted, showing your toned arms as you leant back. Ghost looked away and turned his back slightly

"Built like one" You muttered to yourself quietly and get back up up, rubbing your sore back and shoulder.

"Look, come here" Ghost said, rubbing his the skin underneath his mask, then motioned with his hand.

You came closer, and he took hold of your right arm gently.

"Form a fist" He said still holding your arm as you tightened the muscles lying beneath the skin.

"Good" Ghost said, and you looked up at into eyes blue eyes. Simon's blue eyes. As your eyes meet you feel a sharp zing bolt across you, quickly glancing back down to your fist, the feeling spread down to where he held your arm.

"Now, hit me with your upper arm-" He began and proceeded to move that part closer to your body "close like this" he added, and look down at you, meeting your eyes once again.

"'Kay" You sighed, engaging your core.

"Use your arms this time" Ghost repeated and gave a nod for you to go ahead.

You aim for Ghost's chest, he dodges, you attempt again to hit him with your left hand and you hit his chiseled torso.

"Good" he said "Block and defen' now" he added, and he lunged forward suddenly, delivering quick and sharp punches.

You block two, and then grab his right arm, and attempt to hurl him over, but due to his large size he remained where stood.

Thrusting your backside into him to try and get a bit of momentum, but he stood still.

Ghost felt slightly awkward as you kept getting close to his front, he felt your back, especially your bum, hitting his cock. He took a step back and turned his waist to the side, yet you followed his move in attempt to try and bring him down. With his left hand, he wrapped around your waist and lifted you up over his head.

"Not again!" You yelled as Ghost you mid air. He chuckled slightly as he brought you down but you swung your left leg around the back of his waist to try and swivel yourself out of his hold.

"Stop!" He yelled as he lost his balance and you let go of his waist with your leg, but still held onto his right arm. The sudden change in weight and momentum made Ghost fall right on top of you. Your face slammed into the mat, and lips making contact with the grit on the mat, saliva sputtered out as you groaned with annoyance and tiredness.

Ghost lifted himself off of you, he noticed your bare shoulders, as your tank top had a strap in the middle, exposing the tattoo he saw briefly one time on your left shoulder.

As you panted on the mat, Ghost stood on one knee over you and examined the different four flowers coming out of what looked like a skull. He gazed at the black monochromatic skull; an odd reflection of the skull he wore over his own.

He moved back and up, watching as your back muscles flexing as you pushed yourself up from the mat.

"Last round?" You say, wiping your hands together to get rid of the grit from the mats.

"Until you knock me over then it'll be the last roun'" He said, standing in the centre of the mat. Stretching his arms over his head and gazing back at you.

You meet his blue eyes again. Part of you so badly wanted to run up, jump and take his mask off and be huzzah! But that would be a total invasion of personal space and you figured he'd just toss you back to the ground as soon as you made any move.

Best bet is to keep on the defensive mode... Wait for him to strike

After about a minute of circling one another, Ghost struck first, punches that struck you on the side, yet you began to dodge them, delivering punches in return.

"Finally" Ghost said aloud, as he looked at your delivery of punches, few which he blocked and few a he took. He looked deep into your brown eyes, full of focus and determination.

Throwing more punches, blocking and then attacking.

"Good" Ghost said again and he swung out his right leg, doing a high kick and you block it and try to toss him over. It didn't work. Instead you let go his leg, and he swiveled trying to kick you again, you blocked and then remembered a move... A sudden rush of adrenaline charged through your blood.

With his back turned, it was then with your right leg that as you quickly crouched, hooking it around Ghost's left leg causing him to stumble, allowing you the edge to push his back with your left hand.

As Ghost fell forward he felt your hand grip his right ankle flipping him over like a pancake onto his back. Before he could fight back, you lunged on top of him, pinning his left arm with your right leg and your right hand near his throat. Your left knee was placed just on his hip, just the right amount of pressure to prevent him from getting up.

It was one of his signature moves. The surprise attack he would often use from behind.

How could you.. But then he remembered... Simon...

Him

You learnt it from him.

You kept him pinned down in the same position, forcing your entire weight on the points you held him down by. Boring your eyes into his. You could see the remaining black painting creased as he squinted his eyes at you.

"Gonna get off me?" He growled, hoping that would intimidate you.

Yet you persisted. Keeping the same stern look you stared at him. Tightening the grip you had on his right arm.

Annoyance began to grow in Ghost. But then he figured if you knew, then this was the consequences of his own making.

Your fingers were splayed against his throat covered by his skull balaclava. There was a terrible temptation to how badly you wanted to slide your fingers underneath, revealing the mole on his skin that covered his jugular.

What colour was it?

Smooth and circular or rough like potato. What shape is the mole?

As you thought of the mole, your grip began to tighten slightly on Ghost's throat.

Ghost felt his anxiety building inside as she tightened her grip on his throat.

How could I be so fuckin' stupid Ghost thought to himself, he pushed himself up but you were exerting all your strength into keeping him where he is.

"Do you know?" he croaked

"I know a lot of things, to which are you referring to?" You retorted

"Hmm" Ghost groaned, he shifted again under you, yet you remained.

"The day we first met.." You started, thinking carefully of the way you were wording your thoughts. Ghost eyes widened, becoming more attentive.

"Go on.." He said

"You said my old name, how did you know?" You asked, eyes narrowing at Ghost, hoping to catch him

"Looked through a file" Ghost lied quickly. Unable to bring himself to tell the truth.

You smirked, eyes narrowing further.

"Nah, pretty sure the Captain redacted my name"

Ghost drew all of his strength, he managed to get his right leg up and with his knee shifted his weight so that you stumbled off of him as he turned over.

"What you gettin' at?" He said getting up off the mat, lending out his right hand to help you up. You take it, and Ghost helps pull you up.

You know.. Ghost thought to himself as he watched you study his face

"I think I know who you are.." You whispered

Ghost felt a cold tinge begin within him, he crossed his arms over his chest, partly to stop his shaking hands being in view.

"Who am I?" He asked, stepping a bit closer to you

You take a deep breath.

"Simon Riley"

At the moment, Ghost's entire body went cold. What felt like an electric shock bolted in his body.

He was lost for words.

"What makes you think that?" He asked

"You have a mole on your neck, and Simon also had a mole" You stated, wanting to be done with the mind games and for him to take his mask off.

"Had?" Simon asked "Must mean he's dead"

"Supposedly dead" You said slyly.

"How'd you know this Simon had a mole?" Ghost asked, fully relishing in the moment of teasing you. He could sense the gears working overtime in your brain.

"I have a photo" You snapped "And I'll show it to you" You said, walking off the mats.

You were tired of the running around the questions. Answers were needed. As you looked behind you, Ghost began to follow your footsteps as you lead the way.

...

Ghost followed you into your room and closed the door behind you.

You pulled out the gold from that had the photo of the five soldiers, staring at it one last time before handing it over to Ghost.

Looking down at the image in the frame, Ghost recognised the Captain, you and a younger version of himself.

There he was. Simon Riley, before the betrayal, before the chaos and when he had a family. When he had a life outside the military.

Ghost looked up at you, your face still had the same stern look, he could tell that you wished it was the same Simon under this mask, the same Simon that was in the framed photo.

Standing in front of Ghost, he was leant back against the wall. The foreboding skull face whose eyes still protruded glared at you. Every now and then those blue eyes blink, replenishing the moisture of his lense covered in black paint ridden skin.

"I thought you were bacon"

"Bacon?" Ghost said in surprise

You tilt your head up, and watch as Ghost - no Simon - cock his head to the side, taking in an inhale as he shifts his weight about.

"Fried to a crisp" You muttered

"That ain't bacon love" He retaliated

You mouth curved when he said love... A cold pleasant feeling rippled through you.

"Is it you?" You ask, voice-breaking slightly, you could feel your eyes beginning ot sting as tears formed.

Ghost sighed, he placed the golden frame upright onto the set of drawers near him. He reached with his slightly trembling fingers, grasping the edge of his mask and took it off.

Your heart skipped a bit, mouth opening wide as the person finally revealed was alive.

"Simon" You murmured, stepping closer to him. It wasn't the same Simon in the photo. His blonde hair was not so blonde, dirtier blond-brown, and was messy and long on the sides. His jaw was covered in stubble, and as you stepped closer your could see scars scattered over his face; one over his nose that ran near his left eye, another across his cheek. His eyes looked tired, but the black paint didn't help.

Taking in every detail, you scan his face. Your mouth curved as you savoured this precious moment. Unable to stop the tears and the tightness in your chest as you got close to him. Simon.

Simon watched as the tears that fell from your eyes finally trickled down your cheek, dropping down to the floor that held them both in this moment of silence. He reached out for your hand and pulled you closer to him.

He took in your sorrow, guilt riddled him like an aching virus. He brought his hands up, his fingers tracing the bronze skin that glowed in the candlelight, trailing his forefinger and thumb against your skin, taking in the softness. Simon sighed and bowed his head slightly, he looked up and saw more tears coming from your eyes, wiping them away with his thumb. The rough palms grasped the nape of your neck, lulling your head back as he weaved his fingers through your brown hair. Simon gazed back, and closed his eyes placing his forehead against yours, his cold sharp nose tip pressing into your round nose.

"Ru" He whispered finally, his eyes still closed, yet he felt your wet lashes flicker against his.

"Simon" You croaked, and sighed deeply into him, Simon felt you relax and pulled in close to him, wrapping his warm strong arms tighter around you. Taking in the comfort as you melted into him.

Each inhale brought in a mix of cinnamon, musk, cigarettes and sweat. A perfect elixir that soothed your melancholy.

"Didn't mean to take so long" Simon gruffed

"I knew something was up" You said, sniffling as you pulled away, wiping the tears away with your wrist. Looking up at Simon, who still held you close to him.

"I just needed time" Simon said, his forehead touched yours has he took another inhale, a weight finally lifted off him.

Reaching around his waist, you wrap your arms tight.

"You took your time, then I took the shot" You said chuckling slightly into him. His grip on you tightened and you could feel him laugh a little too.

As Simon held you in his embrace, thankful that you were not mad, he finally felt his inner demons quell within the darkness that had put a hold on him for far too long.

[demifiendrsa]

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered - Announce Trailer

Tomb Raider I-II-III Remastered will launch for PlayStation 5,  Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on February 13, 2024.

Screenshots

Overview

About

Discover Lara Croft’s original adventures, lovingly restored.

Play the original three Tomb Raider adventures: for the first time ever, play the complete experience with all expansions and secret levels on modern platforms in this definitive collection.

Included Game Titles

Tomb Raider I and “The Unfinished Business” Expansion

Tomb Raider II and “The Gold Mask” Expansion

Tomb Raider III and “The Lost Artifact” Expansion

Key Features

Solve Ancient Mysteries – Uncover treasures of the ancient world by solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries lost to the ravages of time.

Globe-trotting Adventure – Follow Lara Croft around the world and face off against deadly foes and dangerous myths.

Lovingly Restored – Experience the classics boasting upgraded graphics, with the option to switch to the original polygon look at any time.

[thecrofttomb]

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered: Update 1.02

The development team at Aspyr rolled out the first major update to Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, which should already be live across all platforms worldwide. The patch addresses some of the community's most reported issues, like missing/bugged textures, poor lighting in select areas, visibility of smaller pickups, and missing objects, among others.

Take a look at the patch notes below for a detailed list of changes.

General

Added missing HD textures

Updated textures under ladders to no longer be impacted by camera movement

Updated lighting in certain dimly lit areas

Resolved textures that would occasionally disappear depending on camera positioning

Reworked pickup items in dimly lit locations to be more visible

Tomb Raider I

Fixed image sizes so paintings were no longer cropped in Lara's Home

Resolved a partial missing door in the Egypt section

Updated textures on key pickups to be more visible

Updated lava textures to not be transparent when viewed at certain angles

Tomb Raider II

Resolved a crash that would occur in the Home Sweet Home level

Updated hitbox for spiders in The Great Wall level

Updated misplaced secrets in Golden Mask levels

Snowmobile no longer rides backwards when firing in Modern Controls

Updated door handles to include proper textures in the Diving Area level

Updated HD molten gold texture in the Kingdom level

Updated snow camouflage in HD mode in The Cold War level

Gold nugget is now visible in the Furnace of the Gods level

Tomb Raider III

Updated quicksand textures in HD mode

Waterfall no longer disappears when switching the levels in the control room of Nevada Desert

Secret level All Hallows now triggers properly

Skybox details are now visible in HD mode at the beginning of Shakespeare Cliff

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered: Starring Lara Croft is out now on Nintendo Switch, PC via Epic Games Store, GOG and Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

[satoshi-mochida]

Tomb Raider I-II-III Remastered announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC

Gematsu Source

Aspyr has announced Tomb Raider I-II-III Remastered for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch on February 13, 2024.

Here is an overview of the collection, via Aspyr:

About

Discover Lara Croft’s original adventures, lovingly restored. Play the original three Tomb Raider adventures: for the first time ever, play the complete experience with all expansions and secret levels on modern platforms in this definitive collection.

Included Game Titles

Tomb Raider I and “The Unfinished Business” Expansion

Tomb Raider II and “The Gold Mask” Expansion

Tomb Raider III and “The Lost Artifact” Expansion

Key Features

Solve Ancient Mysteries – Uncover treasures of the ancient world by solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries lost to the ravages of time.

Globe-trotting Adventure – Follow Lara Croft around the world and face off against deadly foes and dangerous myths.

Lovingly Restored – Experience the classics boasting upgraded graphics, with the option to switch to the original polygon look at any time.

Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Trailer

[warrenwoodhouse]

Set 1 - Platinum Trophies

Here is my first set of 30 platinum trophies.

2017

Heavy Rain Remastered (Part Of: The Heavy Rain & BEYOND: Two Souls Collection) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 86:00:00 | Earned: 19th August 2017 at 11:12 pm

Life is Strange: The Complete Season | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 45:00:00 | Earned: 15th October 2017 at 9:13 pm

2018

None

2019

3. Detroit: Become Human | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 122:00:00 | Earned: 12th March 2019 at 11:32 pm

4. Murdered: Soul Suspect | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 47:00:00 | Earned: 31st March 2019 at 4:20 am

5. Life is Strange: Before the Storm: The Complete Season | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 30:00:00 | Earned: 10th August 2019 at 6:13 pm

2020

6. L.A. Noire Remastered | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 219:00:00 | Earned: 29th March 2020 at 2:45 pm

7. Far Cry: Primal | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 180:00:00 | Earned: 21st April 2020 at 12:34 pm

8. Assassin’s Creed: Origins: Gold Edition | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 271:00:00 | Earned: 13th May 2020 at 4:46 pm

9. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate: Big Ben Steelbook Edition | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 226:00:00 | Earned: 22nd June 2020 at 3:55 pm

2021

10. Marvel’s Spider-Man: PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 187:00:00 | Earned: 7th August 2021 at 3:02 pm

2022

11. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales: PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 64:00:00 | Earned: 5th January 2022 at 5:23 pm

12. BEYOND: Two Souls Remastered (Part Of: The Heavy Rain & BEYOND: Two Souls Collection) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 124:00:00 | Earned: 15th February 2022 at 2:24 pm

13. Mafia III: Definitive Edition | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 487:00:00 | Earned: 11th March 2022 at 1:29 pm

14. Saints Row IV: Re-Elected | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 327:00:00 | Earned: 22nd May 2022 at 10:02 am

15. Until Dawn | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 56:00:00 | Earned: 4th June 2022 at 5:56 pm

16. Control: PlayStation 4 Exclusive Content Edition: PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 113:00:00 | Earned: 13th June 2022 at 11:37 am

17. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City — The Definitive Edition (Part Of: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 73:00:00 | Earned: 4th July 2022 at 11:49 am

18. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas — The Definitive Edition (Part Of: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 181:00:00 | Earned: 24th July 2022 at 11:39 am

19. Assassin’s Creed II Remastered (Part Of: Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 36:27:50 | Earned: add

20. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood Remastered (Part Of: Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 48:48:03 | Earned: add

21. Legendary Edition: Mass Effect (Part Of: Mass Effect: Legendary Edition): PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 190:00:00 | Earned: add

22. Legendary Edition: Mass Effect 2 (Part Of: Mass Effect: Legendary Edition): PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 190:00:00 | Earned: add

23. Legendary Edition: Mass Effect 3 (Part Of: Mass Effect: Legendary Edition): PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 190:00:00 | Earned: add

2023

24. Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 8:07:42 | Earned: 31st January 2023 at 5:23 pm

25. Assassin’s Creed: Liberation Remastered (Part Of: Assassin’s Creed III Remastered) | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): add | Earned: add

26. Assassin’s Creed II | PS3 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 24:35:07 | Earned: add

27. Saints Row: The Third Remastered: PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 135:08:00 | Earned: add

28. inFAMOUS: First Light | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 216:06:00 | Earned: add

29. ASTRO’s PLAYROOM | PS5 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): 13:20:00 | Earned: 20th November 2023 at 3:15 pm

30. Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition: PS4 Version | PS4 | How Long to Beat (hh:mm:ss): add | Earned: 21st December 2023 at 2:57 pm

Changelog

21st June 2024 at 7:17 am: Added “PS4 Version” to the name of those games that have a PS5 Upgrade Version. Also added additional tags to the tags section

23rd December 2023 at 7:50 am: Added “PS4 Version” to the name of those games that have a PS5 Upgrade Version. This means that the platinum trophy was unlocked for the PS4 Version and not the PS5 Version

21st December 2023 at 2:57 pm: Unlocked my 30th platinum trophy. Need to add how long it took me to complete the game

2nd December 2023 at 1:13 pm: Updated how long it took me to complete Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

20th November 2023 at 3:15 pm: Unlocked my 29th platinum trophy. Updated the list with how long it took me to complete the games that are in my list

31st January 2023 at 5:23 pm: Unlocked my 24th platinum trophy. Created post

24th July 2022 at 11:39 am: Unlocked my 18th platinum trophy

4th July 2022 at 11:49 am: Unlocked my 17th platinum trophy

19th August 2017 at 11:12 pm: Unlocked my 1st platinum trophy

[tomb-raider-merchandise]

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Nitro Deck+

'Limited production of only 1,000 Worldwide! A Tomb Raider is always equipped! This Special Edition Nitro Deck+ controller for Nintendo® Switch™ has everything you need to be prepared! Enhance your gaming experience with this Tomb Raider-themed deck! Embark on an odyssey of discovery, danger, and untold wonders, where adventure awaits in the depths of every shadow and beyond each rugged rock.

This design showcases Lara's resilience and determination featuring artwork symbolic of her journey's challenges & obstacles. A towering mountain and intricate hieroglyphic symbols intertwined with foliage and cracked rocks evoke ancient civilizations and mysteries awaiting to be discovered.

Only 1000 of each will be made, so get your hands on one before they are locked in the vault for the rest of time!

Whether you’re playing at home or on the go, casually or competitively, the Nitro Deck+ delivers the responsiveness and precision you need to enjoy your favorite games comfortably, for longer.'

Created by Limited Run Games for the Nintendo Switch and OLED Model, it features artwork that represent Lara's adventures, such as Egyptian hieroglyphs and pyramids, cracked stone and jungle foliage. It has the teal and gold colouring that has become the colours for the unified era of the franchise, as well as the logo for 'Tomb Raider I-II-III Remastered'. Here are further details from the official store page: - Limited Production - Only 1,000 worldwide! - Transforms your Nintendo Switch™ into a stylish handheld console Teal and yellow Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft theme - Updated with a symmetrical thumbstick layout for enhanced comfort. - Equipped with Hall Effect thumbsticks for precise & responsive stick drift-free control. - Play in Docked Mode while connected to a TV. USB-C to HDMI adapter sold separately. - New fully programmable Sidekick buttons allow for more customization options. - Adjustable Trigger Sensitivity. Onboard with Hall Effect Triggers, allowing you to fine-tune the preferred actuation point of your triggers. - Low Latency Direct connection via USB-C allows for a more responsive, lag-free gaming experience. - Programmable back buttons add versatility to your play style. - Compatible with the "True Collection System" CRKD Companion App where you can tap your product into your collection of CRKD products, revealing the product # and rarity rank of your controller. In the future, the App will include a full suite of customization options including button programming, adjustable trigger sensitivity, and more.

As of writing this item is in pre-sale and is expected to ship in December 2024, for £70.00 from the official Tomb Raider Gear Store and was for sale on Limited Run Games for $79.99 but is now sold out.

[weatherman667]

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered

No new Lara Croft bullshit. The owners of the IP are apparently getting annoyed with Crystal Dynamics, threatening to take away the IP. If the Remaster continues selling as well as it has, it will make a lot more money than the new ones.

Crystal Dynamics has been talking about their newest game in development, and apparently have zero idea what they are doing. It turns out that no one wanted a whiney feminist Lara Croft, they want the self-assured action-adventurer.

WHO KNEW?!

They redesigned Lara to be more classic, but gave her a masculine face, because?!?!? They then backpedalled, promising to make her more rebootey. They then promised that they wouldn't stoop so low as to give Lara short-shorts, proving they do not have the slightest idea what fans actually want to see.

[laurarolla]

Backlog Resolution Master Post

First things first! HRTCafe.net has valuable information for how to DIY your HRT if you feel so inclined or lack the option for medical access. Link will be up here for permanent, easy access.

This is a post to list links to my posts of youtube playlists for my gaming backlog playthroughs that I started this year. I'll also list what the next/current game is on this post.

Previously completed:

Titanfall 2

Hitman: Absolution + Sniper Challenge

Shovel Knight: King of Cards

Tomb Raider 1 Remastered

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition

Condemned: Criminal Origins

Saint's Row 2

Elden Ring

Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut

Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Unreal Gold

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Nightmare Kart

Pokemon White Version Nuzlocke

Abzu

Tomb Raider Unfinished Business expansion

Resident Evil Village

Armored Hunter Gunhound EX

Splendor (Board Game on PC)

Blood Rage (Board Game on PC)

Upcoming game:

Unfinished games:

Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall Unity

Finished but not uploaded:

Bioshock (No spending ADAM, no vending machine, restricted hacking, no saving extra little sisters)

Steven Universe: Save the Light (CBF Badge vs. All Bosses, Fusions/Team Attacks restricted)

Extra game list:

Pathologic 2 (delayed)

Strike Suit Zero Director's Cut Heroes of the Fleet (bonus campaign)

Child of Light (requires Uplay account and I don't know if I have one)

RE Village: Shadows of Rose (DLC)

Battlefield 1 (on my EA account, previously Origin)

[faint-kitten]

Updates About the Channel going into 2024....

So, someone bought me a 100hz Monitor (i'm running a 1080p 60) and a new Microphone which, HOPEFULLY will allow me to reduce some of the keyboard sounds allowing me to do more pc games without worrying about clickety clacking away. Given this generous offer I feel like I should try to get back to some kind of a regular schedule. Like I woke up at 5pm today (saturday) there's no reason I shouldn't have been able to play Rocket Racing, except I feel like Saturdays should be like an 11-9pm stream thing.

I know today I may or may not be going to visit my parents which will screw my sleep schedule so idk if we're going to do a new years stream? I have to reach Gold in Rocket Racing and I photoshopped a little car for a Rocket Racing Stream. I plan on doing that anyway so we might do that but idk what time. Might maybe throw some Scaredy Cats or Lucky_Bun's Bunalysis on in the background. Part of it is, I now have a semi-recurring audience and I'm trying to find days when EVERYONE is available to watch.

But moving forward, darkness II and Far Cry 5 are both games I've wanted to replay and they're on sale on Steam, and I've got 3 new games in my shopping cart on Gog (Hotline Miami, Tomb Raider Anniversarry (og game's remake), and Metro 2033 redux). I also got Deathloop and Rage 2 and Ghostwire Tokyo and I just got Outerworlds.

AND there's still Baulder's Gate 3. So I want to try and start streaming maybe Thursday, Friday, at night. Saturday during the Day. And maybe one or two streams during the week, where I can stream like, 11am to 2pm? Maybe? OR do like a Wed Stream?

Idk I feel like I've got more games and more stuff to play and no excuse not to do it. So I'm gonna try and get back on it this year.

[sweetmonsooncos]

COSPLAY MASTERLIST 💝

This is a full list of all the cosplays that I have done or I am currently planning to do. I'll update this as often as I can!

To see all of my cosplays, you can use the #my cosplay tag!

COMPLETED COSPLAYS

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)

Tomb Raider I - Bacon Lara (if you know, you know)

Tomb Raider I - Lara's Home Outfit

Tomb Raider II - Tibet Outfit ✅️

Tomb Raider II - Lara's Home Outfit

Tomb Raider II - SOLA Wetsuit Outfit

Tomb Raider II - Home Sweet Home Outfit

Tomb Raider II Gold - Nightmare in Vegas Outfit ✅️

Tomb Raider III - Lara's Home Outfit ✅️

Tomb Raider III - London Outfit

Tomb Raider III - South Pacific Outfit ✅️

Tomb Raider III - Nevada Outfit ✅️

Tomb Raider III - Antartica Outfit ✅

Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation - Teen Lara

Tomb Raider: Chronicles - Opera Dress

Tomb Raider: Chronicles - Russian Camouflage

Tomb Raider: Chronicles - Hi-Tech Catsuit

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness - Denim Outfit

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness - Wetsuit

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness - Black and Camouflage (Shorts and Trousers version) ✅️

Lisa Lisa (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure)

Regular Outfit ✅️

Gondolier Outfit ✅️

Jean Pierre Polnareff (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure)

Hotaru Tomoe/Sailor Saturn (Sailor Moon)

Stella (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)

Junko Enoshima (Danganronpa)

Mukuro Ikusaba (Danganronpa)

Kaede Akamatsu (Danganronpa V3)

Chiaki Nanami (Danganronpa 2)

Mikan Tsumiki (Danganronpa 2)

Kaneda Shotaro (Akira)

Rosalina (Super Mario Galaxy)

Jolyne Cujoh (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure) *CURRENTLY BEING REVISED*

Death Of The Endless (The Sandman)

Darkness (Stupid Mario Brothers)

Kento Nanami (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Jacqueline Natla (Tomb Raider I)

Sophia Leigh (Tomb Raider III)

Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell)

Secret Cosplay (?????? - To be debuted at a con in the future)

Kurama / Shuichi Minamino (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Yoko Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Nurse Kenjaku (Jujutsu Kaisen)

COSPLAYS IN PROGRESS

To see all my cosplays in progress, have a look at the #monsoon makes tag ❤️

Satoru Gojo (Jujustu Kaisen)

Shinjuku Showdown Outfit

Janice (Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness)

COSPLANS

Botan (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Holly Kujo (Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure: Stardust Crusaders)

Eijiro Kirishima / Red Riot (Boku No Hero Academia)

Tetsuo Shima (Akira)

Yami Bakura / Bakura Ryou (YuGiOh)

Yukina (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Kasane Teto (UTAU)

Kasane Teto – Synthesizer V Outfit (UTAU)

Johnny Joestar (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure: Steel Ball Run)

Abby Sciuto (NCIS)

Koenma (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Makoto Kino / Sailor Jupiter (Sailor Moon)

Thrúd (God of War: Ragnarök)

Haru (Beastars)

Koto (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Suzie Q (Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure: Battle Tendency)

Kaina Tsutsumi / Lady Nagant (Boku No Hero Academia)

Young Genkai (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Sypha Belnades (Castlevania)

Crowley (Good Omens)

[jcmarchi]

Far Cry 6, SteamWorld Build, and Both Remnant Games Head To Game Pass This Month

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/far-cry-6-steamworld-build-and-both-remnant-games-head-to-game-pass-this-month/

Far Cry 6, SteamWorld Build, and Both Remnant Games Head To Game Pass This Month

The month of December brings many things: cold weather, the holiday season, and this year, a new crop of games on Xbox Game Pass. Highlights this month include Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant II, giving subscribers a chance to try out both games if they haven’t yet. It also gives them day one access to SteamWorld Build, the latest in the genre-shifting SteamWorld series. And for fans of big-budget open-world adventure games, subscribers will also get access to the latest entry in the Far Cry series. Below is the full list, their dates, and our reviews.

What’s Coming To Game Pass

Remant II

Remnant: From the Ashes (Cloud, Console, and PC) – November 30 | Our Review

Remnant II (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – November 30 | Our Review

Spirit of the North (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 1 | Our Review

SteamWorld Build (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 1 | Our Review

Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 5

Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5 | Our Review

While the Iron’s Hot (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5

World War Z: Aftermath (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5

Goat Simulator 3 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 7

Against the Storm (PC) – December 8

Tin Hearts (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 12

Far Cry 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 14 | Our Review

What’s Coming To Game Pass Core?

Earlier this year, Xbox replaced Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass Core. It’s a scaled-down console-specific version of Game Pass that allows players to play online and get access to certain discounts, but instead of Gold’s two free games a month, Game Pass Core members get access to a smaller list of games from the full Game Pass library. There are currently 36 games available. This month, that roster expands by two.

Chivalry 2 – December 6

Totally Reliable Delivery Service – December 6

What’s Leaving Game Pass?

Chained Echoes (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 15

Opus Magnum (PC) – December 15

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 15

Rubber Bandits (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 15

[everygame]

The Making of Karateka (Nintendo Switch)

Developed/Published by: Digital Eclipse Released: 29/08/2023 Completed: 04/10/2023 Completion: 100% of the museum, beat Karateka (Apple II) beat Karateka remake. Trophies / Achievements: n/a 

If you’ve been following my writing for a while, you’ll know I’ve been playing a ton of old games, and yet I never ever thought to make a point to play Karateka until this release (you can read my thoughts on it here.) Although it has pedigree–its creator Jordan Mechner would go on to make, I think most famously, Prince of Persia–it’s also an Apple II game from 1984, and I think a strange choice to launch a deluxe re-release line, Digital Eclipse’s new “Gold Series'' (outside of there just being a lot of historical material available to pull from.)

Using that material, The Making of Karateka is described by the company as an “interactive documentary” and while it is that, it’s also sort of a digital museum exhibit… and sort of like a Criterion edition of a classic movie if the blu-ray was designed in such a way that it directed you to watch Charlotte et son Jules and read Jean Luc Godard’s treatment before you actually got to watch Breathless.

So it’s kind of an odd sell, really, and the contradictory thing I have to say about it is that I think The Making of Karateka is absolutely brilliant, but I also don’t think it makes a ton of sense as a product (although I do think you should run about and buy it immediately so they make more.) The question that lingers, you see, is what actually makes someone who isn’t retro game-pilled like me pick this up? It’s “The Making Of” to express that there’s something more here than just a re-release of Karateka, but hang on, if you don’t care about Karateka, why do you care about the making of it?

I don’t think it’s something that Digital Eclipse manages to answer, exactly, although what they have produced is beautiful anyway. Clearly using the same front-end as Atari 50 (which could have done with being made a bit more fitting for Karateka? I mean the music sounds exactly the same? ["Though it's not the exact same piece of music"--Pedant Ed.] they’ve created a tour through Jordan Mechner’s life as he started developing video games, from the aborted project Deathbounce, through the release of Karateka and its sequels, and then with some postscript concerning a possible sequel that hints towards what eventually became Prince of Persia.

It is heavily curated (I sort of wanted to read more of Jordan Mechner's diaries than I got to...) and definitely some irrelevancies (sorry, I hate famous talking heads telling me why they like something. It’s not as insightful as you imagine!) and some bits feel a bit… ad-hoc. It also (and I noticed this about Atari 50, too) keeps quite a narrow focus and doesn’t widen context to deepen your understanding. Everything about Spartan X and the path from Prince of Persia to Tomb Raider and beyond that I wrote of in my Karateka write-up is my own, er, research [“*cough* Wikipedia *cough*”--Ed.] and I think that’s a line that’s missing and (honestly) needed to make players understand Karateka’s place in history.

That said, what’s there is still fascinating. It’s simply a matter of curatorial choice. It’s obviously challenging to try and make an Apple II game chime with audiences in 2023, and the choice here was made to not just release Karateka with a “museum” glued on and I’d agree it’s more likely than not in that situation new players don’t go into the game with the right mindset. But I’m not sure that going for the “museum” first angle is correct either. While, yes, you can absolutely click through to a menu and just play Karateka straight away, the experience is absolutely not framed like that, and if you play through the “interactive documentary” in order, you spend a long time playing prototypes of Deathbounce, a game that Jordan Mechner never actually manages to make any good!

It’s a strange priority, and I think it comes from locking the interactive documentary into a strictly chronological format. No one is asking for my advice, but I think there’s a middle-ground here, and I think it’s the Turner Classic Movies system. You know how you used to turn on TCM and then like, Robert Osborne would be there, and he’d explain how this random Humphrey Bogart movie was actually very interesting, and then suddenly you’re watching Sahara and really enjoying it?

I think that’s what I’m imagining. You load this up, you get a nice intro, an explainer, and then you’re playing Karateka. Then once you stop playing it (you don’t have to finish it or anything) it goes straight into the documentary, armed with knowledge of Karateka. Deathbounce makes more sense once you’ve played Karateka. You can actually see the evolution because you know how far he was able to go!

So, yes, my main complaint with The Making of Karateka is simply one of pacing and structure and awkward priorities, the last of which is most exemplified by another example: the inclusion of modern remakes of both Deathbounce and Karateka. Structured as it is, I have to question whether they were worth the time and expense?

(An immediate aside as I discuss this. Retro re-releases are getting wildly disparate in pricing now. Arcade Archives are putting out excellent stand-alone titles for $8, but you also have ININ putting out a bare-bones version of Cannon Dancer for an absurd $30, so it’s actually a bit hard to declare the correct value of a re-release, and how much extra value remakes or improvements offer in terms of how much you can charge versus how much it costs to produce…)

The Deathbounce remake doesn’t feel simply unnecessary, it feels counter-intuitive to the thrust of the documentary. It doesn’t succeed in making Deathbounds good, and the lesson I read from this section is that Mechner spends far too long trying to make a simple arcade game into something more rather than just releasing his first version quickly (which is probably the most fun version!) and just ends up with something that’s kind of a bloated mess, and seemingly far from his goals. The “what if” here is “what if a mess, but it’s 2023.”

The Karateka remake, however, is fantastic… it’s just that it is basically at the end of the entire museum and it wasn’t until I got there that I even knew it existed! Developer Mike Mika has done exactly what he set out to do, which is to make a hyper-smooth version of Karateka that feels like it was developed for an ideal VGA PC in the early 90s, and it includes a brilliant director’s commentary system (there’s an entire director’s commentary for the Apple II Karateka too, but it’s not particularly highlighted, which is a bit of a shame–although you just watch a playthrough for that one). 

It makes the game really accessible (perhaps too easy to play, even) but by the time I got to it it felt completely redundant! Sure it’s slow, but Apple II Karateka is perfectly playable, and the director’s commentary in the remake even just recounts a bunch of stuff you’ve already learned. So the whole thing feels like it’s working at cross purposes to the rest of the release–like they could have simply released a remake, but something changed their minds about doing that, and it ended up here as essentially bonus content.

If it really comes down to it, though, this is all just my classic “well, this isn’t exactly how I want it” complaints, and I sincerely hope the “Gold Series” can be sustainable enough to continue–perhaps this is as much a proof of concept as anything. I’m just not sure they actually need to put in this much effort, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. 

Will I ever play it again? From an educational standpoint, I sort of wish there was just a folder with all the materials in it to refer to rather than having to walk the halls of the digital museum each time, but there’s stuff here that I’ll return to, absolutely.

Final Thought: Actually, a (much needed!) re-release of MULE, for example, could benefit from an expansive museum and including a remake (which should be front and center if they do, the original is a much harder sell than even Karateka) but for many games–and I think in the end Karateka felt like this for me–a Turner Classic Movies-style release would be enough. Either way, I’m still going to show up every time.

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